The MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History is aimed at students interested in both the theory and history of political thought (including those wider intellectual idioms which provide the context for its development). It also welcomes students whose previous study had a more specialised historical or theoretical (or philosophical) bent, provided that while doing this course, they are willing to engage with both approaches to research.
The MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History attracts students from all over the world, and its training provides an ideal foundation for doctoral research not only in the United Kingdom but around the world.
The MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History combines taught and research elements over a nine-month full-time programme, with a focus on pursuing the individual student's research for a dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words. Classes are provided in core methodology and the reading of selected texts, and on key concepts, which offer opportunities to explore different methods used in the field, different approaches to reading texts, and a variety of political concepts.
The MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History offers students a rounded and flexible master's programme that provides them with an introduction to all three of the fields contained within its scope (History of Political Thought, Political Theory, Intellectual History), while allowing them to specialise in their own area of particular interest. It offers a thorough training in the key techniques of higher-level academic study and research. It is an inter-faculty programme linking History, Politics, and Classics. The teaching staff and examiners, as do students on the course, have diverse disciplinary backgrounds.
Throughout the course, students will be supervised by a dedicated member of staff, who will guide them towards the completion of an original research project chosen and developed by the student. In addition, students will benefit from Cambridge's vibrant research environment, attending and participating in seminars, guest talks, workshops, and other events throughout the year.
The MPhil in Political Thought and Intellectual History is a nine-month full-time programme which combines elements of formal teaching with independent research. Students on the MPhil will join a group of researchers of all levels within the fields of political thought and intellectual history, allowing them to integrate into the research culture at Cambridge.
The teaching on the MPhil is designed to expand students' knowledge of political thought, political theory, and intellectual history. These classes do not form part of the course examination, but they will help students expand their knowledge and skills in the relevant fields.
The course comprises two kinds of work: group study and individually tailored supervised research training. Both persist simultaneously throughout the year, and students are expected to attend the taught classes, research seminars, and lectures while at the same time researching their essays. While there are no fixed course classes in the third term (Easter), when students will be concentrating on their dissertation, they will be required to present their work at a dissertation seminar and encouraged to continue attending lectures and relevant research seminars.
The teaching consists of a core course on Methods in the History of Political Thought, a Key Texts course (students are allocated to one of several classes offered by the MPhil), and a Key Concepts course (students choose from a list published by the MPhil).
The Key Texts and Key Concepts options offered each year vary. An illustrative list of options previously offered includes:
Applicants for this course should have achieved a High II.i Honours Degree .
If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country.
Please be aware that this is the minimum criterion for academic results, and that attaining this minimum does not assure admission to the MPhil. Admissions are fiercely competitive and many students who meet the minimum standard are not accepted onto the MPhil.
You will normally be expected to have taken a substantial number of history courses at university level and to have a sound background in the period covered by the course. Most applicants are completing or have completed degrees in history or a cognate discipline.
University Minimum Academic Requirements
Score : Grade A & B (overall score of 193, with no element lower than 185 plus a Language Centre assessment)
Score : Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 with no element lower than 185).