The MPhil is offered by the Faculty of Mathematics as a full-time period of research and introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

• to give students with relevant experience at first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under supervision; and
• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests. 

Programme Structure

The MPhil is a 12-month full-time programme and involves minimal formal teaching: students are integrated into the research culture of the Department of Pure Mathematics & Mathematical Statistics (DPMMS), or the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP), as appropriate. They may attend the Departments’ programmes of research seminars and other postgraduate courses, but most research training is overseen by their research supervisor, and, where appropriate, within a research group. 

Opportunities to develop research and transferable skills also exist through attendance at training sessions organised at Department, School or University level as part of the wider postgraduate programme, and informally through mentoring by fellow students and members of staff.

Partnership with St John's College

The Martingale Foundation, Faculty of Mathematics and St John's College have partnered to ensure that students admitted via the Martingale Scholars Programme will typically be admitted as members of St John's College and become part of a Martingale Scholars Cohort.  If you would like more information on this partnership, please contact the Faculty directly.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have:

• acquired a comprehensive understanding of techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their own research;
• demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
• shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies;
• demonstrated some self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research.

Continuing

MPhil students wishing to apply for a PhD at Cambridge must apply via the Postgraduate Admissions Office for continuation by the relevant deadline.

Open Days

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the beginning of November. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.

See further the Postgraduate Admissions Events pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Departments

This course is advertised in the following departments: