MPhil in Advanced Computer Science, University of Cambridge

he MPhil in Advanced Computer Science (the ACS) is designed to prepare students for doctoral research, whether at Cambridge or elsewhere. Typical applicants will have undertaken a first degree in computer science or an equivalent subject, and will be expected to be familiar with basic concepts and practices. The ACS is a nine–month course which starts in early October and finishes on 30 June. It covers advanced material in both theoretical and practical areas as well as instilling the elements of research practice. The course combines lectures, seminars and project work in various combinations tailored to the individual student; more details are given below. Prospective applicants should note that the MPhil in Advanced Computer Science is not a conversion course.

Course Code

The course code for the MPhil in Advanced Computer Science is CSM3 and the deadline for receipt of applications, for admission in October 2016, is 31 March 2016. Please note that European and international students wishing to apply for Gates and other Cambridge Trust funding support needed to submit applications to the University's Graduate Admissions Office no later than Wednesday 2 December 2015.

Prerequisites

Applicants for the M.Phil in ACS are expected to have met the following prerequisites

• First-class honours degree, or equivalent, in computer science. Alternatively, a degree of equal status in engineering, science, or mathematics where the applicant can demonstrate significant relevant preparation for the Cambridge MPhil course.
  
  • Minimum academic requirements for the University of Cambridge may be found at International Qualifications.
    Note: The minimum academic requirements for the M.Phil in Advanced Computer Science are higher than the University's minimum requirements.
  • Please contact us via email to Postgraduate.Admissions@cl.cam.ac.uk if you would like us to check the suitability of your qualifications informally before applying. We advise doing this at least three weeks before the application deadlines below.
• Mathematics to A-Level standard or equivalent
• Some programming experience

Applications

It will be assumed that applicants will have some programming experience and that they have mathematics to A-Level standard. Applicants will need to indicate in which broad areas of research they are interested. Please do this within the section of the GRADSAF which asks for a research topic.

• All applicants will be asked to complete an in-house questionnaire once the Faculty's Graduate Education Office receives the application from the University's central Graduate Admissions Office. The questionnaire will require the submission of a brief project proposal of no more than 500 words. The project proposal will help the MPhil Admissions Panel to identify potential supervisors and is indicative only. The Faculty is under no obligation to accept a project proposed in the questionnaire for the examination of the M.Phil in Advanced Computer Science.

• A complete application will consist of the following:
• Completed online application form
• Two academic references to be uploaded by the referees
• Undergraduate and (where applicable) postgraduate transcripts and degree certificates: originals and certified translations to be uploaded by the applicant
• A good IELTS or CPE score is also required where an English language qualification is necessary. TOEFL is acceptable when the applicant is interviewed.
• Completed additional questionnaire

Application forms

Formal application for admission for the M.Phil degree must be made through the University's central Graduate Admissions Office using an online application form. Please note that there is an application fee.

Applications for admission in October 2016 will open in early September 2015.

All supporting material, transcripts, academic references and degree certificates, must be received by the Graduate Admissions Office by no later than the deadlines published.

Uploading supporting documents: Applicants are asked NOT to upload scanned documents as JPEGS. Please convert scanned material and .docx documents into PDF before uploading them with your application.

Please note that your application will not be activated by the Graduate Admissions Office until supporting documentation has been received. All supporting documents must be received by the Graduate Admissions Office within two weeks of submitting the application. Online applications will be withdrawn and may not be reinstated if supporting material is not received by the relevant closing date. It is therefore very important to have all your supporting material, including references, transcripts and research proposal, ready to submit before you apply.

The deadline for applications for this course is 31 March, but earlier application, in January or February, is strongly recommended. The deadlines for receipt of complete applications from students wishing to be considered for the funding competitions are much earlier.

Funding competitions

UK and EU students For the academic year commencing 1 October 2016

6 January 2016: date by which UK and eligible EU students wishing to be considered for Computer Laboratory funding must submit completeapplications for admission in October 2016 to the University's Graduate Admissions Office.

A limited number of studentships may be available to exceptional UK and eligible EU applicants.

Self-funding UK and EU students may apply for October 2016 admission up until 31 March 2016.

The Admissions Panel for the M.Phil in Advanced Computer Science considers each successful UK and eligible EU applicant for one of a limited number of internal awards.

Self-funding students who do not wish to be considered for support from the Cambridge Trusts have until 31 March 2016 to submit their complete applications. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

International and EU students For the academic year commencing 1 October 2016

Self-funding international students may apply for October 2016 admission up until 31 March 2016.

15 October 2015: date by which US applicants wishing to be considered for Gates funding must submit complete applications to the University's Graduate Admissions Office

2 December 2015: date by which other international (other than US) and EU applicants wishing to be considered by the Gates and other Cambridge Trust funding competitions must submit applications to the University's Graduate Admissions Office. The Trusts usually allow two weeks to upload all other supporting material. Please check the list of deadlines for graduate and Trusts' scholarship applications and requirements carefully.

Course structure

The course nominally consists of 12 standard length modules. A student replaces seven modules with a research project.

• 5 taught modules and a research project report of no more than 15,000 words (excluding appendices and bibliography) on a subject approved by the Degree Committee, and 12 units from the mandatory Research Skills programme including compulsory units in written English and presentation skills.

The project can be research or application oriented and industrial collaboration is possible. Project selection and planning occurs in the first term and the project is undertaken in the following two terms. A final report is submitted at the end of the project in the second week of June.

The taught modules are delivered in a range of styles. For example, there are traditional lecture courses, lecture courses with associated practical classes, reading clubs, and seminar style modules.

Course registration is on the first Monday following 1 October and the course finishes on 30 June the following year.

Additional questionnaire

All applicants will be asked to complete an online questionnaire in addition to the online GRADSAF application form. You will be sent a link to a page once your application has been logged by Graduate Education staff in the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology.

Further information

Please contact the Faculty's Graduate Education Office with any questions not answered above.

Email: Graduate Education Office

Tel.: +44 1223 334652 or +44 1223 334656
Fax: +44 1223 334678

• MPhil in Advanced Computer Science module course list and syllabi
(modules offered in the current year)

Applicants should apply using the online application form. However, if it is impossible to do this, applications and/or supporting documents may be submitted by post or by courier. Applicants are warned, however, that at busy times of year the processing of applications received by post may be delayed and may not be recorded as having been received by the funding deadline.

We strongly recommend obtaining a tracking number and include your application number in all correspondence with the University's Graduate Admissions Office or CL Graduate Education Offices.

Graduate Admissions Office
Academic Division
4 Mill Lane
Cambridge CB2 1RX

Email: Graduate.Admissions@admin.cam.ac.uk
WWW: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/admissions/acs/