MPhil in Literature, Culture and Thought (Research)

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:

1. you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
2. you have paid the application fee if applicable. For further information on application fees, and which courses require an application fee, see here.
3. 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 recommend that students (even self-funded) submit their application by the funding deadline at the beginning of January. If places are still available beyond this deadline, self-funded applicants may apply until 14 May.

Application Support

Applicants to this course may be eligible to receive support with their application via the AIM: Master's programme. Find out more about AIM: Master's; https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/events/aim-applicant-support-programme/aim-masters.

Selection Process

Applicants who apply for US Gates funding by the October funding deadline may normally expect to receive an admissions decision in December. All other applicants who apply by the funding deadline in January may normally expect to receive a decision before the end of March, and the majority of offers are made in February and March. Following the funding deadlines, applications are processed on a rolling basis. Applicants may expect a decision within 12 weeks after submitting their completed application and required supporting documents. Occasionally, applicants may not receive a decision within the expected timeframe due to being placed on a reserve list. If this is the case, then the Faculty will get in touch to let applicants know. Usually, the latest date for decisions to be communicated is the end of June.

Further information on How To Apply

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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.
• Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
  A research proposal, maximum one page.
• Sample of Work (1) (document upload) (mandatory)
  A sample of writing of approx 3000 words. The sample can be either an essay produced during undergraduate studies or a section of a dissertation and must be a single-authored work in English.
• Language Attainments Certificates (document upload) (optional)
• Proposed Supervisor (200 characters) (mandatory)
  Please enter the name of the Supervisor you have contacted here. It is strongly recommended that you informally approach a potential Supervisor to discuss your proposed research project in advance of applying. Usually one principal supervisor is appointed. However, in exceptional circumstances, second supervisors are appointed (for example, agreed interdisciplinary projects). For more information on finding a Supervisor, refer to the 'How to Apply' section of the course page.
• Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)
• Research Summary (2500 characters) (mandatory)
• Research Experience (2500 characters) (optional)
  Optional: describe any research experience you may have. Maximum 250 words.
• School of Arts and Humanities - 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:

• Gates Cambridge Reference  
• Research Proposal (PhD applicants only)

See Gates Cambridge for more information.

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How to Find a Supervisor

All students admitted to the Faculty will be assigned a Supervisor to work with them and support them in their research. It is recommended that applicants informally approach a potential Supervisor to discuss their proposed research project in advance of applying. You are encouraged to consult the academic staff pages to help identify a suitable potential Supervisor. When completing your online application for admission, you should nominate a Supervisor with whom you wish to work, and the Faculty will take into account this preference. However, please note that this does not guarantee that the Supervisor will be appointed. In June/July each year, the MMLL Degree Committee will monitor the supervision load for each member of academic staff in the Faculty and, in some cases, may decide to appoint another suitable Supervisor.