Teaching

The MPhil in Egyptology delivers competence and a detailed knowledge of the cultures of ancient Egypt and Nubia, emphasising historical archaeology, landscape and the built environment, material culture, and the language and literature of ancient Egypt. All MPhil students in the Department of Archaeology take a Research Skills module and write a dissertation. In addition, students taking the MPhil in Egyptology select further modules from Egyptology and other optional modules in the Department of Archaeology. All module choices must have the approval of the module's instructor and the MPhil in Archaeology coordinator.

Modules on offer may include:

Introduction to Egyptian Language

Advanced Egyptian Language

Old and Late Egyptian Texts

Coptic

Demotic

Landscapes, Built Environment, and Material Culture of Ancient Egypt

Historical Archaeology of Ancient Egypt

Not all modules will be offered each year.

Students taking the MPhil in Egyptology must take a minimum of one Egyptian Archaeology module from the list of modules in Egyptology offered in this year of study. Students may learn an Ancient Egyptian language at either introductory or more advanced levels depending on previous experience. The choice of language modules is subject to the student’s prior experience. The course coordinator will provide guidance on this.

The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding teaching and examination of MPhil degrees.

One to one supervision	Meetings with module coordinators or the dissertation supervisor give students the opportunity to discuss general and specific issues in the conduct of the course. A supervisor will be appointed for the dissertation, to help with the choice of topic and monitor the progress of the student’s research for the dissertation throughout the year. These meetings provide the student with an opportunity to seek academic information and advice and a forum to monitor students' progress. Students can normally expect to have around 6-8 supervision meetings per year depending on the nature of their course and dissertation.
Seminars & classes	Seminars are designed to provide students with intensive engagement with academic staff across a wide range of specialisms relevant to the courses selected. Seminars are interactive and preparation, and participation in seminars is expected of all students. In all taught modules, students may be required to give seminar-style presentations from time to time. Most modules include a number of seminars during Michaelmas and Lent terms. The amount of time dedicated to seminars and classes will vary depending on the student's module choices, but typically students can expect around one hour per week of seminars in Michaelmas and Lent terms.
Lectures	Lectures are designed to present and discuss the major academic topics covered in each module. Most modules are structured around lecture-based teaching. The amount of time spent in lectures will vary depending on the student's module choices, but typically students can expect around 4-6 hours per week of lectures in Michaelmas and Lent terms.
Practicals	Students may have some practical sessions: typically around 8 hours per year, depending on their choice of module. Practical sessions make use of material and artefacts held in the Fitzwilliam Museum and the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
Posters and Presentations	All MPhil students are usually required to make a presentation to staff and peers as part of the assessed component of their Research Skills module.
Taught/Research Balance	Equal Taught/Research

Feedback

Students can expect to receive termly online progress reports. Supervisors or module coordinators may provide additional written or oral feedback on assessed work.

Students are invited to group meetings throughout the year to discuss progress and concerns in order to address issues as and when they arise.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

The dissertation is an extended piece of independent, original research. Students work with their supervisor to formulate a dissertation project, carry out research and write it up. The maximum permitted length of the dissertation is 15,000 words.

Essays

Students taking the MPhil in Egyptology are usually required to produce between one and four assessed essays depending on their chosen course of study and the modules they select.

Written examination

Students taking the MPhil in Archaeological Science may be required to take in-class tests for some modules.

Other

Attendance at the relevant Research Skills workshops is required of all MPhil students in the Department of Archaeology. Its mode of assessment may include a research proposal of specified length and an oral presentation (supported by visual aids) to teaching staff and peers.

The examination may include, at the discretion of the Examiners, an oral examination on the dissertation and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls, and on the other work submitted as part of the examination.