Teaching
The course is exclusively by research although students are required to attend, in their first year of study, the weekly (during term time only) two-hour research training classes provided by the Faculty's Research Training and Development Programme.
| One to one supervision |
While individual arrangements may vary considerably, MLitt students may normally expect to receive one-on-one supervision once a month during the early stages of their research. Meetings may be less frequent thereafter and in the writing-up phase. 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 |
Students are required to attend the compulsory weekly classes (during term time only) provided by the Faculty's Research Training and Development Programme. Arrangements are made to accommodate the attendance of part-time students. |
| Lectures |
Students are encouraged to attend lectures, especially at LLM level, within the general field of their research. |
| Journal clubs |
The Cambridge Journal of International Law is an open access, peer-reviewed academic journal founded and run by the postgraduate community at the Faculty of Law. |
| Posters and Presentations |
First-year students are required to give a presentation as part of the requirements of the compulsory Research Training and Development Programme. Students also have the opportunity to present their work at later stages of their research through the Research Training and Development (Extension) Programme or at postgraduate research seminars. |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Entirely Research
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Feedback
Supervisors are required to submit termly reports on the progress of each of their research students through the Postgraduate Feedback and Reporting System. Once a report has been written and submitted, it is immediately available to students as well to the Faculty, the Degree Committee and the College.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
A thesis, not exceeding 60,000 words inclusive of footnotes but exclusive of appendices, bibliography, table of contents and any other preliminary matter, is referred to two examiners (usually an internal examiner and an external examiner), appointed by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Law. Each examiner shall make an independent report to the Degree Committee on the thesis. Students are required to attend an oral examination (if appropriate, an Independent Chair may be appointed to attend the oral examination), after which the examiners will submit a joint report to the Degree Committee stating whether or not they recommend the award of the degree.
Other
Candidates for the MLitt are also formally reviewed towards the end of the first year (or at a proportionally later date for part-time candidates) by two assessors appointed by the Degree Committee. Students must submit for the first year assessment/registration exercise (i) a thesis of not more than 15,000 words in length, inclusive of footnotes but exclusive of bibliography and appendices, (ii) a Research Personal Progress Log and iii) a short explanation of the overall plan for the final MLitt thesis. After the oral examination, the Degree Committee will decide whether or not candidates should be formally registered for the MLitt after considering the report from the assessors.