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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

This is a research-based programme and there is no formal teaching requirement. All students on this programme will be members of the University’s Postgraduate School of Life Sciences (PSLS) which offers a wide variety of core skills and professional development training. Visit the Researcher Development page on the PSLS website for more information. 

One to one supervision

All Zoology postgraduate students are supervised by at least one member of academic staff who is an expert in the student's field of study. Supervisors support students in developing an independent and novel project, and are there to give advice, encouragement and constructive criticism. Students are also allocated two advisors who will help to assess their progress, as well as offer suggestions and advice during their MPhil.

The regularity with which postgraduate students meet with their supervisor varies throughout the year but meetings are likely to be more frequent to start with, during the planning stages, and during the writing-up phase. On average, students meet with their supervisors every 1-2 weeks. All students should have the opportunity to seek formal feedback from their supervisor, and supervisors should have the opportunity to give such feedback.

You may wish to refer to the Code of Practice for Research Students for more information on the University's expectations regarding supervision.

Seminars & classes

There is a wide range of talks and seminars available in the Department and elsewhere in Cambridge. Many research groups within the Department run weekly seminars which you should attend and can contribute to. There are also departmental seminars with guest speakers from other institutions or departments. This is a chance to meet with leading researchers in your area and get together with other postgraduate students.

In addition to the Departmental seminar series, we offer some seminars and events specifically for our postgraduate students:

Zoo Grad Tea Talks: As a postgraduate student in Zoology you will be required to give a talk to your peers. This seminar series is run by, and for, postgraduate students. Students present their work to a friendly audience, composed of students and postdocs.

Zoology Postgraduate Symposium: The postgraduate students organise a biennial one-day symposium, where students can give a talk or present a poster, and in this way practice their presentation skills.  

Scientific Ethics Seminar Series: The biennial Scientific Ethics course is designed to give research students the chance to confront and discuss ethical issues they will face as professional scientists. Such a course is felt to be necessary in view of the sensitivity of society to the perceived misbehaviour of scientists, the complex relationship between scientific issues and society and the increasing pressure on scientists in a competitive environment.

Statistics for Zoologists course: This optional series of lectures and practicals delivers statistics training to students in Zoology at the beginning of their studies.

Feedback

Students receive written feedback from two academic advisors following submission of a feasibility report (after one month), and a progress report (after five months).  Students can also expect to receive termly formal feedback reports via the online feedback and reporting system.

You may wish to refer to the Code of Practice for Research Students for more information on the University's expectations regarding feedback. 

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

The examination for the degree of Master of Philosophy consists of a thesis, of not more than 20,000 words in length, exclusive of tables, footnotes, bibliography, and appendices. The assessment also includes an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.

Students submit their thesis 11 months after registration (if full-time).

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Key Information


12 months full-time

24 months part-time

Study Mode : Research

Master of Philosophy

Department of Zoology

Course - related enquiries

Application - related enquiries

Course on Department Website

Dates and deadlines:

Applications open
Sept. 15, 2022
Application deadline
Oct. 4, 2023
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2024

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Applications open
Sept. 15, 2022
Application deadline
Jan. 15, 2024
Course Starts
April 17, 2024

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Michaelmas 2024

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
May 16, 2024
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2024

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
Oct. 2, 2024
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2025

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
Jan. 15, 2025
Course Starts
April 17, 2025

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Course Funding Deadline
Jan. 4, 2024
Gates Cambridge US round only
Oct. 11, 2023

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.


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