The MPhil in Technology Policy is an intensive, nine-month professional practice master's programme designed for people with a background in science or engineering who are interested in developing the skills needed to meet the challenges of integrating technology, management, economics and policy. Although the programme straddles the boundary of business and government and has a strong common core taken by all students on the programme it features two main pathways: public sector and private enterprise.

The programme's focus is on business-government interactions, and its aim is to provide students with both the wider political and institutional context and the analytical skills delivered by Cambridge Judge Business School faculty working in operations, strategy and, most especially, in economics and policy. The MPhil in Technology Policy programme provides the context and skills needed to cope with the rapidly evolving environment in many technology-rich sectors, including information and communications technology, defence and aerospace, energy and electricity, manufacturing, transport and logistics, pharmaceuticals and health. The channels of communication between government and industry are often weak and there can be significant difficulties in spanning the divide. Our central goal, therefore, is to prepare our graduates to move along and across these frontiers and to understand, influence, intervene and shape the evolution of business, government and the intersection of the two. Beyond simply understanding and analysing policies, our goal is to teach students how to be proactive by making the case for alternative metrics, instruments and goals as a means of gaining competitive advantage.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students should:

• be able to anticipate technology trends, and to analyse and influence legislative developments;
• be able to identify business opportunities created by policy initiatives, regulation, and legislation;
• be able to analyse, influence and operate at the nexus of business and government.

The programme is centred on six core courses, assessed predominantly by examination. In addition, students will take a total of six electives: two skills or sectorial electives; two stream electives (public sector or private enterprise); and two open electives (drawn from other skills, sectorial, and stream electives; or from a select list of other electives). During the Lent and Easter terms students will produce a written report for their Final Group Project, which will be based on a placement at a major public or private sector technology-intensive organisation. The Final Group Project is double-weighted.

Students will have the opportunity to take part in the Policy Maker and Business Leader Seminar Series, consisting of twice-termly sessions in Cambridge and the annual symposium in London.

Students will also take a pre-term Introduction to Microeconomics module.

Placements

The Final Group Project is based on work with a major technology-based organisation.

Feedback

Every effort is made to provide students with provisional marks and feedback on their coursework performance within two weeks of the submission date.

The nature and extent of feedback given will vary from teacher to teacher, but students may reasonably expect to receive some indication of the strengths and weaknesses of any work submitted. All marks and feedback provided during the year are informal and provisional. Final marks are only determined at the end of the degree by the Examiners' Committee. In some cases the University or other departmental rules prevent us from providing even provisional grades before the meeting of the Examiners' Committee.

Assessment

Thesis

Students will undertake a Final Group Project (FGP). The FGP will be linked to Cambridge Judge Business School research groups and based on a placement at a major public or private technology-intensive organisation. Assessment is based on a 12,000 word final report produced under faculty supervision.

Essays

Students are assessed by formal examinations, term papers, regular written assignments, and some assessment of class participation. Some team grading is used, as appropriate. Assessment aims to measure assimilation and application of theory and to gauge experiential learning.

Written examination

The six core courses will be assessed mainly by written examination.

Practical assessment

A presentation forms part of the Final Group Project assessment. Presentations may also be required on certain electives, at the discretion of individual lecturers.

• 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.
• TOEFL Internet Score 110
• £50 application fee
• First Academic Reference
• Second Academic Reference
• Transcript
• CV/Resumé 
• Statement of Interests
• Personal Reference. 

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

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