Course summary

The MPhil degree by thesis introduces students to research skills and specialist knowledge. Its main aims are: to give students with relevant experience at a first-degree level the opportunity to carry out focussed research in the discipline under close supervision; and to give students the opportunity to acquire or develop skills and expertise relevant to their research interests. The Department welcomes applications from postgraduates to undertake research towards an MPhil in most areas, including Urban Studies, History and Theory of Architecture and Urbanism, Digital Media Design and Communication, Design, Technology, Planning and Environment, but is unable to accept candidates for whom no supervisor is available. Unless the candidate is part of a research group, the research is undertaken entirely by the candidate on their own, with regular supervision on progress with the supervisor. To be eligible for consideration, applicants will need (a) an appropriate level of architectural expertise and (b) a clear idea of the area in which the thesis will be written. This MPhil is not a taught programme. Instead, it admits those applicants who meet the academic admissions criteria and whose research interests match those of an available member of the academic staff who is willing to act as the student's supervisor. As well as the research and skills training programme offered by the Department of Architecture, candidates have the opportunity to attend numerous training and personal development courses. The Department is one of the leading institutions in architectural research units in the UK, with over four decades of successful global research. Research typically crosses traditional research boundaries. Candidates are asked to note that the MPhil in Architecture (by Thesis) does not offer a direct pathway to PhD study and those interested in a future PhD may wish to consider the taught MPhil in Architecture and Urban Studies. Students wishing to proceed to a PhD at Cambridge after completion are required to submit an application in the normal way and will be treated equally alongside all the other candidates, internally or externally. Learning Outcomes By the end of the programme, students will have acquired the type of research training required to carry on to the PhD or if conceived as a standalone degree, it would have equipped the candidates with enough skills to specialise and enhance their professional prospects.