Higher doctorates

Please note that as of August 2026 we no longer accept submissions in hard copy for any Higher Doctorates. All submission materials must be sent via email to degreecongregations@admin.cam.ac.uk. Where possible please avoid using file transfer services with an expiring link, such as WeTransfer.

What is a Higher Doctorate? 

A Higher Doctorate is an award conferred as a result of a substantial and longtime contribution to research in a field of study. It is not a formal course of study. The award is made following submission of a significant body of research, which is evaluated by the Degree Committee for the relevant subject.

Who can apply for a Higher Doctorate?

An application for a Higher Doctorate can be made by anyone who:

1. is of not less than eight years' standing from admission to his or her first degree of the University of Cambridge, which for this purpose does not include a degree under Statute B II 2
2. is of not less than eight years' standing from admission to his or her first degree of some other university, and has been admitted to the degree of Master of Arts under Statute B II 2 or to a degree of the University by incorporation

How to apply

As part of an ongoing review of Higher Doctorate degrees, Degree Committees have been given the discretion to determine how applications to Higher Doctorates will be managed from 1 October 2026. Applications submitted on or after 1 October 2026 will be handled in accordance with the decision of the relevant Degree Committee.

Applicants are strongly advised to check the status of their intended Higher Doctorate before applying. Applications that do not meet the applicable criteria will not be progressed. 

Accepting applications from all candidates

The following Degree Committees will accept applications from all candidates:

• Computer Science and Technology
• Divinity
• English
• History and Philosophy of Science
• Philosophy

Accepting applications from internal candidates only

The following Degree Committees will accept applications from internal candidates only:

• History

Applications are limited to candidates who are employed within the collegiate University at the time of application. All other eligibility requirements and assessment processes remain unchanged.

Not accepting applications

The following Degree Committees have suspended applications from 1 October 2026; no new applications will be accepted or considered for the relevant Higher Doctorate while the suspension is in place:

• Archaeology, Anthropology and Sociology
• Architecture and History of Art
• Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
• Biology
• Business and Management
• Classics
• Clinical Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
• Earth Sciences and Geography
• Economics
• Education
• Engineering
• Land Economy
• Law
• Mathematics
• Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics
• Music
• Physics and Chemistry

What evidence is needed?

To qualify for a Higher Doctorate, you will need to:

1. Provide proof of distinction by some original contribution to the advancement of science or learning.
2. Meet the eligibility criteria for the degree. This can be checked in the Regulations for the relevant degree, as outlined in Chapter VII of the University Ordinances. See the entries for the Doctor of Law, Doctor of Science and Letters, Doctor of Music, Doctor of Divinity, and Doctor of Medical Science. Applicants for the Doctor of Divinity should also review the Departmental Guidance for Applicants.

You should check the eligibility criteria very carefully. Note that the term 'admission' to a degree means the date on which the degree was conferred on a candidate, not the date the candidate began the degree.

How do I submit my application?

1. Complete and sign both an application form and a declaration form, below. These can be emailed to the Student Registry at degreecongregations@admin.cam.ac.uk.
   • Application form: download a pdf version or download a Word version
   • Declaration form: download a pdf version or download a Word version
2. Submit your published works in support of your application by:
   • citing your publications by date using a full citation - or
   • emailing pdf copies of the papers/books to the address below 

Electronic copies of any books will need to be submitted with your application, even if you are applying by citing your publications. If you need to submit a hard copy because there is no electronic copy of your book, please email degreecongregations@admin.cam.ac.uk to discuss; hard copies will only be accepted if an electronic copy is not available.

All applications must be complete at the time of submission. Any additional works submitted after you have been notified that the application has been forwarded to the appropriate Degree Committee for consideration will not be accepted.

Application fee

The full fee for a Higher Doctorate is £582. This is made in a two-stage payment process via our online shop.

In the first instance, please make your prima facie payment of £72. If your work is approved prima facie for full assessment, we will invite you to make a second and final payment of £510.

After your application

The Student Registry will aim to acknowledge receipt of your application within one week. After this, we will check your eligibility and, if the criteria are met, forward your application to the relevant Degree Committee for consideration. We will communicate their decision to you regarding whether there is, prima facie, a case for further examination of your work.

If the works submitted do constitute prima facie a qualification for the degree, the work will be sent to Referees for examination. The Referees' reports are confidential. Note that this can be a lengthy process and may take longer than a year.

Applications are not processed between May-July. Updates to existing applications will be processed during this time, but may take longer than usual.

Review and appeal

There is no procedure in University regulations for appeal or review of decisions in respect of applications for Higher Doctorates; the decisions of the Postgraduate Committee and of the Degree Committees concerned are final.

Finding a presenter

Once a degree has been approved, the candidate must contact their College regarding graduation, and contact the relevant Degree Committee to identify a presenter for the degree following the guidelines below:

• Candidates for the degrees of D.D. or B.D., LL.D., Med.Sc.D., and Mus.D., shall be presented by the Regius Professors of Divinity, Law, and Physic, and the Professor of Music, respectively, or by their deputies, the deputy being required to be a Doctor in the same Faculty as the Professor, or, for the degree of Mus.D., the Chair of the Faculty Board of Music.
• Candidates for the degrees of Sc.D. or Litt.D. (other than candidates for those degrees by incorporation) shall be presented by the Chair of the Degree Committee which has recommended them for the degree, or by a Doctor of Science or of Letters (as the case may be) deputed by the Chair.
• Candidates for the degree of M.Chir. shall be presented by the Regius Professor of Physic, or by a Doctor of Medicine or Master of Surgery deputed by the Professor.
• Candidates for the degrees of M.D. and Vet.M.D. shall be presented by the Chair of the Degree Committee for the Faculties of Clinical Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, or by a Doctor of Medicine, Science, or Veterinary Medicine deputed by the Chair.