The MPhil in Economics is a one-year master’s degree that runs from early September to late June. This degree is specifically aimed at candidates who are interested in undertaking a master’s degree that will give them the technical training required to undertake a career as a professional economist working for, say, the UK Government Economic Service, or an economics consultancy.

The Advanced Diploma in Economics is a nine-month taught course (from the last week in September to the end of June) for students whose first degree contains little or no economics.

The Advanced Diploma programme sets out to give a thorough grounding in the essentials of modern economics, with a strong emphasis on practical applications. It is intended primarily as a conversion course: individuals already trained in another discipline should acquire the same basic skills, over the course of a single academic year, as would normally be gained by those studying for a three-year degree in economics. As such it serves as a free-standing course for those who wish to have an overview of the subject as well as providing a suitable foundation for students who wish to apply for the Faculty's MPhil in Economics, MPhil in Economic Research, MPhil in Finance and Economics or MPhil in Economics and Data Science degrees.

Since modern economics makes frequent use of formal (mathematical and statistical) analysis, a good mathematical background is essential for applicants to the Diploma programme.

This is the most advanced programme of graduate studies in Economics at Cambridge which offers the opportunity for detailed research on a specific topic within the broad field of Economics under the supervision of leading experts. Upon its completion, candidates are awarded a PhD degree for producing a thesis of high-quality, original, and publishable research.

Our PhD students receive high-quality training on a variety of research methods and are exposed to cutting-edge research conducted by our own Faculty members, as well as visitors to the Faculty (via the Janeway Institute Cambridge, seminars, PhD workshops, locally organised conferences, etc.). Faculty members can supervise a wide range of topics from six broadly defined research areas: microeconomic theory, macroeconomics, econometrics, applied microeconomics, economic history and alternative approaches to economics.

PhD students in Cambridge benefit from a high faculty-to-student ratio and therefore form close relationships with many Faculty members. They also forge strong links with our post-doctoral researchers, and they actively participate in the Faculty’s vibrant research life. They have access to a wide range of facilities, such as their own desk/office space in the same building as regular Faculty members, computing equipment, a variety of software and access to a wide range of databases.

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PhD students are encouraged to attend academic conferences and showcase their research work in a variety of ways. Upon completion of their studies, many of our PhD students become academics or researchers at international or government research institutions (see recent job market placements on the Faculty website).

The MPhil in Economic Research runs from early October to the end of July, with a preparatory course during September. The course provides a solid foundation for those who wish to apply for the PhD. It involves a thorough study of the core areas of economics and the requirement to explore one area in detail to begin the process of choosing a research topic, for those who wish to pursue further study. However, please note that it is not necessary to have a detailed proposal for PhD research at the time of applying.

Economic and social history has always formed an important part of the teaching and research within the University of Cambridge's History Faculty. It is widely regarded as one of the best in the world with much pioneering work in social history, demographic history, financial history and the history of economic thought being done here. The MPhil in Economic and Social History provides extremely thorough training in statistical and social science methodology while building on other strengths such as an emphasis on researching economic relations and institutions as cultural phenomena.

The MPhil in Economic and Social History combines taught and research elements over an 11-month full-time programme which includes taught modules, training in social science research methods encompassing quantitative and qualitative analytical tools, and 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, attending and participating in seminars, 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 economic and social history. It is particularly appropriate for those who may wish to continue to a PhD, at Cambridge or elsewhere, but it is also well-suited for those who seek simply to explore economic and social history at a deeper level.

The MPhil in Earth Sciences is a 12-month full-time programme of research that introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. It involves carrying out an original piece of research and is examined on the basis of a thesis; there are no taught courses. This MPhil by Research will provide you with a suitable background to work as a research assistant as well as with the grounding for further study towards a doctoral-level research degree.

If you are exploring the possibility of postgraduate study at the Department of Earth Sciences in Cambridge, you will:

• have either done an undergraduate degree in an earth science or geoscience subject or perhaps want to use your degree from another science subject such as physics, chemistry, mathematics or biological sciences;

• relish the stimulus of one of the UK's premier research departments.

