Biological Science (Physiology, Development and Neuroscience)

Entry requirements

Expected Academic Standard

Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Good II.i Honours Degree.

If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.

Months of entry

January, April, October

Course content

The Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN) offers excellent opportunities and facilities for training in research, leading to the MPhil (Master of Philosophy) degree.

The MPhil in Biological Sciences (PDN) is a full-time research degree. Students also attend relevant lectures and seminars and participate in skills development training activities organised by the department and the Postgraduate School of Life Sciences. The main aims of the course are:

to give students with relevant experience at the 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.

Students usually start their project in October and submit a thesis of not more than 20,000 words by the end of August. We also accept students to start in January and April.

Full information on potential supervisors and research projects can be found on the Postgraduate Education page on the department website. Candidates are required to contact potential supervisors in advance of applying. General enquiries concerning postgraduate opportunities within the Department of PDN can also be directed to postgradinfo@pdn.cam.ac.uk. Initial enquiries should be made as early as possible.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the MPhil, students will have:

a comprehensive understanding of techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their own research;

demonstrated 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;

shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies; and

demonstrated some self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research.

Information for international students

Language Requirement

IELTS (Academic)

Element Score

Listening 7.0

Writing 7.0

Reading 6.5

Speaking 7.0

Total 7.0

TOEFL Internet Score

Element Score

Listening 25

Writing 25

Reading 25

Speaking 25

Total 100

CAE

Score: Grade A & B (overall score of 193, with no element lower than 185 plus a Language Centre assessment)

CPE

Score: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 with no element lower than 185).