This is a postgraduate course with a substantial research component, which runs for nine months covering the three terms (Michaelmas, Lent and Easter). It is designed to enhance the understanding of social, cultural, political and economic history, and the present geopolitical and policy environment in South Asia. It provides intensive research and language training for those who wish to go on to do doctoral research, but it is also a freestanding postgraduate degree course in its own right.

The MPhil is associated for examination purposes with the Faculty of Human, Social and Political Sciences. But teaching and learning for the course take place in the Centre of South Asian Studies and the various humanities and social science faculties and departments. The course covers South Asia from the early modern period to the present including its connections with South East Asia and Central Asia. The areas studied cover the modern states of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

The MPhil aims to introduce students to the latest research topics, methods and debates in South Asian studies at an advanced level. It provides training in the use of printed, manuscript and other sources relevant to South Asian studies. The MPhil offers language training, usually in Hindi and Urdu, but this can be subject to change due to resource availability. It offers training in the advanced use of library and archival facilities and the appropriate use of electronic databases for the location, identification and evaluation of source materials. It provides a structured introduction to key debates in South Asian history, development economics, politics and sociology through a variety of intensive courses. Finally, it offers close supervision in undertaking an original research project.

The MPhil in Modern European History focuses on the study of continental Europe from roughly the middle of the 18th century to the present day. The course offers an introduction to key themes and selected topics in modern European history, as well as intensive methodological and historiographical training in the social, cultural, political and economic history of modern Europe.

The MPhil in Modern European History combines taught and research elements over a nine-month full-time programme. The taught elements include modules on research topics, skills training, training workshops and seminars, and all students will also complete a long piece of independent research (15,000– 20,000 words). Students will usually need a reading knowledge of the language of the country they wish to study, though this is not a formal requirement, especially for topics with a transnational focus.

Throughout the course, students will be individually supervised by an expert in the field, 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 European history, attending and participating in guest talks, workshops, research seminars 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 European 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 modern European 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 European history at Cambridge.

Cambridge graduates from the MPhil in Modern European History go on to enjoy successful careers in many fields within and beyond academic life, including law, journalism, and the administration of NGOs and international organisations.

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.