MPhil in Human Evolutionary Studies

The MPhil in Human Evolutionary Studies is a demanding interdisciplinary programme of study and research that enables students to obtain in-depth knowledge across human evolutionary studies and specialist research training over a relatively short time frame. The aims of the course are to:

provide students with the opportunity to study substantive issues and debates in human evolutionary studies;

give students the opportunity to learn aspects of current research in human evolutionary studies through lectures, seminars and discussions from an international team of researchers with expertise and strengths in these areas;

enable students to acquire the critical thinking and intellectual skills necessary for undertaking independent research in some aspect of human evolutionary studies;

create an intellectual environment and platform that encourages students to learn from each other, particularly in seminar discussions, and one in which students benefit from the lived and learnt experiences and knowledge from peers from across the world;

prepare students for research at doctoral level and equip them to be future leaders in evolutionary approaches to the understanding of humans today.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this MPhil, students should have:

• interdisciplinary training in human evolutionary studies, gaining familiarity with a range of intellectual and methodological approaches;
• in-depth knowledge of specialised subjects and themes in evolutionary anthropology;
• the skills necessary to conduct independent research, providing students with transferable skills, particularly in data science, and training in management of research projects from design through to completion;
• the ability to express themselves in written work precisely, clearly and persuasively, as well as to produce a substantial thesis on a research subject.

Depending on the project, some students will gain experience in preparing and submitting an article to a peer-reviewed journal.

Continuing

Students taking the MPhil in Human Evolutionary Studies who wish to apply for the PhD in Biological Anthropology at Cambridge are required to achieve an overall mark of at least 68 in the MPhil degree and at least 68 in the dissertation. They must obtain the support of an appropriate supervisor before making an application. In some circumstances, additional academic conditions may be set to ensure that appropriate skills are in place prior to admittance to the PhD programme.

Open Days

The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:

• Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.

• Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.

For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages.