Master of Philosophy in Politics (Comparative Government, Political Theory, European Politics and Society)

Each candidate must passof the QualifyingDepartment Testof atPolitics theand endInternational Relations.  

Qualifying termExamination 

• (1i) A single three hour written examination paper testing knowledge of the candidate’s core subject (Theory of Politics or Comparative Government or European Governance).

  • Theory of Politics

    Compulsory paper for Political Theory students only. A critical examination of political concepts and theories, including social concepts and theories with political relevance.

    Comparative Government

    Compulsory paper(compulsory for Comparative Government students) 

  • (ii) only. The theory and practice of government in modern states.

    European Governance

    Compulsory paper(compulsory for European Politics and Society students) 

  • (iii) only. The theory and practiceTheory of governmentPolitics in(compulsory Europeanfor states,Political includingTheory the UK, and the theory and practice of integration in Europe.
    students)
  •  
• 5. Candidates will complete one of the following two courses assessed by coursework, full details of which will be set out in the Student Handbook:
  • (2i) A research methods paper (Research Methods in Political Science or Research Methods in Political Theory).

    • Research Methods in Political Science

      Compulsory paper(compulsory for Comparative Government and European Politics and Society students only.

      ) 

    Research Methods in Political Theory

    Compulsory paper for Political Theory students only.

    Research Methods in Political Science and

    • (ii) Research Methods in Political Theory are assessed in the following way. The candidate must submit:

      • (i) A Research Design Proposal of between 4000 and 6000 words, excluding bibliography and any methodological appendices, on the subject of the student’s proposed MPhil thesis. Two copies of the Research Design Proposal, together with a copy on CD or USB flash drive, must be submitted to the Examination Schools by noon on the Friday of sixth week of Trinity Term. It must be accompanied by a separate signed declaration that it is the candidate’s own work except where otherwise indicated and that it has not previously been submittedcompulsory for assessment,Political eitherTheory at Oxford or at another institutionstudents).

        (ii) Research methods training coursework. Candidates will satisfactorily complete a programme of core and optional research methods training, as specified in the Student Handbook. Further details regarding these courses are provided in the Student Handbook.

    •  

  • For a candidate for the degree of M.Phil6. toTo pass the Qualifyingqualifying Testexamination and proceed to the second year of study, theeach candidate must pass: theboth researchcourses. methods paper (all elements of coursework and the Research Design Proposal) and the written examination.

    Candidates who fail theeither written examination (paper (1) above)course will normally be able to retake it before the beginning of the next academic year.

     
     
    

    The

    Final markExamination  

    7. forCandidates will take two option papers from a list of those approved by the writtenPolitics examinationGraduate partStudies Committee. With the special permission of the QualifyingPolitics TestGraduate (Studies Committee candidates may take an option paper (1)from above)outside isthis carriedlist. forwardOption andpapers includedwill be assessed by written examination, research paper or essay as set out in the finalStudent classification process for the degree of MHandbook.Phil.

    Final Examination

    No candidate shall enter the Final Examination unless he or she has already passed the Qualifying Test  
     
    8. InCandidates thewill Finalsubmit Examination every candidate must offer:

    • (1) Aa thesis of not more than 30,000 words, excludingby bibliographynoon on Tuesday of week 1 of Trinity term. 
       
      9. Option paper essays or research papers and anythe methodological appendices. Two hard copies, together with a copy on CD or USB flash drive,thesis must be submitted tousing the ExaminationUniversity Schoolsapproved byonline noonsubmission system. Technical information on the Mondayrequirements offor firstonline weeksubmissions ofis Trinityprovided Termin the Student Handbook.  
       
      10. Successful Itcandidates mustwill be accompaniedrequired by a separate signed declaration that it is the candidate’s own work except where otherwise indicated and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment, either at Oxford or at another institution. After the examination process is complete, each successful candidate mustto deposit one hardbounda copy of their thesis in the Bodleian Library.

      (2) Two papers, taken from the approved list of optional subjects in Politics, as published in the Student Handbook by the Politics Graduate Studies Committee on Monday of first week of Michaelmas Term each academic year (to apply to candidates being examined in the Trinity Term of that year). Candidates should note that the Politics subjects available in any particular year will depend on the availability of teaching resources. Not all subjects will be available in every year, and restrictions may be placed on the number of candidates permitted to offer certain subjects in any particular year.

  Candidates may, with special permission of the Politics Graduate Studies Committee, offer subjects outside this list. Applications must be made by the last Friday of the Trinity Term preceding that in which the examination is to be taken, and must be supported by the candidate’s supervisor. Supervisors should ensure that applications are submitted as early as possible so that if approval is not granted the candidate has sufficient time to choose an alternative.
  
  When candidates sit optional papers offered at departments other than the Department of Politics and International Relations, they are bound by the regulations of the M.Phil. in Politics.
  
  The Examiners may award a distinction for excellence in the whole examination, on the basis of the work submitted to them in both the Qualifying Test and the Final Examination.