MPhil by thesis or PhD
Applicants should contact and gain approval from a potential supervisor before proceeding with their application.
Your 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.
Then follow the instructions detailed in our course descriptions:
- MPhil in Biological Sciences (Plant Sciences) by thesis - course code: BLPSM1
- PhD in Plant Sciences - course code: BLPS22.
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:
- MPhil in Biological Sciences (Crop Science) by advanced study - course code: BLM6
You must select a Michaelmas Term start.
Deadlines
As noted previously, application and funding application deadlines vary. Go with the earlier deadline. For US citizens resident in the USA who want to be considered for Gates funding, the deadline is 9 October 2024.
The final deadline/closing date for applications to be considered for the University’s next Postgraduate Funding Competition (admission to academic year 2025-26 supported by Cambridge Trust) is 7 January 2025. This covers the MPhil in Crop Science, MPhil by thesis and PhD in Plant Sciences. All supporting documentation including references must be submitted by this date. Please try to submit your application well in advance of this date.
Applications relying on externally funded support (Government Scholarships etc.) may be made up until the relevant course application deadlines for entry in October 2025, January 2026 or April 2026.
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.