Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience

Graduate Education - How to Apply

grad image The PhD degree normally involves a three or four year course of research, although part-time degrees are now possible. The MPhil degree is a one year course of research. Both culminate in the submission of a dissertation which is defended in an oral examination. Training involves a combination of instruction from within the research group, learning the skills and developing research experience on a day-to-day basis, and formal training courses. The latter are designed to develop extra technical and transferable skills. Further information is available from the Graduate School

The minimum entry requirement is usually a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant biological subject. For overseas students, the minimum undergraduate GPA for entrance into the University is 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale). Further information is available from the Board of Graduate Studies.

The academic year for the University begins on 1 October and most students take up their studentships then, although other starting dates, such as January or April, are possible.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

(please see links for specific procedures for training programmes)

 

Requests for general information or enquiries about procedures should be directed to Ms Aileen Briggs, Graduate Administrator (gradinfo@pdn.cam.ac.uk).

Step 1: Contact supervisor(s)

Choose a project area either from the advertised projects or from the groups listed in the research themes. Make contact with the supervisor(s) by email to find out more information about the project. Include your CV, detailing your academic record and contact details for 2 academic referees. Initial enquiries should be made as early as possible because University deadlines for admission the following October may be as early as December (link to funding deadlines).

Step 2: University Application

If the supervisor considers the application viable, he/she will ask you to apply formally to the University using the online application form http://www.biomed.cam.ac.uk/gradschool/apply.html

For additional guidance see the Graduate School information http://www.biomed.cam.ac.uk/gradschool/apply/student/online.html

The deadline for overseas applicants is in DECEMBER 2011 link to funding deadlines.

Each Application made using a GRADSAF will cost you £50 (if you cannot apply online, you may apply on paper, but the fee is £100).

FUNDING

Information about the costs of PhD training in Cambridge are given by the Board of Graduate Studies.

The department has a limited number of studentships available each year, mostly through the BBSRC, MRC and Cambridge Centre for Trophoblast Research training programmes. These support UK and some qualifying EU students and will be awarded on a competitive basis. In addition, individual labs may have specific funding for students from time to time.

Overseas applicants are encouraged to explore funding possibilities from their own country and/or from the Cambridge Trusts. Further information http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/gsprospectus/funding/overseas/

GradFunds - New Courses of Study
Search awards administered by the University of Cambridge (departments, faculties, colleges, central offices and other internal sponsors)
http://webservices.admin.cam.ac.uk/gradfunds/gfinder.jsp?status=new&reset=reset

Postgraduate Training
How to apply
PhD Projects on offer
Departmental Research Interests
Quick Links test
Graduate School of Life Sciences