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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 12:00am (midnight) UK time on 5 January 2023 for admission in October. However, later applications will still be considered where possible (up until the general, University deadline). 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 DAMTP prior to submitting an application. Applicants will usually only be considered for admission in January or April in exceptional circumstances.
Please note: 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 BME background.
Selection Process
Applications are under review from November, with the majority of applications considered as part of a gathered field 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 2022 (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 invited to an interview and/or asked to sit a written admissions test. 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 - Reasons for applying (1500 characters)
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
Applicants are encouraged to make informal contact with potential supervisors prior to making an application. Applicants should clearly state in the 'Proposed supervisor' field of the application form the name(s) of those member(s) of academic staff with whom they wish to work, and provide a clear indication of the areas or topics in which they intend to undertake research in the 'Research Summary' field. We do not currently require submission of a separate detailed research proposal. The Department website provides further information on current areas of research.