Master of Science by Coursework in Latin American Studies

Differences from 2015/16 to 2022/23

(See also the the general notice at the commencement of these regulations.)

For the purposes of this examination, Latin America will be interpreted as the eighteen Spanish-speaking republics of the Western Hemisphere, plus Brazil, Haiti, and Puerto Rico.

The regulations are as follows:

  • 1. Candidates for the M.ScMSc in Latin American Studies will:

    • (a) Follow a course of instruction for three terms. andStudents presenttake three examination papers at the end of Trinity Termcourses in the year of registration. These paperscourses must include at least two of the coredisciplinary paperscourses from among the following five disciplines: Economics, History, International Relations, Politics and Sociology. EachDetails of the examination papers countsassessment for 25each percourse centwill ofbe published in the finalCourse degree markHandbook. 

    • (b ) Submit ana extended essaydissertation, not exceeding 10,000 words, including footnotes and appendices. A draft title for the extended essaydissertation must be submitted for approval by the Latin American Centre Management Committee by 12:00 noon on the Friday of Week 02 of the Hilary Term preceding the written examination. TwoAn typewrittenelectronic copiescopy of the extended essaydissertation must be delivereduploaded to the ExaminationUniversity Schools,approved addressedonline toassessment the Chair of Examiners for the M.Sc in Latin American Studies, c/o Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford,platform by 12:00 noon on the Monday of Week 5 of Trinity Term in the calendar year in which the examination is taken. TheOnly extendedthe essayfile willuploaded via the University approved online assessment platform constitutes a valid submission; no concomitant hard-copy may be equalsubmitted. toThe onesubmission examinationmust paperbe anonymous, i.e. 25 per cent ofand the finalsubmission degreemust markbe accompanied by a declaration indicating that it is the candidate’s own work.

    • (c ) Candidates may also be required to present themselves for an oral examination if requested to do so by the examiners. The oral examination may focus on any of the candidates examination papersassessments, extendedincluding essay,the or bothdissertation.

  • 2. The list of examinationoption paperscourses will be published on the Latin American Centre website and in the University Gazette in Week 0 of Michaelmas Term. Candidates must take the coredisciplinary papercourse in Economics if they wish to take a further paper in that discipline. Specialisation on a single country or a combination of countries is permitted so long as the choice appears in the list of available papers published.

  • 3. Candidates shall be deemed to have passed the examination if they have passed all examinationthree assessment papers and the extended essay.

  • 4. A mark of 48 or 49 in one of the exam papers or the extended essay can be compensated for with marks indicating clear ability on the remaining three components of the examination. Candidates who either (i) receive a mark of 48 or 49 in one exam paper or the extended essay which cannot be compensated for by the remaining three components, (ii) receive less than 48 in one of the four components of the examination, or (iii) receive two or more marks below 50 in the four components of the examination, will be permitted to retake the paper(s)/resubmit the extended essay on one further occasion only, in Trinity Term, one year after the first attempt. Such candidates must pass the extended essay or examination paper(s) in order to pass the examination.

  • 5. The examiners may award a distinction for excellence in the whole examinationdissertation.

Oxford 1+1 MBA programme

Candidates registered on the Oxford 1+1 MBA programme will follow an additional two or three -month bridging programme at the end of their third term of the combined programme.

Each candidate will be appointed an academic advisor from the Saïïd Business School to plan an individual course of study which will include as a minimum, the following three compulsory elements:

  • (i) AttendanceNormally oftwo onemeetings during the bridging programme with the senior advisor appointed by the Saïd Business School at the start of the summerOxford elective1+1 programmesMBA offeredprogramme.

    (ii) forA theformatively Masterassessed Integrative Development Plan of Business Administrationup to be3,000 published by the MBA Director before the first Monday of the preceding termwords. Candidates would be required to undertakecritically allreflect assessmentson their learning from the Masters programme and receiverelate feedback,this butboth wouldto nottheir obtainforthcoming creditMBA towardsprogramme as well as to their career goals. The meetings with the MBA.advisor Candidateswill are not permitted to subsequently undertakeframe the samedesign, electivedelivery asand partdiscussion of the MBA programme the following yearplan.

  • (ii) A formatively assessed assignment of no more than 5,000 words (including all prefatory matter and appendices) supervised by the Saïd Business School academic advisor, which will relate the Master’s degree learning to an appropriate area of the MBA programme. Candidates would also be required to present a work plan related to this assignment to the 1+1 programme class.

  • (iii) Attendance of the MBA pre-course as described in the joining instructions for the MBA class, unless granted exemption by the MBA Committee on the grounds of prior formal study or work experience.