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PhD in Chemistry

Entry requirement:   2.1 Masters degree or equivalent . 

Please check international qualifications equivalence guidelines here .

Coming to Cambridge for a PhD in Chemistry means you will be joining a community of over 50 academics, 350 PhD students and more than 200 postdoctoral researchers. The research opportunities are vast and career development is second to none. 

The route to a PhD takes up to four years of full-time research, culminating in a substantial thesis of up to 60,000 words which is examined by viva. Along your journey to a PhD, you will be absorbed in the laboratory life of your chosen research group. The postgraduate chemistry lecture series we offer aims to bring everyone up to the same high-level of foundational knowledge; irrespective of prior educational background at Masters level. You will present your research at seminars and conferences as you progress. Most PhD students go to at least one international and national chemistry conference in the course of their studies.

HOW TO APPLY

We strongly recommend that you correspond with potential supervisors early and well in advance of submitting your application. This is also important for maintaining oversight of which project you could be working on. Prospective projects may not always reflect groups publications therefore, we encourage you to discuss this with your potential supervisors to avoid disappointment. 

For information about funding please click here .

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Registration

Monitoring progress, intermission, working away, preparation of thesis, questionnaires.

Research students are expected to be in residence in Cambridge pursuing their research between terms, except during periods of holiday agreed with their supervisor, normally up to 8 weeks in a 12 month period. Students who make time to take some holidays, or a break away from their studies, tend to do better.

PhD candidates may submit their theses after nine terms (three years) of research, and MLitt candidates after six terms (two years).  The Student Registry and the Degree Committee expect a thesis to be a piece of work which can be produced by a capable, well-qualified and diligent research student, properly supervised and supported, within those times.  It is very important that you design your project with these time-limits firmly in view. It is good both for morale and for your CV to submit your thesis within the stated times – and most PhD funding runs out after three years. 

If your PhD research is suitably related to your MPhil work, you will usually be allowed to count some or all of your three MPhil terms towards the residency requirements of the PhD, if you are ready to submit your thesis before the minimum terms of study have elapsed. This means that you may submit a PhD thesis after only six more terms, if you wish. Please see the following webpage for further information:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/postgraduate-study/your-student-status/allowanceexemption-research-terms

The Student Registry and the Degree Committee recognise, however, that original research is liable to unforeseen difficulties and delays, so all PhD students are allowed 4 years in which to complete and submit their thesis (3 years for the MLitt). Unless there are extenuating circumstances, which would permit a student to apply for an extension to their submission date, candidates who do not submit by these final deadlines would be asked to withdraw from the University, until such time as they are ready to submit, and apply for reinstatement .

All students accepted for the PhD are on probation for their first year. In your third term of research, the Degree Committee will decide whether to register you as a candidate for the PhD (the registration then being backdated to your date of admission). You will have a registration interview with two Faculty assessors, other than your Supervisor. Central University information on the requirements of a registration review is here:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/self-evaluation

In some (rare) cases, your assessors may decide that you should be registered for the MLitt degree, instead of the PhD, at this stage. This registration interview cannot be delayed without good cause (e.g., illness). With your supervisors’ help, you start working out your plan of research, and the topic or topics of your written work, as soon as possible after you arrive.

Before registering you as a PhD candidate the Degree Committee must be satisfied (i) that you have a suitable plan of work and (ii) that you have begun to write about some part of it, in a sustained way, at a standard likely to get you the degree in a reasonable time. You are therefore required to email the following documents to your two assessors and the Postgraduate Administrator by the last day of Lent full term*:

• a statement (1,000 words) of your plan of research.
• a piece of recent written work (6,000-10,000 words) on some topic within this plan; and
• an account of research already completed (1,000 words)

These submissions must be properly written up: rough drafts are not acceptable. The registration interview will take place shortly after the end of Lent Term, with your two assessors who will have read the submitted documents. The exact date of the review will be agreed on by the two assessors and the student. The requirements for registration are as outlined above. Students will be sent a copy of their review report once it has been approved by Degree Committee at their May meeting.

Prospective PhD candidates whose work does not show sufficient progress will be given the opportunity to submit an improved set of work by the last day of Easter full term*. A further interview will then take place with the two Faculty members writing independent reports for the Degree Committee in late June/early July*.

The Degree Committee will recommend that prospective PhD candidates whose resubmitted work is still deemed to be unsatisfactory either withdraw from the University or, less severely, be registered only as MLitt candidates. In the latter case they may later be re-registered as PhD candidates (with registration again backdated to the date of admission) if they submit sufficiently improved work at the same time in their second year (i.e. at their fifth term review).

The Degree Committee will recommend that prospective MLitt candidates whose resubmitted work is still deemed to be unsatisfactory withdraw from the University.

Monitoring progress

Your supervisor is required to report termly to the Student Registry and the Degree Committee on your progress. You will also be invited to submit self-evaluation reports on your progress on CamSIS. More information on the Feedback and progress reporting systems for postgraduate students is here:

In addition, there are the following reviews:

Fifth Term Review

This review takes place in the fifth term for a student who is registered for the PhD or MLitt.  For this review you need to email the following documents to your supervisor, advisor, and Postgraduate Secretary by the last day of Lent full term*:

• an account of research you have already completed (1,000 words)

These submissions must be properly written up: rough drafts are not acceptable.  The review will take place shortly after the end of Lent Term, normally with the supervisor and advisor, who will report in writing to the first meeting of the Degree Committee in the Easter Term. The exact date of the review will be agreed on by the two assessors and the student. Students will then be sent a copy of their review report once it has been approved by Degree Committee at their May meeting.

In the unlikely event that your work does not show sufficient progress you will be given the opportunity to submit an improved set of work by last day of Easter full term*. A further interview will then take place with the supervisor and advisor writing independent reports for the Degree Committee in late June/early July*.

Seventh Term Review

This review takes place in the seventh term for a student who is registered for the PhD. For this review you are required to email the same three documents as are described above, again demonstrating ongoing progress, to your supervisor and advisor by the last day of Michaelmas full term*.

The review will take place shortly after the end of Michaelmas Term, normally with the supervisor and adrvisor, who will report in writing to the first meeting of the Degree Committee in the Lent Term. The exact date of the review will be agreed on by the two assessors and the student. Students will then be sent a copy of their review report once it has been approved by Degree Committee at their January meeting.

If the supervisor and advisor are not happy with a student's progress they may recommend to the Degree Committee that a student's registration be changed from PhD to MLitt. They may also recommend that candidates who are not making satisfactory progress towards completing their theses withdraw from the University. The student will be fully consulted before any such recommendation is made. Note also that students withdraw from the University for this reason (or because they have failed to submit on time), but who manage to complete their theses on their own, may apply to be reinstated in order to submit their theses for examination. Please see:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/postgraduate-study/your-student-status/reinstatement

Although this monitoring may sound onerous, experience shows that most often the reviews function as useful markers of progress, and as good opportunities to take stock and to talk about useful ways forward, in a forum slightly different from that of a normal supervision.

If your work is hindered or interrupted by medical, financial or other problems you may apply for leave to intermit your research for a period of time from 2 weeks, to up to 3 terms (for full time students). Terms intermitted do not count towards the above deadlines. Consult your Supervisor and the Postgraduate Secretary if you would like to discuss this option at any point in your studies. You can also find further information here:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/postgraduate-study/your-student-status/medical-intermission

Working away from Cambridge

It is possible to apply for leave to work away from Cambridge for a maximum of 3 terms at a time Some PhD students find this is useful if they wish to work with a supervisor who is external to the University of Cambridge for some of their PhD study. More information on the process of how to apply for leave to work away can be found here:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/postgraduate-study/your-student-status/work-away

To support students working away from Cambridge, it is recommended that students apply to the University for free travel insurance: https://www.insurance.admin.cam.ac.uk/travel-insurance/travel-insurance-students

The Faculty has a small allocation of funding for fieldwork, that students can apply for via the Postgraduate Office. As part of this application process, students will also be required to complete a risk assessment: https://www.safety.admin.cam.ac.uk/risk-assessment

The Faculty can provide a template risk assessment – please ask the Postgraduate Secretary for further information.

Preparation of theses

PhD (MLitt) theses in philosophy must not be more than 80,000 (60,000) words long. The word count includes appendices and footnotes but excludes bibliography. See here for further information:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/examinations/graduate-exam-information/submitting-and-examination/phd-msc-mlitt/word#philos

The University’s regulations require that to qualify for the award of the PhD degree, a thesis has to be in English (apart from quotations and technical formulae), to be clearly written, to take due account of previously published work on the subject, and to represent a significant contribution to learning (for example through the discovery of new knowledge, the connection of previously unrelated facts, the development of new theory, or the revision of older views). The Degree Committee of Philosophy, in its advice to examiners, adds as an informal gloss on this that an acceptable thesis should contain some material of sufficient originality to merit publication and this material should be adequate to form the basis of, for example, at least two articles (together amounting to 15,000 - 20,000 words) or of a short monograph.

To qualify for the award of the MLitt degree, a thesis must be clearly written, take due account of previously published work on the subject, and represent a useful contribution to learning.

Candidates may get an idea of the standards expected of PhD and MLitt theses in philosophy by reading the copies of successful theses deposited in the University Library.

The detailed procedure for submitting PhD and MLitt theses for examination, which candidates should follow carefully, is at:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/examinations/graduate-exam-information/submitting-and-examination/phd-msc-mlitt/prepare

In what follows only a few salient points are picked out.

Candidates should apply for the appointment of examiners, through the Philosophy Postgraduate Secretary, when—but only when—their theses are nearly complete. (In particular, if they are going to submit their theses during the Long Vacation they should apply in good time for the late June/early July meeting of the Degree Committee*.) Together with the candidate, the supervisor should compete the form found here:

https://www.phil.cam.ac.uk/curr-students/postgraduates/Graduate-Forms

and submit this by e-mail to the Postgraduate Secretary. The candidate will also need to email the Postgraduate Secretary a one page summary of the thesis, to guide the Degree Committee in appointing suitable examiners. This abstract should be around 300 words in length – a candidate’s supervisor can provide further guidance on the expected content of the abstract.         

