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Join us for a PhD
Overview
Coming to Cambridge for a PhD in Chemistry means you will be joining a community of over 50 academics, 350 PhD students and more than 200 postdoctoral researchers. The research opportunities are vast and career development is second to none.
The route to a PhD takes up to four years of full-time research, culminating in a substantial thesis of up to 60,000 words which is examined by viva. The postgraduate chemistry lecture series offered by the Department aims to bring everyone up to the same high-level of foundational knowledge; irrespective of prior educational background at Masters level. You will present your research at seminars and conferences as you progress. Most PhD students go to at least one international and national chemistry conference in the course of their studies.
General information
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PhD students typically start in October (Michaelmas Term) but can start in January (Lent Term) or April (Easter Term).
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To be eligible for Departmental Scholarships formal applications must be received by the Department before the start of December (note: this includes references).
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We encourage applicants to contact us before the end of November if they wish to apply for a funded PhD commencing the following October by emailing oas23@cam.ac.uk and using "PhD application Michaelmas 2024" in the subject line.
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PhD applicants should have (or be about to receive) a Masters degree (at least 2:1 or equivalent) in Chemistry, or another relevant discipline. If you have queries regarding your eligability, please be in touch.
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Please contact us before submitting your application on the applicant portal.
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Important Dates for PhD Applicants (Michaelmas 2024 entry):
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September | University of Cambridge Postgraduate Admissions Applicant Portal open
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October | US Gates Funding Deadline
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3rd December 2024 | Application deadline for all those seeking funding from the University or Department of Chemistry.
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May 2025 | Final deadline for Michaelmas applications - please note that any application after 5th December will not be eligible to be put forward for the funding competition.
Funding
The department funds a large number of PhD studentships through research council and industry funded routes. They also support over 25 or more exceptional postgraduate applications through the Postgraduate Funding Competition each year. The Gates Scholarships which is open to international applicants provides full-funding.
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PhD Fellowships
If you are planning to carry out your PhD in the Scherman Group, we recommend you to look into independent research fellowships.
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Internal (Cambridge) Funding:
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Cambridge Home and EU Scholarship Scheme (CHESS)
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Cambridge International Scholarship Scheme (CISS)
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Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust
External Funding:
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British Chevening Scholarships
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China Scholarship Council (CSC) (Applicants should have a degree from a recognised university in the People's Republic of China)
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Commonwealth Scholarships (Citizens from low and middle income Commonwealth countries)
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Croucher Foundation (Permanent residents of Hong Kong)
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Fulbright Awards (US Citizens only)
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Gates Cambridge Trust (Non-UK applicants)
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Marshall Scholarship (US citizens only)
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Schlumberger Foundation, Faculty for the Future (Applicants must be female and a citizen of a developing country or emerging economy)
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