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.
Successful applicants may need to attend an online pre-sessional course starting on 1 September 2026 and complete it by 30 September 2026. We shall assume that, by accepting an offer, you are also confirming that you will complete this course. You do not need to be on campus for the course. Further information regarding the online pre-sessional will be provided by the department in due course.
Selection Process
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Applicants should expect to hear whether or not they have been shortlisted to proceed with their application within two to three weeks of submitting their completed application.
Applicants who are shortlisted will be put in contact with a member of faculty and asked to submit a research proposal (of up to 2,000 words) to the PhD office by 7 January 2026.
After the review of research proposals, some applicants will be selected for an interview.
Interviews take place in late January. Interviews are either in person or online. Offer decisions are normally made and communicated in early February. Occasionally applicants may be informed that they are on a waiting list.
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
- Evidence of competence in English
If required - please see our Competence in English guidance for more information. - JBS - MRes/PhD Pathway
Pathways are explained here https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/programmes/research-programmes/pathways/. - JBS - research interests
A summary of your research interests and intended research topics. We recommend a maximum of 700 words (see that there is a 3,000 character limit set up for this field). Note that only if you are shortlisted, you will be put in contact with a member of Faculty and asked to submit a research proposal. - Core - Sample of Work (1) (document upload) (mandatory)
A sample of your writing, no more than 25 pages in length (e.g. excerpts from a thesis), which has been assessed or peer-reviewed. - JBS - supervisor
- JBS - research experience
- JBS - papers and publications
- JBS - academic teaching experience
- JBS - career goals
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
An MRes applicant may (optionally) state on their application form which member of faculty they would like to work with. The final decision as to supervision arrangements will be made by the PhD Admissions Committee after the student interviews.
The supervisor of the MRes dissertation might not necessarily become the PhD principal supervisor.