Apply for the programme

The application form will ask you to upload your supporting documentation related to your eligibility, the scheme and your project choice.

Please upload the required documents as PDFs (or PNG/JPEGs) using the following naming convention on each document:

SURNAME, First name_type of document e.g. SMITH, John_personal statement

Please browse the sections below for further details regarding supporting documents. 

You will need to upload a copy of your official undergraduate degree transcript (e.g. BA, BSc, etc.) for your current undergraduate course or any other undergraduate degrees that you have studied.

Any transcript you provide must clearly display:

• Your name
• Institution
• Course title
• A full breakdown of modules and grades

Screenshot images from self-service portals are acceptable if you are unable to obtain a transcript document (showing interim or provisional results) but must still show the information above.

When preparing your document, please save it with the following filename: SURNAME, First name_Transcript. 

The application form will ask you to upload your CV in PDF format (or as a PNG/JPG). 

Your CV should include: 

• The schools you have attended
• Your GCSE and A-level results
• Your undergraduate results so far
• Any prizes or awards for your academic work at school or at university
• Any work experience (of any kind) that you have had
• Any extra curriculum activity or experience you feel is relevant to your application 

When preparing your document, please save it with the following filename: SURNAME, First name_CV. 

Your personal statement should explain why you are applying and why your background, personal circumstances and academic potential qualify you. Think about the aims of the programme, which is designed to find and support students from underrepresented backgrounds into postgraduate research.  

• Your statement should be no more than 2000 characters/450 words
• Please save your statement with the following filename: SURNAME, First name_Personal Statement
• Please upload as a PDF, PNG or JPEG file

We encourage you to mention how any extenuating circumstances or personal circumstances have had a significant impact on your education, or if you do not have the means to access research experience or it may not be as readily available where you are currently studying.

You are required to upload a supporting statement for each placement you wish to apply for. 

Each statement should explain your reasons for applying for that research project and how you would benefit from this placement. Think about what interests you about that project, what motivates you to study your subject now, how you have engaged more closely with your field over time, and what you would both offer to and like to get out of the project and programme. You should provide a statement for each project you have selected above.

• If you are providing a statement for more than one project, please indicate which project each statement refers to
• Your statement should be no more than 2000 characters/450 words
• Please save your statement with the following filename: SURNAME, First name_Project Statement
• Please upload as a PDF, PNG or JPEG file

Please note that expressing interest in a particular project does not affect your overall chances of being offered a placement; and if you are offered a placement, it may be with a project that was not your personal preference. All projects provide broad social science research experience; we aim to achieve the closest possible match when offering placements. 

You will need to provide contact details for your referee. This should be a member of university academic staff (for example a tutor, advisor, or professor) who knows you and can comment on your academic ability, the quality of your work, your potential for further study, and your suitability for the SHARE programme.

• You should contact your referee before you submit your application to make sure they are happy to write a reference for you.
• When you submit your application, an email will automatically be sent to your referee telling them how to submit their reference, but please check with them to ensure they have received it.
• Please submit your application as early as possible to give your referee time to complete their reference.
• Where possible, please enter your referee’s institutional/professional email address.
• It is your responsibility to make sure that your referee submits their reference by the deadline of midday on Monday 23 February 2026 to SHARE@admin.cam.ac.uk

Referees will be asked to send their reference to us by email by the deadline shown in the email they received when you registered them as a referee. 

If they would like more information about the programme that you have applied for, you can provide them with a link to this webpage: https://www.cshss.cam.ac.uk/share