PhDRecommended

PhD of Polymers and Soft Matter

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, United States
English
On campus
PhD

Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus

About the program

Interdisciplinary doctorate open to students admitted to five MIT departments.

Program highlights

Internship available: no
Placement support: yes
Work during study: yes
Post-study work rights (1 year): yes
PR pathway friendly: no

What you will learn

Conduct independent doctoral-level inquiry in Polymers and Soft Matter. Evaluate evidence and academic literature. Communicate original research findings.

Career outcomes

Polymers and Soft Matter Specialist
Polymers and Soft Matter Research Assistant
Related Entry-Level Professional

Curriculum

Two terms of core coursework from the molecular to the continuum level
A written and oral qualifying exam at the end of spring term
Then a research project
Thesis proposal and thesis defence.

Entry requirements

Academic

Bachelor or master degree as the department requires
Statement of objectives
Three recommendation letters
Transcripts and research fit
GRE only where the department requires it
English test scores for non-native speakers
Minimums set by each department.
No central minimum published
Set by department.

Accepted academic background

Bachelor or master degree (department-specific), GRE per department, Research fit and faculty letters.

Language tests

IELTS Duolingo 135
TOEFL iBT Cambridge C1 190
Duolingo English Test 135

Documents you’ll need

Academic Transcripts
English Language Test Results (if applicable)
Research Proposal (if required)
Recommendation Letters (if required).

How to apply

Review the program admission requirements. Prepare the relevant academic and supporting documents. Submit the completed application through the institution's admissions process. Provide any further documents requested by the admissions team. Await an admission decision.

Other costs

Tuition per year	$67,140 USD
Application fee	$90 USD
Deposit	$500 USD

Program details

Campus	Cambridge campus
Faculty or school	School of Science
Department	Program in Polymers and Soft Matter
Teaching language	English
Credit value	_
Study pace	Fixed
Post-study stay	1 year
Scholarship note	Scholarship consideration may depend on the specific program, Academic merit, Applicant status and available funding.

Intakes and deadlines

Program starts
September 2027
Apply by
1 Dec 2026
18 days left

Frequently asked questions

The next deadline is 1 Dec 2026. Apply early, because some programs close when places fill up.