PhD Sociology or Phil CAMBRIDGE?

Hi Folks,

I hope everyon is doing great I recently graduated with an MSc in Political Science in a Uni of London Institution

I would like to know any information of previous applicants about the PhD and MPhil Applications in Cambridge. Is it feasible to apply directly to the PhD ? or only the MPhils have real chances of getting an offer?

After having complete an MSc I would not like to spend another year in a second masters.... but I do not want to apply if there are no real chances to get into the PhD

I ask this because I understand the graduating MPhil class goes straight to apply for the PhD so the 20 places available go mostly to the Mphils... is this true? Any information would help.

Also can you provide information about how necessary it is to contact a supervisor and have them on board ?
Best wishes

Reply 1

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post by MariaRejasCleme

Hi Folks,
I hope everyon is doing great I recently graduated with an MSc in Political Science in a Uni of London Institution
I would like to know any information of previous applicants about the PhD and MPhil Applications in Cambridge. Is it feasible to apply directly to the PhD ? or only the MPhils have real chances of getting an offer?
After having complete an MSc I would not like to spend another year in a second masters.... but I do not want to apply if there are no real chances to get into the PhD
I ask this because I understand the graduating MPhil class goes straight to apply for the PhD so the 20 places available go mostly to the Mphils... is this true? Any information would help.
Also can you provide information about how necessary it is to contact a supervisor and have them on board ?
Best wishes

It's perfectly possible to get a PhD offer from an MSc, and it is certainly not the case that the only way to get onto a Cam PhD is to have done the Phil at Cambridge beforehand.

It is best if applying for a PhD to have a conversation with a Supervisor beforehand. I presume you are aiming for POLIS? Just email the Supervisor you are looking at, ask if they are taking on PhD candidates, and send them a short (very short, 2-300 word, no references, biblio etc) explanation of your proposal. Ask if they think there is value in your proposal and if so, if they'd be interested in supervising you. Then apply anyway!