How to apply

Visit the University of Cambridge’s Graduate Admissions website to apply online using the Applicant Portal. You will need to submit all required supporting documentation at the same time as completing the rest of your application.

You will see all the instructions on how to complete the application clearly included during the online application process. Take your time and read the instructions carefully as mistakes can invalidate your application and delay the process.

Note that deadlines for application submission are 12:00am (midnight) UK time on the date stated. Plan to submit your application in advance so that if you experience any issues, we can assist you.

There is an application charge of £50 per application (unless you are from a country which is eligible for fee waiver). You can make the payment by providing your card details to the secure server when you submit your online application.

Have your CV (curriculum vitae, or résumé) ready to upload via the Applicant Portal, as this is a required part of your application for admission.

You do not need any prior work experience to apply for this programme. If you have prior work experience, it must be less than one year since graduation (excluding vacation employment and internships) to be accepted to this programme.

Suitably qualified candidates with work experience may wish to consider applying to our MBA programme instead.

You’ll need university transcripts and certificates for each degree you have studied or are currently studying for.

When you start your MPhil studies, you’ll need to have completed any current training or education course.

The minimum standard required is a UK First Class Honours or a very high standard in a degree course of equivalent level to a UK bachelor’s degree with honours, in a subject other than business or management.

In most countries, this is a First Class Honours degree (Bachelor’s, Licentiate, Vordiplom), but a masters-level degree may be required. Please refer to the Postgraduate Admissions website to find out the minimum requirement from graduates completing their studies in other countries.

You will not be eligible for the programme if you have previously studied business and management, specifically if you have previously studied more than three modules, at single or joint honours level, on the subjects of:

• Accounting
• Finance
• Human resources
• Marketing
• Operations management
• Strategy
• Supply chain management

Please view the list of business and management-related modules (PDF).

While the programme does not assume a high level of mathematical knowledge, if you don’t have a mathematical background, we recommend you prepare for the programme by studying mathematics and statistics, to the level of A-level or final year in high school, before the programme starts. Some modules in the programme make use of basic algebra, equations, calculus (basic differentiation rules), graphs (linear, quadratic, logarithmic, exponential), as well as introductory probability and statistics.

Download the pre-course material for our Quantitative Techniques for Management module

If you need extra support, you may benefit from reading our suggested textbooks.

You’ll need to be fluent in English and we assess fluency in the following ways:

• If English is your native language.
• You have an IELTS minimum overall score of 7.5, with not less than 7.0 in each element. The separate components must have been taken at the same time and in the past two years.
• If you have a TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) minimum overall score of 110, with not less than 25 in each element.

Not yet taken a language test? Is your test result out-of-date or not up to the required standard? Don’t worry, you don’t have to include your English language test scores with your initial application documents; they can be forwarded on later in the process. If you are made an offer, one of the conditions of entry will be getting the required standard of language test score.

Please note that applicants for the MPhil in Management will not be referred to the Language Centre for assessment.

You’ll need to provide details of 2 academic referees, when completing your application in the Applicant Portal. Your referees will then need to provide your reference via the referee portal. You’ll need to ensure these references are provided before any course or funding deadline for your application to be considered.

You can track the submission of references via the applicant portal, and you should remind your referees if your references are not submitted (or request a new referee). Before you submit your application, make sure you have your referee’s consent to provide a reference for you.