MPhil Dissertation Proposal

[zbr13]

I am applying to the MPhil in Politics at Cambridge and am struggling with the essays on the application. The program requires a 500 word dissertation proposal. Does anyone know what they are looking for or how to structure it? I know what I'd like to research - a comparison of ethnic separatist movements in Turkey and Burma - but feel like my proposal is too vague and unfocused.

In addition they ask for career goals and "additional information". How much should this be like a traditional SOP with background and relevant experience?

Anyone else applying to this program? I was under the impression that it is a taught masters program, but from reading other posts gather that the MPhil is a research degree...

Thanks for the help

Edited November 3, 2010 by zbr13

[Bukharan]

Hi! I was accepted into a one-year M.Phil. in International Relations in Cambridge last year. I had to send a research proposal rather than an SOP. So no mention of my academic background or any sort of experience or any other poetic things. I did mention my linguistic skills but only because they were relevant to that particular research project. What they want is a research outline: the topic, the question, the objective, supplementary questions (if any), historiography, methodology etc.

At the end of the proposal, I put some vague and general phrase about my career goals and how I will benefit from this degree in Cambridge.

I hope that helps.

I am applying to the MPhil in Politics at Cambridge and am struggling with the essays on the application. The program requires a 500 word dissertation proposal. Does anyone know what they are looking for or how to structure it? I know what I'd like to research - a comparison of ethnic separatist movements in Turkey and Burma - but feel like my proposal is too vague and unfocused.

In addition they ask for career goals and "additional information". How much should this be like a traditional SOP with background and relevant experience?

Anyone else applying to this program? I was under the impression that it is a taught masters program, but from reading other posts gather that the MPhil is a research degree...

Thanks for the help

[zbr13]

Hi! I was accepted into a one-year M.Phil. in International Relations in Cambridge last year. I had to send a research proposal rather than an SOP. So no mention of my academic background or any sort of experience or any other poetic things. I did mention my linguistic skills but only because they were relevant to that particular research project. What they want is a research outline: the topic, the question, the objective, supplementary questions (if any), historiography, methodology etc.

At the end of the proposal, I put some vague and general phrase about my career goals and how I will benefit from this degree in Cambridge.

I hope that helps.

Thank you! This does indeed help a lot!

[oiseauaudio]

Have you heard back yet? I also applied to Cambridge for an MPhil, but in a different field (Education) and haven't yet heard back. Good luck!