A first-class degree, a short work history and IELTS 7.5
Cambridge expects a First class Honours degree. It normally expects no more than a year of work experience, and asks for IELTS 7.5 overall with at least 7.0 in each element.
Master's · Cambridge Finance
Cambridge MPhil in Finance: entry requirements, the written application and funding
The MPhil in Finance at Cambridge's Judge Business School is a nine-month taught Master's with a demanding quantitative entry standard. Applicants who intend to seek funding need to plan around two dates: the University's funding deadline, 8 December 2026, and the application deadline, 26 January 2027, which falls seven weeks later. This guide sets out what Cambridge publishes for 2027-28 entry, and where its pages leave a question to be confirmed.
2027-28 entry · Official requirements
Entry standard, written application and dates
Taken from the University of Cambridge's postgraduate course page for the MPhil in Finance and read again on 20 October 2026. The course starts in September 2027; confirm every date on the course page before you rely on it.
Significant finance, economics or quantitative content
The first degree must contain a significant finance, economics or quantitative component. Expect the content of your modules, not only the title of your degree, to be what shows this.
A 1,000-character statement of reasons
The application includes Reasons for Applying, limited to 1,000 characters.
A research proposal only if you intend to continue to a PhD
A research proposal is needed only from applicants who intend to continue to the PhD. Its length is 500 or 1,500 words, depending on work experience.
Applications close on 26 January 2027
Applications opened on 9 September 2026 and close on 26 January 2027. The earliest decisions can be expected in January 2027.
Nine months, with an online pre-session
The course lasts nine months full time. An online mathematics and statistics pre-session runs from 1 September 2027.
The University funding deadline is 8 December 2026
Cambridge's course page and the Judge Business School's FAQ both give 8 December 2026 as the University funding deadline, seven weeks before the application deadline. US citizens applying for US Gates funding had an earlier deadline, 14 October 2026, which has passed.
Official sources
Read on 20 October 2026 against Cambridge's postgraduate course page and the Judge Business School's application and FAQ pages. The funding date read 8 December 2026 wherever a page gave one. One FAQ page still shows an older application closing date; see 'Before you apply'.
The programme
A nine-month taught MPhil in a business school
The MPhil in Finance is taught at Cambridge's Judge Business School over nine months of full-time study. The title can mislead: despite the 'MPhil' label, Cambridge classifies it as a taught course, and it begins with an online mathematics and statistics pre-session from 1 September 2027, a sign of how central quantitative preparation is to the year.
Who it suits
The entry standard in practice
The standard combines three things: a First class Honours degree, a significant finance, economics or quantitative component, and normally no more than a year of work experience. The work-experience wording matters for applicants who have worked for longer: 'normally' does not rule out an applicant with more experience, but it signals the profile the course expects. If your degree is not from the UK, look up the equivalent of a first-class degree in Cambridge's international qualifications guidance before you decide.
Funding deadline
Two deadlines, and the one that applies to you
The application deadline and the University funding deadline are different dates, and the funding date falls on 8 December 2026, seven weeks before the application closes. The practical consequence is simple.
If you are seeking Cambridge funding
Treat 8 December 2026, not 26 January 2027, as your deadline. The Judge Business School's own FAQ advises applying before the University funding deadline.
If you are not seeking funding
The application deadline of 26 January 2027 applies, though earlier submission is generally safer than waiting for the final week.
Checking the date
Read the funding date on Cambridge's course page itself, and ask Cambridge's admissions office if the page does not settle your question.
The written application
Writing for 1,000 characters
A limit of 1,000 characters is short, roughly the length of a single paragraph, so the statement works only if every sentence earns its place.
Why this programme
Name what in the MPhil, rather than in finance generally, you want to study and why your degree has prepared you for it.
Why now
Connect your next step to what you have done so far, without repeating your transcript.
Decide on the PhD early
The research proposal is needed only if you intend to continue to the PhD, and its length depends on work experience. Settle that intention first, because it changes what you have to write.
Before you apply
Three questions the pages answer differently
Three points are easy to get wrong because Cambridge's own pages are not uniform. Check both close to the date you apply.
GRE and GMAT
The Judge Business School's application page says a GRE or GMAT score is not a requirement and adds no weight to an application. The University's course page does not mention either test, so the school's page is the source for this answer.
Referees and the application charge
The University's application page asks for two referees, either academic or professional, while the school's page says the programme requires two academic references. Confirm with the school which type it expects before you ask anyone. The school's page mentions an application charge; check the University's fee guidance for whether and how much you must pay.
The closing date
Cambridge's course page and the school's application page give 26 January 2027. One FAQ page on the school's website still shows 25 February 2027. Work to 26 January 2027 and do not rely on the FAQ date.
Support
Independent support with positioning, statements and funding
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or the Judge Business School. Master's support follows the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each programme. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
When is the funding deadline?
Cambridge's course page and the Judge Business School's FAQ give 8 December 2026 as the University funding deadline, earlier than the 26 January 2027 application deadline. US citizens applying for US Gates funding had until 14 October 2026.
Do I need the GMAT or the GRE?
The Judge Business School's application page says a GRE or GMAT score is not a requirement and adds no weight to an application. The University's course page does not mention either test, so check the school's page again when you apply.
What is the application deadline?
26 January 2027, on Cambridge's course page and the school's application page. One FAQ page on the school's website shows 25 February 2027; do not rely on it.
Do I have to submit a research proposal?
Only if you intend to continue to the PhD after the MPhil. The proposal is 500 or 1,500 words, depending on work experience.
How much work experience is acceptable?
Cambridge says applicants would normally have no more than a year of work experience. If you have more, read the requirement carefully and ask the admissions office about your case.
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