skip to content

Postgraduate Study

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.

Applicants are asked to choose which pathway they wish to pursue. Please note that some applicants may be asked if they are willing to pursue a different pathway than the one that they applied for. After an offer has been issued, applicants will not be able to change their pathway.

This course allows applicants to use one professional referee, as well as one academic referee, even if they have only recently left higher education. Applicants who have been out of higher education for more than 6 years may use two professional referees, in line with our general rules (see References to support your Cambridge application | Postgraduate Study). Note that this does not indicate a preference for professional referees: your referees should be whoever is best-qualified to provide the subject-specific insight necessary to inform our decision-making.

Selection Process

Applicants for early funding competitions - such as the Gates Cambridge US round, for US citizens resident in the US - should apply by the relevant deadline for that funding source and will be assessed separately.

All other applications will be assessed as a gathered field after the advertised application deadline, with all offers being made by the following March. Applicants should normally expect to hear whether they have been successful within 12 weeks of the course submission deadline. A small number of strong applications, from applicants not made offers in the main round, may be held on a waitlist in the event that an additional round of offers can be made.

In all cases, it is essential that transcripts, references and all documents associated with your application are submitted by the relevant deadline.

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.
  • Motivation for Applying (1500 characters) (optional)
  • Brief statement of relevant work experience (750 characters) (optional)
  • Summary of Available Marks (400 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.

Apply Now

Key Information


11 months full-time

Study Mode : Taught

Master of Philosophy

Department of Engineering

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Michaelmas 2026

Applications open
Sept. 3, 2025
Application deadline
Dec. 2, 2025
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2026

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 2, 2025
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 15, 2025

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas , Lent and Easter .


Similar Courses