Master of Science by Coursework in English Local History

Differences from 2014/15 to 2021/22

1. Every candidateCandidates must follow for at least six terms a part-time course of instruction in English Local History. andThe mustcourse uponis enteringavailable for examination produce from his or her societyon a certificatepart-time tobasis thatonly effectover a period of six terms.

2. TheEvery examinationcandidate will consistbe ofrequired to satisfy the examiners in the following parts:

Qualifying test

  • Every(a) candidate must pass aA qualifying test. The test shall consistconsisting of the satisfactory completion of a course on:

     Concepts and methodsMethods: an introduction to research ininto local history;

    The organisers of the course shall, not later than the end of the Hilary Term in the first year of the course submit to the examiners a list of candidates who have satisfactorily completed the qualifying course. No candidate who has failed the qualifying test will be permitted to supplicate for the degree. Candidates who fail the qualifying course once will be permitted to take it again, not later than one year after the initial attempt.

    Final Examinations

    The final examination shall consist of three parts:

    • A.(b) Skills for local history

      Every: candidate must submit twoone written assignmentsassignment of no more than 23,500000 words in length for each of two courses from the list below:

      • (1) Sources, Methods and Foundations in Medieval Local History

      • (2) Sources, Methods and Foundations in Early Modern Local History

      • (3) Sources, Methods and Foundations in Modern Local History

    • B.(c) Advanced papers

      Every candidate must follow either

      • (1)Two written assignments for each of two advancedpapers, paperseach fromassignment Scheduleto Abe belowof not more than 5,000 words.

      • or

      • (2)Papers onetaken advancedare paperto be chosen from Schedule A below and a secondlist paperin fromthe Schedulehandbook B,to whichbe consistspublished by the first week of papersMichaelmas alsoTerm offeredeach asyear. partNot ofall theoptions MScmay inbe Economicavailable andevery Social Historyyear. Other Schedule B papers may be addedoffered subject to the approval of the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee of the History Faculty Board and of the Board of Studies of the Committee for Continuing Education.

        Each candidate will submit two written assignments of not more than 5,000 words in length for each paper. Some Schedule B papers may be assessed by a three hour unseen examinationexaminers.

    • C.(d) Dissertation

      • A dissertation of not more than 15,000 words, including appendices but excluding bibliography, on a topic approvedselected by the candidate’s in consultation with the supervisor and approved by any two of the examiners. 

    Assignments under a), b) and c) shall be submitted via the University approved online assessment platform for consideration by the examiners by such dates as the examiners shall determine and of which they shall notify candidates. The dissertation must be delivereduploaded to the University approved online assessment platform in a digital format as prescribed in the course handbook not later than noon on the last Monday in September of the second year of the course to the Chair of Examiners for the M.Sc. in Local History, c/o Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford.

Schedule A

Advanced Papers are available in the following areas:

  • 1. The development of rural society

  • 2. Social history

  • 3. Urban history

  • 4. History of religion

  • 5. Architecture and local society

Schedule B

Advanced Papers are available in the following areas:

  • 1. Economic and business history

  • 2. History of science and technology

  • 3. Social history

  • 4. Historical demography

  • 5. History of medicine

  • A list of Advanced Papers will be published by the Board of Studies for the M.Sc. in English Local History in September for the academic year ahead (not all options may be available in every year). The definitive list of the titles of Advanced Papers for any one year will be circulated to candidates and their supervisors not later than Friday of the third week of Michaelmas Term. Teaching for the Advanced Papers will take place in Hilary Term.
  • 3. TheCandidates examinersmay will permit the use of any hand-held pocket calculator subject to the conditions set out in Regulations for the Conduct of University Examinations.

  • 4. Each candidate must attend an oral examination whenbe required to doattend soa viva voce examination by the examiners.

  • 54. The examiners may award a distinction for excellence in the whole examination.

  • 6. A candidateCandidates who fails an advanced paper, or whose dissertation failsfail to satisfy the examiners, in any part or parts of the examination may be permitted to retakeresubmit work in respect of the paper,part or resubmitparts thewhich dissertation,they have failed on one further occasion only, not latermore than one occasion which shall normally be within one year afterof the initial attemptfailure.