The MPhil in Modern British History offers students an exciting and intellectually stimulating course, combining research skills and an in-depth understanding of the development and latest innovations within modern British history. At its core, the MPhil provides the opportunity to shape the student's intellectual trajectory and questions through undertaking a dissertation in consultation with leading historians in the field. The tailored, individual and closely supervised dissertation work is complemented by the prominent place in the course for group work and the creation of a supportive intellectual community. The student will emerge with excellent skills for undertaking advanced research and a degree that will be highly valued in institutions across the world. The advanced research and writing skills gained will also be of immediate use in a wide variety of occupations.

'British' will be understood in the widest sense of the word, encompassing the relations between England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, as well as European, imperial, and Atlantic history. This course will consider established methodologies in social, political, and cultural history as well as innovative approaches in modern history and historiography. The period covered will be c. 1700 to the early 21st century.

The MPhil in Modern British History combines taught and research elements over a nine-month full-time programme. The taught elements include taught modules on research topics and skills training, training workshops and seminars, and all students will also complete a long piece of independent research (15,000– 20,000 words).

Throughout the course, students will be supervised by a dedicated member of staff, who will guide their research towards the completion of an original historical subject chosen and developed by them. In addition, students will benefit from Cambridge's vibrant research environment in modern British history, attending and participating in guest talks, workshops, and other events throughout the year.

The course is designed for those who have completed degrees in which History is the main or at least a substantial component and who want to consolidate their knowledge of modern British history. It is appropriate for those wishing to continue to a PhD at Cambridge or elsewhere. It is also well-suited to those seeking to explore modern British history more deeply. It is expected that this will be the normal means by which those without an appropriate master's degree from elsewhere will prepare for doctoral study in modern British history at Cambridge.

Cambridge graduates from the MPhil in Modern British History have gone on to doctoral research, as well as prestigious careers in public service, the media, and the private sector.

The MPhil in Micro and Nanotechnology Enterprise is an exciting opportunity in which world-leading scientists and successful entrepreneurs are brought together to deliver a master’s degree combining an in-depth multidisciplinary scientific programme with a global perspective on the commercial opportunities and business practice necessary for the successful exploitation in the rapidly developing fields of nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing.

The programme is intended for those with a good first degree in the physical sciences and relevant areas of engineering, who wish to develop research skills and commercial awareness of the cutting-edge disciplines of micro and nanotechnology. The course will provide an unparalleled educational experience for those wishing to become entrepreneurs in these fields. It combines cutting-edge science with business practice skills, giving students knowledge and experience in a range of disciplines. This should enable students who graduate from the course to evaluate the scientific importance and technological potential of new developments in the field of micro and nanotechnology, within the framework for responsible innovation.

The University, in existence for 800 years, has a wealth of medieval buildings and traditions, and a wide range of medieval manuscripts and printed books are held by the University's many libraries. This rich history makes Cambridge an ideal place to study medieval history.

The MPhil in Medieval History forms an integral part of the teaching and research in the Cambridge History Faculty, which is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. The course offers students intensive training in medieval concepts and methods and helps them develop skills in Latin and palaeography, which they will use to research a key theme in medieval history.

The MPhil in Medieval History combines taught and research elements over a nine-month full-time programme. The taught elements include taught modules on research topics and skills training, training workshops and seminars, and all students will also complete a long piece of independent research (15,000–20,000 words).

Throughout the course, the student will be supervised by a dedicated member of staff, who will guide research on the subject that the student has chosen, leading to the completion of an original piece of historical research in the form of a dissertation. In addition, students will benefit from Cambridge's vibrant research environment by participating in classes, workshops, and other events, and by attending seminars given by guest speakers.

The course is designed for those who have completed degrees in which History is the main or at least a substantial component and who want to consolidate their knowledge of medieval history. It is appropriate for those wishing to pursue a PhD at Cambridge or elsewhere. It is also well-suited to those seeking to explore medieval history more deeply. It is expected that this will be the normal means by which those without an appropriate master's degree from elsewhere will prepare for doctoral study in medieval history at Cambridge.

Doctoral studies are carried out by science postgraduates, medical students combining clinical training with the PhD, and clinically qualified doctors undertaking scientific training. The research covers the whole spectrum of medical science from basic biology to clinical therapies.

Along with the specific research training provided in the laboratory in which they work, students receive further training within the department in the form of postgraduate workshops concentrating on research techniques, research seminars both on the Addenbrooke's site and elsewhere in the University, and postgraduate student seminars dealing with generic skills such as intellectual property rights, writing a thesis or paper, and entrepreneurship.

Candidates wishing to take a shorter course of research and write a thesis for the master's after one year may apply for the MPhil in Medical Sciences.

Central to our research strategy in the Department of Surgery is a strong clinical emphasis and a shared mission to improve the surgical management of disease through basic and translational research, together with clinical trials. Our ‘bench to bedside’ focus links laboratory work to applied clinical research and a key feature of the Department is the close integration of University and NHS surgeons. Our main clinical themes are:

• Transplantation
• Trauma and orthopaedic surgery
• Urology
• Vascular surgery

These broad clinical themes are aligned to world class underpinning research strengths in stem cell medicine, immunology, organ perfusion, cell biology and surgical oncology.

Specific research training relevant to your own project will be given by the team in which you work.

Further training is provided within the Addenbrooke's Biomedical campus and elsewhere in the University and includes postgraduate workshops on research techniques, research seminars, and postgraduate student education seminars on generic subjects such as intellectual property rights, statistics, bioinformatics, communication skills, writing a thesis or paper, entrepreneurship.

