University of Cambridge MRC DTP PhD Programme

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 £70 application fee. Further information on application fees 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.

The Cambridge MRC DTP PhD Programme is currently under consideration of renewal for October 2022 intake. More information on the outcome of that decision will be known in June 2021, and if successful an announcement will be added to this website, if successful. If renewed, the course will be opened for applications for academic year 2022 via the postgraduate online portal from October 2021. Please send queries to Dee Longdin, Programme Administrator, mrcdtp@medschl.cam.ac.uk.

Candidates may select up to two projects. Descriptions of the research projects on offer and prospective supervisors will be available on the MRC DTP website.

Selected projects should be added to the "Proposed title of research" field in order of preference, quoting the project titles and project IDs.  Please provide the name of the primary supervisor for your first choice project in the "Proposed supervisor" field. In the "Research summary" field provide a brief synopsis of why you have chosen your project or projects, and how this might fit with your academic or professional aspirations. 

Applicants may also choose to submit their own research proposals, and such requests will be considered at the time of application.

Please enter "Own Research Proposal" in the field "Proposed title of research", instead of a project reference number. Then use the "Research summary" field to provide a brief synopsis of why you are choosing your own project.

Your chosen projects will be used as an interview guide before you choose your final project.

Any offer is made subject to the approval of the final project proposal by the MRC DTP Committee and agreement of the host department and successful completion of the University of Cambridge admissions criteria and process.

This course is part of a scheme within the Graduate School of Life Sciences which enables three applications to be made with payment of a single £70 application fee. A list of other eligible courses and further information can be found here.

Selection Process

You should make a formal application via the Applicant Portal. Applicants will be shortlisted after the closing date and interviews held in Cambridge in January 2021.

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

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

Projects are offered by supervisors.

Candidates may select up to two projects. Descriptions of the research projects on offer and prospective supervisors will be available on the MRC DTP website.

Applicants may also choose to submit their own research proposals, and such requests will be considered at the time of application.  Applicants should identify at least one supervisor with whom they could conduct their proposed research project.