How to apply

MPhil by thesis or PhD

Applicants should contact and gain approval from a potential supervisor before proceeding with their application.

You can take a look at the projects on offer and make contact with the prospective supervisor. Or you can browse the personal/group pages of the Research Group Leaders to find a supervisor with whom to devise a project. You must secure the support of a supervisor to make an application.

Once you have agreed on a project with your proposed supervisor, follow the instructions detailed in our course descriptions:

Please select a Michaelmas Term start, unless you are self-funded or have made other arrangements with a specific supervisor.

Please see our 'Funding' section for advice on filling in this section of your application, also discuss this with your nominated supervisor.

MPhil in Crop Science

Please follow the instructions detailed in the course description:

You must select a Michaelmas Term start. 

Deadlines

Application deadlines vary according to the funding scheme. If you are applying to multiple funds, meet the earliest deadline. For US citizens resident in the USA who want to be considered for Gates funding, the deadline is 14 October 2026.

The final deadline/closing date for applications to MPhil in Biological Sciences (Plant Sciences) by thesis or PhD in Plant Sciences to be considered for the University’s next Postgraduate Funding Competition (admission to academic year 2027-28 supported by Cambridge Trust) is 8 December 2026. All supporting documentation including references must be submitted by this date. Please try to submit your application well in advance of this date.

Applicants applying for entry in 2027-2028 who have already secured funding from an external source must apply by 13 May 2027 (for October 2027 start, 1 October 2027 for a January 2028 start, or 14 January 2028 for an April 2028 start

Fee waiver

Please check your eligibility here on the University's Application fee waiver page. 

Interviews and offers

The Department considers applications for the MPhil by Thesis and the PhD on a rolling basis. Applicants for all courses are shortlisted for interview. You should expect to hear about the outcome of your application well within twelve weeks of submitting your completed application and all required supporting documents. We do not provide feedback.

The majority of funding is offered in March and April but can vary from February to July. If you have not heard by the end of July, you should assume you have not been successful in securing University funding. Candidates holding an offer for the MPhil in Crop Sciences should consider their eligibility for a Masters Bursary Award.

If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Contact the departmental Postgraduate Administrator at pgadmin@plantsci.cam.ac.uk for MPhil by Research and PhD or mphil.bio@cam.ac.uk for the MPhil in Crop Science.