Primary tabs
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.
There are two routes of entry for PhD study at CRUK CI. Please note that they are not mutually exclusive.
Apply for a CRUK CI studentship
All available studentships are advertised on the CRUK CI website, on the University of Cambridge Job Opportunities page (under 'Studentships'), and on FindAPhd. You should make sure you have made a careful note of the application deadline for each studentship opportunity, as these are likely to be earlier than the overall course application deadline.
Please click the 'Apply Now' button to submit your application via the University Applicant Portal by the advertised deadline.
Apply for a CRUK CI PhD with external funding
If you are applying for or already have independent funding from another source, please review the Research Groups information on our website to determine your choice of supervisor for the project you wish to undertake. Once you have identified a potential supervisor and field of research, you can submit your application via the University Applicant Portal by the advertised deadline.
Note: Offers of places on this course are conditional upon 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;
- 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
CRUK CI PhD studentships
Applicants should expect to hear whether they have been short-listed for interview within six weeks of the advertised application deadline.
Please note: the application deadlines for individual advertised PhD projects are likely to be earlier than the overall course application deadline.
All shortlisted applicants will be interviewed either online or in person.
For our annual PhD studentship competition (September - January), we will most likely be inviting shortlisted applicants to a three-day interview event in early to mid-January, consisting of an applicant symposium (individual presentations) and an interview day where you will be interviewed by your potential supervisor and at least one other senior academic. If you are unable to attend in person, we will make suitable arrangements for you to participate virtually. The cost of travel, accommodation and a standard visitor visa (if required) will be covered by the Institute.
You will also be invited to a dinner at one of the Cambridge Colleges where you can meet current PhD students; and you will have the opportunity to meet other members of the lab in an informal setting.
Externally funded applicants
If you are applying for or already have independent funding to support your studies, your formal application will be considered shortly after it is received by the Institute.
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 - Medical Science (CRUK CI) - Project Details
You will be asked to provide project details for our advertised projects to be found on our website on jobs.cam.ac.uk and other channels. If you are not applying for a specific project, please contact us at AcDev@cruk.cam.ac.uk - Research Experience (2500 characters) (mandatory)
- Statement of Interest (2500 characters) (mandatory)
Reason(s) you wish to be considered for the CRUK CI PhD studentship(s) you have selected. You should include the reasons for your choice of project, the specific experience you will bring, and the qualities you believe make you an outstanding candidate. - 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:
See Gates Cambridge for more information.
How to Find a Supervisor
CRUK CI PhD studentships
Applicants for an advertised CRUK CI studentship are not expected to contact a supervisor before making a formal application. The title and associated supervisor of the advertised project(s) you wish to be considered for should be stated in your application. Successful applicants will be assigned a supervisor.
Externally funded applicants
Prospective applicants for a non-advertised project are not required to contact potential supervisors, but may do so before making a formal application. The purpose of initial contact is to discuss research proposals, enquire about supervisor capacity and willingness to supervise, and determine if there is a good fit between your research interests and theirs. It is expected you will have carefully read the information about the research interests and activities of all our Research Groups (CRUK CI website) to discover which group(s) you would be interested in joining, and where you might make a meaningful contribution to the lab's field of research.