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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

During their MPhil, the students are based in a research group, supported by their primary supervisor and the CIMR Postgraduate Education Committee. There is no taught and examined course work, but students are expected to take part in core topic discussion sessions held once a week by Principal Investigators in CIMR. Along with the specific research training provided in the laboratory in which the student works, he or she receives further training within the CIMR in the form of postgraduate workshops concentrating on research techniques, research seminars both on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and elsewhere in the University, and postgraduate student seminars dealing with generic skills such as intellectual property rights, writing a thesis or paper, and entrepreneurship.

One to one supervision

Students are supervised by the Principal Investigator and often also senior postdocs. Discussions are provided on a daily basis at the bench and weekly during lab meetings and journal clubs. The supervisor on average will meet with the student every two weeks to discuss progress.

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

The 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.

Seminars & classes

Students can attend a variety of core topic sessions, seminars, talks and workshops within CIMR, the Graduate School of Life Sciences and elsewhere in the University.

Small group teaching

Regular lab meetings (1-2 hours) within the research group.

Feedback

Students receive feedback regarding their progress in the form of written online termly reports from their supervisor.

Moreover, verbal feedback will be provided frequently by the project supervisor as part of the day-to-day supervision.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

The course is examined by thesis and oral examination (viva). The thesis must be no longer than 20,000 words in length, exclusive of tables, footnotes, bibliography, and appendices, and must satisfy the internal and external examiner that the candidate can design and carry out an original investigation, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspective of the subject.

The examination shall include an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.

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Key Information


12 months full-time

2 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Master of Philosophy

Cambridge Institute for Medical Research This course is advertised in multiple departments. Please see the Overview tab for more details.

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.

Michaelmas 2024

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
May 16, 2024
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2024

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

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
Jan. 4, 2024
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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