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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

In Year 1, the course is structured around three in-person residential modules that you must attend in Cambridge.

In Year 2, the focus is on the dissertation.

A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) offers learning support to students while they are on the programme, including learning resources, to build a virtual community of practice. Students are expected to have sufficient IT skills to engage with the VLE and all assignments are uploaded to the VLE for assessment.

Teaching Methods

The learning outcomes of the programme are achieved through:

  • Personal study of appropriate material guided by reading lists and other resources;
  • Residential study blocks/modules including lectures, seminars, and classes at which students express their own ideas and present accounts of their work;
  • Full and appropriate use of the Institute’s virtual learning environment (VLE);
  • One-on-one supervision (usually five in total) with a designated expert supervisor to include detailed feedback on students’ work and progress.
One to one supervision

One-on-one dissertation supervision (usually five in total) with a designated expert supervisor to include detailed feedback on students’ work and progress.

Seminars & classes

The course includes 60-70 hours of teaching in a mixture of formats including seminars, classes, lectures and small group teaching.

Lectures

The course includes 60-70 hours of teaching in a mixture of formats including seminars, classes, lectures and small group teaching.

Practicals

N/A

Small group teaching

The course includes 60-70 hours of teaching in a mixture of formats including seminars, classes, lectures and small group teaching.

Journal clubs

N/A

Literature Reviews

N/A

Posters and Presentations

N/A

Taught/Research Balance
Equal Taught/Research

Feedback

You will be given formal feedback on your assignments and informal feedback throughout the course, including during supervisions. Your Supervisor will also produce a termly report on your progress.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

A dissertation of between 12,000 and 15,000 words in length (including footnotes and in-text picture captions, but excluding appendices, bibliography and list of illustrations) on a subject approved by the Degree Committee.

At the discretion of the Examiners, the examination may include an oral examination on the dissertation and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.

Essays

In Year 1, the taught elements of the course are examined through three compulsory essay assignments, one per term of between 4,000-5,000 words each, totalling a maximum of between 12,000 and 15,000 words. All essays will be independently marked by two assessors. Each written assignment in Year 1 will be submitted at the end of term (Michaelmas, Lent, Easter).

Written examination

There are no written examinations.

Practical assessment

N/A

Other

N/A

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Key Information


Michaelmas 2026
Applications open
Sep. 10, 2025
Application deadline
Mar. 26, 2026
Course starts
Oct. 1, 2026
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Funding Deadlines

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2026, Lent 2027 and Easter 2027.

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