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Department of Geography

 

How to apply for an MPhil at Geography or Scott Polar Research Institute

This page provides a step-by-step guide to how to apply for an MPhil (masters) at Geography/SPRI.

1. Look at the course information

Look at the course information on the website.

2. Go to the University Postgraduate Admissions Office Prospectus

Go to the University’s Postgraduate Admissions Office Prospectus for Geography and Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) which has all the information you need to make a formal application.

Your application will need to include information explaining your motivation for the MPhil and details of any employment or other non-academic experience relevant to the subject of the MPhil.

Each course page on the University website gives details of written statements required as part of the application:

Admissions deadlines

The deadlines for admission for October 2024 are as follows.

Please note these are the last date you can apply for the programme. There are separate deadlines if you wish to also be considered for funding.

The Department strongly recommends early applications.

3. Funding

The University provides information on sources of funding.

In the Department of Geography the following deadlines apply:

  • MPhil deadline for funding: 5th December 2023.

Applications received by the 5th December date will be considered for Cambridge Trusts, some UK Research Councils and GATES International funding. Applications received after this date will not be eligible for entry to these sources of funding.

Please see the Gates US website for information concerning their earlier deadline of 11th October 2023.

To be eligible for applying to these funding competitions you must ensure the following: (1) Your completed application, including all references, has been submitted in advance of the funding deadline noted above; and (2) You tick the boxes relating to funding on the application form.

Please note there is no major funding available through the Department itself.

Some of the colleges also have separate sources of graduate funding.

Further notes:

  • All fieldwork, laboratory work, access to data, archives and travel will have to be supported for the length of your study. You should ensure that your funding body provides sufficient support. (The department has only limited funds to help with these costs.)
  • Overseas applicants should look at the scholarships available at Cambridge. The major scholarships available at Cambridge are Gates Foundation, scholarships administered by the Cambridge Trust, and the Cambridge International Scholarship (CISS). You should apply for these by the advertised deadline when you complete your formal application. They are listed in the University Postgraduate Studies Prospectus.
  • UK and EU students should look at the Research Council studentship information on this website and at the Postgraduate Admissions Office information.
  • Conservation Leadership applicants will find scholarship information for Conservation Leadership on the course information pages.
  • You can complete a funding search to help you find your funding options.