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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 wanting to be considered for the University's postgraduate funding competition must adhere to the funding application deadline (see sidebar on the right).
Applicants must complete the University's online application form by the closing date via the Applicant Portal.
Applicants must secure the support of a Supervisor within a laboratory before submitting an application. A list of supervisors at the Stem Cell Institute can be found here. Please contact your preferred Supervisor(s) to discuss your potential supervision, proposed research project and funding options, which should then be used to write your formal application.
Selection Process
Applicants wishing to be considered for the University's postgraduate funding competition will need to apply by the funding deadline (see sidebar on the right). Applications for funding are assessed following the funding deadline in December, and interviews are held in January. Applicants who apply by this deadline can usually expect to receive a decision on their admission to the Department in February, and funding awards are then announced by Cambridge funders from March onwards.
All other applications (not being considered for funding) are considered as they are received (rolling admissions).
Candidates are required to discuss their application and funding options with potential supervisors prior to submitting an application. Applications with no named Supervisor will not be considered.
Applicants should expect to receive a department update on their application within three weeks of submitting their completed application and the supporting documents (this includes references).
Further information on How To Apply
Things You'll Need
In order to apply for this course you'll need to think about getting a few things ready before you apply.
- Two academic references
- Transcript
- CV/resume
- Evidence of competence in English
If required - you can check using our tool - Statement of Interest (5000 characters) (mandatory)
- Reasons for Applying (5000 characters) (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 - Scholarships or Awards (1500 characters) (mandatory)
- School of Biological Sciences - Widening Participation Questionnaire
Applicants to this course are asked to complete an additional form to provide contextual information about their previous study. Find out more about our use of contextual information here: postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/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 must secure the support of a Supervisor within a laboratory before submitting an application. A list of supervisors at the Stem Cell Institute can be found here, so please contact them directly and plenty of time in advance of your deadline(s). Applicants must include the named Supervisor(s) on their application form, as we do not assign supervisors. Applicants may still name a Supervisor on their application if they have not heard back from them, and the application will be reviewed by the proposed Supervisor and department.
A list of current research projects will be available on our webpage in the summer.
Once you have had contact with a potential Supervisor and been advised by them to make a formal application, you can submit your application via the online Applicant Portal by the relevant deadline.