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Postgraduate Study

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.

Selection Process

Applicants are considered by the Postgraduate Education Committee as they are received (rolling admissions). Applicants can usually expect to hear whether or not they have been successful within 8 weeks of submitting their completed application and required supporting documents. The process might take slightly longer during vacation periods.

Please be aware that places on the MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies are limited and that the course may fill up before the published deadline. The Centre welcomes and encourages early applications where possible. This is in your best interests, as places are limited. Additionally if applicants wish to be considered for University funding then their application must be fully complete (including both references) and submitted by the funding deadline.

For further information on how to apply, visit the course page on the course website.

Further information on How To Apply

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.
  • Core - Research Proposal (document upload) (mandatory)
    A carefully argued statement of research intent is required. It is important to provide a clear, short title for the proposed research topic. The statement of planned research, in effect a first proposal for an applicant's MPhil dissertation topic, must be a detailed statement 600’1,000 words (two to five pages) in length. It should clearly outline the area and parameters of the proposed dissertation topic. You should take care that the scope and chronological range of your proposal is not too broad to be viable within a nine-month course of study. It must be emphasised that the detailed research proposal is an essential part of the application. You are urged to consult your adviser at your own university during the process of preparing it.
  • Core - Sample of Work (1) (document upload) (mandatory)
    Applicants must submit a 2,000 to 3,000 word writing sample in English to demonstrate their ability. This may be an undergraduate essay, an extract from an undergraduate or postgraduate dissertation, or an equivalent piece of academic work (such as a chapter from a European degree thesis). If no suitable previous work is available, a specially written essay is acceptable, but this must be clearly identified. All submissions must be substantially the applicant’s own work, and this must be formally declared.

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 do not need to find a supervisor, the department will find one for you.

Apply Now

Key Information


Michaelmas 2027
Applications open
Sep. 9, 2026
Application deadline
Feb. 25, 2027
Course starts
Oct. 1, 2027
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Funding Deadlines
Course Funding Deadline
Jan. 6, 2027
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 14, 2026

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2027, Lent 2028 and Easter 2028.

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