PhD in Sustainable Energy Materials Innovation

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.

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 and the SEM PhD team before applying for this mode of study.

Please note that applications are only accepted for Michaelmas term entry.

Selection Process

All applications are considered as they are received (rolling admissions). However, the programme operates internal review dates twice a year, normally from December to February, in order to make decisions on offers and to allocate funding. Each year the deadlines to submit applications for consideration in the two internal review rounds are advertised on the course website. For entry in Oct 2026, the internal review dates are 2 Dec 2025 and 7 Jan 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview by an interdisciplinary panel including senior academics from participating departments. Interviews will normally be held remotely, and the online interview days will include opportunities to speak to current students. Further details are available on the website.

Any applications received after the internal review deadline dates will be considered but funding opportunities may be limited. Applicants who apply by the internal review deadline dates can expect to receive a decision between late January to February. Some applicants may be put on a waitlist for further consideration after the internal review rounds, should an appropriate project become available. Suitable applicants will be contacted to seek their agreement to be held on the waitlist on the understanding that a decision may only be available by the start of the Easter term.

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.
• Project Title (250 characters) (mandatory)
• Research Experience (1500 characters) (mandatory)
• Reasons for Applying (1000 characters) (mandatory)
• School of Physical Sciences - 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

You are expected to have a good idea of the area of Sustainable Energy Materials Innovations in which you wish to conduct research and to have already identified possible PhD topics. A list of PhD supervisors can be found on the Sustainable Energy Materials Innovation PhD website, as well as a list of PhD projects being offered for Michaelmas 2026 entry. On the application form, you are expected to identify which project(s) you are interested in being considered for.

Please note that general and unfocused applications with no PhD topics identified are likely to be seriously disadvantaged or rejected. Please check that the Supervisor you want to work with is still current in the department and taking students.