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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

One to one supervision

Students are expected to have regular meetings with their supervisor. In addition, students are assigned an advisor who is a second point of contact re academic advice. Students should expect to receive online supervision reports at least termly and will have regular meetings with their supervisor who will provide feedback and advice.

The Code of Practice sets out the University's guidelines for research students. 

Seminars & classes

Students are expected to attend weekly departmental seminars. During the first year, students attend "hot topics" and Techniques sessions organised for all first-year students at the IMS-MRL.

Students also undertake transferable skills training as part of the Researcher Development Programme organised through the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences.

Posters and Presentations

Students participate in and present their data at regular lab group meetings and at the annual IMS-MRL Student Symposium, and may also give "internal" presentations as part of the regular IMS-MRL seminar series.

All students are expected to attend local and national meetings, where they will also have the opportunity to present posters or give a short talk on their research. Most students also have the opportunity to attend at least one international conference during their PhD.

Feedback

All students should receive regular feedback on performance from their supervisor during the project itself and can expect to receive an online feedback report each term.

The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision.

The supervisor will provide written feedback to the student each term with progress reports submitted online. The feedback will relate to the progress the student has made and include a specific comment on their research project. This will be discussed with the student in advance of the submission of the report to the University.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

The student is expected to submit a thesis, of fewer than 60,000 words, within four years of starting study (full-time). Post-submission, the student will be examined orally by two examiners on the content of the thesis and on the wider research area.

Other

All PhD students are probationary in their first year and are required to undergo formal assessment (by written report and viva) at the end of their first year, which they must pass.

If successful, the student moves from being "probationary" to being formally registered for the PhD and can proceed with their project.

Students are expected to submit a first-year report within nine months of commencing study. The student is examined orally on the content of this report and on their understanding of the wider research field and future research plans. Subject to a satisfactory outcome, the student is then fully registered for PhD study.

During the summer of their 1st year, students are required to present a poster on their work at the Annual Student Symposium. During the summer of their 2nd year, students give a short oral presentation at the same symposium.

Approximately one year before thesis submission, students are required to submit a Thesis Planning document to the Postgraduate Education Committee for approval.

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Key Information


3-4 years full-time

4-7 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Doctor of Philosophy

Department of Clinical Biochemistry

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. 11, 2024
Course Starts
April 17, 2024

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

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
Dec. 5, 2023
Course Starts
Oct. 1, 2024

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

Lent 2025

Applications open
Sept. 4, 2023
Application deadline
April 25, 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
Oct. 3, 2024
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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