Cambridge Postgraduate History Applicants 2026

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Hi! I'm applying for PhD in History 🙂 Submitted on Nov 27th and last reference got in yesterday before the deadline lol. I don't expect to hear back until the new year, the supervisor I reached out to said they're absolutely swamped with applications this year at least in my focus (U.S. 19th century). Not sure if it's the same for yours but I imagine we'll be waiting a while!

Reply 2

Anonymous #2

PhD in modern British here. I was moved to under review (submitted on the 20th of November iirc) today…I also imagine it will be a while lol. Not sure about numbers for my strand but it’s usually popular.

Reply 3

Anonymous #3

Original post

by Anonymous

Hello! I didn't see a thread for History postgrads applying for 2026 entry, so I thought I'd start one :smile:

I've applied for the MPhil Medieval History, though I only submitted today so I don't anticipate hearing back until end of Jan/Feb at the earliest.
Has anyone who applied earlier heard anything back yet?

Applied in the beginning of November for History Mphil + Mst - still waiting for a result.

Reply 4

Did anyone hear back for PhD Interviews?

Reply 5

9

My application is under review by department as of today! Not sure what the timeline will look like but fingers crossed

Reply 6

Anonymous #5

History PhD applicant here. Based on the threads from the past few years, it looks like history PhD decisions typically are given between late Jan and early March.

Reply 7

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Original post

by Anonymous

Did anyone hear back for PhD Interviews?

No...I think we're still in the undergrad interview period tho, so it's likely the faculty are super busy.

Out of interest, how are people preparing for the interview? Or has anyone here sat one before and know what we're likely to be asked?

Reply 8

I am not sure. Every PhD applicant for history that gets an offer needs to have had an interview (this is written on the website) meaning that if offers come out late January, interviews should come out soon (or very early Jan).

Reply 9

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Original post

by Anonymous

I am not sure. Every PhD applicant for history that gets an offer needs to have had an interview (this is written on the website) meaning that if offers come out late January, interviews should come out soon (or very early Jan).

Yeah, I know. The undergrad interview period ends on the 19th, so I more so mean don't expect anything in the next few days as the faculty are likely very busy with those. It's also kind of a tight window between now and Xmas, so I guess it might also depend on annual leave arrangements and people being off sick? Also the funding deadline was last week so I think they may have gotten an influx of applications leading up to the second and are doing the admin bits.
I think next week is unlikely, but yeah closer to Xmas or early Jan sounds more promising. I hope they give us at least a week's notice as I'd like to go over my proposal a few more times before the interview tho.

Reply 10

Anonymous #6

How likely is funding for the PhD, if one gets accepted?

Reply 11

Original post

by Anonymous

How likely is funding for the PhD, if one gets accepted?

Not sure actually. I have heard its difficult and competitive.

Reply 12

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Original post

by Anonymous

How likely is funding for the PhD, if one gets accepted?

I was told that funding is super competitive this year.

Reply 13

Original post

by pinkberries44

I was told that funding is super competitive this year.

Yes I have heard the same thing, did you guys all find a supervisor already? Mine told me funding is very difficult this year.

Reply 14

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Original post

by Anonymous

Yes I have heard the same thing, did you guys all find a supervisor already? Mine told me funding is very difficult this year.

Yeah this was from my supervisor. And a supervisor at another uni! Seems like it's nationwide for humanities this year due to the AHRC cuts 😓 ... least Cambridge is offering more than most unis and has other sources.

Reply 15

Original post

by pinkberries44

Yeah this was from my supervisor. And a supervisor at another uni! Seems like it's nationwide for humanities this year due to the AHRC cuts 😓 ... least Cambridge is offering more than most unis and has other sources.

Fingers crossed! I wonder how the system of funding nominations will go if all supervisors are equally enthusiastic about projects. It sounds like a very competitive year especially with the funding cuts...

Reply 16

9

Definitely competitive in terms of funding, I'm applying to six universities and every supervisor has told me the same thing 😕 Fingers crossed for all of us!

Reply 17

Hi guys did you see the email from the History Admissions? I am quite confused as on the website it says an interview is needed but in the email it says they might ask you for an interview. Is it officially required? Is not getting an interview basically a rejection? Thanks!

Reply 18

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I got the email as well but was also confused! I saw some people in previous years say they met with their potential supervisor beforehand and because of that did not need an interview, but it's hard to see if there was anyone specific who didn't get an interview but still got in...guess we'll have to wait and see. Based on wording it seems it may not be officially required!

Reply 19