Computer Laboratory

MPhil in Advanced Computer Science

The 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 covers advanced material in both theoretical and practical areas as well as instilling the elements of research practice. It 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. Applications for admission in October 2011 have closed. Applications for admission in October 2012 will be accepted by the University's Board of Graduate Studies from September 2011 onwards. Please note that European and international students wishing to apply for funding support must submit complete applications to the Board of Graduate Studies no later than 2 December 2011. Applicants from the USA should apply by 15 October.

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. Some overseas applicants will require, instead, a good Master's degree.
  • Mathematics to A-Level standard
  • 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 whether they are interested in pursuing Option A (with a research essay) or Option B (with a research project). Please do this within the section of the GRADSAF which asks for a research topic.

  • All applicants, regardless of Option choice, will be asked to complete an additional questionnaire once the Faculty Student Administration staff receive the application from the Board of Graduate Studies. The questionnaire will require the submission of a brief project proposal of no more than 500 words. The project proposal will help the Management Committee for Advanced Taught Courses to identify potential supervisors. The project proposal will not necessarily bind a student to the project proposed.
  • Two academic references
  • Undergraduate and (where applicable) postgraduate transcripts and degree certificates: originals and certified translations
  • A good IELTS or TOEFL score is also required where an English language qualification is necessary.

Application forms

Formal application for admission for the M.Phil degree must be made through the University's central Board of Graduate Studies using an online application form.

All supporting material, transcripts, academic references and degree certificates, must be received by the Board of Graduate Studies by no later than the deadlines published above. Please note that there is an application fee for applications.

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 Board of Graduate Studies until supporting documentation has been received. All supporting documents must be received by the Board of Graduate Studies 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

EU and international students

15 October: date by which US applicants wishing to be considered for Gates funding must submit complete applications to the Board of Graduate Studies

2 December: date by which other international and EU students wishing to be considered by the Gates and other Cambridge Trust funding competitions must submit complete applications to the Board of Graduate Studies

The list of deadlines for graduate and scholarship applications provides more precise details.

UK and EU students

13 January 2012: date by which UK and eligible EU students wishing to be considered for CHESS, AMR or Computer Laboratory funding must submit complete applications to the Board of Graduate Studies.

A limited number of studentships may be available to exceptional UK and eligible EU applicants. All successful home and EU applicants will be considered for nomination for the Cambridge Home and EU Scholarship Scheme (CHESS) competition.

UK students wishing to apply for the Allen, Meek and Read Bursaries must submit their applications to the Board of Graduate Studies no later than 13 January. The Admissions Panel for the M.Phil in Advanced Computer Science considers each successful application for funding.

Self-funding students who do not wish to be considered for Trust or AMR financial support have until 31 March 2012 to submit their applications. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Course structure

The course nominally consists of 12 standard length modules. A student choose to either replace three modules with a research essay or to replace six modules with a research project.

There are two formats, depending on whether a research project is chosen:

  • Option A: taught course: 9 taught modules and an essay of no more than 7,500 words including footnotes, appendices, and bibliography;
  • Option B: project course: 6 taught modules and a research project of no more than 15,000 words (excluding appendices and bibliography) on a subject approved by the Degree Committee.

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.

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.

Choosing between Options A and B

The ACS is modular with a wide variety of choices; as such no two students will necessarily follow identical paths. In particular, the amount of project work undertaken might vary considerably between different specialities. To cater for this, the ACS offers two major options: Option A, which focuses on taught material, and Option B, which contains a substantial research project. There are no fixed criteria as to which option a candidate may apply for; however in general students following a more theoretical course of study will choose Option A, while those interested in more practical matters will choose Option B. The list of modules should help you in making your choice. Please note that the full syllabi for the coming academic year will be available from mid-July. In the meantime you will be able to consult the individual course pages from the previous 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 Administration staff in the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology. Applicants are required to complete the questionnaire and submit it within seven days of receiving notification from Student Administration. Failure to complete will leave the application incomplete. An incomplete application cannot be processed further.

The questionnaire will ask applicants to consider which modules they will select as a course of study over the three terms from a those offered in the current year. This gives us an indication as to whether you have considered the course carefully and selected modules that will provide you with a good background to undertake your project or essay. Applicants are asked to consider the prerequisites for each module carefully.

The modules offered change from year to year and the initial selection is not binding. Successful applicants will be asked to submit a second selection of modules over the summer once the list of modules for the new academic year have been approved and published.*

*The Degree Committee for the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology reserves the right to withdraw any module with five or fewer enrolments and to adjust selections should there be oversubsubscription.

Projects, essays and research proposals

Students choosing Option B will spend a considerable amount of their time carrying out an individual research project under the supervision of a member of faculty and students choosing Option A will spend about a term working on a research essay. As a result, applicants are required to submit one or two research proposals, regardless of Option, each of no more than 500 words. This should identify the area in which you wish you work and identify possible research problems in that area. It is recommended that before submitting the research proposals on the additional questionnaire, time should be spent considering the research currently undertaken in the Computer Laboratory. Candidates who are not yet certain of their area can visit the web pages of the various research groups and faculty members for inspiration. Please see the research groups' web pages for some ideas.

The proposal and module selections are not by any means binding; rather they serve to help us with our assessment of your application as well as identify potential supervisors. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to alter their module selections, under the guidance of an appointed Course Advisor, before the start of first term.

Further information

Please contact the Graduate Education Office about any particular questions.

Email: Postgraduate.Admissions@cl.cam.ac.uk
Tel +44 1223 334652 or +44 1223 334656
Fax +44 1223 334678

Applicants are encouraged to apply using the online application form. However, if it is impossible to do this, applications submitted by post should be sent to:

Admissions Office
Board of Graduate Studies
PO Box 338
Cambridge CB2 1YP

and applications submitted by courier should be sent to:

Admissions Office
Board of Graduate Studies
4 Mill Lane
Cambridge, CB2 1RZ
Tel +44 1223 760606
Fax +44 1223 338723
Email admissions@gradstudies.cam.ac.uk
WWW: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/gradstud/