The primary aim is for our postgraduate students to develop the skills required to submit an excellent PhD thesis in either three or four years (five to seven years if part-time), depending upon the duration of their funding.

To that end, our students design and conduct robust and high-quality experiments and then analyse the results. Alternatively, students may apply sophisticated analyses to existing ‘big data’ sets from large cohort studies. In both cases, an important aim is for our students to learn to communicate their findings in writing and orally to academic or lay audiences. We also aim for our students to be fluent and practised in open science principles and methodologies.

While there is no 'standard' route or model, our experience is that an excellent PhD results from asking a good question and the expertise of our supervisors in combination with the dedicated enthusiasm of our doctoral students.

Learning Outcomes

An important outcome is that our postgraduates will develop the research and technical skills required to be able to design and conduct robust, high-quality experiments, implement appropriate analyses of results, and learn to communicate findings both in writing and orally. Another important outcome is for our students to be fluent and practised in contemporary open science principles and methods. We furthermore endeavour to train our students in a broad range of transferable skills that will help ensure rewarding and successful careers in their chosen profession, whether in academia, industry, policy, or clinical practice.

Continuing

Those who wish to progress to a PhD after successfully completing an MPhil would ordinarily be required to submit an application for a PhD in Medical Science by the early December application deadline (or earlier October deadline for Gates US applicants). They would need to satisfy their potential Supervisor, Head of Department, and the Faculty Degree Committee that they have the skills and ability to achieve a higher degree.

Open Days

The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:

• Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.

• Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.

For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages.