Applying for a PhD

Positions to study at the Institute are typically open between October and November each year.

Applications should be made via the University of Cambridge Application Portal. Further information on how to apply is included in the page below, please read everything here carefully before applying.

Applicants are encouraged to contact possible supervisors to discuss research projects informally before applying. Please consider all our current PhD Opportunities to identify the relevant supervisors.

Step 1 - Eligibility

Competition for admission to the Babraham Institute and University of Cambridge graduate programmes is intense. Like all departments in the Graduate School, we require all our graduate entrants to have:

• At least a 2i in an Honours degree or equivalent (e.g CGPA 3.5/4.0) in a relevant subject

• Two outstanding references
• Fluency in the English language – recent IELTS test with an overall band score of at least 7.0 with not less than 7.0 in speaking, listening and writing, and 6.5 in reading.

For more details of the University’s academic requirements, see the University’s Graduate Prospectus.

Step 2 - Before applying

Before filling in the Application Form on the Application Portal:

1. Ensure you meet the necessary funding requirements as laid out on the Funding page.
2. Decide which two Babraham Institute Projects/Supervisors you are most interested in applying for (current opportunities can be found here). These should be selected from the list of currently available projects. You will need to show your preferred and back-up choice.
3. Decide which sources of funding you wish to apply for. The Application Portal will allow you to apply for relevant studentships advertised by the Babraham Institute as well as University-wide funding and College studentships. Please check the University of Cambridge Funding Search web page before applying.
4. Check appropriate deadlines for application for the PhD Programme and for any relevant funding opportunities. Note that you will need to complete your application before the earliest of any/all of these deadlines. All supporting documents and references must be received by the University before the deadline. Late and incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Step 3 - Application information

Information needed to fill in on the Application Form on the Application Portal

1. Course details:
   • Course Description: Biological Sciences
   • Programme of Study: PhD in Biological Sciences (Babraham Institute)
   • Course code: NUAN22
   • Duration: 3/3.5/4 years (dependent on funding)
   • Study mode: Full time
2. Reference Requests:
   • In the ‘Course Application’ section, under ‘Reference requests’ add the names and addresses (including email) of the two academic referees you intend to use. One should be a person familiar with your practical skills and one must be from a person familiar with your academic performance. If you are applying for Gates Cambridge Trust funding, you will also need to add a personal (character) referee.
   • More information about References to support your Cambridge application can be found here 
3. In the ‘Course Application’ section, under ‘Course Specific Questions’ be sure to complete the ‘Statement of Interests’ field (2500 words) with the following:
   • Provide information about your motivation to do a PhD, your research interests and prior research experience, and explain why you wish to pursue a PhD at the Babraham Institute. Here are some questions to guide you: What motivates you to do a PhD? What experience (research and non-research) do you bring that makes you a suitable PhD candidate? Why do you wish to do your postgraduate training at the Babraham Institute?
4. In the ‘Course Application’ section, under ‘Course Specific Questions’ be sure to complete the ‘Relevant Experience’ field (1000 characters)with the following:
   • List the specific projects you are applying to, and explain why you are interested in the specific project(s), highlighting any relevant experience.
   • The word limit for this field is 200 words.
5. In the ‘Course Application’ section, under ‘Course Specific Questions’ be sure to complete the ‘Proposed Supervisor’ field:
   • You should provide the names of two supervisors (preferred and back-up) in the format: 'Prof X (1st)/ Dr Y (2nd)'
6. Under ‘Course Specific Questions’  we encourage you to complete the ‘Widening Participation Questionnaire’ as part of your application:
   • Applicants to this course are asked to provide additional contextual information about their undergraduate study. The information you provide in the contextual form will allow us to better understand the circumstances of your undergraduate study and achievement. You can access the contextual data form at cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2c5KAA0bZmQTbrE
   • Please follow the link to complete the online form, download a PDF copy of your answers, and upload it to your application through the application portal. You can choose not to answer the questions in the form by writing ‘N/A’ in the response boxes, but we still ask you to complete and upload the form. Your application will not be disadvantaged if you choose not to respond to the questions, and your academic merit will be assessed based on the information you provide in other parts of the application. The contextual data you provide may also have an impact on your eligibility for University funding, so we encourage you to complete the form if you intend to apply for funding.
   • By completing the form, you consent to your answers being provided to those assessing your application, and to be used in an aggregated/ anonymised form to monitor the effectiveness of the contextual form.
   • For more information about the use of contextual data by the University of Cambridge, please visit https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/contextual-data
   • Follow the other instructions on the Application form as indicated.

Step 4 - Making your Application

Please follow all instructions on the Application Portal and upload all supporting documents for your Application Form. See Gathering your Supporting Documents for more information.

1. References
2. Transcripts, if available, or module/exam results to date if you are a current undergraduate
3. English Language test results
4. Full Curriculum Vitae. This should include:
   • Nationality and Residence in UK information
   • Details of Schooling including GCSE and A Level results (or other qualifications)
   • Details of University Education including courses taken and results of any examinations to date
   • List of any Scholarships and Awards that you have received
   • Degree result (if already known)
   • Details of any lab based projects or laboratory placements or any other Research Experience
   • Details of any industrial placements
   • Details of any previous employment
   • The names and addresses (including email) of the two academic referees you intend to use.
   • Your contact details for the January following your application
5. Statement of Research Interests/Reasons for applying (2500 characters)
6. Relevant Experience (1000 characters) with details of your two chosen Babraham Institute Research projects and why you are specifically applying for them.
7. Proposed Supervisor, providing the names of supervisor(s) (preferred and back-up) in the format: 'Prof X (1st)/ Dr Y (2nd)’
8. Your evidence of competence in English (see competence in English guidance for more information and Babraham’s Language Requirements)
9. Widening Participation Questionnaire

Step 5 – Open Day

We hope to be able to invite short-listed applicants to attend our Institute Graduate Open Days for a series of interviews to be held over these days: Tuesday 13^th January, Wednesday 14^th January, Thursday 15^th January and Friday 16^th January 2026. This will give applicants an opportunity not only to be interviewed but also to meet Group Leaders and their research groups, as well as receiving a tour of our research facilities. Reasonable travel expenses will be paid to those invited. Any additional requirements that are expected of as part of your interviews will be communicated to you nearer the time, prior to your interview.

Students will not be able to take up an award unless they meet all University eligibility criteria and are successful in securing admission to the University. In addition, they will not be able to apply for a visa (if needed) until they hold an unconditional offer from the University.

The deadline for submission of applications via the Graduate Application Portal is Monday 24^th November 2025. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Contact

If you would like more information or have any questions not answered on this website or the universities graduate application site please contact us: The Graduate Studies Office



Email: babraham.graduate@babraham.ac.uk

Accessibility

The Babraham Institute abides by the principles of the government’s Disability Confident Scheme and has a positive approach to employing disabled people. We support equality and diversity through our equity4success committee and hold an Athena SWAN award for promoting gender equality. The Babraham Institute receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.