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Postgraduate Study

Teaching

The MPhil by thesis only is primarily guided by direct supervision, but students are encouraged to participate in the Core Course and in one or two optional modules offered on the taught MPhil course, as appropriate.

One to one supervision

10 to 12 hours of individual supervision per year.

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

Seminars & classes

Up to 24 hours per year, depending on the number of optional modules the student wishes to take.

Lectures

Approx. 30 hours of lectures per year for the Core Course.

Small group teaching

See "Seminars and Classes" (our seminars are all small groups)

Placements

Not applicable, although students may wish to carry out some research or fieldwork towards their thesis in Latin America during the Easter vacation period, depending upon your research topic. Fieldwork is expensive, however, and although some funding sources are available to offer small travel grants (typically up to £600), students should expect to incur some costs themselves.

Feedback

Students will receive formal termly progress reports from their principal supervisor on their thesis writing and research, with more regular feedback provided on an ongoing basis via email or in face-to-face meetings.

All students are also invited to present their work at the MPhil Research Day, held in the third term, and to receive verbal feedback from their cohort and members of teaching staff present.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

Each candidate for the MPhil is required to submit an original thesis on an approved topic. On application, students are asked to submit a thesis proposal (500 words). If their application is successful, they will be assigned a provisional thesis supervisor as part of the admissions process. In some cases, further study may lead to a change of topic and even to a change of supervisor, if appropriate. The provisional title for the thesis must be agreed between candidate and supervisor by the end of the Lent term (mid-March). Theses submitted for the MPhil in Latin American Studies (by thesis only) must not exceed 30,000 words, including footnotes, tables, and any appendices but excluding the bibliography, and must be written in English.

The thesis counts for 100 per cent of the overall mark awarded for the degree.

Other

The examination shall include an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls. The thesis shall provide evidence to satisfy the Examiners that the candidate can design and carry out investigations, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspective of the subject.

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Key Information


9 months full-time

21 months part-time

Study Mode : Research

Master of Philosophy

Centre of Latin American Studies

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. 4, 2023
Application deadline
Feb. 29, 2024
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
Oct. 2, 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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