Continuing to a PhD after a Masters

You will be applying as a Continuing Student if you are currently, or have previously been, registered as a postgraduate student at the University of Cambridge. Most typically we receive applications from students completing a Masters degree who wish to go on to PhD study.

Continuation works exactly like 'regular' admission to the University's postgraduate programme. You need to make your application through the University's applicant portal as normal, and include all requetsed supporting documents. Do ensure you apply in good time for any relevant funding competition deadlines.

The exception to this rule is the Masters degree which forms part of a formal 1+3 CDT/DPT programme; in this case you do not have to apply to continue to the PhD. Your original offer should include the expectation that you will move into the PhD after the first year so there is no need for you to reapply.

Useful notes

  • It is not possible to be awarded the degree of the same type (e.g. MPhil) at the University of Cambridge more than once. You can take a second degree of the same type but it will not be conferred; instead you will receive a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion.
  • If the Department wishes to make you a conditional offer to continue, they will set academic conditions that you have to meet in your current course in order to be allowed to continue. These conditions are normally somewhat higher than a straightforward pass. If you apply to continue in a different faculty, that faculty will set the conditions to be met.
  • When your MPhil result is known, the Degree Committee will decide whether or not you have met the academic conditions set and will advise the Postgraduate Admissions Office. The DC aims to make a decision on all prospective continuers in the week before 1 October annually.
  • MPhil by thesis students are strongly recommended to plan to submit their thesis in good time for examination over the summer so a decision on the award of the degree can be made at the September Degree Committee meeting. Waiting until the submission deadline may mean you will not have enough time to meet the academic condition for continuation to PhD study in Michaelmas term.
  • All candidates approved to continue to the PhD will start as probationary PhD students and will undergo a first year registration review within the following year.