Theses are examined independently by two examiners, one of whom will normally be from outside Cambridge. Candidates are required to submit their thesis initially via Moodle, the University’s Online Teaching Platform. The Postgraduate Secretary will provide further information on the process for softbound submission. As of 1 st October 2017, once their PhD has been approved, students are also required to submit an electronic copy of their PhD thesis to the University’s repository, Apollo. At the point of upload, students are given the choice of different access options, including the choice to make their thesis available Open Access immediately or to embargo access for an initial 12 months . The upload of the thesis can be done via the upload form in Symplectic Elements .

Once the award of the degree is approved, students should submit one hard bound copy to be deposited in the University Library.  More information on the submission of electronic theses can be found on the Office of Scholarly Communication website:

http://osc.cam.ac.uk/theses

It is important that thesis examiners actually receive theses when they expect to do so; otherwise their other commitments may seriously delay the examination. In giving submission dates, candidates should therefore take care to be realistic, and not underestimate the time it takes to complete writing up, make final corrections, check references and proofs, and get their theses printed and bound.

What to expect from the viva

The examination is undertaken with two examiners, and may include an independent chair if the Degree Committee has deemed it appropriate.  There are no rules for its duration, but as an approximate guide, the examination will normally take at least 90 minutes and is likely to conclude within three hours at a maximum.

The oral examination should allow:

• The defence of your dissertation and the clarification of any matters raised by the examiners
• the examiners to probe your knowledge in the field
• the examiners to assure themselves that the work presented is your own and to clarify matters of any collaboration
• the examiners to come to a definite conclusion about the outcome of the examination

What to bring with you to the viva

• You can take a (marked up) copy of the thesis in with you.  You may want to take a tablet or notepad and pen to make notes.
• Water will be available in the room where you will be examined but you may like to take your own with you.

The default  viva  format is an in-person examination held in Cambridge, but students will have the option to choose an online  viva  if they wish.  The University has provided additional information about the online viva process, which can be found here:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/files/guide_to_conducting_vivas_online.pdf

Examiners write independent reports on theses for the Degree Committee, making recommendations, which may or may not be conditional on the results of the oral examination. Because it often takes a considerable time for examiners to get round to, and to complete, this assessment, candidates must expect to wait (or return) for their oral examination up to two months (but no more than four months) after submitting their theses. Examiners may allow candidates who have had to return, e.g., to America or Australasia, the option of conducting the oral examination by video conference; but they are under no obligation to do so, and candidates must not assume that they will. If a candidate would like to request adjustments to their viva on the grounds of disability, they should complete a ‘voluntary disclosure form’ and return this to the Postgraduate secretary. The form can be found here: https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/files/voluntary_disclosure_form.pdf

An examiner who thinks that a PhD or MLitt thesis fails to reach the required standard, but could do so with suitable revision, may recommend allowing the candidate to submit a revised thesis. This can only happen once; a thesis which has already been resubmitted once cannot be submitted again.

An examiner who thinks that a PhD thesis fails to reach the standard required for that degree, but does reach the standard required for the MLitt, may recommend approving the candidate for that degree. A PhD examiner who thinks both of the above may recommend giving the candidate the alternative of submitting a revised thesis or of taking the MLitt (but not both).

If the examiners’ recommendations agree, the Degree Committee will normally accept them, unless the examination has been improperly conducted in some way, in which case new examiners may have to be appointed. If the original examiners’ recommendations disagree, the Degree Committee may resolve the disagreement by appointing a third examiner.

The University’s statement on academic misconduct, including plagiarism can be found at:

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/plagiarism/students/statement.html

We ask PhD & MLitt students to provide their feedback at regular intervals throughout their course, in the form of a questionnaire sent from the Postgraduate Office. Usually there is one questionnaire sent at the time of each review. Feedback from students is important in helping us to improve the course, and we ask that all students complete all questionnaires.

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The PhD programme

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The PhD is awarded after three to four years of full-time research (or five to seven years of part-time study) on the basis of a dissertation of 80,000 words (exclusive of footnotes, appendices and bibliography, but subject to an overall word limit of 100,000 words exclusive of bibliography, table of contents and any other preliminary matter). Examination for the PhD involves an oral examination (viva) by two examiners.

Research students who intend to undertake PhD research are in the first instance automatically registered for a one-year research training programme leading to the Certificate of Postgraduate Study (CPGS) in Legal Studies. They are assigned a supervisory team by the Degree Committee of the Faculty, ordinarily consisting of a supervisor (who is principally responsible for directing and assisting the research) and an advisor (who provides a second point of contact for academic advice). At the end of the first year, the Degree Committee decides whether students should be registered for the PhD. This decision is taken on the basis of the student’s personal progress log, first-year dissertation of 15,000 words, viva conducted by two assessors from within the Faculty, and outline of plans for the full research project. Candidates who successfully complete the requirements of the CPGS and the first-year progress review are retrospectively registered for the PhD.

All full-time PhD students are ordinarily required to be resident in Cambridge for the duration of their research (except where given leave to work away from Cambridge for academic reasons or whilst undertaking fieldwork), and during the first year in particular must attend weekly research training sessions in the Faculty.

This overview of the PhD programme must be read in conjunction with the detailed information available under the 'Courses' section (see, in particular, the Course Directory) of the Postgraduate Admissions website . Further information on postgraduate admission to research courses in the Faculty of Law is available from [email protected] or +44 (0)1223 330039.

The Faculty of Law The David Williams Building 10 West Road Cambridge CB3 9DZ United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 1223 330033 Email: [email protected]

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PhD in Computer Science

• Undergraduate admissions
• MPhil in Advanced Computer Science

Potential applicants should refer to the the Postgraduate Admissions Course Directory for information about the program and application requirements.

Those who are applying for one of the department's PhD studentships and RA'ships , you should use the deadline published on the individual job listing.

For those applicants who have not secured external scholarships and who wish to be considered for the various University and Cambridge Trusts' funding competitions, applications for the academic year commencing October 2025, and January 2026, open on 3 September 2024. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The deadline for submission of complete applications is 23:59 (GMT) on  3 December 2024 . Applicants who have secured external funding may apply up to 15 May 2025.

Please note that applications submitted between 4 December 2024 and 15 May 2025 will be considered only if there is a named potential supervisor who has invited the application, if the application is complete, and if funding is readily available. Note that incomplete applications received after this date will only be considered for January 2026 admission but cannot be considered for the funding competitions (for which the deadline is 3 December 2024).

Applicants should refer to the Postgraduate Admissions page for links to the application portal , deadlines, guidance and information.

Please note the following:

• Applications for funding support from the University and Cambridge Trusts must be submitted early: see University funding deadlines .
• Research students are normally admitted to the probationary Certificate of Postgraduate Studies in Computer Science (see CPGS) in the first instance.
• Applicants will also need to include a brief research abstract within the section of the application form which asks for a research topic and to indicate a potential supervisor's name .
• Applicants should discuss their proposed research with a potential supervisor before submitting the application for admission. See Research proposal for further details about the research proposal, and Research themes for links to potential supervisors within areas of your research interests. Please confirm that you have discussed the project with the proposed supervisor, and that they have confirmed they will be content to review an application from you. You should include a statement to this effect within the research abstract section of the application form.
• Applications are considered as they are received.

Please note that your application can only be considered by the department once it has been submitted. Your application can only be submitted if it is complete. You will be able to upload all your supporting material including a research proposal and the same time as submitting the application form. It is therefore very important to have all your supporting material, including agreement from your referees to provide you with references, your transcripts and research project proposal, ready before you start the application.

Applicants wishing to be considered for funding competitions should check their eligibility on the University-wide Sources of Funding web page.

The application portal acts as a scholarship funding application as well as an application for admission. In most cases, no further funding application form is required. There are some exceptions, however: we recommend checking the Student Funding webpage which provides information about other grants for students applying to Cambridge and their closing dates.

The current costs of a PhD are available from the Student Registry's Postgraduate Course Costs and Fee Status page . You will need sufficient funding to cover the University Tuition Fee, and at least the minimum maintenance for three years.

Once again, if you wish to apply for one of the department's PhD studentships and RA'ships , you should use the deadline published on the individual job listing.

Home students

The Department makes awards to UK students both from funds supplied, for example the EPSRC Doctoral Training Grant, and from its own funds such as the Premium Studentship  and the Hopper Studentship . In the year starting October 2023, the Department will help to fund up to three research students from its Doctoral Training Grant. These funds are limited. The Applications Panel considers all successful applicants for funding awards within its gift and submits the names of highly ranked home and international students to the Cambridge Trusts.

The Department may also have positions associated with industrial collaborations and particular research projects. Such studentships are advertised on the University's Jobs web page.

Very highly ranked international students will be considered for nomination to the Gates Cambridge Trust and Cambridge International Scholarship Scheme ( CISS ) competitions.

Please note earlier applications deadline for Gates Cambridge US scholarships for US students who are resident in the US: 11 October 2023 .

The Department will contact applicants directly about its internal awards such as the Premium Studentship .

It is worth noting that full funding must be secured before starting a course at Cambridge. Most of the scholarships will not accept applications from students who are already in residence. We strongly discourage students asserting they can self-fund a PhD in the hope that something else will turn up once you are in Cambridge.

Admission conditions

The Faculty's Degree Committee makes recommendations to offer places to successful applicants via the University's central Postgraduate Admissions Office, the only body with the authority to make an offer of a place as a postgraduate student. Offers from Postgraduate Admissions are usually conditional . A deadline will be set by which date all conditions must be met and, once met, the offer is confirmed by the Postgraduate Admissions Office.

Standard conditions include securing sufficient funding for three years to meet the financial conditions of the University including tuition fees and maintenance, and College membership. Additionally, applicants may be asked to achieve a certain grade in their current studies; to take or retake an English Language proficiency test ; and any other conditions the Postgraduate Admissions Office might apply.

