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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
As this is not a core-funded course, the MBU operates a rolling admission process for MPhil students which are considered as they are received.
Applicants should expect to hear whether or not they have been accepted by the Department within six weeks of submitting their completed application and required supporting documents. However, applicants wanting to be considered for the University's funding competitions should bear in mind that their application should be submitted by the funding deadline of 7 January.
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.
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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
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Evidence of competence in English
If required - please see our Competence in English guidance for more information.
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
You should contact the potential supervisor(s) by email, requesting an informal discussion, before submitting your application.
The information about potential supervisors can be found here.
You should contact the potential supervisor for a discussion about the proposed project and how this fits with other research projects within the group, so it is important that you are familiar with the work conducted by the MBU and its research groups. This information can be found on our website, along with potential projects available from October 2025. Information about the application process can also be found on our website and the supervisor might refer to this during the discussion. You should then submit your applications via the University’s application portal.
Applications where no potential supervisor has been named will be circulated to all recruiting supervisors for consideration.