Hi everyone - longtime lurker here. My application status has been changed to 'awaiting approval by PAO'. This must have happened either yesterday or today, as I do check the portal fairly frequently.

I applied a few days before the deadline, if that's relevant.

Good luck to everyone! 

Mine has also changed to "Status: Awaiting approval by PAO - Awaiting approval by the Postgraduate Admissions Office.". I am an international student and I applied around 21 November. Does this mean something?

Hey guys! Congrats to all the good news! A small question here, for the ppl who's still in school, do you know how strict the conditions of the offer might be? Like in terms of grades, do they require you to maintain your average grade at the time of submitting the application for the final year, or as long as you satisfy the minimum entry requirement, it's fine?

Just moved to “Awaiting approval from PAO” about 10 mins ago!!!!  

does anyone know if the PAO approval is just a formality or if there’s a good chance they may reject the application? 

feels like a strange dream at the moment!!  

Just moved to “Awaiting approval from PAO” about 10 mins ago!!!!  

does anyone know if the PAO approval is just a formality or if there’s a good chance they may reject the application? 


feels like a strange dream at the moment!!  

Just moved to “Awaiting approval from PAO” about 10 mins ago!!!!  

does anyone know if the PAO approval is just a formality or if there’s a good chance they may reject the application? 


feels like a strange dream at the moment!!  

I believe it is simply a formality at this stage. Just checking you are who you say you are and that you got the grades you said you have. Congrats!!



Do you mind me asking if you are an international applicant?

Just moved to “Awaiting approval from PAO” about 10 mins ago!!!!  

does anyone know if the PAO approval is just a formality or if there’s a good chance they may reject the application? 


feels like a strange dream at the moment!!  

I believe it is simply a formality at this stage. Just checking you are who you say you are and that you got the grades you said you have. Congrats!!



Do you mind me asking if you are an international applicant?

That’s wonderful news! Was rejected last year so wasn’t sure where I stood. 

Yes, I am an Irish student who studied in Dublin for my undergraduate. 

I believe it is simply a formality at this stage. Just checking you are who you say you are and that you got the grades you said you have. Congrats!!



Do you mind me asking if you are an international applicant?

That’s wonderful news! Was rejected last year so wasn’t sure where I stood. 

Yes, I am an Irish student who studied in Dublin for my undergraduate. 

Congratulations! Fingers crossed myself and others find out soon.

do people know if, looking at previous years, hearing later is a bad sign? im worried that because mine hasn't changed im either rejected or a borderline candidate 

do people know if, looking at previous years, hearing later is a bad sign? im worried that because mine hasn't changed im either rejected or a borderline candidate 

do people know if, looking at previous years, hearing later is a bad sign? im worried that because mine hasn't changed im either rejected or a borderline candidate 

do people know if, looking at previous years, hearing later is a bad sign? im worried that because mine hasn't changed im either rejected or a borderline candidate 

[Edited by Victor_7 on Feb 16, 2023]

The second I find anything out about my application, I will let this page know. Regardless of whether it is good or bad news. In the mean time, I recommend not obsessively refreshing your portal. Cambridge expects the best grades and spending time hitting refresh doesn't get them! 

Hello, Hello 

I am a student currently studying the LLM Degree at the University of Cambridge. Honestly, it is the best decision I have ever taken. The experience, people, city and traditions is just unparalleled. Visited Oxford last year and is nothing compared to how pretty Cambridge is (NO BIAS). Ofcourse, one's preference on courses and professors might differ and would prefer one University over the other. 

So last year the entire process was delayed and majority of us moved to PAO only on 30/31st March. We started received Conditional offers three weeks thereafter. Usually this is not the trend as students generally move to PAO end Feb/first week March and Conditional Offers are announced by 15-20th March. Sitting in Cambridge and speaking to one of the Supervisors - one thing I can assure you as of now is that, things are moving on track and hopefully some of you would receive rejections within the next 10 days and students will move to PAO by 10th March. A lot of PHD students have already started receiving offers. However, there are strikes going on and there can be some delay. Be patient and whatever happens, I am sure it will be for the best !

Hi there - I was moved to PAO this morning UK time. International applicant. Wishing you all good luck.

Hello, Hello 

I am a student currently studying the LLM Degree at the University of Cambridge. Honestly, it is the best decision I have ever taken. The experience, people, city and traditions is just unparalleled. Visited Oxford last year and is nothing compared to how pretty Cambridge is (NO BIAS). Ofcourse, one's preference on courses and professors might differ and would prefer one University over the other. 

So last year the entire process was delayed and majority of us moved to PAO only on 30/31st March. We started received Conditional offers three weeks thereafter. Usually this is not the trend as students generally move to PAO end Feb/first week March and Conditional Offers are announced by 15-20th March. Sitting in Cambridge and speaking to one of the Supervisors - one thing I can assure you as of now is that, things are moving on track and hopefully some of you would receive rejections within the next 10 days and students will move to PAO by 10th March. A lot of PHD students have already started receiving offers. However, there are strikes going on and there can be some delay. Be patient and whatever happens, I am sure it will be for the best !

Hi guys. I just moved to the PAO stage. 

For reference: I am an international applicant from an EU country. I submitted my application the day before the deadline. Both my first and surname are towards the very end of the alphabet. 

Good luck to the others. 

Has anyone from the Indian sub-continent received news? 

So in this thread, people started to post about the PAO status since yesterday? Does anyone know how long the moving procedure to the PAO will last? 

Congratulations for those moved to PAO in the past few days! Did you receive an email notifying a change of status or did you just find it out by logging on to the applicant portal? 

Congratulations for those moved to PAO in the past few days! Did you receive an email notifying a change of status or did you just find it out by logging on to the applicant portal?