Course Overview
The assessment for the Astronomy MPhil degree is exclusively by research and a project and supervisor will normally have been identified prior to a formal application being made by the student. There is no taught element. The degree is not suitable for physicists and mathematicians wishing to prepare for a research PhD in Astrophysics and the number of students admitted is small. Many, but not all, of our previous students had completed an undergraduate degree in North America and returned there to undertake a PhD after completing the MPhil in Cambridge.
Historically, most MPhil students have secured funding for their MPhil studies through applications to scholarship programmes such as Churchill, Gates and Marshall.
The aims of the programme are:
- to give students with relevant experience at first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision; and
- to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.
How to Apply
Formal application for the MPhil in Astronomy must be made via the University Postgraduate Admissions Office’s Applicant Portal which will open at noon on the 4th September 2024 for entry in 2025
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS 3RD DECEMBER 2024.
At least four weeks before making a formal application, prospective applicants should forward the following to admissions@ast.cam.ac.uk:
- A CV, which should include details of any research experience
- Transcript to date (a scanned copy will be fine at this stage)
- An outline of the subject area(s)/project(s) you would propose to form the basis of your MPhil study
- Names of potential supervisor(s) from amongst the Institute's academic staff
Following receipt of this information, we will determine whether an appropriate project and supervisor is available. For applicants completing an undergraduate degree with a USA-based GPA score, a GPA score of at least 3.8 (on system with a maximum of 4.0) is desirable and you should also have undertaken at least one research internship or research-project in the field of astrophysics. Most applicants offered admission will possess a GPA of 3.9 or higher.
Funding opportunities
Parasol Foundation Scholarships
An exciting collaboration between the Parasol Foundation and Murray Edwards College gives us the opportunity to enable a greater number of talented Home-fee status women students to benefit from a Master’s degree in Astronomy or Astrophysics at the University of Cambridge. The courses eligible for this award are the MPhil in Astronomy, MASt in Astrophysics and the MPhil in Planetary Science and Life in the Universe, the award covers all tuition fees and provides a generous maintenance allowance. Offer holders meeting the eligibility criteria will automatically be considered for this award, no additional application is required.