The MPhil in Politics and International Studies is a nine-month full-time course offered by the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS). It is designed to meet the needs of all those who wish to enhance their understanding of international relations and politics at a postgraduate level. It is appropriate for those who wish to embark upon an academic career, in the first instance, through pursuing doctoral research, but also for those looking to embark on careers in the media, politics, law, public administration, civil service, finance, teaching, and the charity sector.
The programme offers advanced engagement with various aspects of the academic study of Politics and International Studies. It will provide you with a critical understanding of a range of issues involved in studying these disciplines, primarily through a mixture of lectures and research-driven seminars.
Among postgraduate courses in international relations and politics at British universities, the Cambridge MPhil in Politics and International Studies is distinctive in its multidisciplinary approach and breadth. Teaching takes the form of lectures and seminars on a range of advanced topics across a variety of subjects. The taught part of the course aims to familiarise you with the range and variety of disciplines required for a thorough critical understanding of the field in all its complexity, and of the means and methods that have been devised to understand it better.
The programme is suitable both for students who have just completed their first degree and for mature students from, for example, industry, teaching, the civil service, or the armed forces.
The department is looking to attract around 67 highly qualified candidates for the MPhil programme each academic year.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will have:
developed a critical view of the contributions made by the study of politics and international studies, and their related disciplines, to social science more broadly conceived and to practice
in-depth knowledge of specific subjects and themes in politics and international studies
become familiar with some of the main themes of the contemporary analysis of politics and international studies
tested their ability to produce a piece of advanced scholarship in conformity with the scientific methods, research techniques, standards of argument and accepted style of presentation of an academic discipline. They will thus be prepared to continue, if necessary, with research at the doctoral level
Teaching and learning methods
Such knowledge and understanding are developed through the lectures and seminars associated with the various course options, of which students will study four and by assessment via examinations, course essays or by other appropriate modes of assessment.
Continuing
Those who hope to read for a PhD at Cambridge immediately after the MPhil will need to obtain support from a potential Supervisor. This need not be the same person who supervises your MPhil thesis. However, given the early deadlines, you will need to work extra hard to let the potential PhD Supervisor see substantial work that you have written, in addition to your draft thesis proposal, at an early stage in the academic year.
Once you have applied for the PhD, a definite decision will only be taken once your performance in the MPhil can be fully assessed. That is to say, the Committee will set conditions for you related to the entry requirements of the PhD, one of which is a distinction in the MPhil. If you do not achieve these targets, it is unlikely that you can continue to read towards a PhD at POLIS.
Open Days
The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options.
Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars
Practical, step-by-step information about preparing a strong application for postgraduate study. Find out more on the Discover Cambridge webpage.
Virtual Postgraduate Open Days
The November Open Days focus on subject and course information. Webinar recordings are available until May.
Events for international students
Join us for Q&A webinars, funding webinars or get in touch with our regional managers. Find out more about events for international students.
For more information about all upcoming events visit our events pages.