PhD in Antarctic Studies

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.

A selection of BAS research areas are typically advertised each autumn on the BAS and CREATES Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA) websites. The research area will have a named supervisor and deadline for application clearly indicated. In most cases, applicants will be required to be eligible for UKRI-NERC funding and will only be admitted to start in the following Michaelmas term. Interviews will be held prior to an offer of admission.

If your topic does not fall within current BAS research interests you may wish to explore opportunities for PhD study in another, related department before making an application to the University.

Selection Process

Applicants for research areas offered by the NERC CREATES DLA are considered together, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview in Cambridge approximately six-to-seven weeks after the closing date.

Any other applications are considered as they are received (rolling admissions). Applicants should expect to hear whether they have been successful within twelve 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.
• Statement of Interest (2500 characters) (mandatory)
• Multiple Proposed Supervisors (200 characters) (mandatory)
  Provide the names of the BAS supervisors you would like to work with. This will help when processing your application.
• Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)
  Provide the summary as shown on the CREATES DLA website. This will help when processing your application.
• Research Summary (2500 characters) (mandatory)
  This will usually be a brief summary description you may have discussed with the proposed supervisor beforehand.
• Research Experience (2500 characters) (optional)

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

Research areas available at BAS are usually advertised each autumn on the BAS and CREATES DLA websites. You should identify the supervisor of the research area in which you are interested and contact them to discuss your eligibility and suitability. A list of supervisors is available on the the BAS and CREATES websites.

The purpose of this initial contact is to discuss the research area, enquire about supervisor capacity and willingness to supervise, and 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. You should also include your CV so they can assess your academic background and research experience.

You will be asked to give the supervisor name in your application. Capacity to supervise projects not supported by a NERC or UKRI funded partnership is very limited.

Please note general and unfocused applications with no suitable or prospective supervisor are likely to be seriously disadvantaged or rejected. Please check that the supervisor you want to work with is still current in the Department and taking students.

Please note: part-time study may not always be viable and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, so please discuss this option with your proposed supervisor before making an application for this mode of study.