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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.
Places on this course are very limited. Applicants will usually have funding in place via an external scheme such as that offered by the Martingale Postgraduate Foundation. If you are considering this course, you are strongly recommended to also consider taught Masters courses offered by the Faculty of Mathematics.
Any students who are not part of the Martingale scholarship programme must make informal contact with the Postgraduate Office in the Faculty of Mathematics (by clicking on the "Enquiries" button) and with potential supervisors prior to making an application.
You should clearly state in the relevant field of the application form the name(s) of those member(s) of academic staff with whom you wish to work, and provide a clear indication of the areas or topics in which you intend to undertake research. Details of our research areas and potential supervisors are given on the Faculty webpages.
General and unfocused applications with no suitable or prospective supervisor are likely to be seriously disadvantaged or rejected.
Selection Process
Applications are typically reviewed between January and March. We aim to have all decisions made by the end of April. You will receive updates through the Applicant Portal at key stages of the process.
Part-time study may not always be viable and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, so please discuss this option with your proposed supervisor before making an application for this mode of study.
Further information on How To Apply
Things You'll Need
In order to apply for this course you'll need to think about getting a few things ready before you apply.
- Two academic references
- Transcript
- CV/resume
- Evidence of competence in English
If required - you can check using our tool - Research Interests
- Proposed Supervisor (200 characters) (mandatory)
The name(s) of one or more proposed research supervisors with whom you wish to work. Details of available supervisors can be found on our website. [https://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/postgrad/research-degrees] - Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)
- Research Summary (2500 characters) (mandatory)
Details of the areas or topics in which you intend to undertake research. - Research Experience (2500 characters) (optional)
Any research experience that you may have. - Reasons for Applying (1500 characters) (mandatory)
- School of Physical Sciences - Widening Participation Questionnaire
Applicants to this course are asked to complete an additional form to provide contextual information about their previous study. Find out more about our use of contextual information here: postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/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
You should refer to the list of Research Areas and Potential Supervisors: https://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/postgrad/research-degrees. You should clearly state in the relevant field of the application form the name(s) of those member(s) of academic staff with whom you wish to work, and provide a clear indication of the areas or topics in which they intend to undertake research.
You are expected to make informal contact with potential supervisors prior to making an application. Initial contact should be made by email. In your email we recommend you provide a concise explanation of your areas of interest, how your research interests align with the supervisor(s) research, and that you highlight any relevant work you have done in this area. We recommend that you attach an up-to-date CV. The purpose of this contact is to enquire about supervisor capacity and willingness to supervise, and to see if there is a good fit between your interests and theirs.
If you haven't had a response to an informal enquiry, you are still welcome to apply and list the individual concerned on your application form, although you may also wish to consider other options.