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.
Selection Process
Applications considered as they are received. Early offers are made to the strongest applicants, with the remainder of the offers drawn from a gathered field considered from March onwards. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified as early as possible.
You may be asked to interview with a senior member of academic staff to further assess your suitability for the course. Interviews are normally carried out online and typically take place around November/December and March.
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. - History and Philosophy of Science - statement of purpose (upload)
The statement of purpose, of about 600 words, should indicate which possible essay and dissertation topics you would pursue in the MPhil, why you are interested in them, and some preliminary ideas about how you might carry them out. This will help us understand your motivations for taking the MPhil and how well prepared you are for postgraduate-level research. You may also include a preliminary PhD research proposal if you are planning to continue to a PhD after completing the MPhil course. - Core - Sample of Work (1) (document upload) (mandatory)
A sample of your written work, such as an essay or an extract from a dissertation, in an area relevant to the studies you wish to pursue. The sample should be no longer than 10,000 words. You may submit an essay you have written specifically for this application, but please indicate if this is the case. The sample must be entirely your own work, fully referenced and in English. The word limit includes footnotes (where used) and any citations but excludes the bibliography (reference list). - Core - Summary of Available Marks (1000 characters) (mandatory)
Please report the average numerical grade achieved on your most recent degree programme. Where applicable, please also indicate the average grade achieved on any degrees awarded prior to your most recent degree programme. Please report this numerically (e.g. 3.9) rather than as a letter (e.g. A). If your most recent degree is in-progress, please indicate the average of the grades achieved so far (at the time of application) on your current degree programme. For example, if you are currently enrolled on a UK undergraduate degree, and you have achieved three equally weighted grades so far (65, 70, 75), then the average numerical grade so far would be 70. If you are unable to report the average grade from your most recent degree programme numerically, please provide context on why it is not possible to report this. Please be aware that misrepresenting any aspect of your application may result in the application being withdrawn, a revoking of offers, or refusal of admission.
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
It is not necessary to have contacted a prospective supervisor prior to submitting an application.