Applications are now open for the programme beginning in October 2025!

We welcome applicants from across the physical sciences including Physics, Chemistry, Materials, and Engineering for our PhD programme. For entry to Oct 2025 we have made some updates to the programme. 

Information on deadlines and funding is found elsewhere on this website.

Applicants will be shortlisted based on their written applications, taking into account qualifications, aspirations and experience. Final selection is done via an interview process which focuses on candidates’ independent thinking and approach in the physical sciences, in addition to their knowledge, aspirations, and experience.

Please note:
As of the academic year starting Oct 2024, we will no longer offer an MRes+PhD (1+3) format. You can take a look at our planned course details here. The changes we have made to the programme aim to keep the same cohort based approach and breadth of training and PhD selection process, but the changes will allow for more extended research on the main PhD project.

For questions relating to the formal application procedure and other general admissions queries, please contact the Physics Graduate Admissions team: admissions@phy.cam.ac.uk

For questions not answered on our website, please contact nanodtc.admissions@nanodtc.cam.ac.uk.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants should expect to have a first class degree and at least 4 years of training (e.g. a 4 year degree or a 3 year degree plus 1 year of relevant work experience) in a relevant subject before they start the programme in Oct 2025, along with some research experience as part of their degree courses or otherwise.

International applicants should refer to this link to find out the equivalent of a first class degree in their country/institution before applying.

Steps for Applying

1. Complete the application form. You do not need to provide a research proposal with you application.

2. Ensure that your references are submitted by your referees by the funding deadlines. You can check and update details of your referees via the self-service admissions system.

The two internal review deadlines for shortlisting and interviews, applicable to the October 2025 entry, are:

3rd December 2024 (1st round)

3rd January 2025 (2nd round)

Offers may be made after the first round, before applications from further rounds are considered, so early application is strongly encouraged!