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Registration

Monitoring progress, intermission, working away, preparation of thesis, questionnaires.

Research students are expected to be in residence in Cambridge pursuing their research between terms, except during periods of holiday agreed with their supervisor, normally up to 8 weeks in a 12 month period. Students who make time to take some holidays, or a break away from their studies, tend to do better.

PhD candidates may submit their theses after nine terms (three years) of research, and MLitt candidates after six terms (two years).  The Student Registry and the Degree Committee expect a thesis to be a piece of work which can be produced by a capable, well-qualified and diligent research student, properly supervised and supported, within those times.  It is very important that you design your project with these time-limits firmly in view. It is good both for morale and for your CV to submit your thesis within the stated times – and most PhD funding runs out after three years. 

If your PhD research is suitably related to your MPhil work, you will usually be allowed to count some or all of your three MPhil terms towards the residency requirements of the PhD, if you are ready to submit your thesis before the minimum terms of study have elapsed. This means that you may submit a PhD thesis after only six more terms, if you wish. Please see the following webpage for further information:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/postgraduate-study/your-student-status/allowanceexemption-research-terms

The Student Registry and the Degree Committee recognise, however, that original research is liable to unforeseen difficulties and delays, so all PhD students are allowed 4 years in which to complete and submit their thesis (3 years for the MLitt). Unless there are extenuating circumstances, which would permit a student to apply for an extension to their submission date, candidates who do not submit by these final deadlines would be asked to withdraw from the University, until such time as they are ready to submit, and apply for reinstatement .

All students accepted for the PhD are on probation for their first year. In your third term of research, the Degree Committee will decide whether to register you as a candidate for the PhD (the registration then being backdated to your date of admission). You will have a registration interview with two Faculty assessors, other than your Supervisor. Central University information on the requirements of a registration review is here:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/self-evaluation

In some (rare) cases, your assessors may decide that you should be registered for the MLitt degree, instead of the PhD, at this stage. This registration interview cannot be delayed without good cause (e.g., illness). With your supervisors’ help, you start working out your plan of research, and the topic or topics of your written work, as soon as possible after you arrive.

Before registering you as a PhD candidate the Degree Committee must be satisfied (i) that you have a suitable plan of work and (ii) that you have begun to write about some part of it, in a sustained way, at a standard likely to get you the degree in a reasonable time. You are therefore required to email the following documents to your two assessors and the Postgraduate Administrator by the last day of Lent full term*:

• a statement (1,000 words) of your plan of research.
• a piece of recent written work (6,000-10,000 words) on some topic within this plan; and
• an account of research already completed (1,000 words)

These submissions must be properly written up: rough drafts are not acceptable. The registration interview will take place shortly after the end of Lent Term, with your two assessors who will have read the submitted documents. The exact date of the review will be agreed on by the two assessors and the student. The requirements for registration are as outlined above. Students will be sent a copy of their review report once it has been approved by Degree Committee at their May meeting.

Prospective PhD candidates whose work does not show sufficient progress will be given the opportunity to submit an improved set of work by the last day of Easter full term*. A further interview will then take place with the two Faculty members writing independent reports for the Degree Committee in late June/early July*.

The Degree Committee will recommend that prospective PhD candidates whose resubmitted work is still deemed to be unsatisfactory either withdraw from the University or, less severely, be registered only as MLitt candidates. In the latter case they may later be re-registered as PhD candidates (with registration again backdated to the date of admission) if they submit sufficiently improved work at the same time in their second year (i.e. at their fifth term review).

The Degree Committee will recommend that prospective MLitt candidates whose resubmitted work is still deemed to be unsatisfactory withdraw from the University.

