skip to content

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.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

If you have been advised to make a formal application by your prospective supervisor, you will need to do this by submitting an application via the online Applicant Portal.

How to apply:

  • You should complete the University's online application form, by the closing date, via the online Application Portal.
  • Applicants who wish to be considered for the Cambridge Postgraduate Funding Competition should apply via the online Application Portal by the funding deadline.

Selection Process

Applications are considered as they are received (rolling admission). However, applicants wishing to be considered for the University's postgraduate funding competition will need to apply by the relevant deadline (see side bar on right).

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.

  • 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.
  • Proposed Supervisor (200 characters) (mandatory)
    You must secure the support of a supervisor within a laboratory before your application will be considered. Please see below.
  • 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:

  • Gates Cambridge Reference  
  • Research Proposal (PhD applicants only)

See Gates Cambridge for more information.


How to Find a Supervisor

You must secure the support of a supervisor within a laboratory before your application will be considered.

A list of CIMR PIs can be found here.

Before applying, please carefully review the information available on our departmental website. Familiarise yourself with the work conducted by the department and the research interests and projects of potential supervisors. Please see here.

You are expected to contact potential supervisors before making a formal application. The purpose of this initial contact is to discuss research proposals, enquire about supervisor capacity and willingness to supervise, determine if there is a good fit between your interests and theirs. When contacting a supervisor, it is recommended that you consider their research profile when writing to them.

Please note that applications without a named supervisor will be rejected.

Apply Now

Key Information


3-4 years full-time

4-7 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Doctor of Philosophy

Cambridge Institute for Medical Research This course is advertised in multiple departments. Please see the Overview tab for more details.

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Oct. 2, 2025
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2026

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Jan. 14, 2026
Course Starts
April 17, 2026

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Michaelmas 2026

Applications open
Sept. 3, 2025
Application deadline
April 15, 2026
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2026

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Applications open
Sept. 3, 2025
Application deadline
Oct. 1, 2026
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2027

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Applications open
Sept. 3, 2025
Application deadline
Jan. 14, 2027
Course Starts
April 17, 2027

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 2, 2025
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 15, 2025

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


Similar Courses