Successful applicants who have applied online may be required to send original documents to the University's Postgraduate Admissions Office for validation. We strongly recommend the use of a reputable courier and that you obtain a tracking number .

CDT in Decision Making in Complex Systems

The AI CDT in Decision Making for Complex Systems is a programme offered in conjunction with the University of Manchester that aims to enable students to develop new fundamental AI capabilities in the context of a diversity of complex systems. Rather than working in isolation, as is usual in AI,  the students will learn to develop these in a collaborative manner tied to a specific application domain. The CDT is focused on three areas, Uncertainty in complex systems, Decision-making with humans in the loop and Decision-making for ML systems. Model interpretability and explainability will be transversal to the three topics. Decision making with AI needs  to be interpretable and explainable to facilitate interrogation of decision processes such that trust can be built by the human, and it is essential for understanding and meeting ethical and legal implications.

Like all research students admitted to read for the PhD degree, those admitted to the AI CDT in Decision Making for Complex Systems are admitted on a probationary basis. They will have successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Artificial Intelligence  at the University of Manchester before being registered on a probationary basis at the University of Cambridge. During this year students may do some additional coursework and will write a research report that is likely to form the foundation of the eventual PhD thesis. Applications for admission in Michaelmas 2025 open in September 2024.

Please contact the department's Postgraduate Education Manager with any questions not answered above.

Email: Postgraduate Education Manager

Include "PhD application query" in the subject.

Department of Computer Science and Technology William Gates Building 15 JJ Thomson Avenue Cambridge CB3 0FD

Tel: +44 1223 334656 (NB may not be accessible during remote working)

Postgraduate Admissions Office Academic Division Student Services Centre Bene't Street, New Museums Site Cambridge, CB2 3PT, U.K.

WWW: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/

Department of Computer Science and Technology University of Cambridge William Gates Building 15 JJ Thomson Avenue Cambridge CB3 0FD

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PhD Study at MMLL

Which of the faculty's sections offer phd study.

PhD study is offered in each of the Faculty's Sections: French , German , Italian , Slavonic Studies , Spanish & Portuguese ,  Theoretical and Applied Linguistics , and also in the Centre for Film and Screen Studies .

Overview of a PhD course

A PhD (formally known as Doctor of Philosophy) is a substantial piece of original scholarship, for which the research and writing-up can be reasonably expected to be completed in three to four years (or for part-time students, where this is offered, five to seven years).  In MMLL the maximum word limit is 80,000 words. For the purposes of a PhD, the notion of originality means that the thesis should represent a significant contribution to learning, through the discovery of new knowledge, or through the connection of previously unrelated facts, or the development of new theory, or the revision of older views, or some combination of these different criteria. 

During the period of research, students will  work closely with a Supervisor who is a specialist in their research area. Students are additionally assigned an Advisor who acts as a second point of contact for academic advice. In addition to providing specialist supervision, the Faculty runs a programme of professional training for the benefit of all research students.

Requirements

Please see the central prospectus for the exact requirements (you will need to search for the particular PhD course you are interested in).​  It is noted that language skills in a particular area may   be required depending on the specific nature of your research proposal.

How to Apply & Funding

You can apply online at the Postgraduate Admissions website.  Their site also provides detail on the course structure and content, fee rates, information on the College system, and information regarding the application process. 

Please find further information regarding applications and funding on our Applying and funding page and our Applying: PhD page .

Supporting Documents

When you apply online you will be asked to upload your supporting documents:

• Academic transcripts for any degree-level courses you have taken.
• Evidence of your English ability (if you are not a native English speaker).
• A sample of writing, of approx 5,000-10,000 words. The sample can be either an essay produced during master's-level studies or a section of a dissertation, and must be a single-authored work. 
• A research proposal, approx 500-1,000 words, written in English.
• Your curriculum vitae (CV ​ ).

In the applications portal you will be asked to enter details of your nominated referees. They will then be sent an automated email asking them to provide an electronic reference via the applications portal. It is recommended that you allow several weeks before the application/funding deadline to allow time for this process.

Further information on supporting documents can be found on the Postgraduate Admissions website.

Finding a Prospective Supervisor

Doctoral study is a team effort. It is conducted under the supervision of at least one member of Cambridge’s academic staff. Before submitting a PhD application to Cambridge, students are strongly recommended to approach relevant professors and enquire about the possibility of their service as a Supervisor. This approach is normally done via email, and it is completely informal. Its purpose is help you determine the availability and degree of research fit of relevant professors at Cambridge. As a first step, explore the Faculty's Sections and Centres (see Which Sections? above and then follow the relevant link to staff pages) and familiarise yourself with the publications and projects undertaken by our professors. Once you have identified a potential supervisor, please send an expression of interest to them via email with your CV and as much of your research proposal as possible. Please do not reach out to more than one professor at the same time. Making such an approach will help you nominate a Supervisor when you eventually submit your application. The Faculty will take this nomination into account, although there is no guarantee that this Supervisor will be formally appointed if you are accepted to the PhD. The MMLL Degree Committee regularly monitors the supervision load for each member of academic staff and may decide to appoint another suitable Supervisor, if necessary. Please note that admission to the PhD is made by committee at the Faculty level in accordance with University standards and guidelines; potential Supervisors can only contribute to admission decisions.

Consideration of Applications

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 in January may normally expect to receive a decision before the end of March, and the majority of offers are made in February and March.  Following the funding deadlines, applications are processed on a rolling basis and applicants may normally expect a decision within 12 weeks following the submission of their completed application and required supporting documents.  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.

Consortium in Latin American Cultural Studies 

If you are applying to the Section of Spanish and Portuguese and wish to work on any topic within Latin American literary, visual, or cultural studies, you may wish to read about the  Consortium in Latin American Cultural Studies for PhD students.

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Application process for PhD and EdD

Finding a potential supervisor.

You are required to identify a potential supervisor before submitting your PhD/EdD application . When you contact potential supervisors, you should discuss their availability to supervise and the fit between your proposed PhD project and the area of their research.

Indication in principle that the supervisor is willing to supervise your project does not guarantee an offer of admission. This is because potential supervisors cannot independently make a final decision on admission to the PhD/EdD.

Potential supervisors will only indicate if, pending a successful application, they would in principle be able to supervise you. This is because the fit between your doctoral research proposal (see below) and the specific research field of the potential supervisor is an essential component of doctoral studies.

Time and interest permitting, the potential supervisor may advise on how a research proposal might be developed or improved. Such advice does not guarantee an offer of admission.

Further help

• In the research section of this website, you can find academic staff profiles, including supervision availability
• List of potential supervisors for 2025 admissions
• Information on how and when to apply for the PhD/EdD is available from the Postgraduate Admissions Office

Progression from Masters to the Doctoral programme

If you are a student on the Faculty Masters programme and you intend to proceed straight onto the doctoral programme, please note that continuation is not automatic and must be preceded by an application to the doctoral programme, regardless of funding arrangements, as well as meeting the academic requirements for continuation.

Supervisors

All applicants are required to name a potential supervisor on your application because they will be the first person to review your application after you submit it. This is the potential supervisor whom you would have contacted ahead of submitting your application.

If the potential supervisor would like to take the application further, you may be contacted for an interview.

If the potential supervisor is not available, your application will be reviewed by the doctoral admissions team to determine whether another supervisor may be identified.

Given the range of areas of research and fields of expertise represented in the Faculty, not identifying a supervisor at the point of application is unlikely to result in a match being identified through this route.

Applicants are strongly encouraged therefore to contact supervisors ahead of submitting their application. If you have not identified a supervisor at the point of application, we may not be able to identify any supervisor with aligned research interests and therefore we may not be able to make an offer of admission.

Admissions decisions

Upon submission of the application, the named potential supervisor reviews the full application and makes a recommendation to the Faculty of Education doctoral admissions team. The doctoral admissions team further reviews the full application and makes a final decision as to whether an offer of admission will be made, and what conditions for admission may apply.

Please note that this final decision normally takes up to 12 weeks to reach the applicant, but may on occasion take longer.

Applicants who have applied for funding, applied by the appropriate funding deadline, and have an offer of admission (even if this has not yet been communicated to the applicant) will be considered for funding.

Consideration for funding starts with a ranking of all eligible applications, undertaken by a panel convened by the Faculty of Education doctoral admissions team. This panel include academics working in a range of fields and research areas and applying a large variety of methods in their own work. The panel generates a full set of funding recommendations on behalf of the Faculty. 

Funding recommendations are then forwarded from the Faculty of Education to the University's central Postgraduate Funding Committee, who review all applications across the University and make recommendations for funding allocations. Decisions about funding for doctoral places are communicated to applicants starting in February, and can be announced as late as the summer before entry.

Unfortunately, there is limited funding and we cannot therefore promise to fund every applicant who receives an offer of a place. You may receive an offer to study on our doctoral programme, without receiving any funding.

The Faculty of Education doctoral admissions team, the Cambridge Trust, the ESRC DTP and the AHRC DTP are all committed to supporting scholars from diverse backgrounds to join our doctoral programmes. When it comes to funding, we consider applications holistically, weighing up the research proposal, prior academic record, references, and evidence of resilience and other relevant personal circumstances.

The Research Proposal

All doctoral applicants are required to submit a research proposal of up to 1,500 words (exclusive of bibliography/reference list) outlining their proposed research project.

Please read Guidance for research proposal

Important note

It is very important that the area you want to work in is broadly compatible with our research interests and that you name a potential supervisor on your application

The Personal Statement

All doctoral applicants are required to submit a personal statement of up tp 1,500 words providing a holistic account of their reasons for applying and their educational and professional experiences that have led them to this point.

Contextual information you provide in the personal statement allows the admissions team to make recommendations for funding in the most equitable way possible, based on the information we receive from applicants.

Please read Guidance for personal statement .

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Entry Requirements

The Centre of Development Studies PhD programme has high academic requirements, and a large number of applicants who meet them. If you do not meet the criteria listed below, it is most unlikely you will be offered a place.

