MPhil in Biological Science (Plant Sciences) by thesis

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:

1. you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
2. you have paid the application fee if applicable. For further information on application fees, and which courses require an application fee, see here.
3. your referees have provided their references.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

Please note that we allow two different kinds of referees: academic and professional. If you are still studying or left higher education within the last 6 years, this course allows you to use either two academic referees or one academic referee and one professional referee. If you have been out of higher education for more than 6 years, you may use two professional referees, in line with our general rules (see References to support your Cambridge application | Postgraduate Study).

Selection Process

Applications are considered as they are received in a rolling admissions system. Applicants should expect to hear whether or not they have been successful within 12 weeks of submitting their completed application and required supporting documents. Interviews will be conducted in person or via video call.

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.

• 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
• Evidence of competence in English
  If required - please see our Competence in English guidance for more information.
• Statement of Interest (mandatory)
• Proposed Supervisor (mandatory)
  For more information on how to find a Supervisor, see below.
• Research Proposal (mandatory)
  Please check the course directory for details of the preferred word count for your Department. If no specific guidance is provided, we recommend a proposal of approximately 2,000 words. Please include a provisional research title. Applicants applying to an advertised project or studentship do not need to include a research proposal.
• Project / Studentship Applications (optional)
  If you are applying to an advertised project or studentship, please specify which projects you are interested in and why, in order of preference. Normally, not more than 3 projects or studentships should be specified. Applicants applying with their own research proposal should upload it as part of their application.
• 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:

• Gates Cambridge Reference  
• Research Proposal (PhD applicants only)

See Gates Cambridge for more information.

How to Find a Supervisor

Applicants should contact a potential Supervisor before proceeding with their MPhil application. You can browse the personal/group pages of the Research Group Leaders to check the details of their research and how to contact them.

Applicants must secure the support of a Supervisor within a laboratory before their application is considered.