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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

There is no formal teaching. However, students are expected to be inducted to their host PhD department and follow the advice and guidance and fulfil any requirements set.

The programme requires regular three-way meetings between the Cambridge PI, the NIH mentor and the student, conducted by telephone, Skype, Zoom, MS Teams or face-to-face. The University requires termly progress reports to be made online, and these are available to students.

One to one supervision

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

The programme requires regular three-way meetings between the Cambridge PI, the NIH mentor and the student, conducted by telephone, Skype, Zoom, MS Teams or face-to-face. The University requires termly progress reports to be made online, and these are available to students.

Seminars & classes

Lasker Lessons in Leadership Seminar Series is supported by the International Biomedical Research Alliance

Students are expected to attend, contribute to, or watch recordings of the seminars. Visit the Lessons in Leadership page on the Lasker Foundation website for more information.

Lectures

As required by the host department.

Practicals

As required by the host department.

Small group teaching

As required by the host department.

Journal clubs

As required by the host department.

Literature Reviews

As required by the host department.

Posters and Presentations

The programme hosts an annual research workshop at either the NIH, Oxford or Cambridge to allow a platform for students to present their research to date. All students are expected to attend.

Feedback

Students should expect to receive ongoing feedback from all supervisors and NIH mentors involved in their research project. This could take place during one-to-one meetings or during lab meetings. In addition, students can expect to receive a written online report each term. 

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.

The NIH requires a yearly report from each scholar. The programme requires regular three-way meetings between the Cambridge PI, the NIH mentor and the student, conducted by telephone, Skype, Zoom, MS Teams or face-to-face. The University requires termly progress reports to be made online, and these are available to students.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

The PhD is examined by thesis (maximum of 60,000 words) and viva, usually held in Cambridge.

Details of the process vary between departments and students should contact their departmental postgraduate administrator for further information.

Other

All PhD students are probationary in their first year and are required to undergo formal assessment (by written report and viva) at the end of their first year, which they must pass. Details of the process varies between departments and students should contact their departmental postgraduate administrator for further information 

If successful, the student moves from being 'probationary' to being formally registered for the PhD and can proceed with their project.

The funder (NIH) requires an annual report submitted to the NIH directorate and requires the student to remain in good standing with the programme.

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Key Information


3-4 years full-time

Doctor of Philosophy

Department of Medicine 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:

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.

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.