• A UK  Masters Degree  in a relevant subject   with a Merit overall or a GPA of at least 3.6/4.0 (usually 67% overall) or equivalent from a non-UK University.
• A high 2.1 Undergraduate Degree from a UK university or equivalent GPA of at least 3.6/4.0 (usually 67% overall) or equivalent from a non-UK University.
• Applicants must also have a good research project that falls within the research interests of one the Centre's lecturers who is available for supervision.

If your degree is not from the UK, please consult the Postgraduate Admissions International Qualifications page to ascertain the international  equivalent  in your country.

• F or those whose first language is not English and who have not previously studied for a degree in an English language university within the last 2 years , evidence of proficiency in English is required.  This consists of an IELTS score of 7.5 (with a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component) or a TOEFL score of 110 (with 25 in each element).  Conditional offers can be made without these results, at the initial application level, but these will need to be obtained and proof provided for a firm offer to be extended and all requirements met for a formal matriculation.
• Find out  if you will have a Language Requirement . 

Naming a Supervisor on your Application

Supervisors can be named from the Centre of Development Studies. Your research topic must come within their area of expertise and there must a strong link to Development Studies. Applicants should contact an available supervisor to discuss their proposal before applying. Academics currently available for PhD supervision are listed here:  https://www.devstudies.cam.ac.uk/ourpeople/phd-supervisors

In exceptional circumstances , applicants may name a supervisor from another department, if the research proposal and the proposed supervisor both have a strong link to Development Studies. In these cases, before submitting the application the proposed supervisor should confirm their willingness to supervise the candidate and contact the PhD Director to outline why the PhD would be best undertaken in the Centre of Development Studies rather than their own department.

In all cases, following appropriate research on the most relevant choice, a suitable and available supervisor and a proposed research title must be included in the correct place on the application . (This is found on the first page of the Application Form, in the "Research" section, "Proposed Supervisor" and "Proposed title of Research").

*Please note that applications will be rejected should they fail to propose an available supervisor and/or a research title.*    

Applications are considered by the Admissions Committee on a rolling basis once applications open in September.

If at any point before, during or after applying you have a question, Postgraduate Admissions run a very comprehensive  FAQ page  

Please use the Postgraduate Admissions contact form if you can't find an answer to your question:  https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/contact-form

All applications are made through the Postgraduate Admissions Department Self-Service website. 

When you have completed the necessary preparation and you are ready to begin your online application, you should take note of the following important information before you create your application:

• There is an application charge per application. You can make the payment by providing your card details when you submit the online application.
• Your application is  not complete without the required supporting documentation.

Uploading Supporting Documentation

Applications will not be considered by the Department until all the documents are uploaded, as Postgraduate Admissions only send them to us once all the documents are present.  Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding, even if you apply in time.  We do not chase applicants for missing documents. 

It is the responsibility of applicants to ensure that  all  documents forming part of their application are correct and complete  at the point of submission of the application . The department will not permit changes or additions to these documents after application. Additionally, the Admissions Committee will not review any documents which are not listed on the PAO website as required for the MPhil or PhD in Development Studies.

Incomplete/inactive applications (i.e. those which have been missing documents for a considerable length of time) will be withdrawn by Postgraduate Admissions, and will therefore never reach the Department. 

Required Documentation

1. First Academic Reference and Second Academic Reference

Please see this website for information on who to nominate as your referees, and how they submit their references. 

All applicants will require two academic references, including continuing students.

2. Personal Reference This is only required if you are applying for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

3. Transcripts

Please see this website for information on how to upload your transcripts. 

4. Evidence of Competence in English if English is not your first language

• You can use this website to find out  if you will have a Language Requirement . 
• This website has information about the accepted tests and how to upload them.  

You  do not  have to have a language test certificate when you apply. Whilst this is preferable, this can be uploaded during any part of the application process - and if an offer is made, can be included as one of the conditions of admission. 

The same form should also be used when you wish to request a language test waiver - there is an option on the form for this purpose. 

5. Research Proposal with Title

An outline (three or four pages) of the proposed research topic, indicating: the background and aims of the research and the methodology and data to be applied (if relevant). This is in addition to information provided on the application form.

6. Writing sample (not more than 5,000 words)

This could be a published article or an essay from the student's Bachelor or Master programme, where possible relevant to Development Studies.

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Research Programmes

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The Faculty of Mathematics offers three doctoral (PhD) and one MPhil research programmes.

Select a course below to visit the University’s Course Directory where you can read about the structure of the programmes, fees and maintenance costs, entry requirements and key deadlines.

Research Areas and Potential Supervisors

Determining whether your interests and ambitions align with our research and expertise is a vital part of the application and admissions process. When we receive your formal application, we will consider the information you provide on your research interests carefully, alongside other factors such as your academic suitability and potential, how you compare to other applicants in the field, and whether we have a suitable academic supervisor with the capacity to take on new students.

We are committed to widening participation in mathematical research at Cambridge. We welcome and encourage applications from people from groups underrepresented in postgraduate study.

Before making an application to study with us we recommend you:

• Investigate our areas of research and consider how they fit with your interests and ambitions.

A list of broad research areas is provided below, together with links to further information. Your interests may span more than one area. On your application form you will be asked to indicate at least one broad area of interest. This is to help us direct your application to the most suitable group of people to review it.

• Identify 2 or 3 appropriate supervisor(s) with whom you might work.

Applicants should indicate one or more proposed supervisor(s) in their application. The information linked below will take you to lists of supervisors working in each broad research area, with an indication of their availability. You are encouraged to make informal contact with potential supervisors prior to making an application. Initial contact should be made by email. In your email we recommend you provide a concise explanation of your areas of interest, how your research interests align with the supervisor(s) research, and that you highlight any relevant work you have done in this area. We recommend that you attach an up-to-date CV. The purpose of this contact is to enquire on supervisor capacity and willingness to supervise, and to see if there is a good fit between your interests and theirs.

If you haven’t had a response to an informal enquiry, you are still welcome to apply and list the individual concerned on your application form, although you may also wish to consider other options.

• Give some thought to your intended research and why you want to study with us.

On your application form you will be asked to submit a short research summary, details of your research experience and your reasons for applying to undertake a PhD/MPhil with us. Whilst you are not expected to submit a detailed research proposal at any stage of the process, we do want to know that you have considered the areas of research that you wish to pursue.

Research areas

Click on a research area to find out more about available supervisors and their research:

Please note that a  large majority of the successful applicants for PhD studentships with  the High Energy Physics, and General Relativity & Cosmology (GR) groups   will have taken Part III of the Mathematical Tripos.

Funding Opportunities

Each Department works hard to secure funding for as many offer holders as possible, either from within its own funds, in collaboration with funding partners, or via the University Postgraduate Funding Competition. However, funding is not guaranteed via these routes, and you should investigate funding opportunities early in the process to be sure that you can meet advertised deadlines.

All application deadlines are 23:59pm (midnight) UK time on the stated date. So that your application can be given full consideration please apply by the following deadlines:

Note for PhD applicants:

We will accept applications for an October start up until the general University deadline in May, but your chances of obtaining funding are significantly reduced. In addition, space limitations may mean that late applications cannot be considered (i.e., the most appropriate supervisor may already have committed to taking other students).

Only in exceptional circumstances will we consider admission to a later start date in the academic year (i.e., January or April). If you intend to apply for a later start date please contact us at [email protected] so we can advise you on the feasibility of your plan.

Note for MPhil applicants:

We will accept applications until the general University deadline in February, but you will not be considered for funding. In addition, space limitations may mean that late applications cannot be considered (i.e., the most appropriate supervisor may already have committed to taking other students).

Most interviews are expected to take place in the second half of January.

The purpose of the interview is to try to ascertain the extent of the applicant's relevant knowledge and experience, and to gauge whether their interests and abilities align with the research of the potential supervisor and/or research group. It will most likely consist of a discussion of your background and motivations for applying to the course, as well as some questions on relevant topics.

Not all applicants will be selected for interview.

If you are selected for interview, you will be contacted by email at the address you provided on your application. The email should confirm:

• the location of the interview (it may be in-person or on-line dependent upon interviewer availability, your distance from Cambridge, as well as individual preferences),
• the interview format and whether you should prepare anything specific in advance,
• the approximate duration of the interview,
• who you will be meeting.

Prior to interview you may declare a disability, serious health problem or caring responsibility which may require reasonable adjustments for the interview to be made.

Due to interviewer availability and the tight admissions timetable, we can usually only rearrange the time and date of your interview under exceptional circumstances.

Decision timeline

Both DAMTP and DPMMS make most of their PhD/MPhil admissions decisions for October entry in January and early February, and you should not expect to receive a decision on your application before mid-February (even if you apply much earlier). We expect to have made decisions on all applications by mid-July. The Department makes every effort to take decisions on applications at the earliest opportunity. In some cases, however, it may take some time for a decision to be made. Applications may need to be viewed by several potential supervisors before a final decision can be reached.

To consider your application formally we must receive a complete application form, together with all supporting documents, by the deadline.

Communication of outcomes

You will be notified of the formal outcome of your application via the Applicant Portal.

Following an interview, you can normally expect to receive notification of the outcome within a week or two.

If you are successful, the University’s Postgraduate Admissions Office will issue a formal offer of admission which will outline all your conditions. As processing times can vary, we may also contact you informally to notify you of our decision.

We do not provide formal feedback to applicants who are unsuccessful at either the application or interview stage.

Take a look at our frequently asked questions for PhD applicants.

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Application deadline - To start October 2025

Applications for October 2025 will open from September 2024.

All deadlines are 12.00 (UK time).

The Department will continue to accept applications up until Thursday 27 March   2025  for October 2025 start date. Any application submitted after 3 December 2024 will not be considered for the funding round.

Watch the School of Biological Science Virtual Postgraduate Open Days 2023

Step 1 - identify a potential supervisor/supervisors.

Prospective PhD and MPhil students must nominate a prospective supervisor on their application. It is essential that applicants contact a prospective supervisor, and receive their support to apply,  before submitting their application. The support of a prospective supervisor does not guarantee the applicant a place on the course, nor does it guarantee funding.

