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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.
We strongly encourage all applicants to apply by 23:59pm (midnight) UK time on 7 January 2025 for admission in October. Whilst later applications will still be considered where possible (up until mid-May), nominations for the University's Postgraduate Funding Competition are usually made at beginning of February. It is also important to note that earlier applications may be necessary in certain subject areas (HEP and GR), as described below. Certain funding opportunities may also depend on meeting earlier deadlines.
Applicants wishing to explore the possibility of a later start date (January or April) should contact phd-admissions@maths.cam.ac.uk prior to submitting an application. Applicants will usually only be considered for admission in January or April in exceptional circumstances.
Details of our research areas and available supervisors are provided on our website. When making an application, applicants are required to indicate at least one broad research area of interest from those listed on the form, and provide more specific details of the areas or topics in which they intend to undertake research in the 'Research Summary' field. In addition, applicants should indicate one or more ‘proposed supervisor(s)’ in the relevant field, detailing the name(s) of those member(s) of academic staff with whom they wish to work.
General and unfocused applications with no suitable or prospective supervisor are likely to be seriously disadvantaged or rejected.
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.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The Department would particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BAME background.
Selection Process
Applications are under review from November, with the majority of applications considered following the January funding deadline. We expect to have made the majority of decisions by mid-July. The Department makes every effort to take decisions on applications at the earliest opportunity. In some cases, however, it may take some time for a decision to be made. Applications may need to be viewed by several potential supervisors before a final decision can be reached. Once a decision has been taken on your application, the result will appear in your Applicant Portal.
Applicants to the High Energy Physics (HEP) and General Relativity and Cosmology (GR) groups should note that we anticipate making some offers to outstanding candidates in February/March – for full consideration you should submit your complete application (including references and other supporting documents) to the Postgraduate Admissions Office by 15 December 2024 (this arrangement applies equally to UK, EU and Overseas applicants). These offers will be made on the basis of academic track record and the applicant may also be asked to sit a written admissions test. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview. However, it is also expected that some of the PhD places in the HEP and GR groups may be offered in June/July once the Part III Mathematical Tripos results are available and your application may be put 'on hold' until this time. Because of the very high level of preparation required, the great majority of successful applicants for PhD places in these research groups will be taking or have taken Part III Mathematics. Further guidance for HEP and GR students is available from the Department website.
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 - 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/finding-damtp-supervisor] - Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)
This can be general and does not need to be a working thesis title. - Research Summary (2500 characters) (mandatory)
Details of the areas or topics in which you intend to undertake research. - Research Experience (2500 characters) (optional)
An outline of 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
The topic of the research thesis may be chosen from the wide range of subjects studied within the Department. You are expected to have investigated our research and expertise prior to making an application. This should be done by consulting our dedicated page on finding a supervisor, as well as our current areas of research, and individual profiles of our academic staff.
You are encouraged 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 also 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.