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Apply using the Applicant Portal
The Apply Now button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal. There, you can create and submit your application and supporting documents, and you can also request your references.
An application is only complete when:
- you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
- you have paid the application fee if applicable. For further information on application fees, and which courses require an application fee, see here.
- your referees have provided their references.
If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.
The research section of the application form allows you to provide a 250-word research summary of your intended project. The topic of the project must relate to the research interests of the supervisor as well as fitting your strengths and interests. It would normally be developed following a discussion between yourself and your potential supervisor. It is therefore important to correspond with the supervisor before submitting an application. See below for more details.
Selection Process
If you wish to be considered for a funded place, you must submit your application by the January funding deadline. It will be evaluated together with all applications, as a gathered field in the early part of the year (January to March), for admission in October (Michaelmas term).
If you don't need to be considered for a funded place, you can submit after the fundng deadline, and you can usually expect to receive a decision within 12 weeks.
Further information on How To Apply
Things You'll Need
In order to apply for this course you'll need to think about getting a few things ready before you apply.
- Two academic references
- Transcript
- CV/resume
- Evidence of competence in English
If required - you can check using our tool - School of Physical Sciences - Widening Participation Questionnaire
Applicants to this course are asked to complete an additional form to provide contextual information about their previous study. Find out more about our use of contextual information here: postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/contextual-data.
Gates °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï Scholarships
If you wish to be considered for a Gates °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï Scholarship you will also need to provide the following:
See for more information.
How to Find a Supervisor
It is expected that you will have a good idea of the area of Earth Sciences in which you wish to conduct research, and that you will have identified and made contact with the most suitable supervisor(s) before you apply. Please use the to identify a member of our academic staff working in your area of interest, and contact them to discuss your interests and ideas.
The purpose of this initial contact is to discuss research proposals, enquire about supervisor capacity and willingness to supervise, and determine if there is a good fit between your interests and theirs. When contacting a supervisor, it is recommended that you consider their research profile when writing to them. You should also include your CV so they can assess your academic background and research experience.
Please note general and unfocused applications with no suitable or prospective supervisor are likely to be seriously disadvantaged or rejected. Please check that the supervisor you want to work with is still current in the Department and taking students.
Part-time study may not always be viable and applications for part-time study will be considered on a case-by-case basis, so please discuss this option with your proposed supervisor before making an application for this mode of study.
