Start your journey at Cambridge Judge
Delve deep into key social challenges and help drive future change by applying for our part-time Masters in Social Innovation.
Learn from world-leading thinkers online and in person and enjoy 4 one-week residentials at Cambridge to immerse yourself into College life.
Explore key sociological concepts, implement practical strategies and gain valuable research tools as you become part of a global, socially engaged network shaping tomorrow’s future.
Applications are now open
Applications for the Masters of Studies in Social Innovation are open.
Who we’re looking for
We’re after ambitious individuals with a strong academic record, on a mission to create social change.
This programme is for you if:
- you’re a mid to senior-level leader working for an NGO, public body or private sector organisation
- you’re passionate about social issues and have at least 2 years’ experience working in either the social, public or private sectors
- you have a 2:1 Honours degree from a UK institution or the overseas equivalent.
Application process
- Step 1: Application Portal
- Step 2: Application submission
- Step 3: Interview
- Step 4: Conditional offer
- Step 5: College membership
- Step 6: Unconditional offer
Set up an account on Application Portal
Once you’ve set up an account on the Application Portal, you’ll be able to apply online for the MSt.
Submit your application form online
We’ll ask you to provide a statement of interest (no more than 1,500 characters) along with a summary of research interests/intended topics and long-term career goals (no more than 3,000 characters). Now’s also the time to update your CV.
Submit the above documents along with contact details for 2 referees, transcripts showing previous degree-level study and your preferred College choices. You’ll also need to pay the £50 application fee at this stage.
Fraudulent applications
The University of Cambridge takes robust action against admissions fraud. If we find that fake documents or false information has been submitted, we will withdraw the application and any others made by the same person.
Shortlisted candidates are invited for a video interview
You’ll be invited for a video interview, if we think you’re a good fit. This will be with the Programme Director or another faculty member and is designed to further gauge your suitability for the programme.
Successful candidates receive a conditional offer letter
The programme team reviews your entire application in full and if you have been successful, you’ll receive an offer letter by the Registry Manager of the Institute of Continuing Education. This might come with conditions, such as:
- financial, proving that you have the funds to pay for the programme
- language-related, proving that your English language skills are proficient
- academic, requiring submission of original documents.
It is your responsibility to meet these requirements and provide the necessary evidence.
Obtain College membership
Every student of the Master of Studies in Social Innovation will be assigned membership to one of the Colleges of the University of Cambridge. It is the responsibility of the MSt in Social Innovation admissions team to apply and secure a College place for you. We are only able to submit your papers to one College at a time, so it can take several weeks to hear which College has offered you membership.
Please note that not all Colleges are able to accommodate part-time students during the Cambridge-based phases of the programme.
Progress to unconditional offer
This is the final stage of the applications process. Once you have met all the conditions of your admission and have the offer of a College place, you will be notified that you may begin your programme at the start of the academic year.
Minimum requirements
Our requirements are designed to ensure this programme is the right fit for you. See below for the things you’ll need in order to apply.
All applications are made online, and you need to submit all required supporting documentation, including references and transcripts. An online payment of £50 will be charged for the submission of your completed application.
We’re looking for candidates with a UK Honours degree of at least a 2:1, or the equivalent if you studied at an overseas institution, or a postgraduate qualification.
If you don’t meet this requirement, we may still consider your application, but we will ask you to complete a GMAT/GRE test. We therefore recommend applying as early as possible to allow enough time to meet this condition.
You do not need to have completed a GMAT/GRE to submit your application. You will be notified at a later stage if a GMAT/GRE is required.
Our GMAT institution code is WF1-T3-81. Our GRE code is 7020.
You’ll need at least 2 years’ full-time or equivalent work experience (excluding internships). This can be in an NGO, public body or the private sector.
We’ll ask you to provide contact details of 2 referees, who can provide either academic or professional references.
We understand that many applicants have been out of formal education for a considerable amount of time. If this is the case, we will accept 2 professional references. As a guideline – we would expect at least one academic reference if 5 years or less have passed since graduating from your last academic course.
Please check that you have the correct email addresses for your referees and that your referees are happy and able to provide a reference for you.
A reference request will be sent from the online application form to your referees. You will be notified when your references have been submitted on our online Referee Portal.
Applicants to the programme need to be fluent in English. If you aren’t a native-level English speaker, you’ll need to have one of the following:
- 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 2 years.
- a TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) minimum overall score of 110, with not less than 25 in each element.
Find out whether you must provide a language test certificate on the Competence in English page on the Postgraduate Admissions site.
As visa information changes frequently, you are advised to read the most up-to-date information on the University’s International Students webpages.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct immigration permission to study at the University of Cambridge.
Upon arrival at Cambridge Judge Business School, you’ll be asked to provide your current passport and evidence of your immigration status.
Admissions events
Interested in finding out more? We offer online Meet the Director information sessions to give you a taste of what to expect on the programme.
Join our webinar with Professor Neil Stott to find out how you can become the solution to world’s most pressing problems.
Next steps
Follow MSt in Social Innovation on social media:
FAQs
We don’t host open days for the MSt in Social Innovation, but we offer online/hybrid Meet the Director information sessions to find out more. You can also ask questions via our online query form.
Unfortunately, we can’t arrange in-person meetings with individual candidates, due to the large number of applications we receive.
The fee is £50 per application, unless you’re a national from a country eligible for fee waiver.
You won’t normally need to complete a GRE/GMAT test. However, if you don’t have a UK 2:1 honours degree or the equivalent from an overseas institution, we’ll ask you to take the test. Candidates will need to rank above the 50th percentile in each quantitative and qualitative element to be considered.
Unfortunately, we can’t accept applications by post. Applications are processed by the Institute of Continuing Education.
We don’t defer offers on this programme; if you decide not to take up your offer for the year stated, you’ll need to reapply again for the following year.