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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.

Please refer to the PhD Opportunities page on the MRC BSU website to view project and supervisor availability before applying.

Places are usually allocated in January and February, however occasionally PhD projects and studentships are advertised at other times during the year, so applicants should refer to the Unit website for details of current opportunities and closing dates.

Selection Process

Our main recruitment round takes place from September to January, with an initial application deadline in early January. This is followed by shortlisting and interviews in mid to late January when our funding is usually allocated.

However, applications will be considered as they are received and in exceptional circumstances, an earlier decision may be made.

If we have not filled all places by the end of February, we may re-open for applications, and applications at this stage are assessed as they are received. We aim to have all decisions made and places allocated by the end of April.

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
  • Reasons for Applying (1000 characters) (mandatory)
  • Scholarships or Awards (1500 characters) (mandatory)
    details of any awards or funding you have or expect to receive that are relevant for this application.
  • Project / Studentship
    The name of up to 4 projects you are interested in and why, in order of preference. Please see the list of projects on this site https://www.mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk/phd-opportunities.
  • Proposed Supervisor
    The names of up to 3 Supervisors you are interested in working with and why, in order of preference.
  • School of Clinical Medicine - 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:

  • Gates Cambridge Reference  
  • Research Proposal (PhD applicants only)

See Gates Cambridge for more information.


How to Find a Supervisor

Before applying, please carefully review the information available on our departmental website. Familiarise yourself with the work conducted by the department and the research interests and projects of potential supervisors. See https://www.mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk/phd-opportunities  to view project availability and for details of the members of the department interested in accepting students to supervise in this academic year.

You are expected to contact potential supervisors before making a formal application. The purpose of this initial contact is to discuss research proposals and determine if there is a good fit between your interests and theirs. When contacting a supervisor, it is recommended that you consider their research profile when writing to them.

You must nominate your preferred supervisors in your application.  The admission committee will take this preference into account. We do not guarantee you will be assigned that supervisor if admitted, and nomination of a supervisor does not guarantee your admission.

Apply Now

Key Information


3-4 years full-time

4-7 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Doctor of Philosophy

MRC Biostatistics Unit

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
Oct. 2, 2024
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2025

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

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
Jan. 15, 2025
Course Starts
April 17, 2025

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

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
March 27, 2025
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2025

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

Lent 2026

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Oct. 2, 2025
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2026

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

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Jan. 14, 2026
Course Starts
April 17, 2026

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

Course Funding Deadline
Jan. 7, 2025
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 16, 2024

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2025, Lent 2026 and Easter 2026.


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