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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.
If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.
Although it is possible to start the PhD in Lent term (January), we strongly recommend that all PhD students should start in the Michaelmas term (October).
Selection Process
The Department has a rolling admissions process: applications are considered as they are received.
Admission is subject to an interview with one or two senior members of the Department. The interview may be conducted in person, by phone or online.
Applicants can expect to hear whether they have been successful within six weeks of submitting their 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.
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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
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Evidence of competence in English
If required - please see our Competence in English guidance for more information. -
Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
The research proposal should be a detailed description of the project of your doctoral thesis, of at least 600 words. -
Sample of Work (max 5) (document upload) (mandatory)
You should submit one or more 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 samples must be entirely your own work, fully referenced and in English. There is no word limit.
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 advisable for applicants to familiarise themselves with the work conducted by the Department before submitting their materials. You should contact a potential supervisor with a draft proposal, CV (with grades) and writing sample at least a few weeks before the deadline in order to inquire about the supervisor's capacity and fit to supervise the proposed project. See 'Why study HPS at Cambridge?' for a list of potential supervisors. If applicants do not name a potential supervisor in their materials, the application may be assigned a supervisor in the evaluation process.