List of potential PhD supervisors

List of available phd projects, list of potential mphil biological science (psychology) supervisors.

You are expected to make email contact with those staff whose research is of interest to you in order to discuss research possibilities, and to determine whether the potential supervisor is able and willing to support your application. When contacting a potential supervisor you are requested to state the degree for which you wish to be considered and provide the following:

• curriculum vitae detailing your academic record
• brief details of your area of interest​​

Individual members of staff will be pleased to answer informal enquiries about specific research areas, and indeed candidates who are certain of their field of interest are encouraged to contact a potential supervisor at an early stage, to discover whether their research interests match those of the potential supervisor. This need to identify a supervisor willing to support your application early in the application process differs from a North American graduate school. At Cambridge candidates do not spend an extended period conducting research projects in different labs or taking courses in a large range of fields. Instead they begin research work at once under the guidance of their supervisor, attending lectures devoted to their chosen field and to general principles of experimental design and analysis.

Please inform the Postgraduate Administrator  of whom you intend to contact and the outcome of your discussions. There are many reasons that a potential supervisor might not be willing or able to support your application.  However, if you receive a positive response to your enquiry and you wish to be considered for funding then you must proceed to step 2 as quickly as possible.  Please note the  funding deadlines .

* Getting the support of a prospective supervisor is just the first step in the admissions process and does not automatically guarantee you a place on the course.

Step 2 -  Submit a formal application

In order to submit your online application, you must consult the University's central Postgraduate Admissions pages . Here you will find all the information you need to submit your application.

It is important that you advise the Department's Postgraduate Office  when you have submitted your application.

Research proposal

All prospective postgraduate students are required to submit a research proposal as part of the application procedure. 

The research proposal is an opportunity to show your prospective supervisor that you have interesting ideas, and that you have some idea of how to evaluate them.

It should consist of about two sides of A4, including references and it should include:

• a clear empirical objective
• some idea of the research methods you would use
• relevant theoretical background

Firstly you need to lay out the theoretical background to your research question, and then provide a rationale for testing a hypothesis or two. You should briefly outline your methods, your sample, and the various techniques you hope to use. Finally give a brief statement of how the data will be analysed, and outline what various findings might mean.

If your proposed research will require you to work away from Cambridge for more than 3 weeks (e.g. fieldwork overseas), please let the Postgraduate Office know straight away, as Degree Committee approvals will be required before you can be offered a place or considered for funding.

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Current Postgraduates​ ​​​​​ ​

Introduction, open day 2024, application procedure​, mphil in psychology, phd in psychology.

Applications for October 2025 will open in September 2024.

The Department will continue to accept applications up until Thursday 27 March 2025  for October 2025 start date. 

Any application submitted after 3 December 2024 will not be considered for the funding round.

Research Councils​

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PhD in Physics (3+ years)

The majority of postgraduate students (about 110 are accepted each year) carry out research at the Cavendish Laboratory towards a PhD degree.

For admission to the PhD, the Postgraduate Admissions Office normally requires applicants to have achieved the equivalent of a UK Masters (Pass) . Applicants should obtain the equivalent of:

• at least a 2:i in a UK four-year "undergraduate Master's" (Honours) degree,  OR
• at least a 2:i in a UK three-year Bachelor's (Honours) degree plus a relevant one/two -year UK Master's degree.

All applicants are assessed individually on the basis of their academic records.

Full-time students must spend at least three terms of residence in Cambridge and nine terms of research. If you are undertaking a placement or internship away from Cambridge for more than two weeks you need to apply for leave to work away.

Final examination involves the submission of a thesis of not more than 60,000 words followed by an oral examination (or viva) of the thesis and the general field of physics into which it falls.

Successful applicants are assigned to a research supervisor, a specialist in part or all of the student's chosen research field, and joins a research group which might vary in size between 4 and 80 individuals. Although the supervisor is responsible for the progress of a student's research programme, the extent to which a postgraduate student is assisted by the supervisor or by other members of the group depends almost entirely on the structure and character of the group concerned. The research field is normally determined at entry, after consideration of the student's interests and facilities available.

A list of current research projects is published and available on the  research pages  of our website, and more detailed information about specific research areas can be obtained from the relevant academic staff. The student, however, may work within a given field for a period of time before his or her personal topic is determined.

There is no requirement by the University of attendance at formal courses of lectures for the PhD. Postgraduate work is largely a matter of independent research and successful postgraduates require a high degree of self-motivation. Nevertheless, lectures and classes may be arranged, and students are expected to attend both seminars (delivered regularly by members of the University and by visiting scholars and industrialists) and external conferences. In addition, postgraduate students carry out first- and second-year physics undergraduate supervision and assist with practical work and theoretical examples classes in the Department.

Lectures within all the faculties of the University are open to any member of the University, and a physics postgraduate student has the opportunity of attending lectures not only within the undergraduate Physics and Theoretical Physics course, but also in any other subject area or faculty.

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MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

One of the world's leading research institutes, our scientists are working to advance understanding of biological processes at the molecular level - providing the knowledge needed to solve key problems in human health.

How To Apply

University of cambridge applications.

To apply to the LMB PhD programme you will need to complete an application via the University of Cambridge Applicant Portal .

Before completing the University application, please make sure you have followed the steps outlined below.

Step one − entrance requirements

• Please see the detailed entrance requirements to check you have the qualifications we require from our graduate entrants.
• If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence that you have met the University’s English language condition .

Step two - LMB PhD project selection

When applying to the LMB you can apply to up to three projects, please follow the instructions below on how to make this selection:

• Please review the list of available  PhD projects  and information on preparing your statement of interest(s) before applying online.
• You can download the LMB PhD Statement of Interest Form  here . Your statement(s) should be saved in PDF format and attached to the end of your CV (in one document).
• This can be typed into the free text box ‘Research Supervisor’, if you wish to apply to more than one project you can enter the name as shown below: Dr. Milstein (1st)/Dr. Sanger (2nd) /Dr. Sulston (3rd)

Step three − sources of funding

• The Applicant Portal allows you to apply for LMB-funded studentships, University-wide funding competitions and College studentships. We recommend that you find out more about these and other sources of  funding  before applying online.

Step four − check deadlines

• US Gates Scholarship (US applicants only) – Wednesday 16th October 2024
• General applications (UK, EU and overseas applicants) – 12.00 noon, Tuesday 3rd December 2024
• All supporting documents and references must be received by the above dates.

Step five - prepare supporting documents

• Your application will only be complete once we have received your supporting documents, statement(s) of interest for each selected PhD project and references.
• Please do not email supporting documents or project choices to us – follow the online instructions that will be available once you have submitted your application via the Applicant Portal.
• Before filling in your application in the Applicant Portal, you should make sure that you have  the required supporting documents ready to upload in .pdf format (Adobe Acrobat) . The University application process can only accept .pdf documents – you should also ensure that your documents  are not  password protected. If you wish to be considered for Gates Cambridge Trust funding, please ensure that you follow  their guidance .
• An up-to-date CV with your statements of interest included –  including names and addresses of two academic referees.
• University transcripts –  if available, or module/exam results to date if you are currently an undergraduate student.
• Your language test certificate  (application portal will prompt if required).
• References –  i.e. letters of recommendation from two academic referees. At least one reference should be from someone who has supervised your practical research, and one referee must be able to comment on your academic performance.
• If you wish to be considered for  Gates Cambridge Trust funding , you will also need an additional reference.
• Applicants ARE NOT required to obtain the references: you must add your referee’s contact details during the application process in the Applicant Portal, both referees will then receive an automated email. The email will give each referee access to the University’s online Electronic Referencing System – they will be given 7 days to submit their reference. References must be uploaded by the application deadline date of 3rd December 2024. Therefore we recommend completing the rest of your application at least a week before the deadline to give your referees a week to submit their documentation.

Step six - prepare your Applicant Portal application

• Course description: Biological Science
• Programme of Study: PhD in Biological Science (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology)
• Duration: 4 years
• Study mode: Full-time
• Start date: October 2025
• Access the  Application Portal  and further information on completing your online application.
• If you would like more information on how your application will be processed a chart with an outline of the application process is available to download  here  under ‘ What is the admissions process? ’.
• Here you can find information about the University of Cambridge Graduate application  timescales

If you would like more information or have any questions not answered on the website, please contact us:

Francis Crick Avenue , Cambridge Biomedical Campus , Cambridge, CB2 0QH , UK .

To receive tweets on our latest news, updates and events, please follow us:  @LMB_PhD

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The iconic Lecture Theatre 1 (LT1) is due for a refurbishment, and with it comes the opportunity for alumni, friends and other supporters of Cambridge Judge Business School to claim their seat in LT1.

• PhD & research …

Apply to the Ph…

Apply to the PhD

• Why a CJBS PhD?
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We’re excited to welcome you into our research programmes and we appreciate that applying for the right PhD can be a challenging process. Find out all you need to know to apply to a Cambridge Judge Business School PhD and successfully navigate the application process.

You will need to gain admission to your PhD via a Cambridge Judge Business School research masters degree. This means you need to already hold or be currently studying for one of the following degrees:

• MPhil in Strategy, Marketing, Operations and Organisational Behaviour (SMOOB)
• MPhil in Innovation, Strategy and Organisation (ISO)

Funding deadlines

Previous PhD Director Jennifer Howard-Grenville offers advice on applying to the doctoral programme.

Hello, I’m Professor Jennifer Howard-Grenville, and I’m the Director of our PhD programme here at the Cambridge Judge Business School We’ve prepared this short video to give you some tips on how our application process works.

Apply via a research masters First, please do not apply directly to the PhD. We only consider applicants who already hold or are studying on one of our Research Masters degrees, the MPhil in ISO, SMO, or Finance. Or the MRes. In extremely rare cases, when a prospective student has already published in top journals in their field, we may consider a direct application.

Ensure you meet our minimum requirements Second, please ensure you meet the minimal requirement for the masters degree to which you are applying. Since it is a competitive process to apply to the PhD from our MPhil programmes, you should also ensure that you’re a strong contender for continuation. This means you have, at a minimum, a first class equivalent in your undergraduate degree. Please look under the International Qualifications tab on the University Admissions website to see what this equates to in your system.

