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Teaching
| One to one supervision | The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. The amount of supervision you require may vary depending on your prior knowledge and on your particular research experience. Formal supervision is likely to be around one hour per week, with day-to-day supervision provided by postdocs in the lab. It is the student's responsibility to book regular meetings with their supervisor, and with their Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) according to a predefined schedule. The Principal Supervisor will provide written feedback to the student each term, with progress reports submitted online. The feedback will relate to the progress the student has made and include a specific comment on their research project. This will be discussed with the student in advance of the submission of the report to the University. A Postgraduate Adviser will also be appointed as part of the supervisory team, who will be able to act as a source of advice on matters relating to the research project and research environment; and to provide supervisory cover if needed. In addition, every student will form a TAC after passing their First Year Assessment, which exists to provide support and advice from years 2-4 of their PhD. The TAC consists at minimum of the student's supervisor, an additional CRUK CI Group Leader and an external member from the wider University, its Partner Institutes or further afield. |
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| Seminars & classes | All postgraduate students are encouraged to participate in informal and interactive weekly training opportunities at the Institute, aimed at enhancing their academic and research skills. The training programme has been designed in response to requests from our students and includes a range of sessions including:
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| Lectures | Students are encouraged to attend the weekly Wednesday Lunchtime Seminars (internal), and the Lectures in Cancer Biology and Medicine run by the CRUK Cambridge Centre. |
| Journal clubs | Journal clubs are set up for students within our Research Groups and by the student society, GradSoc. The frequency varies and students are in addition invited to organise one-off events, in collaboration with senior scientists, on a particular publication of interest. |
| Literature Reviews | There are no formal literature review requirements, but students are expected to read around their research topic both independently and as advised by their supervisor. |
| Posters and Presentations | Students are asked to give presentations to the Institute as part of the Wednesday Lunchtime Seminar series. These serve to update their colleagues on their research progress and are a chance to interact with researchers outside their lab. In their first year, students will give a 15-minute presentation to introduce their research project around month five of their PhD, which is followed by a short Q&A. In their second year, students give a one-minute flash talk followed by a poster presentation; and in their third year, a longer presentation of 20 minutes' duration followed by a Q&A. Fourth year students are asked to deliver a full-length talk. Training is provided as part of the Postgraduate Training Programme on giving a first talk, delivering a flash talk, designing a poster and giving a full-length lunchtime talk. |
| Taught/Research Balance | Entirely Research |
Placements
Students occasionally have the opportunity to undertake short-term placements away from the Institute in the course of their PhD research. These must be agreed with their supervisor and the Academic Development Partner.
Feedback
Students will receive ongoing feedback from all members of their supervisory team, including members of their Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC). This may take place during one-to-one meetings, TAC meetings or lab meetings. In addition, students can expect to receive a termly online report prepared by their Principal Supervisor.
The Academic Development Partner is also a point of contact to discuss students' progress with them, and is available for individual one-to-one meetings via a booking system.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
PhD students are expected to submit a thesis of no more than 60,000 words within three to four years of commencing full-time study, and within four to seven years of commencing part-time study. Post-submission, the student will be examined orally by two examiners, normally one internal from the University or its Partner Institutes and one external, on the content of the thesis and on the wider research area.
For more information about PhD assessment, please visit the University's Requirements for research degrees page.
Other
All PhD students are admitted with probationary status in their first year and are required to undergo a formal First Year Assessment by written report and oral examination after nine months (or part-time equivalent). Continuation into their second year of study is dependent on passing this assessment.
Their two examiners will normally be from CRUK CI and the wider University, and will be keen to explore the student's suitability for PhD study and the suitability of their project. As well as the content of their report, students will be examined on their understanding of the wider research field and their future research plans.
Having successfully passed the First Year Assessment, students move from probationary status to formal registration for the PhD degree and will be able to proceed with their project.