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Postgraduate Study

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.

Selection Process

We operate a gathered field for applications (i.e. all applications are considered together after the closing date). Applications are accepted between September and early December (in line with the funding deadline), with individuals that are shortlisted invited to interviews that are held in mid December or early January. Gates US candidates have an earlier closing date of October, with interviews held shortly afterwards.

For those interviewed, decisions are typically communicated within several weeks following the interview.

Applicants applying after the December deadline will only be considered if there are remaining places following the interviews in December/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.

  • 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.
  • Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)

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.


How to Find a Supervisor

Please refer to our website here.

We strongly encourage you to visit the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit website: MRC CBU Research, MRC CBU Programme Leaders and Project ideas for our research, list of Supervisors and their areas of research and ideas for specific projects. Please feel free to email the Supervisor whose research best aligns with your interest to discuss opportunities and their potential to supervise in the upcoming academic year.

Apply Now

Key Information


12 months full-time

2 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Master of Philosophy

MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Michaelmas 2026

Applications open
Sept. 3, 2025
Application deadline
Dec. 2, 2025
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2026

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 2, 2025
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 15, 2025

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas , Lent and Easter .


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