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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 on 4 January 2024. Anyone wishing to apply after this date should contact phd-admissions@maths.cam.ac.uk before submitting an application. Students wishing to be considered for Departmental funding, or as part of the University Postgraduate Funding Competition must apply by this deadline. If you are a USA citizen, resident in the USA, and wish to be considered for Gates funding, please note the deadline for applications is in October.
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 are encouraged to indicate a ‘proposed supervisor’ in the relevant field, detailing the name(s) of those member(s) of academic staff with whom they wish to work.
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
After the January closing date, 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 try to ascertain the extent of the applicant's mathematical knowledge and experience. We aim to notify interviewees 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
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
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.
Applicants are encouraged to make informal contact with potential supervisors prior to making an application.