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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

The course consists exclusively of research.

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.

One to one supervision

The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. All students are assigned a research supervisor and adviser.

The department also produces a Research Student Handbook that describes in detail how these principles apply within DAMTP.

Taught/Research Balance
Entirely Research

Placements

As a condition of their funding, some students may spend time on industrial placements as part of their PhD.

Feedback

Students can expect to receive an online feedback report from their supervisor each term.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

Assessment for the PhD is by submission of a thesis and oral examination only. There is no standard format for the thesis in mathematics (i.e., no prescribed word limit). Candidates should discuss the format appropriate to their topic with their supervisor.

The Mathematics Degree Committee oversees the examination process and is responsible for approving the research title of the thesis, appointing examiners and scrutinising the reports of those examiners before making a decision on the outcome.

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Key Information


Lent 2026 (Closed)
Applications open
Sep. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Oct. 2, 2025
Course starts
Jan. 5, 2026
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Easter 2026 (Closed)
Applications open
Sep. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Jan. 14, 2026
Course starts
Apr. 17, 2026
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Michaelmas 2026
Applications open
Sep. 3, 2025
Application deadline
May. 14, 2026
Course starts
Oct. 1, 2026
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Lent 2027
Applications open
Sep. 3, 2025
Application deadline
Oct. 1, 2026
Course starts
Jan. 5, 2027
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Easter 2027
Applications open
Sep. 3, 2025
Application deadline
Jan. 14, 2027
Course starts
Apr. 17, 2027
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Funding Deadlines
Course Funding Deadline
Jan. 7, 2026
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 15, 2025

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2026, Lent 2027 and Easter 2027.

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