The course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

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

The MPhil in Radiology is entirely research-based with students undertaking a project in one of the active research themes in the department, currently:

• MRI
• Hyperpolarised MRI
• PET
• Imaging in Oncology
• Breast Imaging
• Cardiac imaging
• Prostate imaging
• Image analysis
• Artificial intelligence
• Multinuclear MRI
• Brain imaging
• Kidney imaging
• Neuroradiology

The MPhil degree is examined by research thesis (up to a maximum of 20,000 words) and oral examination.

The University Department of Radiology is fully integrated into Addenbrooke's Hospital and students will work with both University and NHS specialists in their research area. Being able to work well as part of a team is essential, but students must also be self-motivated. They will be working under a supervisor who will guide them through their research project.

In addition to the research training provided within the department, as part of the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences students will have access to several other courses to widen their experience and to enable them to acquire additional practical skills. Students are also likely to attend external meetings and conferences.

The department may accept one or two MPhil students each year.

The course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

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

The Department of Psychiatry is an internationally leading centre for research and teaching in psychiatry, with particular focus on the determinants of mental health conditions, their treatments and the promotion of mental health through innovative translational research. The Department’s senior staff support several research groups, covering various aspects of mental health and disorder throughout the life course.

The MPhil degree offered by the Department of Psychiatry is a 12-month full-time programme and involves minimal formal teaching; students are integrated into the research culture of the Department and the institute in which they are based.

Each student conducts their MPhil project under the direction of their principal supervisor, with additional teaching and guidance provided by an adviser, to increase access to staff members and accommodate a diversity of viewpoints.

The subject of the research project is determined during the application process and is influenced by the research interests of the student’s supervisor, i.e. students should apply to study with a group leader whose area of research most appeals to them.

To broaden their knowledge of their chosen field, students are strongly encouraged to attend relevant seminars, lectures and training courses. We also require our students to attend their research group’s research-in-progress/laboratory meetings, at which they are expected to present their ongoing work.

Course objectives

The structure of the MPhil course enables the students to significantly develop their analytical and research skills and is intended as preparation for further research.

The MPhil programme provides:

• a period of a sustained in-depth study of a specific topic;
• an environment that encourages the student’s originality and creativity in their research;
• skills to enable the student to critically examine the background literature relevant to their specific research area;
• the opportunity to develop skills in making and testing hypotheses, in developing new theories, and in planning and conducting experiments;
• the opportunity to expand the student’s knowledge of their research area, including its theoretical foundations and the specific techniques, used to study it;
• the opportunity to gain knowledge of the broader field of research in psychiatry; and
• an environment in which to develop skills in written work, oral presentation and publishing the results of their research in high-profile scientific journals, through constructive feedback on written work and oral presentations.
• The course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:
• to give students with relevant experience at a first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focused research in the discipline under close supervision; and
• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.

At the end of the course, the examination for the MPhil degree involves the submission of a written thesis, followed by an oral examination based on both the thesis and a broader knowledge of the chosen area of research.

The MPhil degree offered by the Department of Paediatrics is exclusively research-based; students are integrated into the research culture of the department and the institute in which they are based.

The subject of the research project is determined during the application process and is influenced by the research interests of the student’s principal supervisor, i.e. students should apply to study with a group leader whose area of research most appeals to them. To broaden their knowledge of their chosen field, students are strongly encouraged to attend relevant seminars, lectures and training courses.

At the end of the course, examination for the MPhil degree involves submission of a written thesis (of 20,000 words or less), followed by an oral examination based on both the thesis and the wider field of knowledge.

The course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are:

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

The MPhil degree is offered full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months. It is designed to produce postgraduates with rigorous research and analytical skills, who are exceptionally well equipped to go on to doctoral study, postgraduate research, or employment in industry and the public sector.

Students undertake a bespoke research project, which is agreed at the application stage with their Principal Supervisor. Towards the end of their MPhil course, students produce a written thesis about their research project. Assessment for award of MPhil degree is by oral examination of the student's research thesis and their broader knowledge of their chosen area of research.

Each student is assigned a Principal Supervisor who oversees their research project and an Adviser who provides additional support. Our Postgraduate Administrator acts as the first point of contact for any student with a query or difficulty not directly related to their scientific work. All student matters in the department are overseen by our Director of Postgraduate Education and the Cancer Biology Postgraduate Education Committee.

Most research training is provided within the structure of the student’s research group and informal opportunities to develop research skills are available through mentoring by other members of staff and fellow students. Students are encouraged to attend scientific meetings, seminars and postgraduate courses relevant to their area of interest. They are also expected to participate in journal clubs and lab meetings and to take advantage of the numerous training opportunities offered by the University.

The MPhil course introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge and aims to provide them with:

• the opportunity to carry out focused research in their chosen discipline, whilst under close supervision.
• the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has two broad areas of research activity. The first covers the use of large population sample and data sets to identify key predictive features associated with human pregnancy, such as intrauterine growth restriction, preterm labour and perinatal death.

The second major area focuses on the cellular and molecular aspects of the growth of the placenta and its interaction with the endometrium. This includes a detailed investigation of the immune dialogue occurring between the fetal and maternal compartments. Genetic and epigenetic modulation of placental function is also a key area within this field. Modern genomic methods are utilised in both human samples and in genetically manipulated animal models.

This interdisciplinary work involves complex teams of molecular and cellular biologists, anatomists, mathematicians, bioinformaticians, statisticians and clinician-scientists.

The aim of the MPhil is to carry out a research project which contributes new knowledge to the field.

The course 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 close supervision; and
• to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests.