PhD in Plant Sciences

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 twelve weeks of submitting their completed application and the 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)
  You must contact a Supervisor and secure their support before making an application. For more information on finding a Supervisor, see below.
• Research Proposal (mandatory)
• Project / Studentship Applications (optional)
• 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 PhD 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.

Depending on the project, part-time study may not be viable and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, so please discuss this option with your proposed Supervisor before applying for this mode of study.

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