Graduate Prospectus 2010-11

 

Entrance Requirements

The requirements specified below are the minimum requirements for admission to the University. Some departments may impose different academic or language requirements. Please consult the individual course details for full information on the requirements for individual courses.

Academic requirements

Graduate work in Cambridge is intense and very intellectually demanding and so the University has high academic entry requirements. You are normally expected to hold or to be about to achieve:

  • at least a 2i honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent standard from an overseas university
  • a fluent command of the English Language
  • completion of any current training or education course
  • where relevant, release from your current institution for the duration of your study.

Competence in English

If your first language is not English you should take a language proficiency test to show you have the necessary command of the language to get the most out of your course. You do not need to take the test before you apply, but, if you are made an offer and have not already met our English language requirements, one of the conditions of admission will be that you pass a test at the correct level. You must achieve the minimum requirements in the same sitting, and no more than two years before the start of your course.

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System: www.ielts.org) is the University's preferred test. Details can be obtained from local British Council Offices.

  • Minimum requirement: an overall band score of 7.0 with not less than 7.0 in speaking, listening and writing, and 6.5 in reading.

Where the IELTS test is not available you may take the Princeton TOEFL test (Test of English as a Foreign Language: www.toefl.org). If you do this, you must take the Test of Written English (TWE) at the same time. A TOEFL score without TWE is not acceptable.

  • Minimum requirement: 600 in the paper-based TOEFL test with 5.0 in the Test of Written English; or 250 in the computer-based TOEFL test with 5.0 in the Essay Writing Test. The minimum score must be achieved in both parts of the test in thesame sitting
  • TOEFL internet-based Test (iBT) minimum requirement: overall score of 100, with a minimum score of 25 in each element.

The University's institution code is 0908.

English language requirements for each course are stated in the online course information and may be higher than those noted above. If higher English Language Proficiency Test scores are required, this will also be specified in your letter of conditional offer.

You will need to arrange for us to receive an original test result or a certified copy. Test results can be enclosed with paper applications or sent on later to meet one of the terms of any conditional offer. Do not delay sending in your application in order to include test results.

For details of English for Academic Purposes and the intensive English language training course run by the University's Language Centre.

Research degrees

If you wish to undertake a research degree you should first make sure that the appropriate faculty or department has the necessary expertise and resources. Some faculties ask that you identify a suitable supervisor before you submit your application. Please consult the faculty or department website in the first instance, and if you are still unsure contact the faculty directly for advice.

Part-time research degrees

In addition to the entrance requirements listed above, there are other conditions to fulfil if you wish to study part-time:

  • Your proposed topic of research must be suitable for part-time study
  • You must live close enough to Cambridge to fulfil the attendance requirements (a minimum of two formal supervisions per term, plus training and other attendance requirements laid down by the department)
  • You will need to provide a letter from your employer (if any) confirming that you may have time off, if necessary, to attend the University as required for the whole duration of your course
  • You must attend an interview with the department to which you apply, at which these and other issues will be discussed.