Cambridge 2016 Postgraduate Entry

Original post by ggggg123

Yeah totally.

(Although I was surprised to learn the other day that the diss is only 20-25k incl footnotes!! I had thought it would be at least 30k tbh)

Original post by Aceadria

Absolutely! Especially if you have a lot to discuss :smile:

POLIS includes footnotes in the dissertation word limit? That's a bit mean! :tongue:

My history MPhil dissertation was 20-25k not including footnotes, and that was by far the longest Masters dissertation out of my group of friends who did MA or MPhil courses at a number of universities. Most seem to be around the 15k mark, which does seem very short.

Reply 982

Original post by omgwhat

Interview in just over an hour. My insides hurt. *sobs*

Good luck! I am sure the supervisor will be nice, and they encouraged you to apply to the course so I'm sure it'll be fine :smile:

Reply 983

username2228735

15

Original post by gutenberg

POLIS includes footnotes in the dissertation word limit? That's a bit mean! :tongue:

My history MPhil dissertation was 20-25k not including footnotes, and that was by far the longest Masters dissertation out of my group of friends who did MA or MPhil courses at a number of universities. Most seem to be around the 15k mark, which does seem very short.

I just checked the handbook for my course and it's between 15k-20k. Doesn't mention if it's with or without footnotes, but I may struggle to fit everything in :frown:

.

Reply 984

Original post by Aceadria

I just checked the handbook for my course and it's between 15k-20k. Doesn't mention if it's with or without footnotes, but I may struggle to fit everything in :frown:

.

Remind me which course you applied to?

Reply 985

Original post by ggggg123

Straight from the 2015/16 handbook...

"Length

The dissertation is to be between 20,000 and 25,000 words. The word count INCLUDES tables, footnotes and appendices, but EXCLUDES the bibliography. Graphs, charts and images will be counted by the word counting software. Title pages, tables of contents and abstracts are not included in the word count."

So pedantic haha.

I guess they have to be, I'd say if it wasn't so explicitly stated people would take all sorts of liberties - and probably still do nevertheless! Graphs counted in the word count for us too, but not footnotes, but on my course not many people had graphs. Including the footnotes has to be to discourage people creating ridiculously long, discursive footnotes and bundling half the dissertation into the notes and so bypassing the word count. The History Faculty says they penalise excessive use of discursive notes, but having reviewed a friend's MPhil thesis for her, it must be quite examiner-specific: her footnotes made the thesis about 25% longer! :redface:

Reply 986

Impune

1

Original post by ggggg123

Straight from the 2015/16 handbook...

"Length

The dissertation is to be between 20,000 and 25,000 words. The word count INCLUDES tables, footnotes and appendices, but EXCLUDES the bibliography. Graphs, charts and images will be counted by the word counting software. Title pages, tables of contents and abstracts are not included in the word count."

I think it makes sense to include footnotes, seeing as they're generally prescriptive and add context to an essay. I often view them as parenthetical, merely relocated as not to disturb the flow of the essay as much.

Speaking of which reminds me: what is the standard citation method for social sciences/political science in the UK? My undergraduate department used MLA and a few professors requested APA. Is it the same at Cambridge?

Reply 987

AlexejKir

6

Hi All,

been lurking in here for quite a while, and would appreciate some help.

Submitted my app for Mphil SIO end of Dec, spoke to previous professors who agreed to provide references - deadline for references is today 15th Jan. I had one of my ref uploaded already, however my other prof went awol.

Anyone knows how lenient they are with the reference submission? Should I email and ask for an extension or it doesn't really matter when the refs are uploaded?

Also, my profile: Graduated in 2014 from top20 with a first class degree (altho avg. in the low range of 70s). Founded a business society at Uni. 3 years of work experience, currently working as a strategy consultant. Fluent in 4 languages. Quite an interesting set of extra curriculars.

Thanks a lot!

A

Reply 988

Original post by Aceadria

Please do come back and let us know how it goes! Fingers crossed you'll get it :smile:

Finished! The interview took 25 minutes or so and was centred entirely around my proposal and research interests.

She was a lovely lady, very polite and helpful and seemed to like my ideas and the fact that I am able to visit the country my thesis is based on as freely as I want since my family has a home there.

She highlighted that the final decision isn't down to her and that she has to write a report and send it to the department who will then decide whether I get an offer or not. My recent module results were also released and I told her that I got a first and she said I'll put that in my report too - which is great! She also knows that it is an incredibly understudied area which is rare when it comes to aspects of dictatorships which are often areas rinsed by academics.

Overall, I'm feeling drained an anxious. If it was down to her I would be comfortable as we really seemed to engage well but the department may be harsher and may decline me based on other applicants. On the bright side my supervisor said it shouldn't take too long to get a response - hopefully in the next two weeks! :lazy:

Reply 989

username2228735

15

Original post by omgwhat

Finished! The interview took 25 minutes or so and was centred entirely around my proposal and research interests.

She was a lovely lady, very polite and helpful and seemed to like my ideas and the fact that I am able to visit the country my thesis is based on as freely as I want since my family has a home there.

She highlighted that the final decision isn't down to her and that she has to write a report and send it to the department who will then decide whether I get an offer or not. My recent module results were also released and I told her that I got a first and she said I'll put that in my report too - which is great! She also knows that it is an incredibly understudied area which is rare when it comes to aspects of dictatorships which are often areas rinsed by academics.

Overall, I'm feeling drained an anxious. If it was down to her I would be comfortable as we really seemed to engage well but the department may be harsher and may decline me based on other applicants. On the bright side my supervisor said it shouldn't take too long to get a response - hopefully in the next two weeks! :lazy:

That sounds very promising! I really hope it does work out for you but the fact that your topic is understudied may be a good sign!

Sorry, I forgot. Did you apply for a PhD?

Reply 990

Original post by Aceadria

That sounds very promising! I really hope it does work out for you but the fact that your topic is understudied may be a good sign!

Sorry, I forgot. Did you apply for a PhD?

I hope that it is - and no, it was the MPhil in World History. :smile:

Reply 991

username2228735

15

Original post by omgwhat

I hope that it is - and no, it was the MPhil in World History. :smile:

Ah, looks like a fantastic program! Good luck! :smile:

Reply 992

Young Oldman

5

It seems like CAMISIS is not working, anyone else?

Reply 993

Original post by Young Oldman

It seems like CAMISIS is not working, anyone else?

It works if you delete your cookies and history. :smile:

Reply 994