Postgraduate Courses

Choosing the right course for you

Explore the different types of postgraduate degree programmes we offer in the Life Sciences.

Research Programmes

For those who have a clear idea of the project they wish to pursue and want to undertake a 3-4-year PhD (full time) or a 1-year research MPhil (full time).

  • Use the Find a Supervisor page to search for potential supervisors in your chosen field.
  • Make contact with potential supervisors to discuss ideas for research projects and, if possible, to arrange a visit.

Taught Programmes

For those who would like to explore a given field before choosing a specific research topic. You will be part of a select cohort of students and experience some structured skills training along with interactive research seminars and some assessed written work.

  • Explore the MPhil courses we offer in the Life Sciences on the Taught Courses page.
  • Find a supervisor for your 8-month research project after you have started the programme.
  • Be part of a select cohort taking interactive taught modules.

How to apply

Explore the Course Directory to find out more information, including application and funding deadlines, for each course.

Funding

You can apply for funding to help cover your postgraduate study costs. Advice on where to look for funding and how to apply can be found in Postgraduate funding.

You can also explore dedicated funding in the Life Sciences, including studentships and bursaries for students from underrepresented backgrounds in our Funding opportunities section.

Why the Life Sciences at Cambridge

The School of Biological Sciences offers postgraduate students the opportunity to work with world leading scientists to expand knowledge and understanding across all aspects of biology. Our researchers are making advances in animal, human, plant and microbial science, from the molecular and cellular levels through to tissues, organs, whole organisms, populations, ecosystems, biodiversity, and human behaviour.

The School of Clinical Medicine offers postgraduate students the opportunity to study with world leading clinical and basic scientists, to achieve advances in understanding, treatment and prevention of disease and disability. Our researchers span a range of clinical specialties, with projects encompassing patient-based research, big data, global health, and world-class cell and molecular biology.