FAQs

It’s a part-time master’s degree, which our students normally fit around full-time work. Our programme combines teaching with a research project/dissertation and most of this happens remotely, with four one-week residentials in Cambridge.

Our aim is to help you develop academically, personally and professionally in order to progress your career.

Our programme begins at the start of October each year.

Two academic years.

We encourage you to! Most of our students work full-time (in the UK or overseas) while studying for the MSt; the programme is part-time and has been designed to fit around other commitments.

An MSt isn’t a route into a PhD at the Business School  however we have had students going on to study a PhD in other departments at the University of Cambridge and beyond, but this depends on the admissions requirements of the particular department you’re applying to for the PhD.

If you’re thinking of doing a PhD at Cambridge Judge after completing a master’s degree, we’d normally recommend one of the specialist research master’s programmes instead.

No – the fee is the same for all students on the programme, regardless of nationality.

Tuition fees for the MSt in Social Innovation class of 2026/2028 at Cambridge Judge Business School are £34,500 (£17,250 per year). There is an additional application fee of £85. Visit the Postgraduate Admissions’ Application Fee page to learn more and to find out which nationals are entitled to a fee waiver.

Master of Studies students are not eligible for the University of Cambridge postgraduate funding competition.

However, you can explore a few funding opportunities available on our fees and funding page.

Cambridge Judge Business School has several studentships for candidates already involved in the social sector, and some of them in partnership with Colleges.

Our applications open in September (the year before you wish to start) and close in April. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as we review applications on a rolling basis.

No – if you’re shortlisted for an interview, it will be done via video call.

We don’t host open days for the MSt in Social Innovation, but we offer online/hybrid Meet the Director information sessions to find out more. You can also ask questions via our online query form.

Unfortunately, we can’t arrange in-person meetings with individual candidates, due to the large number of applications we receive.

Unfortunately, we can’t accept applications by post. Applications are processed by the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education department.

Applicants who have received an offer to study on the programme and have met all of their offer conditions may be eligible for a deferral.  Permission to defer will be at the discretion of the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE), in its capacity as the admissions authority for Master of Studies programmes.

Candidates need to be fluent in English for our programmes. Depending on your nationality and latest country of study, you may be asked to take a language proficiency test and have achieved the minimum score required no more than 2 years before the start of your programme.

You don’t need to take the test before you apply. However, if you’re made an offer and haven’t already met our requirements, we’ll ask you to take the test.

All nationals from outside the UK and Ireland can be supported in entering the UK to attend the programme’s residential sessions as a visitor. Visit the University’s short period of study visa webpage for more information.

Please note the University does not provide visa sponsorship for the MSt in Social Innovation.

If you’re offered a place on the course, the Programme Manager will let you know if you need a visa before each residential week in Cambridge and provide any letters needed.

The following websites also provide useful information, including how to get a visa, the paperwork required and the location of your nearest British Embassy or Consulate:

• UK government website
• UKCISA, for overseas students wishing to study in the UK.

The fee is £85 per application, unless you’re a national from a country eligible for fee waiver.

We normally ask for a minimum of 2 years’ full-time or equivalent work experience.

You won’t normally need to complete a GRE/GMAT test. However, if you don’t have a UK 2:1 honours degree or the equivalent from an overseas institution, or another postgraduate qualification, we’ll ask you to take the test. Candidates will need to rank above the 50th percentile in each quantitative and qualitative element to be considered.