Postgraduate courses
PhD
Land Economy offers a full-time PhD programme. The Department currently has over 70 PhD students at different stages of the programme, working in a range of areas.
Supervision and the choice of research topic
When applying to study for the PhD in Land Economy applicants are required to submit a detailed research proposal outlining their intended research topic, objectives and proposed methodology. The topic of research is the Candidate’s own choice and will be provisionally approved by the Degree Committee when accepting the applicant to the course. Applicants are advised to consider carefully the topic of their PhD research. The research proposal submitted with the application should be sufficiently developed to give a clear indication of the research to be undertaken and to show that the topic is suitable for research at PhD level. It must cover the background and aims of the research; the methodology and data to be applied (if relevant); the analysis to be adopted; the possible conclusions to be reached. The PhD is independent, student-led research and the Department does not provide applicants with suggestions for research topics or provide guidance on how an initial research idea should be developed.
In all cases a suitable and available supervisor must be identified before the Department will make an offer of a place on its PhD programme. Upon receipt of an application the Degree Committee will identify members of academic staff whom it feels would be potentially suitable to supervise the research outlined. The proposal and application will be reviewed by these members of staff. Allocation of a supervisor is the Degree Committee’s responsibility and applicants are not expected to have the formal agreement of a supervisor prior to application. However, once an applicant has decided upon an area of research he/she is advised to consider the research interests and expertise of academic staff within the Department, and whether this meets with the area of research that he/she wishes to pursue. The Department will not accept a student who’s proposed research falls outside its areas of interest or if it believes that Cambridge is not the most appropriate place to undertake the research both in terms of location and the expertise available. Information on the Department’s research and the work of academic staff are available from this website. It is recommended that, as far as possible, applicants indicate on their application form the name(s) of the academic staff they consider most suitable to supervise their research. Please note the Department and its academic staff are not in a position to enter into lengthy discussion with applicants about potential research topics and/or supervision arrangements prior to receipt of a formal application.
More information on research in the Department
More information on academic staff
More information on current PhD research
Structure of the PhD
Candidates undertaking a full-time PhD within the Department are required to undertake a minimum of nine terms of study (i.e. three years). Candidates are not registered for the PhD programme in the first instance. They are required instead to come into residence and commence their research, and to be assessed towards the end of their first year of full-time study. This assessment is based on a written report submitted by the candidate and a discussion with two assessors. The assessment will take stock of the progress made by the candidate to date, the scope and method of the research and the expected contribution to knowledge. For those then registered for the PhD programme, credit is usually given for all the terms of full-time study successfully completed.
Early in the seventh term there will be a further formal assessment of progress. This assessment follows a similar format to the first year assessment.
Additional research training
Whilst there are no mandatory taught elements to the PhD degree, on the recommendation of their supervisor Candidate’s may be required to undertake specific additional research training. This will usually be undertaken in the first year of the PhD and may range from advanced research methods to more generic skills. Such training may be desirable either to build upon existing skills, or to equip a Candidate with essential new skills (i.e. those not gained through their Masters course or other relevant prior experience). Students may draw upon modules offered by the University’s Joint Schools Social Science Research Methods course (JSSS), as well as those run by other Departments.
The Department also operates a series of weekly seminars throughout the Michaelmas and Lent terms aimed specifically at PhD students. These seminars cover areas such as the development of individual research programmes, choice of research methodologies, ethics, as well as other transferable skills such as presentation, career development and publication. This programme compliments the University’s own Graduate Development Programme.
Part Time Study
Land Economy offers a part-time route to the PhD. This might be suitable for someone who is employed in the Cambridge region and whose employer views such a programme of study as representing valuable staff development; or who works part-time, or who is home based for whatever reason, and wants to develop his-her research skills. Current employees of the University of Cambridge are also eligible to apply. Details on the part-time route are available from the Board of Graduate Studies.
Applicants should note that the part-time route is not a distance learning degree. Students will be expected to live close enough to Cambridge to fulfil attendance requirements and meet regularly with their supervisor. In all cases, applicants to the part-time route are required to undergo an interview before any formal offer of a place can be made.
Further information is available to download as pdf.
Examination
Examination for the PhD is by submission of a thesis (up to 80,000 words) and oral examination. The Degree Committee will usually appoint one internal and one external examiner to undertake the examination. Depending on the time of year, the thesis can be “under examination” for between two to four months.
Academic and Language Requirements
The academic requirements for entry to the PhD programme are at least the minimum expected by the University. Details of these requirements are given in the University of Cambridge Graduate Studies Prospectus. In addition, candidates for the PhD will usually be expected first to complete a Masters qualification. Those candidates who have not completed a Masters should contact the Director of the Graduate Programme prior to making an application in order to assess whether their qualifications and experience permit direct entry to the PhD programme.
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
MPhil candidates wishing to pursue a 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.