MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies

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

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 the deadline is 3 December 2024.

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
• 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.
• Sample of Work (1) (document upload) (mandatory)
  In order to help the Centre judge your ability, a short sample of written work of between 2,000 to 3,000 words must be included with your applications. All work must be submitted in English. The piece can be an undergraduate essay or part of an undergraduate or graduate (MA or MPhil) dissertation. In the case of European applicants a chapter of the laurea, or the memoire submitted for the maitrise or DEA, or the appropriate national equivalent, might be appropriate for this purpose. If no suitable written work is available from your previous university study, an essay written specially for the Cambridge application is acceptable (but, if this is the case it needs to be clearly indicated). You must declare that the sample piece submitted with your application is substantially your own work.

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.