MPhil in Philosophy

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.

Selection Process

Applications are considered in groups, depending on the deadline by which they are received. The Faculty aims to notify applicants according to the following timeline: those applying by the December funding deadline can expect to receive a decision by March, while those applying by the final April deadline should be informed by July. However, occasionally the process may take longer, and some applicants may receive their decisions after the expected timeframe.

Please note that the April deadline applies only to MPhil applicants who are not requesting funding.

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.
• Sample of Work (1) (document upload) (mandatory)
  All applicants must provide one piece of their best, recent, philosophical work of between 3,000 and 5,000 words long. (Please note that one longer piece is not acceptable). An applicant needs to be able to write concisely as well as clearly, so exceeding the word limit will harm an application. Please see FAQ section on the following webpage, for further information. https://www.phil.cam.ac.uk/prosp-students/prosp-grad
• Sample of Work (2) (document upload) (mandatory)
  All applicants must provide a second piece of their best, recent, philosophical work of between 3,000 and 5,000 words long. (Please note that one longer piece is not acceptable). An applicant needs to be able to write concisely as well as clearly, so exceeding the word limit will harm an application.
• Reasons for Applying (1500 characters) (mandatory)
  Applicants will be asked to explain briefly their motivations for postgraduate study in philosophy: e.g. aspiration for an academic career, pursuing particular research projects, desire to work with particular faculty members, acquiring skills relevant for non-academic careers.
• Statement of Interest (1500 characters) (mandatory)
  Applicants are asked to describe their research interests and to explain why the Faculty at Cambridge would be a good fit for their intended projects ’ e.g. research interests of particular faculty members, research groups in relevant areas.
• Philosophy MPhil - Eligibility
  If your undergraduate degree does not contain the equivalent of 2 years' full-time study in philosophy (10 full courses in the US system) or you don't have or don't expect to obtain a First (or the international equivalent as specified at https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/international/international-qua...) then you will need to explain (in no more than 100 words) why you think your application should be considered nevertheless. If your undergraduate degree is not a First (or the equivalent), then you should also provide your overall average mark and any relevant dissertation marks .

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

Applicants are not expected to contact potential supervisors before applying. The Faculty cannot guarantee allocation to specific supervisors before a student's admission. Applicants admitted to the MPhil course are assigned an advisor, whose role is to help students decide on their topic/s and assign them a Supervisor for each piece of work. You can view the research interests of members of the Faculty here.