Do you already hold a graduate degree? Our MPhil degrees are designed for students without a graduate degree who are interested in exploring business and management research.

The MRes is for those who already hold a research-oriented graduate degree, and who will then immerse themselves in the topics, literatures and methods for conducting research in a business school setting. To apply for the MRes, you must have been within the top 5% of your class on a prior research-oriented masters degree.

Navigating the admissions process I hope this helps you navigate our process. And we’re excited to welcome new students into our research programmes. Since it is a complex application process, please rest assured that if you apply for a programme that is not the right match and you’re within our minimum qualifications, we will redirect your application internally to make sure you’re considered for the most appropriate programme.

View video with transcript

Admission via a standard research MPhil

Our MPhil degrees are designed for students without a graduate degree who are interested in exploring business and management research. You will need to meet the minimal requirements for the masters degree to which you are applying. Since it is a competitive process to apply to the PhD from our MPhil programmes, you should also ensure that you’re a strong contender for continuation. This means that you have, at a minimum, a first-class equivalent in your undergraduate degree. Please look under the International Qualifications tab on the University Admissions website to see what this equates to in your system. 

To gain admission to Cambridge Judge Business School’s PhD programme via one of the our research MPhil programmes, you will need to take a particular MPhil and specific modules within the programme in order to be eligible to continue to the PhD programme on your desired pathway. 

About the MPhil in Finance

Application deadline

Admissions requirements

MPhil in SMOOB

About the MPhil in SMOOB

MPhil in ISO

About the MPhil in ISO

Progress to the PhD programme, after your MPhil year

You need to: 

• submit an application for the PhD programme, which includes a research proposal, paper or literature review that will be assessed for quality and strong references
• perform well in the first term of MPhil modules
• perform well at an interview with a panel of faculty members
• demonstrate a fit between the proposed research and the research expertise in the subject group (resulting in the interview panel recommending supervisors)
• be ranked sufficiently highly by the panel in order to receive an offer (admissions offers are usually conditional on overall performance in the MPhil or parts thereof, and the usual conditions are an overall mark of 70% and 70% in any dissertation)

We automatically shortlist all PhD applicants from the above 3 research MPhil programmes for interview (applicants currently studying for the MPhil or those who previously completed the MPhil with a grade ≥70% overall and ≥70% in the dissertation). 

Admission via the Master of Research 

The Business School’s Master of Research (MRes) programme offers you another route to the PhD for all pathways (although the Finance pathway only admits, exceptionally, students taking the MPhil in Economic Research).  To apply for the Cambridge Judge Business School MRes, you will already hold a research-oriented graduate degree, and want to immerse yourself in the topics, literatures and methods for conducting research in a business school setting. 

Students who obtain 70% overall (modules and dissertation combined) and at least 70% in the dissertation component in the School’s Master of Research programme will progress automatically to the PhD programme – no further application is necessary.

Master of Research

About the MRes

Admission directly to the PhD 

All applicants must apply for one of the 3 research MPhils or the MRes in the first instance, or in exceptional cases a Cambridge MPhil in Economic Research.

In very rare cases, outstanding MRes applicants who have exceptional prior research experience (as evidenced by journal publications in reputable management journals) and substantial relevant research methodology training may be considered for entry to the PhD programme directly (without taking the MRes year in the first instance). In this case their MRes application would be transferred to the PhD.

Learn more about the application process and deadlines

Explore fees and funding options

Contact the admissions team

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Applications to the cambridge biosciences dtp open in september/october with a december deadline. the dates for the next academic year will be announced soon., this is a fully funded programme, so an offer of a place will include full funding of your stipend (currently £19,237 for the academic year 2024-2025) as well as university fees., you can apply for a standard , targeted or icase  studentship only or you can apply to different types of studentships in the same application . you will be able to indicate your choice in the application form. the programme is also open to international students  (eu and non-eu)., apply for a standard studentship.

In a Standard studentship, students apply to a BBSRC Research Priority, not a specific project. After completing 2 rotations in different departments, they can select their PhD project. This studentship also includes a 3-month professional internship in an organisation of their choice as part of their PhD. We would recommend undertaking the internship between the second and third year of the PhD. However, the timing should be discussed and agreed with the supervisor and the host organisation. There is no need to contact a supervisor before submitting an application. However, we advise you to look through the  Research Topics pages where supervisors are listed and although not required, you should feel free to contact them about potential projects in their lab. You can also contact supervisors listed on the websites of our affiliated departments and institutes to ask whether they will be likely to offer a rotation/PhD project.

Read more about the Standard studentship, including programme structure, Professional Internships, training and networking.

Before you apply

Check your eligibility

• Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Good II.i Honours Degree.
• If your degree is not from the UK, please check  International Qualifications  to find the equivalent in your country.

Read more information about the eligibility criteria.

You will need to apply through the University’s Applicant Portal. The course is listed as the  BBSRC DTP PhD in Biological Sciences .

Completing the application form:

• Please indicate the main BBSRC research priority you wish to apply to.
• Add 'Standard' in the ‘Project Title’ box.
• You need to provide 2 academic and/or professional references.
• You can submit your application before references have been submitted, however, applications must be complete and referees must submit their references by the deadline. If your application (including supporting documents) is not submitted by the relevant deadline, it will be withdrawn.

Read more information about References on the Postgraduate Study website .

After you apply

• Applications are considered together as a gathered field after the closing date in December. Successful applicants will be notified in January and invited to attend an online interview in early February
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview workshop a week before the interviews. A link will be sent in due course
• This course is taking part in the University’s Contextual Admissions Pilot, a new selection procedure designed to promote contextualised understanding and to minimise bias. Find out more about Contextual Admissions .

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Apply for a Targeted studentship

In Targeted studentships, applicants select up to two options from a list of available projects. Students complete two rotations: one in the lab associated with the project applied for and another one will be carried out in a different lab, which is still chosen based on its relevance to the targeted project. This broader experience helps students gain a more comprehensive understanding of their research area. Students will also undertake a 3-month professional internship in an organisation of their choice as part of their PhD journey. Students must contact the supervisor(s) before submitting an application to discuss the project(s).

Read more about the Targeted studentship, including programme structure, Professional Internships, training and networking.

Check the list of available Targeted projects and contact supervisor(s)

• You may select up to 2 different Targeted projects as part of your application.
• You must contact the supervisor(s) before submitting your application to discuss the project.

Completing the application form

• In the 'Statement of interest' please include the project code(s) and a statement of your interest in each project you have selected.
• Applications are considered together as a gathered field after the closing date in December. Successful applicants will be notified in January and invited to attend an online interview in early February.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview workshop. A link will be sent in due course. 

Apply for an iCASE studentship

iCASE studentships offer a PhD in a University department with an internship with an industrial partner connected with the PhD project. Students select their preferred option from a list of available projects , which will include a minimum of 3 months internship with the industrial partner. Students must contact the supervisor(s) before applying.

Read more about the iCASE studentship, including programme structure, industrial partners, training and networking,

Check the list of available iCase projects and contact supervisor(s)

• You may select up to 2 different iCASE projects as part of your application.
• You need to provide 2 academic and/or professional references. Read more information about References on the Postgraduate Study website .

Apply for different types of studentships in one application

You don’t need to make a separate application if you would like to apply for different types of studentships (i.e. Standard, Targeted, iCASE). Please indicate your choice in the application (in the 'Project Title' box).

Check the list of available iCASE and Targeted projects and contact the supervisor(s)

• You may select up to 2 different iCASE projects as part of your application
• You must contact the supervisor(s) before submitting your application to discuss the project(s)
• If you are interested in being considered for Targeted and iCASE projects, please insert the project codes in the 'Project Title' box in order of preference. You can choose up to 2 projects from the list available.
• You can apply for a Standard studentship and 2 projects. If you want to do this, please insert the project codes and 'Standard' in the 'Project Title' box in order of preference.
• In the 'Statement of interest' box, please include the project code(s) and a statement of your interest in each project you have selected.

International students (EU and non-EU) are eligible for all Research Council-funded postgraduate studentships, and the Cambridge Biosciences DTP will be able to offer a limited number of studentships to international students.

The Cambridge Biosciences DTP will cover the costs of student visas and health surcharge for any international BBSRC DTP students recruited and will also provide funding to cover both fees and a stipend to support living costs.

Information provided by: [email protected]

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Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme

Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarships provide the most talented PhD students with life-changing opportunities to research and study at the University of Cambridge. The Programme offers generous fully-funded Scholarships, which include fees at the Home or Overseas rate.

These Scholarships support PhD students from any part of the world, and in any discipline. All applicants who are assessed as being academically excellent by their Department or Faculty are eligible to be considered for an award. Students applying for '1+3' model courses are eligible for consideration.

The Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars Programme (HDPSP) was established in February 2019 thanks to an extraordinarily generous donation from the David and Claudia Harding Foundation, the biggest single gift made to a university in the UK by a British philanthropist. 

Award details

A personal research allowance of up to £6,000 will be available to Scholars over the duration of their course. This allowance is for personal research expenses, for example, expenditure on textbooks, a laptop, membership fees for Academic Associations and general research-related activity such as conference attendance.

The HDPSP will cover the cost of economy travel for the purpose of bringing the Scholar from their usual place of residence to Cambridge, from within and from outside the UK, to begin the course and to return home at the end of the course.

Full-time Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship awards are usually of a tenure equivalent to the PhD course length - in most cases this is three years (pro-rated for part-time awards). However, Scholars have the opportunity to request maintenance funding for some or all of their fourth year of PhD study.

