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Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Polar Studies

  1. Home
  2. Introduction
  3. Course structure and content
  4. The dissertation: research topics
  5. Applications
  6. Qualifications
  7. Funding
  8. Institute resources
  9. Assessment and formal course regulations
  10. Further enquiries

6. Funding

Details regarding the fees for the course and sources of finance are given in the Graduate Studies Prospectus, a printed copy of which may be obtained from: The Secretary, Board of Graduate Studies, 4 Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RZ, U.K.

Additional information on sources of finance

1. Awards for UK Nationals

Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB)

UK Nationals undertaking research in the humanities, specifically history (history of science, history of art, imperial history) are in principle, eligible to apply to the AHRB for a grant to cover fees and maintenance. Prospective students intending to apply to the AHRB for M.Phil. or Ph.D. support are strongly advised to consult the Scott Polar Research Institute before doing so.

For practical reasons to do with the programme's interdisciplinary structure, the Polar Studies M.Phil. is not a designated Economics and Social Science Research Council (ESRC) course, and is therefore not eligible for their grant scheme.

2. Awards for Overseas Students

Overseas students may be eligible for the recently created awards offered by the Cambridge Gates Trust. Further information is given on the website at www.gatesscholar.org.

Candidates from non-EU European countries are also eligible to apply for awards from the Cambridge Overseas Trust, details of which can be found in the Graduate Studies Prospectus.

3. Additional awards for European Students

Through the Cambridge European Trust, the University of Cambridge gives awards to enable students of outstanding academic merit from Europe (not exclusively from countries of the European Union) to study at Cambridge.

The Trust offers a number of modest part-cost bursaries and scholarships, tenable for up to three years depending upon the course of study, to a limited number of students who have been accepted for admission by the Board of Graduate Studies, and who must pay fees at the overseas or European Union rate. Competition for the awards is severe and candidates are advised to apply for as many alternative sources of funding as possible.

Whereas Cambridge European Trust Bursaries are available to eligible students irrespective of their nationality, scholarships are normally attached to particular countries, levels of study and, in some cases, to specific areas of study. Scholarship details are outlined below.

The Trust cannot admit students either to the University of Cambridge or to any of its Colleges. Therefore, candidates for awards from the Trust must be offered a place at Cambridge by the Board of Graduate Studies (for graduate study) in the normal way.

How to apply for the awards

The following guidelines for application are for students from countries of the European Union. Candidates from non-EU European countries should apply via the Cambridge Overseas Trust (see above).

Candidates who wish to pursue either a one-year taught postgraduate course of study or research leading to the degree of PhD must have a first class or high second class degree, or its equivalent, from a recognised university.

Candidates must first apply for admission to the University of Cambridge. Completed forms for admission to the University of Cambridge as a graduate student [CIGAS Form A] must be submitted, no later than 31 January in the year proceeding entry, to The Secretary, Board of Graduate Studies, 4 Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RZ, England, from whom the Graduate Prospectus and forms for admission can be obtained.

Bursary Application Forms [CETBAF] will be sent to all eligible candidates once the Board has received completed forms for admission to the University [CIGAS Form A]. The Bursary Application Form is in two parts. Part I should be completed by the applicant and Part II should be completed by an academic referee who is familiar with the applicant's work. The Bursary Application Form must be returned by the academic referee to The Secretary, Board of Graduate Studies, 4 Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RZ, England no later than 30 April in the year of entry.

a) Part-cost Bursaries

See here for more information on part-cost bursaries.

b) Full-cost Scholarship Awards

Entente Cordiale Scholarships

In collaboration with the Cambridge European Trust, the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers up to six scholarships to enable citizens of France to pursue a one-year taught postgraduate course of study at the University of Cambridge. Details of the application procedure and of the value of the awards can be obtained from the British Council, 9-11 rue de Constantine, 75007 Paris; telephone: (01) 49 55 73 43/80; fax: (01) 47 05 77 02.

British Chevening Cambridge Scholarships

In collaboration with the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Cambridge European Trust offers a number of scholarships to enable citizens of certain European countries to pursue a one-year taught postgraduate course of study at Cambridge. Citizens of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden (where the awards are known as Prince Bertil Memorial Cambridge Scholarships) are eligible to apply.

Details of the application procedures and of the value of the awards can be obtained from local offices of the British Council. Candidates are advised to apply well in advance of their proposed date of entry to the University of Cambridge.

Further Information

Inquiries about any of the above awards for European students should not be made to the University Offices, but to:

Cambridge European Trust
Trinity College
Trinity Street
Cambridge
CB2 1TQ
or by e-mail to ucam-cct@lists.cam.ac.uk .