The PhD course is designed to produce graduates with rigorous research and analytical skills, who are exceptionally well-equipped to go onto doctoral research, or employment in industry and the public service.

The PhD course 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 cancer research;
• 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.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of their PhD course, students should:

• have a thorough knowledge of the literature and a comprehensive understanding of scientific methods and techniques applicable to their own research;
• be able to demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
• have developed the ability to critically evaluate current research and research techniques and methodologies;
• have self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems;
• be able to act autonomously in the planning and implementation of research; and
• have the gained oral presentation and scientific writing skills.

The PhD course is a full time research course, with no formal taught elements. The project and supervisor 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 supervisor. Informal opportunities to develop research skills also exist through mentoring by fellow students and members of staff.

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.  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.

Feedback

The student will receive the following feedback on their progress:

• One month after starting the course, the student is required to submit a preliminary dissertation plan. The Principal Supervisor will meet with the student to assess the plan and to provide direction and constructive input. 
• Throughout the course, the Principal Supervisor and student should meet formally about once a month to discuss how the research is progressing (meetings  may be more or less frequent, depending on how well the research project is going).
• An online feedback report is provided each term by their Principal Supervisor.
• Students are not at first registered for the PhD, they must undergo a PhD registration assessment process to ensure they are progressing well enough to proceed to their second year. The assessment process begins 9 months after starting the course and must be completed before the start of the second year. The assessment process involves producing a written report and undergoing an oral examination with two examiners.
• Students undergo an internal departmental assessment towards the end of their second year. This involves producing a written report, which is assessed by the Principal Supervisor and Adviser; there is no formal examination.
• 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. 
• There is also oversight of student progress by our local Cancer Biology Graduate Education Committee, which operates within the policies directed by Graduate School of Life Sciences and the Board of Graduate Studies.

Assessment

Thesis

Examination for the PhD degree involves submission of a written dissertation of not more than 60,000 words in length (excluding figures, tables, footnotes, appendices and bibliography), on a subject approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculties of Clinical Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. 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

• Global Education
• Gates Cambridge Scholarships