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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.
While research-based MPhil programmes may offer flexible start dates throughout the academic year, taught Master’s courses—such as this one—commence exclusively at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term in October.
We operate a gathered field for applications (i.e. all applications are considered together after the closing date). Applications submitted by the funding deadline are shortlisted and invited to interviews that are usually held in January. Gates US candidates have an earlier closing date of October, with interviews held shortly afterwards.
For those interviewed, decisions are typically communicated within 3-4 weeks 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.
Offers made of places on this course are conditional on clearing any security checks the University deems necessary. Security checks are routinely required for all individuals involved in research activities that include working with sensitive information; working with children and vulnerable adults; working with live animals or with tissues supplied from live animals or working in an environment in which such work is pursued by others; working with dangerous pathogens or in a category 3 containment laboratory; or working with some other sensitive technologies.
Where necessary, the University will ensure that applicants are not disproportionately impacted by the requirement for any security checks by allowing new students to take up places and start appropriate areas of their work prior to a check in other areas being completed.
Selection Process
Applications are considered after the funding deadline has passed.
Applications for funding are assessed following the funding deadline in December and interviews are held in early January. Applicants who apply by this deadline can usually expect to receive a decision on their admission to the Department in February and funding awards are then announced by Cambridge funders from March onwards.
Applications after the funding deadline will then be considered in a gathered field and shortlisted for interview after the course application deadline has passed.
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
Students will be given a list of potential projects and supervisors to choose from, and they will also be given the option to develop a student-initiated project with a supervisor.