A First and strong technical skills
Applicants should have achieved a First class Honours degree and are expected to have well-developed technical skills in engineering or a related technical area, in mathematics and in computing.
Master's · Cambridge Engineering
Cambridge MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence: the pathway you choose
Cambridge's MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence is an 11-month course taught from the Department of Engineering's Information Engineering Division. For Michaelmas 2027 entry it expects a First class Honours degree and well-developed technical skills in engineering or a related area, in mathematics and in computing. Applicants choose one of five pathways when they apply, cannot change it after an offer, and must apply by 8 December 2026.
2027-28 entry · Official information
What Cambridge asks for in Cambridge MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence
Taken from the University of Cambridge postgraduate course pages (overview, study, requirements and how to apply) for the MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence and read on 2 November 2026. The page describes 2027-28 entry; confirm every date and rule on the page before you rely on it.
Choose one of five pathways
The pathways are Machine Learning; Speech and Language Processing; Computer Vision and Robotics; Human-Computer Interaction; and Biological Learning. The pathway defines the area of the dissertation.
The pathway is fixed after an offer
Some applicants may be asked whether they would pursue a different pathway, and after an offer has been issued the pathway cannot be changed.
Deadline: 8 December 2026
The application deadline for Michaelmas 2027 entry is 8 December 2026, the course funding deadline is also 8 December 2026 and the course starts on 1 October 2027. The page says some courses can close early.
Two referees, one may be professional
The course allows one professional referee as well as one academic referee, even for applicants who have only recently left higher education.
11 months, mostly taught
Students take the equivalent of eight full modules and then a research project leading to a dissertation of no more than 15,000 words.
Official sources
- University of Cambridge: MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence (requirements)postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence (course overview)postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence (study)postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence (how to apply)postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
Read on 2 November 2026 on the University of Cambridge postgraduate course pages (overview, study, requirements and how to apply) for the MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence, which describes 2027-28 entry. The Department of Engineering's own course pages, the module list, the finance page, the references and English-competence guidance and the Applicant Portal were not read and are not stated.
Fit
Who the entry standard describes
The requirements page asks for a First class Honours degree and for technical skills in engineering or a related area, in mathematics and in computing. It does not name a list of degree subjects.
An engineering, computing or mathematics graduate
These are the kinds of technical background the page describes. Check your degree and your coursework against the three skill areas it lists.
A graduate from a less technical subject
The page asks for well-developed technical skills in all three areas. If your degree did not cover them, read the page and the Department's own course page, and contact the admissions team, before planning around this course.
A graduate who finished some years ago
The course allows one professional referee alongside one academic referee even for recent graduates, and applicants out of higher education for more than six years may use two professional referees under Cambridge's general rules.
Decision
The decision that matters most: your pathway
The page says the pathway defines the area of the dissertation and that each pathway has different compulsory and permissible modules. The readings below are Avandy's judgment (heuristic), not Cambridge's.
What you can and cannot change
You choose a pathway when you apply. You may be asked to consider a different pathway, and after an offer you cannot change it. So the choice has to be one you would accept for the whole year.
Machine learning or machine intelligence
Machine Learning is one pathway among five. The other four apply machine learning to speech and language, vision and robotics, human-computer interaction and biological learning. Match the pathway to the dissertation area you can already describe.
Avandy's judgment (heuristic, not a university rule)
Name a second-choice pathway you would be content with before you apply, because the page says you may be asked. Write the Motivation for Applying around the area of the dissertation, not around the course title.
Application
What the application contains
The page says an application is only complete when the application and supporting documents are submitted, any applicable fee is paid and the referees have provided references.
Mandatory items
Two referees willing to give a reference, a transcript, a CV or resume and, if required, evidence of competence in English.
Optional Core items
Motivation for Applying (1500 characters), a brief statement of relevant work experience (750 characters) and a Summary of Available Marks (1000 characters) are marked optional.
Avandy's judgment (heuristic, not a university rule)
Optional is not the same as unimportant. If you leave an optional item blank, make sure your transcript and CV answer the questions it would have answered.
Planning
Planning for the 8 December 2026 deadline
The page describes Michaelmas 2027 entry, and the dates here belong to that cycle.
Selection
Applications are assessed as a gathered field after the deadline, with all offers made by the following March, and applicants should normally expect to hear within 12 weeks of the deadline. Documents and references must be in by the deadline.
What to do now
Decide the pathway, brief your referees and prepare the transcript and CV. Re-read the course pages before submitting, because Cambridge can change them.
Support
Independent support with course choice and the written application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or any of its departments. Support sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the published requirements of each course. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What degree do I need for the Cambridge MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence?
The page says applicants should have achieved a First class Honours degree, with well-developed technical skills in engineering or a related technical area, in mathematics and in computing.
Can I change my pathway after I apply?
Not after an offer. The page says some applicants may be asked whether they would pursue a different pathway, and after an offer has been issued the pathway cannot be changed.
When is the deadline for 2027 entry?
The application deadline for Michaelmas 2027 is 8 December 2026, and the course starts on 1 October 2027.
Can I use a professional referee?
Yes. The course allows one professional referee as well as one academic referee, even if you have only recently left higher education.
How long is the course?
It is an 11-month full-time MPhil. Students take the equivalent of eight full modules and then conduct a research project leading to a dissertation.
Students and families
Talk to us about the Cambridge MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence
Tell us about your degree, your grades, your relevant experience and the master's courses you are weighing. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare the application.