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Teaching
The MPhil by thesis only is primarily guided by direct supervision, but students are encouraged to participate in the Core Course and in one or two optional modules offered on the taught MPhil course, as appropriate.
| One to one supervision | 10 to 12 hours of individual supervision per year. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
|---|---|
| Seminars & classes | Up to 24 hours per year, depending on the number of optional modules the student wishes to take. |
| Lectures | Approx. 30 hours of lectures per year for the Core Course. |
| Small group teaching | See "Seminars and Classes" (our seminars are all small groups) |
| Taught/Research Balance | Entirely Research |
Placements
Not applicable, although students may wish to carry out some research or fieldwork towards their thesis in Latin America during the Easter vacation period, depending upon your research topic. Fieldwork is expensive, however, and although some funding sources are available to offer small travel grants (typically up to £600), students should expect to incur some costs themselves.
Feedback
Students will receive formal termly progress reports from their principal supervisor on their thesis writing and research, with more regular feedback provided on an ongoing basis via email or in face-to-face meetings.
All students are also invited to present their work at the MPhil Research Day, held in the third term, and to receive verbal feedback from their cohort and members of teaching staff present.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
Each candidate for the MPhil is required to submit an original thesis on an approved topic. On application, students are asked to submit a thesis proposal (500 words). If their application is successful, they will be assigned a provisional thesis supervisor as part of the admissions process. In some cases, further study may lead to a change of topic and even to a change of supervisor, if appropriate. The provisional title for the thesis must be agreed between candidate and supervisor by the end of the Lent term (mid-March). Theses submitted for the MPhil in Latin American Studies (by thesis only) must not exceed 30,000 words, including footnotes, tables, and any appendices but excluding the bibliography, and must be written in English.
The thesis counts for 100 per cent of the overall mark awarded for the degree.
Other
The examination shall include an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls. The thesis shall provide evidence to satisfy the Examiners that the candidate can design and carry out investigations, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspective of the subject.