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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.

Applications are accepted until the start of April, but applicants will only be able to apply for funding if the application is made before the December funding deadline stated on the website. Gates US candidates have an earlier closing date of October, with interviews held shortly afterwards.

A first round of interviews will occur in December or early January. Individuals that are shortlisted will be invited to online interview, with successful applicants able to proceed to seek funding. Further interviews will be held in following months for those applying after the December funding deadline.

For those interviewed, decisions are typically communicated within 1 week following the interview.

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

Selection Process

Applications will not be considered after the course deadline has passed. Interviews will be held January - April.

Applications for funding are assessed following the funding deadline in December. Applicants who apply by the December funding deadline will be interviewed in January, and can usually expect to receive a decision on funding awards by Cambridge funders from March onwards.

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.

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

Applicants do NOT need a project or agreed supervisor to apply for the MPhil.

The course team will provide a list of available projects to successful applicants before the October course start date. If applicants have an alternative research project they wish to pursue, this will be considered by course directors and the team may be able to facilitate this work if a suitable supervisor can be identified.

Apply Now

Key Information


Michaelmas 2026
Applications open
Sep. 3, 2025
Application deadline
Apr. 15, 2026
Course starts
Oct. 1, 2026
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Funding Deadlines
Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 3, 2025
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 15, 2025

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2026, Lent 2027 and Easter 2027.

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