PhD Programme: Frequently Asked Questions

We hope the following questions and answers will help with any general questions you may have when applying for a PhD position at the LMB.

University of Cambridge Brexit: Analysis and FAQs

When is the deadline for completed applications for a PhD at the LMB?

US applicants (for US Gates Scholarship funding): 9th October 2019, UK, EU and overseas applicants: 3rd December 2019

How do I apply for a PhD position at the LMB?

You should apply through the Cambridge University Graduate admissions website. Please click here to see full details on how to apply.

What are the University of Cambridge entrance requirements?

at least a 2:i honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent standard from an overseas university; and
completion of, or release from, any current training or education course.

Please click here for full details.

My first language is not English. What are the language requirements for the LMB PhD programme?

You should have a good spoken and written command of English. Please click here for details.

I am an international student, am I eligible for a full MRC Studentship?

No. The MRC will only fund UK residents and EU students (fees only). However, we do have a small number of LMB Cambridge Trust Scholarships, please indicate in the application if you would like to be considered for Cambridge Trust funding.

How much financial support would I need as an international student to study for a PhD at the LMB?

Please click here for details on 2020/21 financial requirements.

I am an EU student, am I eligible for a full MRC Studentship?

Under current rules only if you are an EU/EAA national who will have been resident in the UK for at least three years prior to the start of the studentship. If not, you will only be eligible for an MRC fees-only studentship, which covers University fees and does not provide living expenses. The LMB is able to provide a maintenance allowance for a limited number of EU/EEA students, and EU/EEA students are often successful at gaining external funding. If you wish to be considered for an LMB Cambridge Trust scholarship please indicate so in the application portal.

How much financial support would I need as an EU student to study for a PhD at the LMB?

Please click here for details on 2020/21 financial requirements.

How much is the MRC Studentship and LMB Cambridge Scholarship stipend?

The LMB will pay an annual tax-free stipend of £18,000 (the LMB will also cover the cost of University fees).

If I am an international/EU student and have been employed in the UK for more than 3 years, would I be eligible for an MRC Studentship?

The MRC rules state that EU/EEA citizens must have been resident in the UK for 3 or more years prior to the start of the studentship to be eligible for a full MRC Studentship. Overseas citizens must have been resident in the UK for 3 years at the time of application and have been granted UK citizenship, immigrant status, or granted humanitarian protection.

I am only interested in one of the PhD projects available, can I just apply for that?

Yes. We ask that applicants choose up to three projects, not necessarily in order of preference – please specify this when you apply.

Who can provide my two academic references?

Please click here for guidance.

If called for interview, will the LMB pay my travel expenses?

Yes, the LMB will pay reasonable travel expenses: we will confirm further details on travel expenses nearer to the time of interview.

When and where will the interviews take place?

Interviews will take place at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Cambridge, UK) in mid-January 2020.

I have not heard whether I have been invited to the Recruitment Day for interview.

If you do not receive an invitation for interview by email, you must assume that you have not been selected as a potential candidate by any supervisor on your list. Some supervisors have many applications and this can lead to disappointment.

After the PhD Recruitment Day, when will I know whether I have been successful?

We will try to contact all applicants with the outcome within 2-3 weeks of the PhD Recruitment Days.

If successful, when would I start my PhD?

The majority of students start their PhD on 1st October, but it is possible to start in the following January.

For questions and answers relating to registering with the University of Cambridge please click here.