Monitoring progress

Your supervisor is required to report termly to the Student Registry and the Degree Committee on your progress. You will also be invited to submit self-evaluation reports on your progress on CamSIS. More information on the Feedback and progress reporting systems for postgraduate students is here:

In addition, there are the following reviews:

Fifth Term Review

This review takes place in the fifth term for a student who is registered for the PhD or MLitt.  For this review you need to email the following documents to your supervisor, advisor, and Postgraduate Secretary by the last day of Lent full term*:

• an account of research you have already completed (1,000 words)

These submissions must be properly written up: rough drafts are not acceptable.  The review will take place shortly after the end of Lent Term, normally with the supervisor and advisor, who will report in writing to the first meeting of the Degree Committee in the Easter Term. The exact date of the review will be agreed on by the two assessors and the student. Students will then be sent a copy of their review report once it has been approved by Degree Committee at their May meeting.

In the unlikely event that your work does not show sufficient progress you will be given the opportunity to submit an improved set of work by last day of Easter full term*. A further interview will then take place with the supervisor and advisor writing independent reports for the Degree Committee in late June/early July*.

Seventh Term Review

This review takes place in the seventh term for a student who is registered for the PhD. For this review you are required to email the same three documents as are described above, again demonstrating ongoing progress, to your supervisor and advisor by the last day of Michaelmas full term*.

The review will take place shortly after the end of Michaelmas Term, normally with the supervisor and adrvisor, who will report in writing to the first meeting of the Degree Committee in the Lent Term. The exact date of the review will be agreed on by the two assessors and the student. Students will then be sent a copy of their review report once it has been approved by Degree Committee at their January meeting.

If the supervisor and advisor are not happy with a student's progress they may recommend to the Degree Committee that a student's registration be changed from PhD to MLitt. They may also recommend that candidates who are not making satisfactory progress towards completing their theses withdraw from the University. The student will be fully consulted before any such recommendation is made. Note also that students withdraw from the University for this reason (or because they have failed to submit on time), but who manage to complete their theses on their own, may apply to be reinstated in order to submit their theses for examination. Please see:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/postgraduate-study/your-student-status/reinstatement

Although this monitoring may sound onerous, experience shows that most often the reviews function as useful markers of progress, and as good opportunities to take stock and to talk about useful ways forward, in a forum slightly different from that of a normal supervision.

If your work is hindered or interrupted by medical, financial or other problems you may apply for leave to intermit your research for a period of time from 2 weeks, to up to 3 terms (for full time students). Terms intermitted do not count towards the above deadlines. Consult your Supervisor and the Postgraduate Secretary if you would like to discuss this option at any point in your studies. You can also find further information here:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/postgraduate-study/your-student-status/medical-intermission

Working away from Cambridge

It is possible to apply for leave to work away from Cambridge for a maximum of 3 terms at a time Some PhD students find this is useful if they wish to work with a supervisor who is external to the University of Cambridge for some of their PhD study. More information on the process of how to apply for leave to work away can be found here:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/postgraduate-study/your-student-status/work-away

To support students working away from Cambridge, it is recommended that students apply to the University for free travel insurance: https://www.insurance.admin.cam.ac.uk/travel-insurance/travel-insurance-students

The Faculty has a small allocation of funding for fieldwork, that students can apply for via the Postgraduate Office. As part of this application process, students will also be required to complete a risk assessment: https://www.safety.admin.cam.ac.uk/risk-assessment

The Faculty can provide a template risk assessment – please ask the Postgraduate Secretary for further information.

Preparation of theses

PhD (MLitt) theses in philosophy must not be more than 80,000 (60,000) words long. The word count includes appendices and footnotes but excludes bibliography. See here for further information:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/examinations/graduate-exam-information/submitting-and-examination/phd-msc-mlitt/word#philos

The University’s regulations require that to qualify for the award of the PhD degree, a thesis has to be in English (apart from quotations and technical formulae), to be clearly written, to take due account of previously published work on the subject, and to represent a significant contribution to learning (for example through the discovery of new knowledge, the connection of previously unrelated facts, the development of new theory, or the revision of older views). The Degree Committee of Philosophy, in its advice to examiners, adds as an informal gloss on this that an acceptable thesis should contain some material of sufficient originality to merit publication and this material should be adequate to form the basis of, for example, at least two articles (together amounting to 15,000 - 20,000 words) or of a short monograph.

