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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

Our PhD programme is purely research-based with no taught components or lectures. Some academics will ask their PhD students to attend some lectures that are relevant to their research, but in such cases, the student does not normally undertake the assigned coursework or exams.

One to one supervision

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

In most cases, students can expect at least two supervisions per full term across the duration of their course. Supervision reports are written once per term.

Seminars & classes

All of our first-year PhD (probationary) students are required to attend at least 50% of Department seminars during Michaelmas and Lent terms; lists of the seminars are typically provided at the start of each term.  Students are also required to attend the Department's Researcher Development courses.

PhD students are expected to present their work as part of their First Year assessment.

PhD students will have to contribute to Sustainability and Green Impact activities organised by the Department in order to offset the carbon impact of their research.

Lectures

Our PhD programme is purely research-based with no taught components or lectures. Some academics will ask their PhD students to attend some lectures that are relevant to the research, but in such cases, the student does not normally undertake the assigned coursework or exams.

Literature Reviews

All first-year PhD students will provide a three-month report, which will contain a literature review. 

Posters and Presentations

First-year PhD students give an oral presentation of their work to date as part of their first-year assessment.  All postgraduate research students are required to attend the annual CEB Research Conference, and additionally, they are expected to present a poster in Year 2 and their work in a talk in Year 3.

Placements

Depending upon the project, funding, and collaborators, students may have the opportunity to spend time in industrial laboratories of project partners.

Feedback

In most cases, students can expect at least two supervisions per full term across the duration of their course. Each student’s supervisor will provide a supervision report each term.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

After completing three years (nine terms) but no longer than four years (full-time), a PhD student must submit a thesis of up to 65,000 words. The thesis will be orally examined by two examiners, usually one who is internal and a second who is external to the University.

Other

All first-year PhD (Probationary) students complete a literature review and compile their findings in a short report that is submitted three months after the start of their PhD.

Near the end of the first year, all students submit a first-year report and are assessed orally.  Additionally, as part of the assessment, students will present their work to their examiners.  If successful, the student will then be fully registered for the PhD.

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Key Information


3-4 years full-time

4-7 years part-time

Study Mode : Research

Doctor of Philosophy

Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

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.

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
July 30, 2024
Course Starts
Jan. 5, 2025

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

Course Funding Deadline
Dec. 5, 2023
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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