How to apply

All applications are made online, and you need to submit all required supporting documentation, including references and transcripts. An online payment of £50 will be charged for the submission of your completed application (unless you are eligible for a waiver).

You’ll need an excellent degree equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree from a reputable university in a discipline with a strong quantitative orientation, eg industrial or general engineering, economics, statistics, operations research, computer science, physics, or mathematics.

Other degrees would be acceptable, provided you did well in your undergraduate statistics courses, specifically:

• a psychology degree would also be acceptable for the Organisational Behaviour specialisation
• a degree in sociology, psychology, business, or management would be acceptable for the Strategic Management specialisation

In most countries the equivalent to a UK bachelor’s is a first degree (Bachelor, Licentiate) but from some countries a masters level degree may be required. The minimum standard required is a UK First Class Honours (USA CGPA of 3.7/4.0) or equivalent from an overseas institution.

Please refer to the Postgraduate Admissions website to find out the minimum requirement from graduates completing their studies in other countries. We take the standing and selectivity of the university into account, as well as your rank within your class.

This is a pre-experience programme, so prior work experience is not required but relevant work experience is appreciated.

The MPhil in Strategy, Marketing, Operations and Organisational Behaviour prepares students without prior research experience for PhD-level research in the fields of strategic management, marketing, operations, or organisational behaviour.

The course provides advanced quantitative methodology training and assumes degree-level mathematics training in linear algebra, calculus and statistics.

As part of the application, we may ask you to submit a separate letter in which you explain the level of mathematics or statistics training you have received.

To study the Cambridge MPhil in SMOOB, you need to be proficient in English. If English is not your native language, you’ll need to show:

• a minimum IELTS overall score of 7.5, with not less than 7.0 in each element. The separate components must have been taken at the same time and in the past 2 years.
• or a TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) minimum overall score of 110, with not less than 25 in each element.

Not yet taken a language test? Test result out-of-date or not up to the required standard? Don’t worry, you don’t have to include your English language test scores with your initial application documents; they can be forwarded on later in the process.

If you are made an offer, one of the conditions of entry will be getting the required standard of language test score.

We will ask you to outline the reasons for applying in a statement. Note that there is a character limit set up for this field.

When you fill out the application form, please state your preferred specialisation and research interests under research title and summary. Note that there is a 1,000 character limit set up for this field.

Have your CV (curriculum vitae, or résumé) ready to upload via the Applicant Portal, as this is a required part of your application for admission.

You’ll need to provide 2 academic references for your MPhil application and we expect that your referees will be able to comment on your quantitative abilities. Please provide your referees’ work emails (not personal emails), so we can forward an automated reference request from the application portal. You’ll be able to track your references online.