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Teaching
| One to one supervision | Candidates can usually expect to have up to four one-hour supervisions per term in their first year with their principal or other supervisors. They can usually expect to have one to two one-hour supervisions per term for the next two or three years, as need dictates. More frequent supervisions may be necessary at the final writing up stage. Candidates will also be allocated an adviser who they can arrange to meet on an informal basis if needs be. The adviser will be a fellow academic, but not an alternative specialist supervisor. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
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| Seminars & classes | There is a wealth of resources at Cambridge in terms of research seminar activity from which you can develop and consolidate the skills you need to produce a successful thesis, as well as the methods and technology by which you realise this effectively. The Department provides a general training programme for Master's courses which PhD candidates may attend, as well as its own regular (research) seminar series and talks. Each Lent Term there is a Graduate Seminar Series organised and managed by our PhD students. There is also peer monitoring within reading and discussion groups. |
| Lectures | Attending undergraduate/postgraduate lectures is optional but students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of lectures offered in the Department and other faculties relevant to their research. Students will also have access to courses offered by the Language Centre and the Personal and Professional Development. |
| Taught/Research Balance | Entirely Research |
Feedback
Students will be provided with feedback via their supervisions and supervisors' termly reports. Students will also be asked to provide feedback to their Student Representative for the Staff-Student Liaison Committee meeting. This group meets termly.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
The thesis, on a subject approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculty, must not exceed 80,000 words. The word limit includes footnotes, a table of contents and a list of illustrations, but excludes acknowledgements and the bibliography. Appendices (of no determined word length) may be permitted subject to the approval of the Degree Committee; for example, where a catalogue of works or the transcription of extensive primary source material is germane to the work. Permission to include such appendices must be requested well in advance of the submission of the final thesis.
The thesis is examined by two examiners, usually one internal to the University and one external, and includes an oral examination. This can take place at the Faculty, in a College, or can be held online.
Other
Candidates for the PhD are reviewed formally on an annual basis. In the third term, full-time candidates submit a First-Year Report to complete their formal registration on the PhD programme. This is assessed by two assessors (not the supervisor) and the candidate is invited to attend an oral assessment. Part-time candidates submit their report in their sixth term.
During their sixth term, full-time candidates are required to give a written report of their work to their supervisor and to another appropriate assessor approved by the supervisor. The Postgraduate Director may also review the work. The candidate’s progress is assessed and documented in a short report. Part-time students will submit their report in the ninth term.
During their third year, candidates are usually required to give a paper on the scope and core findings of their doctoral research in the Third-Year PhD Symposium, attended by staff members of the Department and other postgraduate students. A prize may be awarded for the best presentation.
Candidates submit a log of their research activity which is assessed at each of the annual reviews described above.