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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.
Applicants for research in Geography should select the following course: PhD (probationary) in Geography in the Department of Geography. The department will then allocate you to the relevant category – Social Sciences and Humanities or Physical/Natural Science. Please be aware that this will affect the level of fees to be paid by applicants with overseas fee status.
Selection Process
Applications received up to the December funding competition deadline will be reviewed as a gathered field and can usually expect to receive a decision in February. Any applications received after this date will be considered in further gathered fields up to the March deadline with decisions usually made in April-May, but such applications will not be put into the University funding competition.
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. - Reasons for Applying (1500 characters) (mandatory)
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Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
A statement (approximately 2,000 words) of your research proposal, including aims and methods, sources and the location of the proposed research. Please state which academic in the department could supervise your research. Physical Geography applicants, choosing from the list of topics available on the department or the NERC DTP website, do not need to include a research proposal but should include a statement giving information about why they have chosen a topic or topics and their suitability for the chosen topic or topics. A listing of specific resource needs for your research (such as travel budget, fieldwork, laboratory equipment, chemical, IT needs, etc) should be included with your research proposal. Please include an outline of any experience you have that is relevant to your application. -
School of Physical Sciences - 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
Before making an application, you must satisfy yourself that advanced study in your chosen field can be effectively supervised. Acceptance of any applicant will be dependent upon specialist supervision being available.
Please consult the Department of Geography's Research webpages to get an idea of the types of research the department does. Physical Geography applicants can apply with their own topic if they believe there is a supervisor available but there is also a list of advertised Physical Geography topics on the department's website.
If your research interests fall generally into one or more of these areas, you must contact the relevant supervisor(s).
The purpose of this initial contact is to discuss research proposals, inquire about the supervisor's 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. You should also include your CV so they can assess your academic background and research experience.
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.
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 applying for this mode of study.
(Please note: Identification of a potential supervisor, while an essential requirement for application, does not imply any guarantee of admission and the full admissions procedure must be followed in all cases).