Postgraduate study in the Department of Zoology

We have about 100 postgraduate students working on an MPhil or PhD in Zoology at any one time and they form a strong and lively community. 

Our academic staff include world-class leaders in their fields and our students are encouraged to work on projects at the cutting edge of new research and policy initiatives.

There is a regular programme of talks, seminars and social events throughout the academic year as well as a myriad of opportunities across the university as a whole.

Before you apply

Before applying to a postgraduate course in the Department of Zoology, please read the ‘Applying to Cambridge’ guidance on the University’s Postgraduate Study pages.

Finding a supervisor and project

Postgraduate applicants should contact a prospective supervisor to discuss potential projects before applying. Supervisors can support you with your application, including helping you to formulate a research proposal.  Please see our list of postgraduate supervisors to identify a potential supervisor and find out more about our current research.

Please check out our 2026-27 project list for descriptions of available projects. Applicants are also welcome to approach supervisors with their own project ideas.

Application deadlines

Applications for entry in 2026-27 will open in September 2025, and there are two deadlines that you need to consider:

• Course deadline
• Funding deadline

The main funding deadline for applications to courses starting in Michaelmas 2026, Lent 2027 and Easter 2027 is 7 January 2026.

Find out more about application deadlines..

Funding

Find out more about funding opportunities..

PhD in Zoology

For information about this course, including application deadlines, entry requirements and details of how to apply, please see the link below:

Course Information and Application Form - PhD in Zoology

MPhil level study

MPhil in Biological Sciences (Zoology) by thesis

For information about this course, including application deadlines, entry requirements and details of how to apply, please see the link below:

Course Information and Application Form - MPhil in Biological Science (Zoology)

MPhil in Biological Sciences by Advanced Study

If you are interested in a subject area but unsure about the specific research group or project, you may want to consider applying to this multi-pathway Master’s course:

Course Information – MPhil in Biological Sciences by Advanced Study

School of Biological Sciences Master's Bursary Award

MPhil in Planetary Science and Life in the Universe

The MPhil in Planetary Sciences and Life in the Universe (PSLU) is a 10-month cross-departmental programme designed to deliver outstanding postgraduate level training in the search for life’s origins on Earth and its discovery on planets beyond Earth.

Course Information - MPhil in Planetary Science and Life in the Universe

Find out more

• Please see the links on the left for funding information, application FAQs and to read and hear from our students about what it is really like to be a postgraduate student in the Department.
• Our Postgraduate Virtual Open Days are a great opportunity to put your questions to admissions staff and academics, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. You'll also get the chance to explore the Colleges virtually. For more information, and the date of the next open day, please see the  Postgraduate Open Days page.
• Learn more about Postgraduate Study at the University of Cambridge.