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Faculty of Divinity

 

Studying for the PhD part-time

The Faculty expects part-time research students to attend for at least 45 days per year. We would prefer students to be in Cambridge for 15 days per term to cover two meetings of their senior seminar, or supervisions. However, students can make two short trips to the Faculty to fulfil this requirement. Supervisions can also be conducted online if agreed with the supervisor. Students can also make visits outside of term to use the library or other facilities. During the first five terms, we expect students to be reading, researching and preparing for their first-year registration examination which will take place at the end of fifth term. The next 10 terms we will expect students to continue with their research, writing and preparation for submission of their thesis. 

Detailed Plan for First Five Terms 

  • First Michaelmas Term: The student should attend our induction day at the beginning of term to learn about the Faculty and Library. The student should visit for fifteen days either to attend their senior seminar or supervisions as described above. They should begin their research and reading. 
  • Second Lent Term: The student should visit for fifteen days either to attend the senior seminar or supervisions as described above. They should continue their research and reading. They should also start work on their 10,000 word chapter for their first-year registration examination. 
  • Third Easter Term: The student should visit for fifteen days either to attend the senior seminar or supervisions as described above. They should continue to work on their initial chapter and research proposal and the drafts should be sent to his supervisor. 
  • Fourth Michaelmas Term: The student should visit for fifteen days either to attend the senior seminar or supervisions as described above. They should continue to work on their portfolio of work for their first-year registration examination and discussing these with their supervisor. 
  • Fifth Lent Term: The student should visit for fifteen days either to attend the senior seminar or supervisions as described above. They should get their portfolio of work ready for their first-year registration examination and submit this to the Faculty Office. There will be meetings arranged between the student and their assessors to discuss their submitted portfolio and plans for the future. 

Along with identifying provisional dates for the visits that you will make to Cambridge during your first five terms of part-time study, please draft a description of the work you plan to undertake each term. This proposed attendance schedule, agreed in consultation with your potential supervisor, will form an important section of the Part-Time Interview Report Form that will accompany your application should it progress to interview.