Postgraduate courses
MPhil in Land Economy Research
Introduction
The MPhil in Land Economy Research is a course of instruction at an advanced level. The students on this course will be those who have a strong background in Land Economy related subjects and who have good prospects of proceeding to the PhD prior to an academic career.
The course aims to provide students with a broad grounding in social science research methods and to apply this in some area of Land Economy. The course provides strong research training through the University Joint Schools Social Science Research Methods course (JSSS). This includes coursework across both quantitative and qualitative research methods and other aspects of research training.
Course structure
The MPhil in Land Economy Research is an intensive ten month programme that runs from the beginning of October to the end of July each year. Students are required to submit a compulsory dissertation. The dissertation will review literature and develop research hypotheses and possibly involve some preliminary data collection and analysis. It will be supervised by one of the academic staff within the Department.
In addition to the dissertation students are required to take six core modules from the University Joint Schools Social Science Research Methods course (JSSS). They will also take an additional two modules chosen from a list of options taught by the Land Economy department. It is expected that the choice of modules available to Land Economy Research students in any given year, will be those offered on the other MPhil courses in the Department. More information on modules offered.
It is anticipated that the research training provided by the JSSS, plus the dissertation and the choice of specialised modules from the other Land Economy MPhils will provide the necessary and sufficient background for commencing PhD research.
In addition, students are able to participate in the Department’s Research Management Programme which covers issues of data collection and ethics.
Research dissertation
Applicants are requested to enclose with their application an outline of their proposed research, setting out their objectives and proposed methodology. Before offering a place the Department will need to be satisfied that the proposal is one that can be undertaken satisfactorily by the candidate and that it can provide an appropriate supervisor.
The word limit for the Land Economy Research dissertation is between 20,000 and 22,000 words. The regulations do not allow for the word limit to be increased or exceeded. The submission date for the dissertation is normally the end of July.
Examiners are required to satisfy themselves that:
- the dissertation is clearly written;
- it takes account of previously published work on the subject; and
- it represents a contribution to learning.
Progress to the PhD
MPhil candidates wishing to pursue a PhD with the Department may apply to continue as a Graduate Student via the Board of Graduate Studies. Each application is considered carefully by the Department and by the Degree Committee. Approval of an application will depend on three criteria:
- availability of a supervisor;
- the approval by the Degree Committee of a research proposal; and
- the achievement of a minimum of 67% in the MPhil examination.
Full details of the application procedure for continuing students are given on the Board of Graduate Studies website. Students wishing to continue are advised to apply early in the academic year and to be aware that funding deadlines are also often early in the applications cycle. In all cases, approval to continue is subject to the final examinations results and approval from the Degree Committee.
Academic and Language requirements
The academic requirements for entry to the MPhil in Land Economy Research are at least the minimum expected by the University. Details of these requirements are given in the University of Cambridge Graduate Studies Prospectus.
The English language requirement for both MPhil and PhD courses is as follows:
IELTS: Overall 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each element
TOEFL ibT: Overall 110, with a minimum of 25 in each element
TOEFL paper based: 637 overall, 5.5 in TWE
Course Director
The Course Director for the MPhil in Land Economy Research is Mr David Howath (drh20@cam.ac.uk). Mr. Howarth is available to discuss with students specific issues about the content of the MPhil in Land Economy Research.
Further information
More information on funding
More information on how to apply