To qualify for the award of the MLitt degree, a thesis must be clearly written, take due account of previously published work on the subject, and represent a useful contribution to learning.

Candidates may get an idea of the standards expected of PhD and MLitt theses in philosophy by reading the copies of successful theses deposited in the University Library.

The detailed procedure for submitting PhD and MLitt theses for examination, which candidates should follow carefully, is at:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/your-course/examinations/graduate-exam-information/submitting-and-examination/phd-msc-mlitt/prepare

In what follows only a few salient points are picked out.

Candidates should apply for the appointment of examiners, through the Philosophy Postgraduate Secretary, when—but only when—their theses are nearly complete. (In particular, if they are going to submit their theses during the Long Vacation they should apply in good time for the late June/early July meeting of the Degree Committee*.) Together with the candidate, the supervisor should compete the form found here:

https://www.phil.cam.ac.uk/curr-students/postgraduates/Graduate-Forms

and submit this by e-mail to the Postgraduate Secretary. The candidate will also need to email the Postgraduate Secretary a one page summary of the thesis, to guide the Degree Committee in appointing suitable examiners. This abstract should be around 300 words in length – a candidate’s supervisor can provide further guidance on the expected content of the abstract.         

Theses are examined independently by two examiners, one of whom will normally be from outside Cambridge. Candidates are required to submit their thesis initially via Moodle, the University’s Online Teaching Platform. The Postgraduate Secretary will provide further information on the process for softbound submission. As of 1 st October 2017, once their PhD has been approved, students are also required to submit an electronic copy of their PhD thesis to the University’s repository, Apollo. At the point of upload, students are given the choice of different access options, including the choice to make their thesis available Open Access immediately or to embargo access for an initial 12 months . The upload of the thesis can be done via the upload form in Symplectic Elements .

Once the award of the degree is approved, students should submit one hard bound copy to be deposited in the University Library.  More information on the submission of electronic theses can be found on the Office of Scholarly Communication website:

http://osc.cam.ac.uk/theses

It is important that thesis examiners actually receive theses when they expect to do so; otherwise their other commitments may seriously delay the examination. In giving submission dates, candidates should therefore take care to be realistic, and not underestimate the time it takes to complete writing up, make final corrections, check references and proofs, and get their theses printed and bound.

What to expect from the viva

The examination is undertaken with two examiners, and may include an independent chair if the Degree Committee has deemed it appropriate.  There are no rules for its duration, but as an approximate guide, the examination will normally take at least 90 minutes and is likely to conclude within three hours at a maximum.

The oral examination should allow:

• The defence of your dissertation and the clarification of any matters raised by the examiners
• the examiners to probe your knowledge in the field
• the examiners to assure themselves that the work presented is your own and to clarify matters of any collaboration
• the examiners to come to a definite conclusion about the outcome of the examination

What to bring with you to the viva

• You can take a (marked up) copy of the thesis in with you.  You may want to take a tablet or notepad and pen to make notes.
• Water will be available in the room where you will be examined but you may like to take your own with you.

The default  viva  format is an in-person examination held in Cambridge, but students will have the option to choose an online  viva  if they wish.  The University has provided additional information about the online viva process, which can be found here:

https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/files/guide_to_conducting_vivas_online.pdf

Examiners write independent reports on theses for the Degree Committee, making recommendations, which may or may not be conditional on the results of the oral examination. Because it often takes a considerable time for examiners to get round to, and to complete, this assessment, candidates must expect to wait (or return) for their oral examination up to two months (but no more than four months) after submitting their theses. Examiners may allow candidates who have had to return, e.g., to America or Australasia, the option of conducting the oral examination by video conference; but they are under no obligation to do so, and candidates must not assume that they will. If a candidate would like to request adjustments to their viva on the grounds of disability, they should complete a ‘voluntary disclosure form’ and return this to the Postgraduate secretary. The form can be found here: https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/files/voluntary_disclosure_form.pdf

An examiner who thinks that a PhD or MLitt thesis fails to reach the required standard, but could do so with suitable revision, may recommend allowing the candidate to submit a revised thesis. This can only happen once; a thesis which has already been resubmitted once cannot be submitted again.

