College Admission: MPhil in African Studies
Every student admitted to the MPhil in African Studies must become a member of one of the university’s 31 Cambridge colleges.
The collegiate system is a unique part of the University of Cambridge experience. While the Centre of African Studies handles your academic department tasks—such as your lectures, seminars, supervision, and exams—your college acts as your home base. It provides housing, meals, welfare support, and a vibrant, multidisciplinary community where you can meet students from all over the world.
How to Apply to a Cambridge College
When you complete your postgraduate application via the online portal, you will reach a section concerning college membership. You have two options:
- Express a preference: You can select up to two specific colleges that you would like to be considered for, in order of preference.
- Make an open application: If you do not mind which college you join, you can choose not to list a preference. The Postgraduate Admissions Office will then automatically allocate a college to you.
Please Note: You cannot officially start the MPhil course without being accepted by a college. However, your application is only sent to the colleges after the Centre of African Studies has made you an academic offer.
How to Choose a Cambridge College
Because colleges are diverse, multidisciplinary environments, you do not need to choose a college based on your specific area of research, nor do you need to be in the same college as your academic supervisor.
When deciding whether to list preferred colleges, international postgraduate students may wish to consider the following factors:
- Student Type: Some colleges admit only postgraduate students (mature colleges), while others admit both undergraduates and postgraduates.
- Gender: Most Cambridge colleges are mixed-gender, but a few remain for women only.
- Funding and Grants: Many colleges offer their own independent scholarships, travel grants, or book allowances that you can apply for once accepted.
- Facilities: College campuses vary in size, age, and location. They all feature their own dining halls and common rooms, and many have substantial libraries, sports grounds, or music rooms.
You can research and compare all 31 options by viewing the profiles on the Postgraduate Admissions College Guide.