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.
All applicants should be prepared to be interviewed by telephone or videocall.
Selection Process
Applications received before the funding deadline are considered together as a gathered field after the funding deadline. Decisions on these applications are usually made in February.
Applications submitted after the funding deadline are considered by the Department on a rolling basis within 12 weeks.
Decisions regarding funding take significantly longer and may continue for several months.
Applications will be directly considered by relevant members of the Department before being accepted or rejected.
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
- Evidence of competence in English
If required - please see our Competence in English guidance for more information. - Core - Sample of Work (max 5) (document upload) (mandatory)
A sample of work which can be one long piece or several shorter essays amounting to around 5,000-7,000 words. - Core - Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
A 500-word research proposal. - Core - Reasons for Applying (5000 characters) (mandatory)
- School of Arts and Humanities - 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
In preparing to apply you should consult the list of current academics in the Department (using the academic staff profiles), noting their areas of expertise. You do not need to contact any Department members in advance of applying.
However, you should identify at least one suitable supervisor for your research project before you apply.
The Department's Graduate Sub-Committee is responsible for considering research applications to match appropriate supervisors to research projects.
If you are being considered for a place, a potential supervisor may contact you for an interview. But it should be noted that the supervisor stated in your conditional offer of admission is provisional and subject to change upon your arrival in Cambridge, and you may not receive the same supervisor you have mentioned in your application.