An examiner who thinks that a PhD thesis fails to reach the standard required for that degree, but does reach the standard required for the MLitt, may recommend approving the candidate for that degree. A PhD examiner who thinks both of the above may recommend giving the candidate the alternative of submitting a revised thesis or of taking the MLitt (but not both).

If the examiners’ recommendations agree, the Degree Committee will normally accept them, unless the examination has been improperly conducted in some way, in which case new examiners may have to be appointed. If the original examiners’ recommendations disagree, the Degree Committee may resolve the disagreement by appointing a third examiner.

The University’s statement on academic misconduct, including plagiarism can be found at:

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/plagiarism/students/statement.html

We ask PhD & MLitt students to provide their feedback at regular intervals throughout their course, in the form of a questionnaire sent from the Postgraduate Office. Usually there is one questionnaire sent at the time of each review. Feedback from students is important in helping us to improve the course, and we ask that all students complete all questionnaires.

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About the Faculty of Philosophy

Philosophy has a long tradition in the University, with the Moral Sciences Tripos (renamed 'Philosophy' in 1970) being taught since 1852. Cambridge was the birthplace of 'analytic' philosophy, and the philosophical home of Russell, Moore, Ramsey, Wittgenstein and Anscombe, as well as many other distinguished contributers to the philosophy of the twentieth century. Today the Faculty continues to be a world-class centre for philosophical research. The Philosophy Faculty admits about 15 students a year for the MPhil. They join 20-25 students studying for the PhD and MLitt to form a lively graduate community. A wide range of seminars and informal gatherings ensures that students get to know each other, making the Faculty a friendly, informal and congenial place to work. The Faculty has been extraordinarily successful in placing students in academic jobs and former students have teaching posts in universities throughout the UK and beyond (see Faculty Placement Record). http://www.phil.cam.ac.uk/prosp-students/prosp-grad-placement

The Faculty is situated on Sidgwick Avenue, close to many of the Faculties with which is has close links, and the University Library is only 500m away. The Faculty's accommodation includes a Graduate Centre and Common Room, as well as our own Library, holding some 16,000 books and three dozen current journals.

4 courses offered in the Faculty of Philosophy

Ai ethics and society - mst.

The M.St. in AI Ethics and Society delivers an academically rigorous part-time programme aimed at professionals from business, public, and social sectors working with applications of artificial intelligence (AI), providing the skills and expertise needed to address the ethical issues arising from the uses and impacts of AI. The programme’s administration and teaching are coordinated by the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI) and its academic standards are monitored and assured by the Degree Committee of the Faculty of Philosophy. 

The Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI) is an international research institute exploring the nature and impacts of artificial intelligence (AI). CFI is part of the newly founded Institute of Technology and Humanity at the University of Cambridge. It has research networks across the world, and strong links to the policy and technologies sectors, both in the UK and internationally. CFI brings the knowledge and methodologies of multiple disciplines to the challenges of understanding the nature of AI and the ethical implications of its wide-ranging applications across sectors and society, in both the short, medium and long-term.  

More Information

Ethics of AI, Data and Algorithms - MPhil

The MPhil in Ethics of AI, Data and Algorithms is a full-time 9-month course run by the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence. It equips students from a range of backgrounds with the research skills and specialist knowledge to engage critically and constructively with debates on the ethical and societal impacts of AI and other digital technologies, and provides the opportunity to carry out focused research under close supervision by domain experts at the University. Those intending to go on to doctoral work learn the research skills needed to help them prepare a well-planned and focused PhD proposal.