If you are considering applying, please use the 'Research' section of the department website to identify a member of our academic staff working in an area of interest. Before making an application you should contact them to discuss your interests.

Educational Aims

The main aims are:

• to give students with relevant experience at a first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focussed 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.

If you are exploring the possibility of a PhD degree in Earth Sciences, you will:

• have either done an undergraduate degree in an earth science subject or, perhaps, want to use your degree from another science subject such as physics, chemistry, mathematics or biological sciences
• be relishing the stimulus of one of the UK's premier research departments

Our students are greatly sought-after. Over the last five years, about 25% of our 80 PhD postgraduates have gone to careers in the commercial sector, 25% to research fellowships, 30% to work on research grants and contracts, 10% directly into university teaching posts and 10% into non-scientific posts including the civil service. Many of the research fellows have also subsequently gone into industry, university and research institute posts.

Please note: part-time study may not always be viable and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, so please discuss this option with your proposed supervisor before applying for this mode of study.

The MASt in Earth Sciences aims to train to master's-level students who already have a bachelors' degree in Earth Sciences or Geological sciences. It is a predominantly taught course in which candidates work alongside the fourth-year students taking the integrated Cambridge BA/MSci Earth Sciences course. It is intended for students planning a career, further training, or research within Earth Sciences, or for other students wanting the intellectual challenge of an advanced course in the Earth Sciences.

The specific aims are:

• to expose advanced students to the breadth of the Earth Sciences through a combination of seminars, course work and field teaching;
• to provide 'state-of-the-art' knowledge of specific areas in the Earth Sciences through a combination of seminars, course work, and faculty-supervised independent research;
• to develop the conceptual and practical skills necessary for independent research;
• to develop communication and presentation skills to an advanced level.

The MPhil provides intensive training in studying the history of Britain, Europe and the wider world between c.1500 and c.1800. It equips students to write a substantial and significant piece of historical research. This stretching course is designed for those who have taken undergraduate degrees and who now wish to consolidate their knowledge of the early modern period. By examining traditional and innovative methods and interpretations, the course aims to enhance understanding of how early modern history has been conceived and practised.

The course combines taught and research elements over a nine-month full-time programme. The taught element comprises a core course, taken by all students; specialist courses on themes within the period, from which students choose; and various training courses, covering languages and palaeography. Students work towards their own long piece of independent research. The course culminates in the submission of this dissertation.

Throughout the course, students will be supervised by a dedicated member of staff. The supervisor will guide research into an original historical subject chosen and developed by the student. In addition, students will benefit from the stimulus of Cambridge’s bustling research culture. They will be encouraged to attend the several seminar series run on early modern history and the many other relevant talks, workshops, and events that the Faculty and wider University offer.

The course is designed for those who (will) have completed undergraduate degrees in which history is either the sole or the main component. It is particularly appropriate for those who may wish to continue to a PhD, whether at Cambridge or elsewhere. The course is the normal means by which those without an appropriate master’s degree prepare for doctoral study in early modern history at Cambridge. The course is also intended for those seeking to explore early modern history more deeply as a subject of research: it is a rewarding programme of study in its own right.

Cambridge early modernists hold positions in British and foreign universities and have pursued careers in many other fields (including business, education, government, media, and the law).

The BusD is an advanced and ambitious programme that creates impactful research by leveraging the seniority, unique access to context and data, and exceptional experience of its students.

The programme enables students with significant experience at senior executive level to demonstrate an intellectual achievement at the highest level and thereby become better, more effective and more reflective leaders. Students will carry out high-calibre impact-orientated research that is of particular relevance for experienced senior managers at the highest level of the management profession. The degree is relevant to practice, facilitating transformational leadership in organisations. The BusD also emphasises continuing, life-long education.

The workload of the programme is substantial and demanding, as students will carry out their research while embedded within the work environment. Total workload is equivalent to that of a full-time PhD programme.