Graduate Studies at Cambridge

I wrote an article to be included in the graduate section of Outreach 2014 booklet of Cambridge University Malaysian Society as the committee prepare themselves to reach out to the students who might want to apply to Cambridge for the next academic year.

For the academic year of 2013/2014, 37 Malaysians out of the 158 who applied to Cambridge received confirmed admission to graduate courses ranking 11th among the other countries with success rate of 23%. There are two categories of qualifications for graduate studies: courses with taught elements, and research programmes. Either category, the best way to research on the available programmes and the criteria of admission is via the Graduate Admissions website of the University of Cambridge.

A little about applying to graduate studies at Cambridge:

It is crucial if you are planning to apply for research programmes to communicate with your potential supervisor to find out more about the research group and the interests of the group. It doesn't bring any harm to have a clearer idea of what the expectations of your supervisor are before you apply. Also, it also helps you in your decision-making process. Apply for admission only when you are certain that your potential supervisor is keen to having you. Online application makes it so convenient! As my basic degree was awarded by Malaysian university, which was not conducted fully in English, I was required to submit proof of English competency. The accepted English Language Tests include IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic, CAE (Certificate of Advanced English) with grade A (with other conditions to fulfill) or CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) with grade A or B. TOEFL is NO LONGER accepted according to the Home Office requirement. Minimum required score is according to the course applied. In the application for research programme, a research proposal would be required, and this can be discussed between you and your potential supervisor.

Other than that, it is important to take notes of the deadline of applications to funding and scholarship. If your potential supervisor has a research grant to sponsor you, then it is wonderful. If not, you might want to research on other available scholarships, as well as to apply to the Cambridge Trust fund and Gates Cambridge scholarship when you apply for admission. Usually the deadline for the latter two is around December.

In my opinion, the important elements to successful application include: 1) Excellent English competency, 2) acceptance of your research proposal by the department which you are applying to, 3) acceptance by one of the colleges, 4) financial conditions. Be meticulous and prompt with the list of conditions to fulfil the admission process!

Once all the conditions are fulfilled, the Graduate Board of Studies will award you with the offer letter and CAS for you to apply for Tier 4 student visa. The CUMaS community will be at Cambridge waiting for your arrival.

A little on the life of a Cambridge graduate student:

During the High Table in the college...

I completed my BSc. (Biotechnology) in University Malaysia Sabah and hold the Erasmus Mundus Masters in Forensic Science awarded by the consortium of host universities (University of Cordoba, Spain, Egas Moniz University, Portugal, University of Lincoln, UK). The university systems which I had experienced previously were different from my current experience here, as University of Cambridge is a collegiate university, and all students are members of a college. I am a member of Fitzwilliam College. Usually graduate students would be offered a room in the college, either in the main college site or the college houses. From what I know, all colleges provide housekeeping services to college accommodations. Each college has its own traditions and system, which you could read more on its website. At term time, Fitz organises formals twice a week and members of the college who wish to attend the formal could make reservation via our college account. Once a year, the graduate students are invited to dine with the Master and fellows at the high table. I am assigned a graduate tutor in the college whom I try to meet at least once a term for a chat. Also, graduate students belong to the Middle Combination Room (MCR) community of the college, where the MCR committee would organise events for the graduates in the college. The MCR room of Fitz is housed in the Grove, which used to be the abode of Emma Darwin, the wife of Charles Darwin. I find my college a very friendly yet conducive environment for my stay as a graduate student.

Besides my supervisor, I have been asked to nominate a secondary adviser according to the statute of the university. All research work is being supervised by the department. Being in my first year, I am still a PhD (probationary) student. Only upon submitting a first year report and passing it would I be a proper PhD student. I look forward for the day to come end of this year! Though it takes a lot of hard work to be a graduate student of Cambridge, it will be worthwhile to work in an environment so conducive and supportive of on-going research.

For more information about graduate admissions, please visit this website:

http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/students/gradadmissions/prospec/