The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is the University’s principal research degree for graduate students and is available in all Faculties and Departments. If you are a candidate for the Ph.D. you must normally pursue supervised research in residence in Cambridge for 9 consecutive terms (3 years). The degrees of either Master of Science (M.Sc.) or Master of Letters (M.Litt.), according to the subject of the research, are also available, and candidates for these degrees must normally complete 6 terms (2 years) of supervised research in residence in Cambridge.
Candidates for the Ph.D., M.Sc. or M.Liu, Degrees may be required to attend lectures and seminars and prepare formal course work assignments as part of their research training, and in some cases you may be required to take one of the one-year courses for this purpose. The award of the degree is, however, decided solely on the results of your research as presented in a dissertation and on your performance in the oral examination which is held on the dissertation and the general field of knowledge in which your dissertation falls. For research degrees there is no system of awarding grades or credits. Candidates from outside the UK education system may find it helpful to know that the oral examination is conducted by two Examiners, no other people are present.
All candidates for the Ph.D., M.Sc. or M.IJtt. Degrees are at present allowed ten terms in which to submit their dissertations, and you are expected by the Board to submit within this timetable.
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