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The Department of Psychiatry is an internationally leading centre for research and teaching in psychiatry, with particular focus on the determinants of mental health conditions, their treatments and the promotion of mental health through innovative translational research. The Department’s senior staff support several research groups, covering various aspects of mental health and disorder throughout the life course.

The MPhil degree offered by the Department of Psychiatry is a 12 month full time programme and involves minimal formal teaching; students are integrated into the research culture of the Department and the Institute in which they are based.

Each student conducts their MPhil project under the direction of their Principal Supervisor, with additional teaching and guidance provided by an Advisor, to increase access to staff members and accommodate a diversity of viewpoints.

The subject of the research project is determined during the application process and is influenced by the research interests of the student’s supervisor, i.e. students should apply to study with a group leader whose area of research most appeals to them.

To broaden their knowledge of their chosen field, students are strongly encouraged to attend relevant seminars, lectures and training courses. We also require our students to attend their research group’s research-in-progress/laboratory meetings, at which they are expected to regularly present their ongoing work.

Course objectives

The structure of the MPhil course enables the students to significantly develop their analytical and research skills, and is intended as preparation for further research.

The MPhil programme provides:

a period of sustained in-depth study of a specific topic;
an environment that encourages the student’s originality and creativity in their research;
skills to enable the student to critically examine the background literature relevant to their specific research area;
the opportunity to develop skills in making and testing hypotheses, in developing new theories, and in planning and conducting experiments;
the opportunity to expand the student’s knowledge of their research area, including its theoretical foundations and the specific techniques used to study it;
the opportunity to gain knowledge of the broader field of research in psychiatry;
an environment in which to develop skills in written work, oral presentation and publishing the results of their research in high-profile scientific journals, through constructive feedback of written work and oral presentations.

At the end of the course, examination for the MPhil degree involves submission of a written dissertation, followed by an oral examination based on both the dissertation and a broader knowledge of the chosen area of research.

Continuing

The MPhil in Medical Science (Psychiatry) degree is a one-year degree, i.e. it is not intended to be a probationary year for a three-year PhD degree.

However, it is possible to continue from the MPhil to the PhD in Psychiatry course via the following options:

1. Complete the MPhil then continue to the three year PhD course:

If the student would like to continue with their research and has secured funding for a further THREE years, after completion of their MPhil they may apply to be admitted to the PhD course as a continuing student. The student would be formally examined for the MPhil and if successful, they would then continue onto the three year PhD course as a probationary PhD student, i.e. the MPhil is not counted as the first year of the PhD degree; or

2. Transfer from the MPhil to the PhD course:

If the student has time and funding for only TWO more years, they can apply for permission to change their registration from the MPhil to probationary PhD; note, transfer must be approved before completion of the MPhil.

If granted permission to change registration, the student will undergo a formal probationary PhD assessment (submission of a written report and an oral examination) towards the end of their first year and if successful, will then be registered for the PhD, i.e. the first year would count as the first year of the PhD degree.

Please note that continuation from the MPhil to the PhD, or changing registration is not automatic; all cases are judged on their own merits based on a number of factors including: evidence of progress and research potential; a sound research proposal; the availability of a suitable supervisor and of resources required for the research; acceptance by the Head of Department and Degree Committee.

This MPhil is a research-only course. The supervisor and details of the proposed research project are determined during the application process.

Most research training is provided within the structure of the student’s research group and is overseen by their Principal Supervisor. The student should expect to receive one to one supervision at least weekly in term time.

To enhance their research, students are expected to attend seminars and graduate courses relevant to their area of interest. Students are also encouraged to undertake transferable skills training provided by the Graduate School of Life Sciences.


One to one supervision	The Principal Supervisor should meet formally with their student approximately once a week in term time, to discuss progress. Meetings may be more or less frequent depending on how well the project is progressing. A minimum of 8 hours hours per term
Seminars & classes	Students will be expected to participate in weekly series of seminars in cognitive neuroscience presented by senior researchers during Michaelmas and Lent Terms, i.e. 12 hours per term
Lectures	Students will be expected to attend lectures relevant to field of research.
Journal clubs	Students are encouraged to attend the various journal clubs available in their research groups and institutes in which they are based.
Literature_reviews	Literature search training, covering literature search, reference management and ways of getting hold of full text papers is organised at the Medical Library.
Posters	Students are encouraged to present at least once a year, both to their group and at national and international conferences.

Feedback

The student will receive the following feedback on their progress:

After starting the course, the Principal Supervisor will meet with the student to discuss a preliminary dissertation plan, and to provide direction and constructive input.
Throughout the course, the Principal Supervisor and student should meet formally weekly to discuss how the research is progressing (meetings may be more or less frequent, depending on how well the research project is going).
Principal Supervisors will submit CGSRS (the Cambridge Graduate Student Reporting System on CamSIS) supervision reports each term, to which the student has access.
Three months before the end of the course, students are required to produce a final dissertation plan and meet with their Principal Supervisor, who is expected to provide constructive input.
Feedback is also provided by the Principal Supervisor on any work to be published.
There is furthermore oversight of student progress by the departmental Graduate Education Committee, which operates within the policies directed by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Clinical Medicine and the Board of Graduate Studies.

Assessment

Thesis

Examination for the MPhil degree involves submission of a written dissertation of not more than 20,000 words in length, excluding figures, tables, footnotes, appendices and bibliography, on a subject approved by the Degree Committee. This is followed by an oral examination based on both the dissertation and a broader knowledge of the chosen area of research.

The oral examination is conducted by two Examiners, one from the University of Cambridge and one external to the University of Cambridge, neither of whom may have any direct involvement with the student or the work being examined. The dissertation should provide evidence to satisfy the Examiners that the student can design and carry out investigations, assess and interpret the results obtained, and place the work in the wider perspectives of the subject.

Magistr (Master's Degree) at Pass level. Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of good or 4/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 4/5 Bologna Bachelor's from other institutions with an overall grade of 5/5, Excellent
Diploma Specialista (completed post-1991) with a minimum overall grade of Excellent or 5/5 Bachelor's from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other prestigious institutions with an overall grade of 5/5
IELTS (Academic) 7.0
TOEFL Internet Score 100
£50 application fee
First Academic Reference
Second Academic Reference
Transcript
CV/Resumé
Personal Reference.

The University of Cambridge offers various financing options for students enrolled in the Psychiatry postgraduate programmes. Funding opportunities include scholarships, bursaries, and studentships provided by the university, research councils, charitable foundations, and external organizations. For UK students, the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) grants and Medical Research Council (MRC) funding are available, supporting doctoral and master's level studies in Psychiatry. International students are advised to explore Cambridge’s International Scholarships and other external bursaries specifically aimed at supporting international postgraduate students.

The Cambridge Trust offers numerous scholarships based on academic excellence, which can be applied to Psychiatry programmes. Additionally, students may be eligible for funding from specific departments or faculty-level awards, such as departmental bursaries or research grants aimed at supporting mental health research initiatives. Many postgraduate research students are funded through research grants linked to their supervisor’s projects, often covering tuition fees and providing a stipend to cover living expenses.

Furthermore, some students may qualify for government loans or funding if studying at the master's level within the UK. The university also facilitates part-time work opportunities, which students can use to supplement their income during their studies. The cost of living in Cambridge is a factor students should consider when planning their finances, including accommodation, food, books, and personal expenses.