Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Postgraduate Study

Teaching

The programme has a modular design and is delivered through a combination of attendance at five residential
blocks in Cambridge (three of two weeks and two of one week), over two years, and distance learning and optional online sessions in between, with course materials, in various mediums, released through the Cambridge virtual learning environment.

The course is taught through a combination of the following:

  • Taught sessions by academics and practitioners
  • Individual work including working through course materials on Moodle, compulsory exercises, course reading, and preparation of formative written work
  • Group work including working through case studies, dialogue, debate and presentations throughout the taught modules
  • Supervisions and support from the Land Economy faculty, tutors and supervisors from within the University

Residential sessions focus on taught sessions, practical applications, case studies and collaborative working,
including presentation of project work and case studies, as well as individual supervisions. The residential
sessions enable students to learn from one another as well as from the academic faculty staff and external
speakers.

Support and facilitation for students is provided by a team of faculty, tutors and supervisors from within the
University.

One to one supervision

Each student will be allocated a Supervisor at the start of their first year of study and a Dissertation Supervisor in
the second year of study. Supervisors provide general academic advice to students and subject specific advice
relating to the dissertation. Supervision is a regular and important part of the course and students can expect to
receive up to seven hours of supervision per year (14 hours over the two-year course).

Seminars & classes

Seminars are part of most modules and have largely been included in the lecture hours. In addition to those
included in the lecture hours, there are 16 hours of distinguished guest online seminars.

Lectures

There are approximately 120 hours of lectures and a minimum of 6 hours of seminars over the two-year course.
The number of hours may vary slightly as the course is constantly evolving in order to meet developments in the sector and in response to student and industry feedback. The lectures/seminars are intended to be interactive discussions with the lecturer.

Practicals

Practical exercises and group work are, additionally, embedded in the residential sessions.

Small group teaching

Small-group teaching forms a regular part of the hours delivered and is included as part of the lecturing hours.

Literature Reviews

Most case studies, critical essays and the dissertation require literature reviews.

Posters and Presentations

Students present various pieces of work during the residential blocks.

Taught/Research Balance
Predominantly Taught

Feedback

Students receive regular summative and formative feedback throughout the course, formal and informal,
individual and group, during face-to-face supervisions and through written exchanges with their supervisors
and/or the module leaders. Each student is assigned a supervisor for the first year who completes a progress
report at the end of the first year along with the support during the year.


Dissertation supervisors are assigned in the second year they may or may not be the same as the first-year Supervisor, and reallocation might take place depending on expertise and availability . Dissertation supervisors provide support and regular feedback as needed including a formal report in April. Students are also given feedback on presentation of their projects and case studies during the residential sessions.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

Dissertation of 12,000 words maximum (including footnotes and appendices but excluding bibliography), to be
completed during the second year of the course.

Other

Assessments will be through a range of formats which may include coursework, written and oral examinations, posters, presentations and projects.

Apply Now

Key Information


Michaelmas 2026
Applications open
Sep. 10, 2025
Application deadline
Apr. 29, 2026
Course starts
Sep. 20, 2026
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Funding Deadlines

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

Similar Courses