In addition to individual supervisions that support work on essays and dissertation, the taught elements of the course consist of core seminars, which introduce the central topics in AI and data ethics, a range of elective modules covering specialist topics, and work in progress seminars, in which students gain experience in presenting their own work and discussing the issues that arise from it with an audience of their peers and senior members of staff. Students also have the opportunity to attend lectures, research seminars and reading groups across the Centre and the wider University.

Philosophy - MPhil

This MPhil is a full-time course that introduces students to the skills needed in philosophical research. Students work with supervisors to write two research essays: the first of up to 4,000 words, the second of up to 8,000 words; and a dissertation of up to 12,000 words. Students also participate as a group in a collaborative weekly seminar, run during the first (Michaelmas) and second (Lent) terms, in which they learn presentation and discussion skills by presenting their own research and discussing presentations by other students.

Philosophy - PhD - Closed

The PhD course offers close supervision and extensive training and is the standard entrance to the academic profession. The Faculty welcomes applications for this degree in a wide range of philosophical areas. The PhD culminates in the production of a thesis of up to 80,000 words to be submitted between three and four years from the commencement of study for full-time study. The PhD may also be done part-time, in which case the deadline for completion will be a minimum of five and a maximum of seven years. An oral examination will be conducted on the subject of the thesis and the general field of knowledge within which it falls.

The PhD degree is awarded for an extended thesis that makes a substantial original contribution to learning.

1 course also advertised in the Faculty of Philosophy

Philosophy - pgcert.

From the Institute of Continuing Education

The post graduate Certificate in Philosophy is a part-time Postgraduate Certificate equivalent to 60 credits at level 7. It is undertaken over one year. Students are taught a range of general and subject-specific skills and techniques.

Delivery of the course is via three Units. The Units are structured chronologically—spanning philosophical thought, ancient to modern. The Units are also developmental—discussions in subsequent Units build on and respond to themes discussed in previous Units. The units cover the following three topics:  Ancient Greek Philosophy, Early Modern Philosophy and Existentialism. 

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Professor rae langton chair of faculty board, professor richard holton director of postgraduate studies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Cambridge University PhD Scholarship in Philosophy

The Boustany Cambridge Pembroke Scholarship in Philosophy is offered at the Faculty of Philosophy in the University of Cambridge, one of the world’s leading institutions for teaching and research.

Scholarships will be awarded only to candidates taking a PhD degree in philosophy at Cambridge University and recipients become members of Pembroke College, the third oldest and one of the most highly regarded colleges.

The Boustany Cambridge Pembroke Scholarship is granted once every three years to an applicant in philosophy.

The Scholarship offers the following: • Tuition fees for the three-year course • Accommodation and living expenses at Pembroke College • Travel and accommodation expenses related to the internship.

The next Scholarship will be awarded for the class commencing Autumn 2027.

Eligibility Criteria

The Scholarship is offered to an outstanding and highly-meriting candidate of any nationality who must have an excellent academic background.

Candidates must show exceptional ability and promise and may apply for the Scholarship only after receiving an offer of admission from the Cambridge University Faculty of Philosophy.

Application Process

If shortlisted, you will be invited to one or more interviews with the Foundation and one candidate will be awarded the Scholarship.

Deadline for the submission of candidacy: end of March 2027.

The Scholarship will be awarded by the end of May 2027.

The Boustany Foundation Internship

Over the summer, scholars are expected to complete a two-month unpaid internship in at our office in Monaco. Travel, food, and accommodation expenses related to the internship will be covered by the Foundation. The dates of the two-month period may be determined on a case-by-case basis between the scholar and the Foundation.

