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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.
Selection Process
Applications directly to the PhD are only accepted from students who are completing (or have completed) a CJBS research MPhil, or from students completing the MPhil Economics Research at Cambridge. (Please see departmental website for the specific MPhil needed for each PhD pathway).
All applications are considered as a gathered field after the closing date of 4 January 2024.
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.
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 - Research proposal (M)
- Supervisor
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
Current research MPhil students are provided with an introductory talk from the PhD Director at the beginning of October. This includes information given about which supervisors have supervision capacity in each pathway. Students are advised to carefully consider their choice of PhD pathway during the first week of their MPhil course, then to contact the PhD relevant pathway representative during Michaelmas Term to discuss potential research topics and the interview requirements of the Subject Group. The pathway representative may recommend the student to other faculty members in the Subject Group.
A student may (optionally) state on their application form a 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 student interviews at the end of January.
The supervisor of the MPhil dissertation might not necessarily become the PhD principal supervisor.