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.
You must contact and provisionally agree a PhD project with a Principal Supervisor before submitting a formal application. You must also include the name of this agreed Principal Supervisor on your online application form.
Applications submitted without both a confirmed supervisor and their name listed will be rejected
MPhil offers are conditional on clearing any research related security checks the University deems necessary. The University will try to 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 checks in other areas being completed.
Selection Process
Applications are considered as they are received. Those applicants who meet the course requirements are assessed by the Director of Postgraduate Education, their prospective Principal Supervisor and at least one other Principal Investigator.
Applicants will be interviewed (in person or online) and should expect to learn the outcome of their application within six weeks of their completed application being submitted (including all supporting documents).
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. - Core - Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)
- Core - Proposed Supervisor (200 characters) (mandatory)
You must find a Supervisor before submitting your PhD application. Applications with no named Supervisor will be rejected. For more information on finding a Supervisor, see below. - Core - Research Experience (2500 characters) (mandatory)
- Core - Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
The Research Proposal should be no more than two sides of A4 in length (excluding references and footnotes). At a minimum it should include a concise description of the background to the proposed project, aims of the work, details of the methods and expected outputs from the project, and their impact on the broader field. You may include one figure and key references though these are not mandatory. - Core - Statement of Interest (2500 characters) (mandatory)
- 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
To find a Principal Supervisor, check out the research profiles of the Department of Oncology Principal Investigators on our departmental site and email those you are interested in studying with to find out if:
they are looking to take a student in the year you wish to start.
they have a project to offer and if you intend to study part-time, is the project suitable for this mode of study.
your research plans align with the supervisor's interests.
Potential Supervisors will often advise on how a research proposal might be developed or improved.
When you email Principal Supervisors, include a one-page covering letter explaining why you wish to study with them, a two-page CV and a transcript of any examination marks received so far.
You must contact and provisionally agree a PhD project with a Principal Supervisor before submitting a formal application. You must also include the name of this agreed Principal Supervisor on your online application form.
Applications submitted without both a confirmed supervisor and their name listed will be rejected.