MPhil in Astronomy

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.

Prospective applicants should forward the following to admissions@ast.cam.ac.uk before 24 November 2022:

• A CV, which should include details of any research experience
• Academic transcript to date
• An outline of the subject area(s)/project(s) you would propose to form the basis of your MPhil research
• Name(s) of potential supervisor(s) from among the Institute's academic staff

Following receipt of this information, we will determine if a project and supervisor is available and whether a formal application is appropriate.  You should be in receipt of confirmation that a supervisor and research project are available before applying. 

Selection Process

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with the majority of applicants receiving a decision by mid February. Relevant funding-body deadlines will be taken into consideration when making offers. For more details please refer here.

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)
• Research proposal (M)
  Applications will only be considered from individuals who have provided the pre-application research interests information as specified in the "How to Find a Supervisor" section. You should be in receipt of confirmation that a supervisor and research project are available before applying. Please provide the name of the proposed research supervisor and a description of the research project.
• Extra materials
  Widening Participation: We are working to improve contextualised understanding of the applications we receive. This course is piloting a mandatory supplementary application form. For more information about what the pilot aims to do and how your data will be used, please see here: www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/pilot-selection-procedures.

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.

How to Find a Supervisor

Applicants should identify a potential supervisor(s) before making an application.  Please read the application notes section carefully for further information.

Please note: 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.