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Teaching
Although the course is a research degree, PhD students are entitled to attend lecture courses within the Department. They should discuss with their supervisors which courses would be most beneficial to their research.
Additionally, first-year students are normally required to take two master's-level taught modules (selected from a list of approximately 80 modules) as part of their first-year assessment, and will participate in regular seminars, which will equip them with essential skills in research practice and communication. Students may also be expected to engage in additional researcher development activities.
All doctoral research takes place in University of Cambridge facilities. However, the Department and its supervisors have strong links to other institutions both in the UK and around the world. After their first year, students may, therefore, apply for permission to undertake research in other institutions for extended periods of time. All necessary practical arrangements are the responsibility of students and their supervisors.
| One to one supervision | Students will be part of a research group, with which they will usually have daily contact. In addition, students will have at least eight one-to-one meetings with their principal supervisors annually. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
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| Seminars & classes | Over the course of the first year, students will attend approximately 24 hours of seminars targeted at developing their research and communications skills. |
| Lectures | Most students will attend two 16-hour lecture courses in the first year. |
| Literature Reviews | Conducting a literature review is a normal part of the PhD writing process. |
Placements
The Department is flexible in permitting students, with the support of their supervisors, to undertake research in an industrial setting. Permission to work away from the University is required. Although students may intermit to take paid internships for career-development in certain circumstances and with appropriate permissions, the University has strict rules on undertaking paid employment while engaged in a full-time research degree.
Feedback
Throughout the PhD, students can expect to receive feedback from their supervisors, who they will meet for regular supervisions, as well as assistance from those working in the same research group. Principal supervisors will also submit termly reports on students' progress, which will be made available via an online system. Students also have an annual opportunity to submit a self-evaluation report, on which their principal supervisor may comment.
Every student is also allocated an adviser, who is available for consultation alongside the supervisor. Additionally, in the first year, students will receive feedback from the Researcher Development Course leaders, and will receive feedback on coursework assignments if relevant modules are chosen.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
The PhD is assessed through the examination of a thesis, including an oral ("viva voce") examination. The thesis must not exceed 65,000 words (including appendices, footnotes, tables and equations), and must not contain more than 150 figures.
Other
First-year students are normally required to take two master's-level taught modules (one of which may be substituted for a reading club), selected from a list of approximately 80 modules, as part of their first-year assessment. Many of these papers are examined either by coursework or by a combination of coursework and written examination.