PhD in English at University of Cambridge 2026

Well also I’m presuming the person who conducted our interviews is the person assessing our applications?

I need someone to correct me if I’m wrong.
No, I’m fairly certain that is not the case. That’s not ethical and will prejudice in favour of people who contact first. Secondly, it would create acceptances en masse.
Evidence of this is not explicit on English PhD page. You can check philosophy and MML department page. Supervisors don’t “contribute” to applications.
The research summary sends your application to an expert(s) in the field. It’s mostly not if never your supervisor. After you’ve been “cleared”, it is sent to your supervisor. The supervisor then reaches out for the interview. I think it’s happened to other commenters.
The postgraduate administrator alluded to this. If and only when shortlisted, supervisors will only then reach out for interviews. Which means (and this is my predicament) that it’s possible I didn’t make it. My supervisor hasn’t got my application yet.
People in small niche fields can pinpoint roughly who’s assessing.
I say all this with a massive disclaimer that I could be wrong, and indeed, would like to be wrong. I would love it if our proposals went straight to our passionate and qualified supervisors invested in us!

Thank you for your reply! Really is reassuring all the information you’ve given.
Mine is niche but the supervisor I had an interview with is very interested and suits the project (nearly) perfectly. My research is early modern and quite interdisciplinary, as it focuses on palaeography but also Tudor state politics.

That sounds so interesting! My proposed project is C18 and Romantic lit and the visual arts, which is also a bit interdisciplinary, but Cambridge has an expertise in this area. Unfortunately haven't heard anything yet and congrats for making it to the interview!

Any updates for anyone?

Different PhD in the same faculty here. Was stuck on submitted for three weeks after my interview but have now finally moved to DP.

Any updates for anyone?

Also on DP since last Wednesday (I think a couple days after you), and no news yet. Looking at Gradcafe, it seems like 7-10 days is standard for hearing back. Hope you get some good news before the week is out!

Aww so you're also approaching the week mark! Let's hope we both hear soon so we don't have to needlessly wait.

Yes! It's so nerve-wracking! 😭 Despite all the anecdotal evidence suggesting DP is a good thing, I can't help but worry that I'll be the exception. Yes, hoping for both our sakes!

I did not get an interview with my potential supervisor yet but I did get a positive response from her before I applied. She even responded to me after I updated her about my application but I haven't been in touch since. I do know she's interested but I don't know where I stand as of now. My application still stands 'submitted' and I'm almost dying. This is my second application cycle and I got my rejection on 21st last year after being under review for more than three weeks.

i'm in exactly the same boat. stuck on submitted :/

do you think they have sent out all the invitations for the interview? im worried they might've already as it's almost the last week of the month. hoping and praying for the best!!

i honestly haven't got a clue. trying not to drive myself crazy reading conflicting theories on the shortlisting process! i'm the same as you in the fact that i also met with my proposed supervisor prior to submitting my application, and she was very enthusiastic and communicative so it gave me a semblance of hope, which i am slowly losing lol. i will keep my fingers crossed for us both

I received an offer about 5pm yesterday. Interviewed on 1st Feb. xx

Congratulations! Do you know how long you were on ‘Decision Pending’ for, if at all?