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Postgraduate Study

Course closed:

Public Policy 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.

We are looking for candidates with 2-5 years of professional experience. For exceptional applicants, we will consider less than this but are very unlikely to admit applicants who have not yet completed their undergraduate degrees.

Selection Process

Applications are considered on a rolling basis (as they are received), throughout the application window and usually take up to 8 weeks to process.  The funding deadlines for some sources of funding may be well before the application deadline, so be aware of the separate deadlines if you wish to be considered.

During peak periods, applicants should expect a longer wait for the outcome of their application.

Please be aware that places on the MPhil in Public Policy are limited and that the course may fill up before the published deadline. We welcome and encourage early applications where possible. This is in your best interests, as places are limited.

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
  • Sample of work (1)
    Applicants are required to provide a 1,000-word writing sample. Applicants should choose a current policy issue as the topic for the written sample; this might be a local, national or global issue. The written piece should clearly identify the issue and its importance. Applicants should explain how the issue might be tackled from a policy-making perspective. The writing sample may be presented in the format of a policy brief or as a conventional essay. Where references are used these should be appropriately cited.
  • Statement of interest (5000 characters)
    Applicants are requested to provide a statement of interest of no more than 800 words. This should clearly indicate the reasons for applying for the MPP and how the applicant thinks the course will help to develop their career. Please include details of relevant career experience to date as this information is extremely helpful to the Admissions Panel.

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

Applicants are asked not to contact potential supervisors themselves - supervisors will be allocated by the Department once an applicant has met their offer conditions. Applicants are not guaranteed their first choice of supervisor, and individual supervisors may be unavailable during a given year due to research leave or lack of capacity.

Key Information


9 months full-time

Study Mode : Taught

Master of Philosophy

Department of Politics and International Studies

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
Feb. 29, 2024
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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