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Postgraduate Study

Course closed:

Multi-disciplinary Gender Studies is no longer accepting new applications.

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:

  1. you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal
  2. you have paid the application fee if applicable. For further information on application fees, and which courses require an application fee, see here.
  3. your referees have provided their references.

If you miss the deadlines specified in this section, you will not be able to submit your application.

Applicants for both the full-time and part-time PhD should expect to enter the Centre in October as the research training programme begins in Michaelmas term. All PhD students, both full-time and part-time, who have not previously taken the MPhil in Multi-disciplinary Gender Studies should expect to be engaged in full-time study in Michaelmas of their first year. 

We welcome applications from those wishing to study part-time. Part-time applicants from outside the UK should note that visa restrictions may apply and that not all sources of funding are available to part-time students. For residence, visa and other requirements check the Part-time Postgraduate Study Guide.

It is important to note that the part-time PhD at Cambridge is not a distance-learning course. Part-time students are expected to fully engage with UCCGS, integrate into the research culture of the University and attend the University on a regular basis for supervision, study, skills training, research seminars and workshops.

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Few applicants are offered early admission.  The majority of decisions are made after the December application deadline and applicants can expect to receive a decision by the beginning of March.

The Centre welcomes and encourages early applications where possible.

For further information on how to apply visit the course page on the course website.

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)
    You should include a statement (approximately 3,000 words) of your research proposal, including aims and methods, sources and the location of the proposed research. You should explain why the topic is important and innovative and what existing literature it contributes to. Include with your statement a listing of specific resource needs for your research (such as travel budget, fieldwork etc) and an outline of any experience (including employment and nonacademic experience) relevant to your application.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

If you wish to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship you will also need to provide the following:

  • Gates Cambridge Reference  
  • Research Proposal (PhD applicants only)

See Gates Cambridge for more information.


How to Find a Supervisor

The Centre will consider potential supervisors when reviewing PhD applications. You may suggest a possible supervisor for your research proposal and provide a name in the relevant section of the application form; however please do not contact prospective supervisors directly. Since this is a multi-disciplinary programme, you should not restrict your search to this department. The University of Cambridge has a directory of departments, which lists academic staff and their research interests. Please see here for more information.

Key Information


3-4 years full-time

4-7 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Doctor of Philosophy

Centre for Gender Studies This course is advertised in multiple departments. Please see the Overview tab for more details.

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
Dec. 5, 2023
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2024

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 5, 2023
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 11, 2023

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.


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