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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

Students will be registered initially for the Certificate of Postgraduate Study (CPGS) in Economics for one year full-time and two years part-time. In order to satisfy the requirements for the CPGS, students are required to undertake and pass four coursework modules plus attend the 'How to do Economics' lecture course, write a research proposal (maximum length of 10,000 words), and attend workshops and seminars. The attendance of part-time students must be discussed with their respective Supervisor. 

Students will be considered for registration for the PhD once they:

  1. Have successfully completed the requirements for CPGS (above).
  2. Submit an acceptable chapter of not more than 20,000 words. The chapter submitted must be of a standard that would enable it to form the basis of one-third of the student's eventual PhD thesis. This means that the thesis submitted must contain research that could be expanded upon to constitute one-third of the PhD thesis.

Once upgraded to PhD status, students concentrate on their PhD thesis. In general, the thesis format is either a book divided into chapters or three or more connected articles; in either case, the Faculty has a strict limit of 60,000 words. As research progresses, there will be opportunities to present work in progress at research workshops attended by Faculty members and research students. PhD students will also be required to attend research seminars given by external speakers and Faculty members.

One to one supervision

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

Seminars & classes

Full-time students are expected to be on campus throughout their degree. Part-time students will be expected to be in Cambridge for up to 45 days a year. The exact pattern of attendance for part-time students must be discussed with their respective Supervisor. 

Feedback

The Faculty expects supervisors to meet their students regularly throughout the year.  Meetings should take place at least once a month and should be more frequent during the first year of research for full-time students. Part-time students must discuss suitable arrangements with their Supervisor.

A Supervisor should give oral or written comments on draft chapters or papers.

Students can expect to receive an online feedback report each term.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

The PhD examination involves submission of a thesis and an oral examination. In general, the thesis format is either a book divided into chapters or three or more connected articles; in either case, the Faculty has a strict limit of 60,000 words. The requirement is that full-time students submit within four years (or part-time equivalent).

Essays

Depending on the modules chosen during the CPGS year (full-time) / two years (part-time), students might have to do essays, projects, or written papers to satisfy the requirements of the CPGS. 

Written examination

Depending on the modules chosen during the CPGS year (full-time) / two years (part-time), students might have to sit a written examination to satisfy the requirements of the CPGS. Both full-time and part-time students must take these in-person.

Other

The research proposal, which must be submitted by the end of the CPGS, will be evaluated, and the student will also be subject to a viva. This will be in person for both full-time and part-time students. 

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Key Information


3-4 years full-time

4-7 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Doctor of Philosophy

Faculty of Economics

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Michaelmas 2025

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Dec. 3, 2024
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2025

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

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 3, 2024
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 16, 2024

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2025, Lent 2026 and Easter 2026.


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