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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

The course is run in conjunction with University College London (UCL), which teaches approximately half of the taught modules available. UCL also takes in an MRes cohort, who are taught alongside the Cambridge students.  Cambridge students are able to select modules taught at UCL (although this is not compulsory), and are required to undertake one of the two mini-projects at a UCL laboratory. Students will need to physically travel to UCL, at their own expense; the course does not have funding to cover or subsidise the travel costs.

Taught modules are available at both UCL and Cambridge, to be studied in the Michaelmas and Lent terms. Students are required to study a module from an 'Electronic Components and Systems' list, one from a 'Photonic Components and Systems' list, and one from a 'business skills' list; they will additionally study two modules from a list of electives. They will also carry out two individual mini-projects, assessed by dissertation. The first will be undertaken part-time in Michaelmas and Lent, the second full-time from the Easter term.

Additionally, students will attend an induction programme, weekly sessions on transferable skills, monthly seminars, and an industry day. Please note that the induction programme begins before the Department of Engineering's induction day, but will not begin before the official start of the course on 1 October.

One to one supervision

40 hours.

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

Seminars & classes

16 hours per year.

Lectures

100 hours per year.

Practicals

720 hours per year.

Small group teaching

20 hours per year.

Literature Reviews

Literature reviews will be an important part of the project work. This will take around 80 hours over the course of the projects.

Posters and Presentations

All students will participate in a mini-conference prior to submission of the report on the first project, during which they will give a presentation on their research lasting between 10 and 15 minutes. This contribution is assessed as part of the project mark.

Additionally, all students participate in the UCL annual postgraduate research poster display.

Placements

Some MRes mini-projects will be based in industry. Each student will undertake one mini-project at UCL.

Feedback

Students can expect to receive reports at least termly from the course director. They will receive comments on items of coursework and will have access to a University supervisor for their mini-projects. All students will also have access to the course director and the other staff delivering the course.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

There is no dissertation requirement (other than the project reports outlined below) for students on this one-year programme.

Essays

Some of the modules available to MRes students are assessed by coursework, or by a combination of coursework and written examination.

All students are required to complete two mini-project reports, each of not more than 10,000 words. The assessment of the first mini-project includes an oral presentation of the project work.

Written examination

Some of the modules available to MRes students are assessed by written examination, or by a combination of coursework and written examination.

Practical assessment

Some of the coursework involves substantial laboratory work.

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Key Information


11 Months full-time

Study Mode : Research

Master of Research

Department of Engineering

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
Sept. 30, 2024

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

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 5, 2023
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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