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.
We strongly encourage all applicants to apply by 23:59pm (midnight) UK time on 7 January 2026 (the funding deadline). If you are submitting your application after this date you should contact phd-admissions@maths.cam.ac.uk before submitting your application.
If you wish to be considered for Departmental funding, or funding from the University Postgraduate Funding Competition you must apply by this deadline. If you are a USA citizen, resident in the USA, and wish to be considered for Gates funding, the deadline for applying is in October.
Details of our research areas and available supervisors are provided on our website. General and unfocused applications without a suitable prospective supervisor will be seriously disadvantaged or rejected. See Finding a Supervisor below for more information.
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
After the January funding deadline, we will review all complete applications and contact those who have been selected for an interview. Space limitations may mean that late applications cannot be considered. A complete application is one that has all required supporting documents including two references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Interviews take place either in Cambridge or online. During the interview, the panel will ascertain the extent of the your mathematical knowledge and experience. We aim to notify you of a provisional outcome within two weeks of the interview. It is important to note, however, that formal offers of admission can only be made by the University’s Postgraduate Admissions Office. Further information on interviews is available on our website.
The Department makes every effort to take decisions on applications at the earliest opportunity. Applicants will normally receive a decision within twelve weeks of the January funding deadline, or within twelve weeks of our receiving a complete application, whichever is the later.
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. -
Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics - Research Area
Using the information provided on our website as a guide, please indicate a maximum of two research area(s) https://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/postgrad/research-degrees -
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-dpmms-supervisor] - 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)
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 being asked to complete an additional form to provide contextual information about their previous study. Find out more about our use of contextual information here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/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. Applicants are expected to have investigated our research and expertise prior to making an application. This should be done by consulting the dedicated page on finding a supervisor, as well as research pages of our website, and individual profiles of our academic staff.
You may wish to make informal contact with potential supervisors prior to making an application but that is not compulsory. 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.
Please note that general and unfocused applications with no suitable supervisor are likely to be seriously disadvantaged or rejected. Please check that the supervisor you want to work with is still current in the department and taking students.