MPhil in Economic Research

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.

Please read the Faculty's Entry Requirements and How to Apply pages before applying for this course.

Please DO NOT submit an application for more than one of the MPhils offered by the Faculty of Economics.

Please NOTE the GRE test is a separate department requirement and is NOT used for the language requirement assessment.

This course allows you to use one professional referee, as well as one academic referee, even if you have only recently left higher education. If you have been out of higher education for more than 6 years, you may use two professional referees, in line with our general rules (see References to support your Cambridge application | Postgraduate Study).

Selection Process

Applications are considered as gathered fields due to the quality and volume of applicants exceeding the number of places we can offer.

We strongly advise applicants to apply by 18 November 2025 to have the best possible chance of securing a place. We may close early to applications after this first gathered field and before the deadline of 2 December 2025.

Applications are considered as gathered fields in November and December. Those who apply by 18 November will hear by the end of February 2026. If the course remains open until 2 December, those applying after 18 November will receive a decision by the end of March 2026.

After this point, borderline applications may be put on hold and placed on a waiting list if places become available. You will be informed via email or Applicant Portal if you fall in this category and the final decision will be reflected on your Applicant Portal. These decisions will be finalised by the end of June.

Kindly note that the Faculty will not provide feedback to individuals on the quality and content of their application to postgraduate programmes within the Faculty of Economics.

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.
• Details of previous study
  Please upload details of the Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics and Mathematical courses you have taken/will be taking in your current and previous degrees to show that you meet the entry requirements outlined on the Faculty's website here. The template that MUST be used can be downloaded here.
• Reasons for Applying (5000 characters) (mandatory)
• GRE Questions
  Applicants whose previous university training has been in countries outside the UK or part of the University of London International Programme MUST submit the results of a recent GRE test. Please note that failure to upload a GRE Test (if required) may result in the automatic withdrawal of the application. For more information, please see the Faculty's website; https://www.econ.cam.ac.uk/apply/postgraduate/courses/mphil-economic-res.... Alternatively, you can contact us via email.

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.