Information for Pembroke Undergraduates considering Postgraduate study at Pembroke

Often people decide to move to other universities for postgraduate work, because they want a change or are attracted by particular courses. Equally, many wish to stay in Cambridge to take advantage of its world-class research reputation and opportunities. Listed below are the opportunities for postgraduate study at Pembroke and where you might go for further information and advice. The College has a lively postgraduate community with, currently, roughly 200 registered for PhDs and about 55 on various one-year courses (including MPhil, MASt) as well as some part-time students.

Information and advice

There is much information about postgraduate study on the University and Pembroke websites.

Moira Hassett in LL4 runs the Postgraduate Office, and assists the Postgraduate Admissions Tutors, Nick McBride and Tim Weil, in dealing with admissions matters. She is happy to answer questions about the postgraduate admissions process.  Many of the application  deadlines are set fairly early in the academic year, so it is important to start thinking about your plans now.

The Tutor for Graduate Affairs is Dr Max Sternberg (Architecture) and the team of postgraduate tutors,  Dr Caroline Burt (History), Dr John Durrell (Engineering), Dr James Gardom (Theology), Prof Loraine Gelsthorpe (SPS/Law) and Dr Rebecca Lämmle (Classics),  together with your Director of Studies and Tutor, are available to talk to (Fellows’ knowledge of postgraduate admissions matters goes well beyond their individual subjects.)

The Graduate Parlour (GP)

The GP runs a lively social programme, including a regular weekly BA dinner in the Old Library and other activities such as Pembroke Papers, a discussion forum. For details consult the Graduate Parlour committee.

Financial support

Securing funding for postgraduate study is even more competitive than securing a place on a postgraduate programme. Pembroke values its postgraduate community, and historically we have offered generous financial support to our postgraduates. We aim to maintain, and ideally to enhance this support in the coming years.

Pembroke MPhil or LLM Awards offer a contribution to funding for Pembroke undergraduates intending to remain at Pembroke to study for a MPhil or LLM degree. They are awarded on merit and are open to students in all subjects, and eligibility will normally be restricted to students who proceed with a MPhil or LLM degree within two years of taking a BA.  Any Pembroke undergraduate who wishes to be considered for a Pembroke Award must ensure that the College has received their MPhil or LLM application (or at least made the Postgraduate Office aware that they are applying for a MPhil or LLM) by end of March 2024.  Applicants should bear in mind that different departments have different deadlines.  As the budget for these awards is finite, they will be allocated according to the following criteria:

• Academic achievement (normally denoted by a First in the Overall Degree Classification).
• Academic promise (as evidenced through an intention to continue with a PhD and through supporting letters from two referees).
• Students must apply for all other forms of financial support for which they are eligible, and will be expected to take up those awards in the first instance.

Because the level of funding available is finite and depends on the number of successful applicants, the College intends to announce the sum that will be offered to each applicant in April 2024. It will be at least £6,000 for any student who takes or has a First in their Overall Degree Classification.

Additional grants are available to subsidise research expenses for PhD students – for example conferences, archival visits, books, fieldwork and medical electives.

PGCEs

Pembroke students who are considering taking a PGCE are welcome as postgraduate students in the College.

Accommodation

Currently 60% of all Pembroke postgraduate students are housed in College accommodation. Some prefer to live out of College, but the College hopes to be able to offer accommodation to all those Pembroke students continuing on to postgraduate study. There is a limited number of flats for couples or those with children. For all postgraduate students, accommodation can only be confirmed at a fairly late stage, once funding arrangements have been agreed, and so some Pembroke undergraduates may prefer to look for private lodgings earlier in the year.