Doctor of Philosophy in History and Philosophy of Science at University of Cambridge

Programme overview

The Department of History and Philosophy of Science currently has around 70 PhD students, their thesis topics covering the full range of history and philosophy of the sciences and medicine. PhD students are part of an exceptionally lively interdisciplinary community, with unparalleled opportunities to learn from and exchange ideas with staff, postdoctoral researchers and visitors here and across the University, and to use the outstanding facilities. Before a student can be admitted, a member of the Department's teaching staff, approved by the Degree Committee, must agree to supervise the PhD.

Faculty: School of the Humanities and Social Sciences | Department: Department of History and Philosophy of Science | Duration: 3-4 years full-time; 4-7 years part-time | Study mode: full-time | Intake: January 2027, October 2027, January 2028 | Location: Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

In addition, each student is assigned an advisor by the end of the first term who then continues as part of the supervisory team throughout the PhD. Students are encouraged to attend the research seminars, workshops and reading groups that make the Department a hive of intellectual activity. Other A formal registration exercise, centred on a written submission of approximately 10,000 words, must be completed before the end of the student's third term of full-time study (or sixth term of part-time study).

Career pathways

The Department also offers a postgraduate training programme that focuses on research skills and career development.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants for this course should have achieved a Masters (Distinction). Applicants for the PhD are expected to have previous training at master’s level in a relevant field, with a first-class/distinction result (or non-UK equivalent). Applicants will only be admitted to the PhD programme if they have an exceptionally strong background in the field and a well-conceived research proposal on a topic that can be plausibly supervised by academics in this department (in collaboration with colleagues from other departments if necessary). English language: IELTS (Academic) 7.5 overall with at least 7.0 in each element.

Domestic applicants: GBP 11,208 a year (2027/28). University Composition Fee (tuition) for 2027 entry; maintenance/living costs excluded. Source

International applicants: GBP 33,876 a year (2027/28). University Composition Fee (tuition) for 2027 entry; maintenance/living costs excluded. Source

Intake: January 2027, October 2027, January 2028

Duration: 3-4 years full-time; 4-7 years part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/hphppdhps/apply

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