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.  If places are still available beyond this deadline, self-funded applicants may apply until the application deadline.

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

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 may normally expect to receive a decision before the end of February, and the majority of offers are made in February and March. 

Applicants who submit after the funding deadline may normally expect to receive a decision by the end of 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 Faculty 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

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
• 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.

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

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: http://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.