Postgraduate Applicant FAQs

Applying for postgraduate study can feel daunting. To help you navigate the process, we have gathered answers to common questions from applicants considering a postgraduate degree in Social Anthropology at Cambridge.

Whether you are exploring the MPhil in Social Anthropology, the MPhil in Social Anthropological Research, or a PhD in Social Anthropology, these FAQs provide guidance on admissions requirements, preparing an application, supporting documents, funding opportunities, and studying within our Department. Full information is available on the Postgraduate Admission Office’s website. 
 

On this page:

 

 

General

Which postgraduate course is right for me?

The Department offers different postgraduate pathways depending on your academic background, research interests and career goals. If you are new to anthropology, with an undergraduate degree in an adjacent discipline, you are best suited to the MPhil in Social Anthropology. If you have an undergraduate degree in anthropology and want to develop your knowledge to an advanced level, you should consider the MPhil in Social Anthropological Research. The MPhil in Health, Medicine and Society provides advanced interdisciplinary training if you want to study across the history of medicine, philosophy and ethics of medicine, medical sociology, and medical anthropology. You should consider the PhD in Social Anthropology if you have completed anthropological training at undergraduate and/or Master's level and are ready to undertake original, independent doctoral research.

How does the College system work?

All postgraduate students at Cambridge are members of a College, separate to your academic department. You are free to apply to any College you choose; all 31 accept postgraduate students. In your application, you'll be asked to select up to 2 College preferences. You are strongly encouraged to research and apply to Colleges that suit your extra-curricular interests and pastoral needs.
Cambridge Colleges are not associated with particular academic disciplines, and all teaching for postgraduate students is provided by the department, not by the College. When you are choosing your College, you might consider:

  • Would I prefer an all-postgraduate College or an undergraduate College with postgraduate students?
  • How likely is it that the Colleges I am considering will be able to provide me with living accommodation?
  • Do the Colleges I am considering have large international communities?
  • Are these Colleges able to offer travel or other grants?
  • The College's location; some are in town and close to the Department, others are slightly further away. 
  • (For women applicants) Would I prefer a women-only College or a mixed College?

Full information on Colleges can be found on the Postgraduate Study website. Each College also has its own website. Check the Postgraduate Admissions Office College FAQs for more information.

Is there a danger that I won’t be accepted at a College?

No. It is possible that the Colleges you list as preferences will not have available places, however there are plenty of places across the 31 Colleges for all successful applicants.  If you don’t list a preference, a College will be allocated to you.

Can international students apply?

Yes. The Department welcomes applications from students around the world and has a vibrant international postgraduate community. Please refer to the International Student section of the Postgraduate Study website for more information. If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.

What can I do with a postgraduate degree in Social Anthropology?

Anthropologists ask questions about human society and human nature, and compare them across different cultures and experiences. They strive for a depth of cultural understanding that can help assess complex human needs. This makes its graduates particularly attractive to potential employers. Our students graduate with analytical and critical skills, intellectual versatility, multicultural sensitivity and an international outlook. They build successful and rewarding careers across wide-ranging sectors. Popular sectors include academia, research, government, public policy, international development, NGOs, media and journalism, law, teaching, consulting, healthcare, education, and the cultural sector. 

 

 

Applications

Do I have to apply through the Postgraduate Admissions Office?

Yes. Informal applications made directly to the Department are not possible.

What if my first language is not English?

Our courses require candidates to have strong English language reading, writing and oral skills, and to have achieved at least the IELTS / TOEFL minimum requirement scores listed below:

  • IELTS (Academic): 7.5 average mark, with at least 7.0 in each section
  • TOEFL Internet Score: minimum overall score of 110, with 25 or above in each element

It is very helpful if you have completed the English language test before submitting your application, though your application will be considered if you are yet to take the test. If you are offered a place, you must meet the English language requirements before you can be admitted. Your test result must be from a test taken no more than two years before the start of your course. This is to ensure that you have the skills to succeed in your course. Please see the Postgraduate Study website for full information on English language requirements.

Do I need to take an English language test if I have previously studied in the UK?

The language condition may be waived for students who have studied at a UK university for 3 years or more within two years of starting their course at Cambridge.

Do I need to provide Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test results?

No. We do not take GRE results into consideration. 

What supporting documents are required with my application?

All supporting documents required are listed on our How do I apply? page.

I am in my final year and have no professional experience. How can I strengthen my application? 

Emphasise your academic achievements, research skills, and provide a clear and compelling statement of motivation.

Can I defer admission if I can’t take up my place in the year that I apply?

No. The Department does not offer a deferment option, unless you have very specific exceptional circumstances. If you wish to be considered for admission in a future academic year, you must reapply.

My application question is not answered here – who can I ask?

Check the Postgraduate Admissions Office application FAQs. Contact the Admissions Office team if you can't find the answer you're looking for.
 


 

MPhil

I studied anthropology as an undergraduate. Should I apply for the MPhil in Social Anthropology or the MPhil in Social Anthropological Research?

Students with an undergraduate degree in anthropology, either as a Single Honours degree or as part of a Joint Honours degree, will find the MPhil in Social Anthropological Research a more appropriate route. It is designed to build and develop your existing anthropological knowledge to an advanced level. Similar distinctions are made by other leading UK anthropology programmes. 

Will I be at a disadvantage if I studied anthropology outside the UK? 

No. All applications are assessed on their individual merit, regardless of the country in which anthropology was studied.

