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.
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 here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/events/aim-applicant-support-programme/aim-masters.
Selection Process
All shortlisted applicants will be interviewed. If an application is found to be unsuitable, we may offer a place on the MPhil 'by Advanced Study' .
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. 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 you know.
Usually, the latest date for decisions to be communicated is the end of June.
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.
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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. - Core - Proposed Supervisor (200 characters) (mandatory)
You will need to provide the name of your proposed Supervisor. It is recommended that you informally approach a potential Supervisor to discuss your proposed research project in advance of applying. For more information on finding a Supervisor please see below. - Core - Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
Approximately one side of A4 in length. - Core - Research Experience (2500 characters) (optional)
- Core - Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)
- Core - Sample of Work (1) (document upload) (mandatory)
A sample of your writing (approximately 3,000-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. - 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:
See Gates Cambridge for more information.
How to Find a Supervisor
It is recommended that you informally approach a potential supervisor to discuss your proposed research project in advance of applying. Potential supervisors are listed on our academic staff pages.
When completing your online application for admission, you should nominate a supervisor with whom you would prefer to work. This does not guarantee that you will be appointed to that supervisor. 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.
All students admitted to the Faculty will be assigned a Supervisor to work with them and who support them in their research.