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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

One to one supervision

Each PhD student has a supervisor and an advisor. Students meet their supervisor and advisor several times a term and are expected to submit written work to them at regular intervals. Consistent review and attentive feedback are integral to the supervisory relationship.

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

Seminars & classes

The Department offers a range of research seminars, readings groups and workshops throughout each term, with opportunities for PhD students to present and discuss work in progress. The postgraduate training programme provides advice about academic skills and career development.

Lectures

Students are encouraged to attend any undergraduate lectures relevant to their interests in the Department or elsewhere at the University.

Taught/Research Balance
Entirely Research

Feedback

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

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

The doctoral thesis should contain material of sufficient originality to merit publication. The word limit is 80,000, excluding the bibliography. An oral examination (viva) is compulsory.

Other

A formal registration exercise, centred on a written submission of approximately 10,000 words, must be completed before the end of the student's third term of full-time study (or sixth term of part-time study). Successful completion of the registration exercise is a precondition for progressing to the second year of study.

Annual reviews, also centred on a written submission of approximately 10,000 words, are held at the end of the second and third years.

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Key Information


Lent 2026 (Closed)
Applications open
Sep. 4, 2024
Application deadline
Oct. 2, 2025
Course starts
Jan. 5, 2026
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Michaelmas 2026
Applications open
Sep. 3, 2025
Application deadline
May. 14, 2026
Course starts
Oct. 1, 2026
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Lent 2027
Applications open
Sep. 3, 2025
Application deadline
Oct. 1, 2026
Course starts
Jan. 5, 2027
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Funding Deadlines
Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 3, 2025
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 15, 2025

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2026, Lent 2027 and Easter 2027.

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