During the internship, scholars will work on either increasing awareness about the Foundation, designing or proposing new Scholarships, or working on other initiatives that further the vision of the Boustany Foundation. The exact project scope will be determined on the first day of the internship and can be driven by scholar interests as well.

The philosophical community is enhanced by the contribution of philosophers from other departments and Faculties who provide additional teaching and research links.

Postgraduate programmes have trained philosophers now working all over the world.

Faculty of Philosophy, Cambridge University www.phil.cam.ac.uk

Pablo Hubacher Haerle

Previous scholars >.

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Who can apply for a PhD under Special Regulations?

An application can be made by:

A graduate of the University of Cambridge, of not less than six years standing from admission to their first degree (to qualify as a graduate, a candidate must have a  degree  - qualifications such as diplomas and certificates are not degrees) ; and who

• (a) is of not less than six years’ standing from admission to his or her first degree of the University of Cambridge
• (b ) is of not less than six years’ standing from admission to his or her first degree of some other university and has been admitted (i) to some office in the University of Cambridge or to a Headship or a Fellowship of a Cambridge College, and is in the said office at the time of application, and (ii) to the degree of Master of Arts under Statute B II 2 or to a degree of the University by incorporation.

Please note that the term 'admission' to a degree means the date on which the degree was conferred on the candidate, not the date the candidate began the degree.

Graduates who have already been approved for a PhD degree from the University of Cambridge are not eligible to apply.

What evidence is needed?

In order to qualify for the PhD degree under Special Regulations you will need to demonstrate that your published work:

• comprises a significant contribution to scholarship through the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, connection of previously unrelated facts or the development of new theory or revision of older views;
• provides evidence of the acquisition of knowledge and a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry;
• is of a quality and quantity equivalent to three years of full-time postgraduate study; and
• you meet the eligibility criteria for the degree. In order to check this do please see the regulations below.
• University of Cambridge Ordinances: Doctor of Philosophy : Special Regulations (Chapter VII)
• Guide for Applicants : PhD Degree under Special Regulations

Please check the eligibility criteria very carefully.  

How do I apply?

If you meet the eligibility criteria and would like to make an application for a PhD degree under Special Regulations, you will need to submit the following documents to Student Registry at the address on the application form:

• Application Form: PhD under Special Regulations
• Declaration Form: PhD Degree under Special Regulations
• Introductory summary of 1,000-5,000 words
• Two copies of the published supporting works
• Application fee

How is my application considered?

The Student Registry will acknowledge the receipt of your application, check your eligibility, forward your application to the relevant Degree Committee for consideration (provided you are eligible), and communicate their decision to you regarding whether there is, prima facie , a case for further examination of your work. If so, you will have an oral examination (viva voce) with at least two examiners appointed by the Degree Committee.

The viva will normally take place in-person in Cambridge, but you may choose to be examined remotely by video conference. If you wish to request adjustments for your viva on the grounds of disability, you should contact your Degree Committee. There is no set duration for a viva, although it will normally last for 1.5-3hrs. The viva cannot be recorded.

Following the oral examination, examiners are asked to make one of two recommendations to the Degree Committee: either that the degree is awarded or it is not.

Examiners submit their pre- and post-viva reports to the Degree Committee who will consider your candidature for the degree at the next available meeting. If further opinion is required, the Degree Committee may appoint further examiner(s).

You will receive confirmation of the official result, and copies of your examination reports, by email from Student Registry shortly after the Degree Committee makes its decision,

Please note that consideration of an application may take longer than a year.

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Your Programmes

Phd ba(hons) mphil mlitt philosophy.

1 in 4 applicants to this programme received an offer.

Data shown above is for entry in academic year 2023/24 (sources) .

Previous Years

Leave a comment, data sources.

• FOI Request by Albert Warren.
• FOI Request by Ash Rizwan. January 2017.
• FOI Request by Lai Yinsheung. August 2022.
• FOI Request by Anastasia Suenkova. June 2024.

