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Expected Academic Standard
Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Masters (Distinction).
If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.
Applicants should normally hold a distinction or equivalent in a master's degree and a strong honours degree in a relevant field, with clear evidence of research potential.
Doctoral research for PhD programmes in French, German, Italian, Polish/Russian/Ukrainian and Spanish/Portuguese requires the study of material in the original language. Consequently, applicants must have an honours degree in that language, be native speakers of that language, or be able to produce evidence of a reading knowledge of it equivalent to level C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference of Languages (CEFR).[1] [2] [3]
This evidence must be provided either by indicating that you have completed, or will complete, an honours degree in the relevant language and uploading the appropriate documentation, or by submitting a supporting document such as a certificate of proficiency, which can be uploaded under 'Language Attainments' in the Applicant Portal. Alternatively, a written testimonial from an academic referee confirming your language proficiency may also be accepted.
All evidence must be submitted at the time of application.
[1] The Slavonic Section permits applicants with knowledge of one Slavonic language, but who are interested in pursuing research that will require knowledge of another Slavonic language, to take on the study of the second language/s while in Cambridge. The Slavonic Section also permits applicants who, short of a good reading knowledge of a Slavonic language, nevertheless have a clear plan to acquire this as part of the training requirements of the PhD. Evidence must be provided at the time of submitting the application, while training requirements and needs will be discussed at the admission interview.
[2] The Italian Section permits applicants who, short of a good reading knowledge of Italian, nevertheless have a clear plan to acquire this as part of the training requirements of the PhD. Evidence must be provided at the time of submitting the application, while training requirements and needs will be discussed at the admission interview.
[3] The above language requirements do not apply to the separate PhD programme in Film.
University Minimum Academic Requirements
Language Requirement
IELTS (Academic)
| Element | Score |
|---|---|
| Listening | 7.0 |
| Writing | 7.0 |
| Reading | 7.0 |
| Speaking | 7.0 |
| Total | 7.5 |
TOEFL Internet Score
| Element | Score |
|---|---|
| Listening | 25 |
| Writing | 25 |
| Reading | 25 |
| Speaking | 25 |
| Total | 110 |
C1 Advanced
Score: Grade A & B (overall score of 193, with no element lower than 185 plus a Language Centre assessment)
C2 Proficiency
Score: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 with no element lower than 185).