Can I apply to an MPhil if my undergraduate degree is not in anthropology?

Yes. The 11-month MPhil in Social Anthropology is designed as a conversion course for students with little or no previous anthropological training. For decades, this intensive taught programme has been a major entry point into anthropology for students with undergraduate degrees in adjacent disciplines. Students with an undergraduate degree in anthropology should consider the MPhil in Social Anthropological Research.

Can the MPhil lead to a PhD?

Yes. While both MPhil pathways can be taken as standalone degrees, they also have a strong record of application and progression to PhD study. Many graduates continue into doctoral research at Cambridge and other leading universities. Those intending to continue to a PhD will receive support in developing focused and feasible research proposals to assist their application, though note that admission to PhD at Cambridge or other programmes are not guaranteed.  Graduates also pursue a wide range of professional careers.

Can I take the MPhil part-time?

No. Both MPhils are only available as full-time courses. The MPhil in Social Anthropology is 11 months, full time, while the MPhil in Social Anthropological Research is 9 months, full-time.

Can I start the MPhil in January or April?

No. All our postgraduate courses start in October each year.

Should I contact a potential supervisor before I submit my MPhil application?

There is no need to contact a supervisor before applying. You will be assigned a supervisor during induction week once you have arrived in Cambridge and not before this date. Your supervisor will be an expert in his or her field of research and will meet you regularly to discuss your work and oversee your progress. You may contact a member of academic staff if there is a clear overlap with your area of research interest.

How long will it take before I hear about the outcome of my MPhil application?

Applications are considered in a series of ‘gathered field’ assessments with a strict limit on the number of offers that can be made each year. These are usually held in November, in January and after the course closing date in February. Processing times vary, and the review period can be lengthy. You will be notified via CAMSIS once a decision has been reached. 

Will there be an interview?

Interviews are not universally required. However, you may be asked to attend an interview with a senior member of staff.

Is fieldwork permitted during the MPhil? 

Yes, but fieldwork is restricted to vacation periods (Christmas, Easter, and summer). Many students undertake short fieldwork projects or pursue library-based research during this time.

Does the Department provide support for fieldwork? 

Supervisors offer guidance on planning and ethical considerations. However, funding and logistical support vary and are not guaranteed.

 


 

PhD

Can I apply for the PhD without a previous qualification in Social Anthropology?

No. You must have an academic background in Social Anthropology.

Do you offer a conversion course?

Yes. The 11-month MPhil in Social Anthropology is designed as a conversion course to prepare those new to anthropology for PhD study.

Can I start the PhD in January or April?

No. All our postgraduate courses start in October each year.

Can I take the PhD part-time?

Yes. The PhD is available as both a full-time course (3-4 years) or a part-time course (4-7 years).

How many available places are there on each programme?

There are no definite quotas, but we aim to admit 12-15 research students (PhD) each year. The average acceptance rate is around 40%.

Should I contact a potential supervisor before I submit my PhD application?

We encourage PhD applicants to contact a potential supervisor before applying, although this is not required. Doing so can help you discuss your research proposal and identify a good fit. Please avoid sending generic emails to multiple staff members. Instead, contact academics whose expertise is relevant to your proposed research. We also recommend choosing a topic that genuinely interests you, rather than one based solely on staff research interests. If you do not name a potential supervisor in your application, the Department will consider your proposal and identify suitable academic staff where appropriate. A list of the Department's academic staff with summaries of their research and teaching interests is available.

How long will it take before I hear about the outcome of my PhD application?

Applications are considered as they are received, on a rolling basis. Applicants should expect to hear whether they have been successful in receiving an offer of admission within eight weeks after submission of their completed applications and supporting documents. Applications submitted before the funding competition deadline will be reviewed in January or earlier, and those applicants can expect to receive an admissions decision by late February. Final decisions on all applications will be made by the end of July.

Will there be an interview?

Interviews are not universally required. However, you may be asked to attend an interview with a senior member of staff.

 

 

Funding

I am not sure which funding options I am eligible for. How can I find out?

Our Postgraduate Funding page guides you through the central funding schemes available to all postgraduates, alongside opportunities available only within the Department. You are also advised to do your own research into University funding schemes and external sources of financial support. Competition for funding is high so we strongly advise that you apply for as many funding opportunities as possible, to maximise your chance of success. You should begin looking for funding at least a year before your course starts. Funders may have different deadlines.

Do I need an offer of admission to apply for funding? 

No. However, you must submit your application and all required documents by the relevant funding deadline.

I submitted my application after the funding deadline/did not indicate that I wished to be considered for funding. Can I still be considered for University funding?

You cannot be considered for funding through the University's Postgraduate Funding Competition unless you indicate that you wish to be considered for funding and submit your application by the December deadline. You may still be eligible for other funding, for instance through Colleges or external sources. 

When are funding decisions communicated? 

Funding notifications are typically released between March and July.

I have not heard whether I have received funding, can you help?

University funding decisions are made by separate funding bodies and they will contact you directly if you have been successful. If you haven't heard by the end of July, typically you have not been successful.

My application is on hold. Will I still be considered for funding?

If you receive an offer later than February, you will unfortunately not be considered in the University’s Postgraduate Funding Competition. The University’s Postgraduate Funding deadline is early December.

My funding question is not answered here – who can I ask?

Check the Postgraduate Admissions Office funding FAQs. Contact the Admissions Office team if you can't find the answer you're looking for.

 

 

Contact information

Who should I contact if I have any other questions?