How to apply

Photograph of students standing outside a Cambridge college.Undergraduate Admissions

See the pages of the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology for information about undergraduate admissions.

Graduate Admissions

Applications for the MPhil in Social Anthropology, MRes in Social Anthropology and PhD are handled centrally through the Board of Graduate Studies.

If you intend to apply, you should first carefully read the Graduate Studies Prospectus and follow the instructions. The application form (GRADSAF) for admission and the two reference forms are included in the Graduate Studies Prospectus and are also available from the Graduate Application Pack.

The closing date for applications for the MPhil in Social Anthropology will be 31 March 2012, but you are strongly advised to apply before this date if you are interested in applying for funding (check the Board of Graduate Studies website for funding deadlines).

The closing date for the MRes in Social Anthropology will be 30 April 2012, but you are strongly advised to apply before this date if you are interested in applying for funding (check the Board of Graduate Studies website for funding deadlines).

The closing date for PhD in Social Anthropology will be 30 June 2012, but you are strongly advised to apply before this date if you are interested in applying for funding (check the Board of Graduate Studies website for funding deadlines).

Applicants for the MPhil in Social Anthropology should send a statement of interest (up to 500 words) with their completed application providing information on their relevant experience, special interests, and choice of option.

Applicants for the PhD and the MRes in Social Anthropology should send a preliminary research proposal (up to 1,000 words) that summarises their research interests and the issues they wish to address and indicates the probable location of fieldwork. Acceptance will depend on previous academic record, the quality of the research proposal, the strength of the referees’ letters, and the availability of appropriate supervision within the university.

The normal pre-requisite for admission to the PhD programme in social anthropology is a first class honours degree in anthropology, or equivalent. A good upper second degree might be acceptable in special circumstances.

Important note regarding continuing on to PhD

Registration for the MPhil/MRes does not constitute admission to the PhD. For this a separate application would have to be made during the MPhil year and this would be considered in the same way as other applications for admission to the PhD. MPhil and MRes candidates must reach High Pass standard in their examinations and the Division of Social Anthropology must be able to provide them with an appropriate supervisor. MRes candidates must have their Field Proposal formally approved and must have commenced their fieldwork before they are finally registered for the PhD.

The Procedure for MPhil, MRes and PhD applicants

The Board of Graduate Studies will send your application form to the Division of Social Anthropology where it will be considered by the appropriate Committee. If your application is accepted, the Board of Graduate Studies will send your application to one or more Colleges according to your stated order of preference. You can consult the progress of your application on the Board of Graduate Studies’ application tracker (see Your self-service).

Social Anthropology expects all research students to begin their courses at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term (first week in October).

The payment for your application fee should be sent to the Board of Graduate Studies and not to the Division of Social Anthropology.

The Colleges

As a graduate student you must be a member of a College. Colleges are interdisciplinary groupings bringing together staff and students from different Faculties and Departments. They form distinct academic and residential communities. All Colleges admit Social Anthropology students and most Departmental staff are themselves Fellows of Colleges.

All Colleges provide accommodation for their students and most offer studentships and bursaries for both undergraduates and postgraduates. Information on Cambridge’s 30 Colleges can be found in the Graduate Studies Prospectus.

Enquiries

If you have queries of a general nature about admission procedures, you should contact the Board of Graduate Studies.

Specific queries about the Division of Social Anthropology should be addressed to the Graduate Administrator, Rosie Bell (763960; rab202 [at] cam.ac.uk); to Dr Leo Howe (leh1000 [at] cam.ac.uk) (MPhil in Social Anthropology queries); to Dr. Sian Lazar sl360 [@] cam.ac.uk) (MRes in Social Anthropology and PhD queries). It is also possible to write to individual staff to discuss your research plans.