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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.

You must find a Principal Supervisor BEFORE you submit your PhD application and add their name to your online application form; your application will be REJECTED if you do not add the name of your Principal Supervisor to your online application form.

PhD 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 and interviewed (online or in person) by their prospective Principal Supervisor and at least one other Principal Investigator.

Applicants should expect to learn the outcome of their application within six weeks of their completed application being submitted (including all 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.
  • Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)
  • Research Summary (2500 characters) (mandatory)
  • 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.
  • Research Experience (2500 characters) (mandatory)
  • Statement of Interest (1500 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:

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

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.

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 find a Principal Supervisor BEFORE you submit your PhD application and add their name to your online application form; your application will be REJECTED if you do not add the name of your Principal Supervisor to your online application form.

Apply Now

Key Information


3-4 years full-time

4-7 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Doctor of Philosophy

Department of Oncology

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
May 14, 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
Jan. 7, 2026
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 15, 2025

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


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