PhD in Chemical Engineering

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 ensure you provide the name of the academic with whom you wish to work and a brief research proposal.

Also, please note that due to the nature of their research, not all groups are able to take on part-time students. We recommend that you consult our website, in the first instance, for groups that can typically consider part-time PhDs, and you should then contact the group head(s) to enquire if such places are available.

We normally cannot accept a third additional reference. However, we may request one if we feel it is necessary. For example, if you've only recently begun a Master's course and your two references are from a previously completed Bachelor's, we may request the third reference from your current Master's programme.

Selection Process

Applications are considered as they are received, and applicants should be aware that the process can often take two or three months. Decisions on applications are updated on your Applicant Portal/Self-Service, which should be the applicants' first point of call for the latest news on their applications. The University requires that candidates be interviewed before an offer of admission can be made.

Further information on How To Apply

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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.
• Proposed Supervisor (200 characters) (mandatory)
  Please enter the name of the Supervisor you have contacted here. If you haven't contacted a Supervisor, you must do so before submitting this application. Please note that we do not consider applications without a named Supervisor and/or a research proposal. For more information on finding a Supervisor, refer to the 'How to Apply' section of the course page.
• Research Summary (2500 characters) (mandatory)
  A brief summary of the project you wish to undertake must be provided. Your research proposal should fall within the broad research area of the group you with which you wish to work.
• Reasons for Applying (1500 characters) (mandatory)
  Why do you feel that Cambridge is the most suitable place to carry out your research and pursue a PhD?
• Statement of Interest (1500 characters) (mandatory)
  Why are you interested in this course, and why do you feel that you are a good fit for it? Once you complete the degree, what do you plan to do with it?
• School of Technology - 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.

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How to Find a Supervisor

On your application, you should enter the name of the Supervisor with whom you wish to work and a research proposal. Please note that applications without a named Supervisor and research proposal will be automatically rejected. We suggest you contact potential supervisors who should be an academic in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology before submitting an application; please see the Research Groups page on our website for our department's current research and our Academics page for potential supervisors.

A degree of flexibility on both sides (the department and you) is helpful. Students frequently come to the department and work in a slightly different area from their original preference.