Applications are coordinated by CRUK CI. Prior to submitting the University of Cambridge online application form, you are strongly advised to identify a group leader in the Institute who is willing to supervise you for MPhil study. At present, the Institute accepts only one or two MPhil students each year and so competition for places is particularly fierce.

The MPhil course lasts for 12 months, during which time the student is expected to complete a research project, and write and submit a thesis of not more than 20,000 words. The student will then be examined orally on the thesis and on the wider field of knowledge into which it falls.

Each student is supported by a principal supervisor who is normally the head of the research team. In addition, each student has an advisor and possibly also a second supervisor, who may work closely with the student to provide day-to-day guidance as required. Dr Ann Kaminski (Head of Scientific Administration) acts as the first point of contact for any student with a query or difficulty that is not directly related to their scientific work.

All student matters in the Institute are overseen by the CRUK CI Postgraduate Training Committee and the wider engaging Cancer Biology Graduate Education Committee, both of which have the well-being of our students at heart.

All students are encouraged to attend lectures of interest both in the Institute and in the wider University. They are also expected to participate in journal clubs and lab meetings and to take advantage of the numerous and varied opportunities including transferable skills training offered by both the Institute and the University. Students are encouraged to attend scientific meetings relevant to their course of study. All students in the Institute are members of the student-run Postgraduate Society which organises regular scientific and social events.

The course 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 focused 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.