The acceptance rate , or offer rate, represents the fraction of applicants who received an offer. Note that this will be generally lower the acceptances rates (acceptances divided by applicants) published by many other sources. This article explains it in more detail. The acceptances generally indicate the number of offer holders who accepted the offer and fulfilled its conditions. For some universities, however, it denotes the number of applicants who accepted the offer, regardless of whether they subsequently met its conditions.

Data Reliability

Unless otherwise noted, the data presented comes from the universities and is generally reliable. However, some of the differences between years and/or courses may be due to different counting methodologies or data gathering errors. This may especially be the case if there is a sharp difference from year to year. If the data does not look right, click the "Report" button located near the top of the page.

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Postgraduate study

Department of History and Philosophy of Science

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• Digitising Philippine Flora
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• The Challenge of Conservation
• Natural History in the Age of Revolutions, 1776–1848
• In the Shadow of the Tree: The Diagrammatics of Relatedness as Scientific, Scholarly and Popular Practice
• The Many Births of the Test-Tube Baby
• Culture at the Macro-Scale: Boundaries, Barriers and Endogenous Change
• Making Climate History overview
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• From Collection to Cultivation: Historical Perspectives on Crop Diversity and Food Security overview
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• Epsilon: A Collaborative Digital Framework for Nineteenth-Century Letters of Science
• Contingency in the History and Philosophy of Science
• Industrial Patronage and the Cold War University
• FlyBase: Communicating Drosophila Genetics on Paper and Online, 1970–2000
• The Lost Museums of Cambridge Science, 1865–1936
• From Hansa to Lufthansa: Transportation Technologies and the Mobility of Knowledge in Germanic Lands and Beyond, 1300–2018
• Medical Publishers, Obscenity Law and the Business of Sexual Knowledge in Victorian Britain
• Kinds of Intelligence
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• Investigating Fake Scientific Instruments in the Whipple Museum Collection
• Before HIV: Homosex and Venereal Disease, c.1939–1984
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PhD in History and Philosophy of Science

• MPhil in History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine

Students in history and philosophy of science and medicine write substantial, focused and independent theses that shape scholarship and engage audiences in many different ways. Contributing to the development of knowledge in the University of Cambridge is a rich and rewarding experience.

Expert guidance

The outstanding international reputation of our teaching staff is a key attraction.

PhD students work closely with a doctoral supervisor and advisor (usually both from the Department of History and Philosophy of Science but sometimes from other departments in the University). With the benefit of this expert guidance, students learn how to articulate, develop and present their own research. Students meet their supervisor and advisor several times a term to discuss an outline, consider research findings or go over a chapter. Consistent review and attentive feedback are integral to the supervisory relationship.

Applicants often find it helpful to contact a potential supervisor before submitting their application.

A thriving research community

Our research community offers invaluable academic and social perspectives.

With around 45 doctoral students, a strong cohort of MPhil and Part III students, postdoctoral researchers and teaching officers, the Department fosters an exceptionally active intellectual life. Thriving seminars, reading groups and workshops provide a focus, allowing students to help set the agenda and present their own work among peers. Students are supported throughout their studies, with close attention paid to methodological development, research skills and career advice.

The Department's Whipple Library is an unparalleled specialist collection for history and philosophy of science and medicine, while other libraries in Cambridge provide access to archival and documentary resources invaluable for research on the sciences. At the heart of the Department is the Whipple Museum , a world-class collection of scientific instruments and models; some students research these objects.

Valuable teaching experience

Cambridge offers PhD students unusually valuable teaching experience through the chance to give supervisions (tutorials) for undergraduates taking History and Philosophy of Science courses. PhD students are paid by the Colleges for this service. The University and the Department provide training in supervising undergraduates.

More about the PhD

• Requirements

For current PhD students

• PhD students' guide

Main image: Crocodile carving by Eric Gill on the Mond Building, where there is work space for HPS PhD students

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