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Apply using the Applicant Portal
The Apply Now button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal. There, you can create and submit your application and supporting documents, and you can also request your references.
An application is only complete when:
- you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
- you have paid the application fee if applicable. For further information on application fees, and which courses require an application fee, see here.
- your referees have provided their references.
If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.
Applicants must secure the support of a Supervisor within our department before their application will be considered.
Selection Process
Applications submitted by the funding deadline will be reviewed in gathered fields, while those submitted after the funding deadline will be considered on a rolling basis until the application deadline.
Interviews will last approximately 30 minutes and may be conducted in person, via Zoom, or Skype. Each applicant will be interviewed by at least two academic members of the department.
Applicants who apply by the University funding deadline of 2 December 2025 will be reviewed in December and January, with decisions generally issued in February. The department aims to review around 90% of applications within 12 weeks and to have all decisions made by 15 June 2026.
Further information on How To Apply
Things You'll Need
You should start preparing the things that you'll need when you apply. These will be mandatory, unless specifically flagged as optional.
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Two referees willing to give you a reference
Either academic or professional – please see our References guidance for more information about which type you need. Your referees will need to have submitted their reference by the course deadline. - Transcript
- CV/resume
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Evidence of competence in English
If required - please see our Competence in English guidance for more information. - Statement of Interest (mandatory)
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Proposed Supervisor (mandatory)
For more information on how to find a supervisor, see below. - Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)
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Research Proposal (mandatory)
A research proposal of up to 12,000, including a provisional research title. -
School of Biological Sciences - Widening Participation Questionnaire
Applicants to this course are being asked to complete an additional form to provide contextual information about their previous study. Find out more about our use of contextual information here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/contextual-data
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
If you wish to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship you will also need to provide the following:
See Gates Cambridge for more information.
How to Find a Supervisor
Applicants are required to identify a potential Supervisor before submitting their application. For more information on possible research areas and supervisors, consult our project and research pages.
Applicants should only apply once an established Supervisor has confirmed they would be interested in considering their formal application.
Please note that applications without a named Supervisor will be rejected.