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Teaching
At the start of their PhD, students participate in a Pathways to Research programme that establishes a learning community of doctoral students and scholars in the Faculty, while at the same time orienting students to key questions, debates, and methodological innovations in contemporary, world-leading educational research.
In addition, students plan out a programme of research development that draws on resources across the University of Cambridge and beyond. The duration and the frequency of sessions will likely vary depending on prior research, education and experience.
There are also some opportunities for supervision of undergraduate students and for teaching assistance. Only limited opportunities exist for teaching.
| One to one supervision | Full-time PhD students are entitled to 18 hours of supervision each year. Part-time PhD students are entitled to nine hours each year. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
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Feedback
In the first year students are encouraged to submit draft pieces of writing for formative written feedback from their supervisor.
Following the registration viva (end of first year full-time or second year part-time) students receive written feedback from their advisor and a second independent assessor.
Throughout the PhD, formative feedback is provided through supervisions. At the end of each term, supervisors write an online report which can be viewed by the student via the Postgraduate Feedback and Reporting System (PFRS).
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
The word limit for the PhD thesis is 80,000 words, excluding appendices, footnotes, reference list and bibliography. All students must attend a viva (oral examination).
Other
The status of all PhD students upon admission is "probationary".
Progression to the second year (or part-time equivalent) and registration for the PhD depends on a successful first-year (second-year for part-time students) review. This review involves the submission of a written progress report (the registration report) that covers research work already completed, a review of relevant literature and a clear indication of how the PhD will develop in the second and third years (i.e., an extended proposal for the rest of the PhD). The report is assessed by two assessors as part of an oral examination (the registration viva). Students are only formally registered for the PhD when they have passed their registration viva and completed any corrections to their registration report as required by the assessors.