Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

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.

Selection Process

We have a rolling admissions process for this course: applications are considered as they are received.

You may be asked to have an interview with a senior member of academic staff. Interviews may be held in person but most take place online.

You can expect to hear whether you have been successful within six weeks of submitting your completed application and required supporting documents.

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.
  • History and Philosophy of Science - statement of purpose (upload)
    The statement of purpose, of about 600 words, should indicate which subject areas you would pursue in the MPhil. Please tell us about possible essay and dissertation topics you might pursue on the course, why you are interested in them, and some preliminary ideas about how you might carry them out. We will not treat the statement as a formal proposal, but it 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 the PhD after completing the MPhil course.
  • Core - Sample of Work (3) (document upload) (mandatory)
    You should submit between one and three examples of your written work, such as essays or a dissertation, in areas relevant to the postgraduate study you wish to pursue. You may submit an essay you have written specifically for this application, but please indicate if this is the case. The writing sample(s) must be entirely your own work, fully referenced and in English. They should collectively be no longer than 10,000 words in total. The word count includes references and footnotes, but excludes the bibliography.

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


Michaelmas 2027
Applications open
Sep. 9, 2026
Application deadline
Feb. 25, 2027
Course starts
Oct. 1, 2027
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Funding Deadlines
Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 8, 2026
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 14, 2026

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2027, Lent 2028 and Easter 2028.

Similar Courses