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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.
You are advised to identify a potential supervisor, whose research interests align with your own, before making an application via the Portal.
General applications with no suitable or prospective supervisor are unlikely to be supported. Please check that the supervisor you want to work with is currently based in the Department and taking students.
Please see the section below on ‘Finding a Supervisor’ for advice on how to do so.
You can apply to carry out this MPhil on a part-time basis over two years, but this will only be approved if the project is suitable and the supervisor has agreed to this arrangement.
Offers made of places on this course are conditional on 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; or 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.
Please also note the University funding deadlines for various scholarships here.
Selection Process
Applications are considered as they are received (on a rolling basis). Applicants should expect to hear whether they have been successful within ten weeks following the submission of their completed application and required supporting documents. Please be aware that University or external funding schemes may specify a particular application deadline, earlier than the Department's deadline. You will need to meet this to be considered for those funding opportunities.
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. -
Multiple Proposed Supervisors (200 characters) (mandatory)
You must get in touch with a Supervisor and discuss your research before applying. For more information on finding a Supervisor, please see below. - Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)
- Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
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, including self-funded individuals, are required to discuss their application with a potential supervisor (principal investigator) in order to establish a research project and a funding source prior to submitting an online application. Please visit either the Departmental website or Postgraduate School of Life Sciences | for a list of appropriate supervisors.
When contacting a potential supervisor, please provide a CV and a brief (500-1000 words) research proposal.
If you do not receive a response within 10 working days, the Postgraduate Administration team will be happy to help – you can contact us via the Department Query button on the right-hand side of this page or at clusterPG@medschl.cam.ac.uk
If your online application does not contain a named proposed supervisor, we will contact you for further information. Until your proposed supervisor is confirmed, we will not be able to further process your application.