MPhil in Ethics of AI, Data and Algorithms

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. The majority of our offers are typically made in this round. If places are still available beyond this deadline, self-funded applicants may apply until the application deadline.

References

We strongly recommend to submit two academic references if you have recently left higher education. Although this course allows you to use one professional referee, as well as one academic referee, even if you have only recently left higher education. If you have been out of higher education for more than 6 years, you may use two professional referees, in line with our general rules (see References to support your Cambridge application | Postgraduate Study).

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.csah.cam.ac.uk/Education/aim-masters.

Selection Process

Of the applicants who apply for the US Gates funding (the October deadline), we will select one to be nominated. That nominee will normally expect to receive an admissions decision in December. The remaining applicants will be considered with all those applying by the funding deadline. These applicants will normally expect to receive a decision in February.

Those applicants applying after the funding deadline and by the closing date will normally expect to receive an admissions decision in May.

Occasionally, applicants may not receive a decision within the normal timeframe due to being placed on a reserve list. If this is the case, then the Centre will be in touch to let applicants know. Normally 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.
• Ethics of AI, Data and Algorithms - Sample of work
  Two separate pieces of work each between 2,500 and 5,000 words (one longer piece is not acceptable). These should demonstrate your ability to produce work of the kind and quality that the MPhil requires and your knowledge of and engagement with issues that are central to the course. Ideally they should be high-quality pieces of academic writing on the ethics of AI, data and algorithms, however, writing samples on any subject are accepted.
• Ethics of AI, Data and Algorithms - statement of purpose
  A statement of around 600 words indicating your interest and passion for the area of ethics of AI, data and algorithms (ADA). This will help us understand your motivations for taking the MPhil and how well prepared you are for postgraduate-level research. It could include: what motivates you to explore issues in this area; the experience you have had in academic, professional and/or personal settings with the ethics of ADA; academic literature or thinkers in this field that you found particularly interesting or provocative; the kinds of research questions you are excited to pursue; how the MPhil would fit into your longer term goals; evidence of your ability to undertake work of this kind at this level.
• Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
  The proposal (500 word maximum) must include a title and should outline a problem, question, issue, example or framework you wish to explore in the area of ethics of ADA for one of the essays or the dissertation. This should include how you propose to go about addressing your chosen topic. The proposal is not intended to be a binding commitment, as we recognise students' interests may evolve and change over the duration of the course. However, the proposal should clearly indicate your ability to select an appropriate and compelling issue and plan out an approach that would allow you to address it within the relevant constraints of the MPhil programme.
• Ethics of AI, Data and Algorithms MPhil ’ Eligibility
  Your experience of the study of the ethics of AI, data and algorithms. Confirmation that you hold or a expect to obtain a First Class degree (or the international equivalent), and if not, your case for why your application should be considered.
• 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

You are not required or expected to approach potential supervisors before applying. However, you can get a sense of who you might be able to work with by looking at the Education Team, Senior Research Fellows and Research Fellows sections of our website: https://lcfi.ac.uk/people/

The selection of supervisors will happen during the course. If you are admitted then the Course Leaders will provide a list of potential supervisors that you can approach and they will help match you with a supervisor. You need a supervisor for each of your two research essays and dissertation.