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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

The route is composed of two key elements:

  • the research methods training (RMS) course
  • the "Research in Second Language Education (RSLE)" thematic route course

Teaching time is split between the two elements, with 32 hours of teaching being given to research methods and 64 hours being given to the subject-specific content.  The course is taught through a mixture of lectures, smaller group seminars and supervisions.

One to one supervision

Nine hours for the year.

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

Seminars & classes

The route involves 96 hours of face-to-face teaching for the year. This is made up of a mixture of lectures and small group seminars. Teaching sessions take place in the Faculty, two or three times a week in the Michaelmas and Lent terms. There is only a small amount of teaching in the Easter term when students are writing up their dissertations.

Posters and Presentations

In the Easter term, students are required to give short unassessed presentations with slides about their research.

Feedback

Throughout the programme, written work is submitted and feedback is provided. Students submit two essays and a dissertation. Informally, feedback is also provided through regular supervisions. At the end of each term, supervisors write an online report which can be viewed by the student via the Cambridge Graduate Supervision Reporting System.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

The dissertation is up to 15,000 words in length and submitted in June. 

The examination shall include an oral examination on the dissertation and the essays and on the general field of knowledge within which they fall; save that the Examiners may, at their discretion, waive the requirement for an oral examination.

Essays

Students are required to submit two essays, one 4000 words and the other 4000-6000 words in length (one in Michaelmas and one in Lent term).

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Key Information


10 months full-time

Study Mode : Taught

Master of Philosophy

Faculty of Education

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Michaelmas 2025

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Feb. 25, 2025
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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