PhD in Psychology

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.

Applications are usually only considered for October entry.

Selection Process

Applicants who have applied by 2 December 2025 are considered as a gathered field. Applicants who pass the first phase of the application process may be interviewed in December 2025 and will receive a decision on their application in February 2026. Applicants who apply after the 2 December 2025 should expect to hear whether or not they have been successful within six weeks of submitting a completed application and required supporting documents.

Interviews will last approximately 30 minutes and may be conducted in person or by Zoom, MS Teams etc. Telephone interviews are acceptable if Zoom or MS Teams are unavailable. Applicants are interviewed by at least two academic members of the department, including the prospective supervisor.

Further information on How To Apply

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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.
• Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)
• Research Summary (2500 characters) (mandatory)
• Proposed Supervisor (200 characters) (mandatory)
  Before making an application, you must contact a Supervisor and secure their support. For more information on finding a Supervisor, see below.
• Research Experience (2500 characters) (mandatory)
• Statement of Interest (mandatory)
• Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
  Applicants are required to upload a copy of their research proposal. This should consist of about two sides of A4, including references and it should include: a clear empirical objective, some idea of the research methods you would use and relevant theoretical background.
• 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.

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How to Find a Supervisor

It is important for applicants to be familiar with the research conducted by the department and the different research groups. Applicants must nominate a prospective Supervisor on their application. Applicants must contact a prospective Supervisor and receive their support to apply, before submitting their application. The support of a prospective Supervisor does not guarantee the applicant a place on the course, nor does it guarantee the funding.

Applications cannot be considered without a named Supervisor.

List of potential PhD Psychology supervisors.