Teaching
Teaching of the course modules will comprise of in person lectures, seminars and classes. These will be recorded for part-time students who are not able to be in attendance, although part-time students will be expected to attend most of the teaching sessions in person. Additionally, students will attend panel discussions and debates where they will be actively challenged, and put their new skills to the test.
Lectures will be given by academic staff and policy professionals who have a recognised expertise in the field of study.
Masterclasses / seminars will be delivered by external speakers with specialist experience or knowledge.
Every student will have the support of an assigned supervisor throughout their course. A key focus of these supervisions will be to provide guidance and support with dissertation research and writing.
Students will be expected to undertake personal study and exploration of material, and work with peers in small groups. They will also be encouraged to attend drop-in sessions and informal student forums.
Course materials (i.e. formative exercises, teaching and assessment timetables, reading lists and scanned readings) and teaching session recordings will be provided on the course Moodle page. There will also be discussion boards made available on Moodle.
Students will also be encouraged to undertake additional skills training, provided by CaRM, the University’s interdisciplinary programme providing training in research methods for postgraduate students and staff at the University of Cambridge.
| One to one supervision |
Typically, three supervisions are offered per term. This will be pro-rata for part-time students. |
|---|---|
| Seminars & classes |
Individual modules will differ in how they are taught. Typically, modules are taught by interactive lectures, group activities, and practical exercises. There are additional workshops and drop-in sessions around specific skills e.g., statistics, media interviews. |
| Lectures |
Full-time students will be taught four modules in Michaelmas Term and four modules in Lent Term. Each core module usually involves two hours of teaching per week, across the eight weeks of term (16 hours in total). Part-time students will be taught these modules across both years. A teaching schedule outline can be found on the department’s MPhil in Digital Policy webpage. |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Predominantly Taught
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Feedback
Feedback is given in a variety of ways. Students can expect to receive verbal feedback in their one-to-one supervisions; a written supervision report at the end of each term; and Examiner feedback reports for each assessed piece of coursework submitted and marked.
Students also can provide course feedback by completing the end of term feedback surveys based on the modules taught that term. These surveys are used to evaluate the suitability of course content and delivery, and the quality of staff teaching.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
Students will be required to write a dissertation between 10,000 - 15,000 words in length (including footnotes and appendices, but excluding a bibliography) on a subject approved by the Degree Committee.
Other
Assessment will be through a range of formats which may include coursework, written and oral examinations, posters, presentations and projects.
Computer-based tests may be used to assess statistical skills and knowledge.
The examination may, at the discretion of the Examiners, include an oral examination on any of the work submitted for the examination.