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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.
The Institute accepts only one or two MPhil students each year and so competition for places is particularly fierce. Prior to submitting the University of Cambridge online application form, you are strongly advised to identify a group leader in the Institute who is willing to supervise you for MPhil study.
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.
This course is part of a scheme within the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences which enables three applications to be made with payment of a single application fee. A list of other eligible courses and further information can be found here.
Selection Process
Your selection onto the course is predominantly at the discretion of your supervisor. You are advised to contact your preferred supervisor before submitting a formal on-line application to the University. At this time, they will inform you whether MPhil study under their supervision is possible. Applications are then considered as they are received. Applicants should expect to hear whether they have been successful within six weeks following the submission of their completed application and required supporting documents.
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 - Statement of interest (2500 characters)
- Proposed Supervisor (M)
You must contact a Supervisor and discuss your research interests before applying. For more information on finding a Supervisor, see below
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
Applicants should contact potential supervisors, informally, by email to discuss their plans before completing the University online application form.
Potential applicants for MPhil study should contact Group Leaders in the Institute whenever they are sure that this is the next step in their career pathway. Before contacting any Group Leader, please refer to the Institute website. Here, you will discover the research interests of each group, which will help you to determine which groups are working on projects that you find interesting and that you would like to contribute to. Please then email your preferred supervisor(s) requesting to be considered for the MPhil study and explain why you wish to join the supervisor's research team. Also attach your CV which should include details of the undergraduate courses that you have taken and grades achieved, plus also the names and contact details of two academic referees.
Only when a Group Leader has informally agreed to supervise your MPhil study should you submit a formal application to the University of Cambridge.