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Postgraduate Study

There are two types of MPhil on offer at Cambridge:

  • MPhil by Advanced Study, which includes a taught element
  • MPhil by Thesis, which is a research-only programme leading to a thesis

The MPhil in Advanced Study varies in length between nine and 12 months, and the MPhil by Research is a year-long programme. It is also possible to study a small number of MPhils part-time over two years.

The MPhil by Advanced Study is assessed in a variety of ways and may include all or some of the following elements: written coursework; a dissertation; timed written examinations; and in some cases an oral examination on your coursework and/or dissertation and the field of knowledge in which it falls.

Both types of MPhil provide an excellent transition to full-scale PhD research. They introduce you to research skills and specialist knowledge and an MPhil dissertation may be a valuable introductory experience in the preparation of, and work on, a research thesis. In fact, in some subjects, an MPhil is a prerequisite for continuing on to research work.

There is no automatic continuation from an MPhil to a PhD - a new application must be made and a suitable supervisor must be identified. If an offer of admission to the PhD is made, it will be conditional on your performance in the MPhil, as well as on providing evidence of your ability to fund your PhD studies. Other conditions may also be specified.

MPhil course search

Go to the Course Directory and filter courses using the relevant checkboxes.

 

Term Information

Full Time

Fee terms 3 terms
Research terms 3 terms
Thesis terms 3 terms
Fee terms 6 terms
Research terms 6 terms
Thesis terms 6 terms
Fee terms
Minimum number of terms for which the UCF must be paid
Research terms
Minimum number of terms of research that must be started before a thesis may be submitted
Thesis terms
Maximum number of terms of research that may be completed before a thesis must be submitted