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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.
Please refer to PhD Studentships page on the MRC Epidemiology Unit website.
Selection Process
The large majority of applications are considered as part of a gathered field (i.e. all applications are considered together after the closing date) in order to rank candidates for University funding. For these, our application deadlines coincide with University funding deadlines (usually early January, except for US Gates Cambridge in October) and our interviews are usually held in late January. Additionally, we will consider applications on a rolling basis if funded by other sources.
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
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. -
Statement of Interest (2500 characters) (mandatory)
Please specify whether: (i)you consider yourself eligible to pay home or overseas University fees (ii) you are applying to other funding sources; and (iii) include an outline of the research topics you wish to pursue. -
School of Clinical Medicine - Widening Participation Questionnaire
Applicants to this course are being asked to complete an additional form to provide contextual information about their previous study. Find out more about our use of contextual information here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/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
Applicants are welcome to formulate a PhD topic of your own choice, as long as it is coherent with the overall goal of the Unit, and with the interests of at least one Unit programme; see Research Areas.
Alternatively, you may wish to choose from one of the PhD topics listed here.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact a potential supervisor before applying.