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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

The taught elements cover risk drivers, multipliers and mitigation opportunities across the core modules Fundamentals of Global Risk and Resilience and Frontiers in Global Risk and Resilience, and a selection of elective specialisation modules, covering specialist topics. These topics vary year by year, reflecting the current research interests of staff. Students should attend the core modules plus at least 4 elective modules.

There are Work in Progress seminars, where students present and discuss their individual dissertation research. Students will also take a Futures Methodologies module.

For their supervised research, students work individually with supervision from domain experts to produce three pieces of written work: two essays of up to 5,000 words and a dissertation of up to 12,000 words. In addition to these, students will also submit a 2,500 word essay based on the Futures Methodologies module and be assessed on their contribution to the Work in Progress seminars.

Students are encouraged to integrate themselves into the research culture of the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) and the Institute for Technology and Humanity by attending research seminars, reading groups, conferences and other events, as well as other lectures, seminars and events relevant to their interests within the wider University.

One to one supervision

10 hours in total. Students will have 2 hours of supervision for each of their essays in Michaelmas and Lent terms, and 6 hours of supervision for their dissertation in Lent and/or Easter terms.

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

Seminars & classes

At least 48 hours of taught seminars in total.

The taught elements include core modules Fundamentals of Global Risk and Resilience and Frontiers in Global Risk and Resilience (24 hours of teaching) and four elective specialisation modules (6 hours of teaching each).

In addition, there will be student-led research seminars related to dissertation research topics in Lent or Easter terms.

Practicals

8 hours on a Futures Methodologies module.

Posters and Presentations

Students will deliver a Work in Progress presentation during Lent or Easter term.

Taught/Research Balance
Equal Taught/Research

Feedback

Students receive marks and examiners' reports for each piece of assessed written work as well as their Work in Progress presentation.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

Dissertation: up to 12,000 words (excluding appendices and bibliography), 50% of final mark.

Essays

Two 5,000 word essays based on core and/or elective modules, each 20% of final mark.

Practical assessment

Quality of presentation in the work in progress seminar, 5% of final mark.

Other

One 2,500 word essay based on the Futures Methodologies module, 5% of final mark.

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Key Information


Michaelmas 2027
Applications open
Sep. 9, 2026
Application deadline
Dec. 8, 2026
Course starts
Oct. 1, 2027
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Funding Deadlines
Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 8, 2026
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 14, 2026

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2027, Lent 2028 and Easter 2028.

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