Primary tabs
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.
Other criteria for admission:
Suitability of proposed research to Cambridge
Availability of suitable Supervisor at Cambridge
Although applications for the PhD open in early September, with the exception of applicants from the United States (and resident in the US) who wish to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship in the US round, applicants should not normally expect to receive a decision until after the course application deadline has passed. The majority of decisions are made by the end of March.
Before deciding whether to recommend to the Postgraduate Admissions Office that a formal offer of admission be made, an interview (normally conducted online) may take place between mid-January and mid-March. While all efforts will be made to give applicants reasonable notice of the interview date, there are occasions where the interview may need to be arranged at relatively short notice.
Selection Process
With the exception of applicants from the United States (and resident in the USA) who wish to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship in the US round, applications are normally considered on a gathered field after the course application deadline has passed. The majority of decisions are made by the end of March.
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. -
Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
Please upload a research proposal of between 2,000 and 3,000 words in length (inclusive of footnotes but exclusive of bibliography). - Reasons for Applying (1500 characters) (mandatory)
- Statement of Interest (1500 characters) (mandatory)
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 Law, applicants are not expected to contact a potential Supervisor (or supervisors) before submitting a formal application for admission. The Degree Committee will, in the course of considering a strong application, take steps to identify a suitable and available Supervisor based on how closely an applicant's research proposal matches the academic interests and areas of expertise of possible supervisors whom they identify. Applicants are, however, strongly encouraged to name one or more potential supervisors on page one of the Postgraduate Application Form based on their familiarity with the potential Supervisor's research (please consult the Faculty's website for a list of teaching members and their research interests). The Degree Committee may take these preferences into consideration.