Scholars are expected to:

• provide a profile for publication on the HDPSP website
• complete an annual academic progress report
• acknowledge the HDPSP's support in all research outputs

Eligibility

Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarships can be held at the following Colleges:

• Christ’s College
• Churchill College
• Clare College
• Darwin College
• Downing College
• Fitzwilliam College
• Girton College
• Homerton College
• Hughes Hall
• Jesus College
• Lucy Cavendish College
• Magdalene College
• Murray Edwards College
• Newnham College
• Pembroke College
• Queens’ College
• Robinson College
• Selwyn College
• Sidney Sussex College
• St Catharine’s College
• St Edmund’s College 
• Wolfson College

A significant proportion of the Scholarships will be at St Catharine’s College. The larger group at St Catharine’s College reflects David Harding’s previous association with the College. However, the remainder will be distributed so as to guarantee excellent postgraduate students across the whole Collegiate University.

Not applied to one of the Colleges listed above?

If you haven't applied to one of the Colleges listed above, this will not preclude you from being considered for a Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholarship. However, please be aware that if you are offered a Scholarship, you will be asked to change to one of the Colleges above in order to take it up.

Application Process

Successful candidates will be informed in early March 2025.

Sometimes when awards are declined, we may be able to offer them to other exceptional candidates. This can happen at any stage up to July but it is not guaranteed , it is dependent on the number of offers that are declined in any given year. The HDPSP is not able to comment on the likelihood that further offers will be made after early March.

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How to Apply

Apply to shu as a graduate student.

The Graduate Admissions team is here to assist you throughout the application process. We encourage you to contact us at any point!

Complete the online SHU Graduate Application

Most programs will utilize the Sacred Heart Graduate Application above but there are several programs that use a Centralized Application Service for external students including:

• Athletic Training ( ATCAS )
• Master of Public Health ( SOPHAS )
• Occupational Therapy ( OTCAS )
• Physician Assistant ( CASPA )
• Physical Therapy ( PTCAS )
• Speech-Language Pathology ( CSDCAS )

Current SHU Students

All current SHU students should use the Sacred Heart Graduate Application, even for the programs listed above.

For the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program, all applicants, both internal and external need to use CASPA .

Application Fee

There is a nonrefundable $75 graduate application fee. This fee is waived for current SHU students and SHU alumni.

Required Materials

Each program has specific application requirements, but generally the requirements may include:

• Online Application
• Non-refundable application fee
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
• Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended
• Written personal statement- a one-page statement describing your interest and qualifications for the program, as well as history of relevant experience
• 2 Letters of recommendation
• Professional resume

To check the specific deadline for your program and any specific application requirements, visit the program page and look under admissions requirements.

Test Scores

Most Sacred Heart graduate programs do not require test scores. For more details on the  specific application requirements, visit the program page .

Connect With Us!

Our Graduate Admissions counselors are prepared and eager to work with you throughout the application process. Each admissions counselor has expertise about specific academic programs.

Find Your Counselor

Deadlines vary by program, while other programs have rolling admission. Be sure to take note of the entry terms for your program so you have enough time to complete your application.

Student Financial Assistance is committed to helping you plan for your degree financially and offers support along the way. Graduate students have many resources available to them to maximize their financing options. Visit our Graduate Financial Assistance webpage for more information.

Explore our visit opportunities to connect with staff and faculty from your program of interest or consider scheduling a one-on-one meeting with your admissions counselor for a more personalized conversation!

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How to apply for a research degree

Once you’ve found a PhD project or decided on your own proposal and spoken with a potential supervisor, you can apply using our online application system.

Prepare your application

The online application form takes about 30 minutes to complete. 

Typically when you apply, you’ll need:

• your personal details
• how you plan to fund your studies
• project title
• supervisor name (you should speak to the supervisor before applying)
• 2 academic references from your most recent place of study
• an academic transcript of your undergraduate degree showing modules and marks achieved
• an academic transcript from your Master's degree showing modules and marks achieved if you have already graduated
• undergraduate degree certificate and Master's degree certificate (if you have already graduated)
• English language qualification (if required)
• CV (also referred to as a resume)
• personal statement
• research proposal (if you are planning your own project or if it states you need to provide it)

Apply as early as possible if you need to secure a UK visa or if you are applying for funding or sponsorship. Deadlines for research funding are usually at least 6 months in advance of the start date. 

Some projects will have a different application procedure. This is usually the case when the project is funded by a doctoral training partnership.

Steps to apply

• Check that you meet the entry requirements and confirm the key dates either on the project page or with your potential supervisor.
• Write a personal statement including your motivation for the project, your relevant skills and experience, and how it supports your future goals. Keep this focused and concise.  
• Have supporting documents ready to attach to your online application.
• Register for an account then complete and submit the online application form. You’ll be able to save and review your application before submitting it.  
• Check you have received our email confirming we've received your application. We usually send this straight away.
• Use your account login details to track the progress of your application.

Ready to apply?

 for questions about applying, please contact our faculty  graduate  schools:,  arts and humanities: .

 Email: [email protected]        Phone: +44 (0)23 8059 7433

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 Email: [email protected]        Phone: +44 (0)23 8212 6521

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 Email: [email protected]       Phone: +44 (0)23 8059 3782

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 Email: [email protected]      Phone: +44 (0)23 8212 6501

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 Email: [email protected]         Phone: +44 (0)23 8212 6529

Student Services Centre, Building 37, Highfield Campus 

 We’re open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 GMT

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How to Apply To Graduate Programs

Applicants to all master's degree and graduate certificate programs, as well as those applicants interested in enrolling in a single course as a non-matriculating graduate student, must complete an online graduate application.

Application and Fee Information

College transcript, letter of intent and resume, letters of recommendation, additional requirements, important information (please read before applying):.

• Please  do not wait to submit your application  while waiting for other application materials to be completed or submitted. 
• Your letters of recommendation can now be submitted fully online through the application system . You will be prompted to enter your recommender information once you click the "submit" button on your application.
• Applications and supplemental materials do not need to be sent in a single, complete package ; each credential can be submitted as it becomes available.
• All communication from the Office of Graduate Admission regarding your application will come via email. It is  extremely important  that you enter a valid email address on your application.

Already applied? 

Access the applicant portal

Submit Your Application

Instructions for current rwu full-time undergraduate students, master of architecture applicants.

Please apply to the first term you wish to enroll  after you graduate from your undergraduate study .

4+1 M.A. Special Education Applicants

Please apply to the summer term you wish to enroll  after you graduate from your undergraduate study .

4+1 M.B.A. Applicants

Please apply to the fall semester you wish to enroll  after you graduate from your undergraduate study .

4+1 M.S. Criminal Justice Applicants

Please apply to the summer term you wish to enroll  after you graduate from your undergraduate study  and select the M.S. Criminal Justice (4+1 option) program.

All Other RWU Applicants

Please apply to the first term you wish to enroll after you graduate from undergraduate study . 

Application Fee Information

Application fee .

Amount: $50

There is a $50 fee to submit your graduate application. To pay the fee, you will be prompted at the end of the application to pay online with a credit card.

Please contact the  Office of Graduate Admission  for an application fee waiver if:

• You completed your undergraduate degree at Roger Williams University;
• You are a military service member, veteran, spouse, dependent, or Department of Defense employee.

Fee waivers are also available if you attend a Graduate Open House, Information Session, or Virtual Information Session.

Required for: All programs

All graduate applicants must submit transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended that granted credit used toward an undergraduate degree, regardless of the number of credits earned. Transcripts from all institutions are still required even if transfer credits were granted at the institution where you obtained your undergraduate degree. Transcripts must be official and issued directly by your undergraduate institution(s). Copies or scans will not be accepted as official documents.

RWU STUDENTS: The Office of Graduate Admission will obtain your transcripts on your behalf.

How to submit your college transcripts

Transcripts can be accepted in the following ways:

Mail – Most colleges and universities print and mail official college transcripts directly to us. Requests for transcripts can generally be completed online or over the phone with the Registrar’s Office at your undergraduate institution(s). Mailed transcripts will only be accepted if they are sealed in an envelope by your undergraduate institution(s). Transcripts should be sent to us at the following address:

Office of Graduate Admission Roger Williams University 1 Old Ferry Rd. Bristol, RI 02809

• Electronic Transcripts – The Office of Graduate Admission can accept electronic transcripts if your institution provides official transcripts through an online system or exchange (ie. Parchment) that requires authentication (a password or code). Electronic transcripts must be sent directly from the originating institution and be sent to our main office email account, [email protected] . Transcripts sent as attachments without authentication will not be accepted as official documents.  
• In Person – Official transcripts may be brought to the Office of Graduate Admission in person, Monday through Friday, between 8:30am and 5:00pm. Transcripts will only be accepted as official if in the original, sealed envelope from the originating institution. If needed, transcripts can be delivered to our Providence Campus. Please contact our office at 401-254-6200 if you wish to drop off materials in Providence.

Letter of Intent

Required for : All programs

All applicants to a graduate degree or certificate program at Roger Williams University must submit a letter of intent. The letter of intent should be one-to-two, double-spaced pages in length. Use the letter of intent to tell us more about you that we cannot learn from your resume or academic transcripts. Some ideas to discuss in your letter include your career goals, your interest in your field of study, your ability to positively contribute to your intended graduate program, your motivation to succeed in the program, and more.

Need some help with your letter of intent? Check out our blog post:  The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Killer Personal Statement for Graduate School

Roger Williams University is an open, accepting and affirming community of citizen scholars. We stand firmly committed to creating a campus that is diverse and inclusive as well as welcoming to and accepting of all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ability, socio-economic class, age or spirituality.

We reflect this in our many programs, initiatives, organizations, and clubs throughout the university, ranging from our undergraduate programs to the School of Law.

In your letter of intent, we welcome you to answer the following question: In what ways do you believe your distinctive experiences and background would positively impact and enrich our university community? (Please feel free to respond in your own authentic voice, and use any format – including bullet points - to share a brief statement)

Note for M.A. Special Education students For your letter of intent, please explain the following:

• Why you hold the dispositions to become a special education teacher committed to equity; and
• Experiences that inspired your desire to work with youth with exceptionalities.

