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Apply using the Applicant Portal
The Apply Now button on the right will take you to the Applicant Portal. There, you can create and submit your application and supporting documents, and you can also request your references.
An application is only complete when:
- you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
- you have paid the application fee if applicable. For further information on application fees, and which courses require an application fee, see here.
- your referees have provided their references.
If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.
Selection Process
We operate a gathered field for applications (i.e. all applications are considered together after the closing date). Applications are accepted between September and early December (in line with the funding deadline). Individuals that are shortlisted are invited to interviews that are held in mid December or early January.
Gates US candidates have an earlier closing date of October, with interviews held shortly afterwards. For those interviewed, decisions of the offer of a place are typically communicated within several weeks of the interview, whereas decisions about funding may be communicated in March, April, or sometimes later. Applicants applying after the December deadline will be considered only if there are remaining places following the interviews held in December/January.
Further information on How To Apply
Things You'll Need
In order to apply for this course you'll need to think about getting a few things ready before you apply.
- Two academic references
- Transcript
- CV/resume
- Evidence of competence in English
If required - you can check using our tool - Research proposal (M)
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
If you wish to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship you will also need to provide the following:
See Gates Cambridge for more information.
How to Find a Supervisor
We strongly encourage all prospective applicants to visit the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit website for a list of research topics and potential supervisors. For a list of supervisors and their areas of research and ideas for specific projects, please refer to our Studentships webpage. Once you have identified a research topic or specific project that interests you as well as a supervisor, we strongly encourage you to email the supervisor to discuss opportunities and their potential to supervise in the upcoming academic year.