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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

This course is exclusively in research. The project and supervisor are determined prior to the application process. The student will receive one-on-one supervision for all aspects of their project. Students also attend a number of Institute based Transferrable Skills Training Courses during their studentship.

All students on this programme will be members of the University’s Postgraduate School of Life Sciences (PSLS) which offer a wide variety of core skills and professional development training. Visit the Researcher Development page on the PSLS website for more information.

The Babraham Institute runs an extensive set of Transferrable Skills Training Courses each year (see the Institute website).

One to one supervision

Students can expect to have regular lab meetings with their supervisor and with other lab members. The regularity with which postgraduate students meet with their Supervisor varies throughout the year but meetings are likely to be more frequent to start with, during the planning stages, and during the writing-up phase. All students should have the opportunity to seek formal feedback from their Supervisor, and Supervisors should have the opportunity to give such feedback.

The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision.

Seminars & classes

The Institute runs an extensive seminar programme which all students are encouraged to attend. They are also encouraged to attend University-wide seminars in other departments.

Journal clubs

The Institute runs a number of regular journal clubs, including a student journal club. 

Posters and Presentations

The Institute runs an Annual Student Poster day where all students in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd years present posters. This is run in conjunction with our Annual Laboratory Talks. 

Placements

None required except for certain Research Council studentships that require a PIPS or  specific details mentioned in other studentships.

Feedback

Students will receive feedback and advice from their supervisor about performance and research direction throughout the course and students can also expect to receive termly formal feedback reports via the online feedback and reporting system.  In addition, students should expect oral feedback from the supervisor and other group members on their group presentations.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

The thesis should not exceed 60,000 words (80,000 by special permission) excluding bibliography, figures, appendices etc.

All students have to defend their thesis by attending a viva voce examination conducted by two examiners. Although the thesis must be the work of the student, the supervisor is allowed to give suggestions, critical advice and feedback on content and any draft version(s) of the thesis.

Other

Students are required to write a number of reports, after 2, 8, and 18 months in order to assess their progress. Students also write a thesis plan after 24 or 36 months. Each report is assessed by their Personal Committee, which reports on the student's progress to the Babraham Postgraduate Committee. Student progress is also assessed by the presentation of their results at various seminars and by the filling in of termly Self-Assessment forms.

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Key Information


3-4 years full-time

4-7 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Doctor of Philosophy

Babraham Research Institute

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Applications open
Sept. 15, 2022
Application deadline
Oct. 4, 2023
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2024

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Applications open
Sept. 15, 2022
Application deadline
Jan. 15, 2024
Course Starts
April 17, 2024

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
March 28, 2024
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2024

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Lent 2025

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
Oct. 2, 2024
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2025

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
Jan. 15, 2025
Course Starts
April 17, 2025

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 5, 2023
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 11, 2023

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.


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