You may upload your letter on your application portal , email your letter to our office at [email protected] , or mail it to us at the following address:

Required for: M.A./M.S. Cybersecurity, M.S. Leadership, M.P.A. (Public Administration), and M.A. Special Education programs Recommended for: All programs

Applicants to the Cybersecurity, Leadership, Public Administration, and Special Education programs are required to submit a professional resume to be considered for admission. While not a requirement for admission to other programs, students who possess any work or research experience should consider submitting a resume to be included with your application package. Your resume should include your education and any extracurricular activities, work experience, research or publications, volunteer or community involvement, and any earned professional development or certifications.

Please upload your resume on your application portal , email it to our office at [email protected] , or mail it to us at the following address:

Required for : All programs except graduate certificate programs Number Required: Two (2), except for the M.A. Forensic Mental Health Counseling program, which requires three (3) letters of recommendation.

Applicants to any master’s degree program at Roger Williams University must submit letters of recommendation from professional sources. Some examples of professional sources include work supervisors, college professors, employers, and internship coordinators, among others. You should select recommenders who know you well, can speak about your character and work ethic, and can attest to your ability to handle graduate level coursework. Recommendation letters should not be submitted from personal friends or family members.

How to submit your letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation can be submitted in one of three ways:

• Online -  Once you submit your online application, you will be prompted to provide the names and email addresses of your recommenders. Each recommender will receive a unique login to the application system to submit the recommender form and narrative on your behalf. Once submitted, it will update the status to "received" on your applicant portal.
• Email – Letters of recommendation can be submitted via email provided they are emailed directly from your recommender. Recommendations should be sent to [email protected].

Mail or delivered in person to our office – If you choose to have your letters submitted in hard copy, they must be hand-signed and delivered to us in a sealed envelope either in person or mailed to our office at the following address:

Some programs require additional materials not covered in the other sections on this page. Please review the items that pertain to your application. 

Standardized Tests

Standardized test scores are not required for admission to graduate programs outside the School of Law   at Roger Williams University.  However, students may be asked to submit scores as an addendum to a completed admission file at the discretion of the faculty.

If you have taken a standardized test and wish to include your scores, we encourage you to submit your score report to us at [email protected] . 

Required for : Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program

Applicants to the M.Arch program must submit a portfolio with examples of your work. You should plan to submit at least 8-10 pieces of work as part of your portfolio. This work may include drawings, computer generated images, artwork, and other materials that demonstrate your skills in design. Your portfolio can be provided to us in electronic or hard-copy format.

How to submit your portfolio

Your portfolio can be submitted in one of three ways:

• Online - You can submit you portfolio as part of your online application. You will be prompted to upload your work at the end of your application or you can provide a link to where your work is hosted. You may also upload it in your applicant portal  after  you have submitted your application.

Mail or delivered in person to our office  – If you decide to provide a hard-copy portfolio, you can deliver it to us in person or mail to our office at the following address:

• Email  –You can email your portfolio (PDF) or portfolio link (website or cloud storage link) to  [email protected].

Research Paper

Required for: M.S. Preservation Practices program

Applicants to the M.S. Preservation Practices program are required to submit a scholarly research paper, 10 pages minimum, with sources cited employing a conventional style. In most cases, students are able to submit a paper written as part of his/her undergraduate program. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admission if you have difficulty fulfilling this requirement and an alternative option may be provided by the faculty. 

You may upload your paper on your application portal , email your letter to our office at [email protected] , or mail it to us at the following address:

Teaching Certificate

Required for: Middle School Endorsement Certificate program

Applicants to the Middle School Endorsement Certificate program must submit a copy of an active and valid teaching certificate. This document can be sent via email to [email protected] or mailed or delivered to the following address:

Required for: M.A. Special Education program

Applicants to the M.A. Special Education program must sit for an interview with the program director prior to an admission decision. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admission for assistance with scheduling at 401-254-6200 or [email protected] . 

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The Master and Fellows of Darwin College in the University of Cambridge: application made to abstract water

Published 13 September 2024

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-master-and-fellows-of-darwin-college-in-the-university-of-cambridge-npswr040373-application-made-to-abstract-water/the-master-and-fellows-of-darwin-college-in-the-university-of-cambridge-application-made-to-abstract-water

Details of the application

The Master and Fellows of Darwin College in the University of Cambridge has applied to the Environment Agency for a licence.

The Environment Agency is giving notice of this application in accordance with Section 37 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and Regulation 6 of the Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations 2006.

The application is for a new full licence to abstract water from Mill Pit, a side channel of the River Cam, at Darwin College in Cambridge at National Grid Reference ( NGR ) TL 44579 57846.

The application is to abstract water as follows:

25 litres per second

85 cubic metres an hour

1,700 cubic metres a day

260,000 cubic metres a year

between 1 April and 31 March inclusive in each year.

The applicant proposes installing a water source heat pump system at Darwin College. This system will use water from the Mill Pit as a heat source, particularly during winter period (October to March), to decarbonise their energy use.

After heat extraction, the abstracted water will be returned to the Mill Pit at NGR TL 44599 57954, approximately 118 metres downstream of the intake point.

The maximum temperature of the discharge is 20 degrees Celsius, with a maximum expected temperature decrease of 3 degrees Celsius.

How to view the application

Please contact us via e-mail or use the number below to arrange to see the application documents.

How to comment on the application

Send any representation about this application by email, quoting the name of the applicant and reference number NPS/WR/040373 to the Environment Agency by email to: [email protected]

By 11 October 2024.

For advice about how to make a representation call 03708 506 506.

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PhD in Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence

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Primary tabs

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This exciting PhD in Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence will train the next generation of AI researchers, technologists, and leaders in the development of human-centred, human-compatible, responsible and socially and globally beneficial AI technologies. The course offers research training in areas such as fundamental human-level AI, social and interactive AI, cognitive AI, creative AI, health and global AI, and responsible AI. Students will be educated in an interdisciplinary environment where they can get access to expertise not only in the technical but also human, ethical, applied and industrial aspects of AI.

This programme is distinct from other PhD programmes in that it takes a strongly interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary approach to technical AI. It will be based at the Centre for Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence (CHIA) within the Institute for Technology and Humanity (ITH) where PhD students will have access to both a large community of scholars and students tackling similar questions and to the active research events programme that constitutes a key part of CHIA’s work. The course addresses the broader need for experts equipped to develop more responsible and human-centred AI as academia, industry, government and non-profit sectors increasingly recruit AI specialists and is a logical next step for students moving through AI-related master’s programmes and wishing to specialise in human-inspired AI. The interdisciplinary nature of human-inspired AI means that the programme will involve working closely also with other units of the University, including co-supervision arrangements, access to research seminars, and access to facilities.

The PhD in Human-Inspired AI aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to contribute critically and constructively to research in human-inspired AI. It introduces students from diverse backgrounds to research skills and specialist knowledge from a range of academic disciplines and provides them with the opportunity to carry out focused research under close supervision by domain experts at the University.

The programme will train the next generation of researchers and leaders in AI by

• providing them with educational infrastructure and interdisciplinary research environment and world-leading training in human-inspired AI,
• providing them with the critical tools to engage with the forefront of academic knowledge, methods and applications in this area,
• developing the advanced skills and abilities to identify, approach and address practical interdisciplinary research challenges,
• supporting students to develop a broad and deep understanding of the technical, ethical, applied and human aspects of AI, 
• developing the ability and initiative to identify, address and approach relevant and complex challenges across sectors and society.

The course will benefit  

• students wanting to engage with human-inspired AI by enabling them to hone critical, methodological and technical skills, develop new approaches and test them out, and specialise,
• students locating themselves in other home disciplines who wish to develop advanced projects including CHIAs approaches and orientations, 
• students entering into or returning to careers in academia, tech industry, and other sectors by giving them the advanced skills, critical perspectives, and methodological insights to pursue these pathways.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the PhD programme our graduates will demonstrate:

• The ability to create and interpret new knowledge, through original research or other advanced scholarship of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication.
• The general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of human-inspired AI, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems.
• A detailed understanding of applicable techniques for cross-disciplinary research and advanced academic enquiry in the field of human-inspired AI
• The ability to make informed judgements on complex issues in human inspired AI, often in the absence of complete data.
• A critical perspective on the governance and ethical challenges that arise from applications of human-inspired AI and how these sit within and interact with wider society. 
• A systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge in relation to the history, methods, and applications of human-inspired AI.

Skills and other attributes

Graduates of the course will be able to:

• Continue to undertake pure and/or applied research and development at an advanced level, contributing substantially to the development of new techniques, ideas or approaches.
• Communicate their ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Contribute constructively within national, international and cross-disciplinary environments.
• Transfer skills and qualities acquired during the programme to successfully engage in employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional or equivalent environments.

Employability

Students of the programme will graduate with a formal qualification in the rapidly expanding area of AI. The emphasis is on human-inspired AI. The combination of specialist, technical expertise in AI and cross-disciplinary approaches involving a wide range of human-centric disciplines means that our doctoral graduates will be uniquely qualified in the sector. The PhD will, therefore, put them in a strong position to pursue careers in a variety of academic and non-academic settings, for example organisations and consultancies in diverse sectors such as tech, health, environment, education, journalism, civil service among others.

For those intending to continue into an academic career, the course will equip them with the skills, experience and qualification for applying for a postdoctoral research position.

For Cambridge students applying to continue from the MPhil to a PhD, students must achieve a pass in the MPhil by Thesis or an overall distinction in the MPhil by Advanced Study.

All applications are judged on their own merits, and students must demonstrate their suitability to undertake doctoral-level research.

The Centre for Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence (CHIA) will hold an online webinar 9:00-9:45am on 4 November 2024.  Please see the  CHIA website  for information on how to register for this event. 

The Cambridge University Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the beginning of November.  It's a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, institute for technology and humanity, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, michaelmas 2025.

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Funding Deadlines

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2025, Lent 2026 and Easter 2026.

Similar Courses

• Human-Inspired Artificial Intelligence MPhil
• Future Infrastructure and Built Environment EPSRC CDT PhD
• Conservation Leadership MPhil
• Chemistry MPhil
• Sensor Technologies and Applications EPSRC CDT PhD

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