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Postgraduate Study: The Cambridge Experience

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Interactive, deep-learning, pedagogical approaches encourage learning to learn

Being a part of Your Faculty

The University of Cambridge Faculty of Education is committed to the highest standards of research and teaching and is a significant contributor to the improvement of educational policy and practice in partnership with schools, colleges and other educational agencies both in the UK and internationally.

two studentsOur Student Community

You will join a lively and well-established scholarly community. We are one of the largest graduate bodies in the University of Cambridge with around 350 Masters students and 350 Doctoral students. The diversity of our student intake provides a vibrant and stimulating environment for study. International students come from approximately 40 different countries (India, China, Brazil, Ghana to name just a few..). Many of our home students are educational professionals studying part-time.

A series of short films about Postgraduate Study at Cambridge is available here


student with booksStudent Profiles

Read more to see the answers some of our students give to crucial questions about our MEds, MPhils and Doctorates.

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student at computerFacilities

The Cambridge University Library is one of the largest libraries in the world, and one of the three main research libraries in England.  In addition to this, the Faculty Library provides a beautiful study environment and houses specialist collection of over 55,000 items on education and related fields.


studentsFERSA - Faculty of Education Research Students' Association

Students in their Masters and PhD/EdD years are members of the Faculty of Education Research Students' Association. FERSA aims to support research students, to represent student views in the Faculty, and to provide activities promoting academic excellence and collaboration within the student research community. FERSA sends members a weekly email newsletter.

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Scabble letters spelling BLOG FERSA blog

Stay up to date with the Faculty of Education Research Students' Association (FERSA) blog. The blog is a platform for students, staff and alumni to represent different voices and perspectives on their work and life as educational researchers.

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studentsDissertation Award

Each Masters degree route offers a dissertation prize. Directors of Research encourage the winner of that prize to publish an abridged version of their thesis in academic outlets. This provides an opportunity for students to achieve recognition for their academic excellence and to have an early publication.Back to top


The college system

The college system and its relationship to the Faculty is something that makes the Cambridge experience unique. In addition to being admitted to the Faculty of Education every student is admitted to a College. There is a detailed explanation of how the college system works and its history in the Graduate Prospectus. For graduates, the main role of a College is to look after their general welfare, including the provision of accommodation (for full time students), meals and other social amenities. College facilities vary, but typically include a bar, student common rooms (known as Combination Rooms), library, laundry and computing facilities. Sports facilities, such as rowing, rugby, football, cricket, athletics, squash, tennis and badminton, are usually also available. You will be assigned a College graduate tutor, whose role is to help you with any problems outside the responsibility of your academic supervisor, such as personal, welfare or finance issues. 

cambridge collegeChoosing a college

The Graduate Admissions Office arrange college places for students. There is further information available on their website. They will ask you to express two preferences; if, however, neither of your first two choices offers you a place, other colleges will be asked to consider your application. Everyone who is offered a place by the Faculty of Education will be given a place at a college.

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cambridge bridgeWhere To Live

Full time students are required to live in or close to Cambridge (within 10 miles of the city centre) and their college will arrange accommodation. Part time students are not required to live in or close to Cambridge but please be aware that you will be required to attend the Faculty regularly during term time. Students are expected to attend all sessions and a number of face-to-face supervisions. Detailed information about attendance requirements is provided on the specific programme pages. 


Unibuddy Ambassadors

If you have questions about what it's like to study here as student, chat to one of our student ambassadors or check out their blogs and videos for a real insight into life at Cambridge.