Master of Science by Coursework in Modern South Asian Studies

Differences from 2022/23 to 2023/24

  • 1. The course shall be under the supervision of the Modern South Asian Studies Teaching Committee. The Course Director(s) will, where possible, rotate between members of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies.

  • 2. Each candidate will be required to follow a full-time course of instruction in Modern South Asian Studies for three terms.

  • 3. Candidates will complete the core course in Modern South Asian Studies. The course will be assessed by one 5,000 word maximum essay. Essay questions will be issued on Monday of Week 1 of Michaelmas Term and should be submitted by 12 noon on Monday of Week 1 of Trinity Term.

  • Research Methods

  • Candidates will complete one of the following two courses in Research Methods:

  • (i) Research Methods for Area Studies: Candidates will submit a 2,500 word maximum submitted assignment in qualitative methods to be set on Monday of Week 8 and submitted by 12 noon on Monday of Week 9 of Michaelmas Term; and a 2,500 word maximum take-home test in quantitative analysis to be set on Monday of Week 8 and submitted by 12 noon on Monday of Week 9 of Hilary Term.

  • (ii) Qualitative Research Methods in Humanities: Candidates will submit a 2,500 word maximum submitted assignment in qualitative methods to be set on Monday of Week 8 and submitted by 12 noon on Monday of Week 9 of Michaelmas Term; and a 2,500 word submitted essay on qualitative methods in literature, language and history to be set by Monday of Week 4 of Hilary Term and submitted by 12 noon on Monday of Week 9 of Hilary Term.

  • 4. Candidates will choose two option papers from a list approved by the Modern South Asian Studies Teaching Committee. The list of options and methods of assessment will be published by the Course Director(s) in the Course Handbook at the beginning of each academic year. The availability of options in any one year will depend on teaching resources and the level of student interest. Students should select two of these papers in consultation with their supervisor. Native speakers or advanced learners may substitute one option paper with an appropriate advanced language option (further details are provided in the Course Handbook). With special permission of the Modern South Asian Studies Teaching Committee, candidates may choose papers offered by other relevant Master’s degrees in the University, subject also to permission by the relevant Graduate Studies Committee. Candidates will take the standard assessment for such options.

  • 5. Candidates will complete a 12,000 word thesis (full details of what is included in the word count are provided in the Course Handbook). The title of the thesis must be approved by the Course Director(s) by 12 noon on Friday of Week 1 of Hilary Term in the academic year in which the examination is taken. The thesis must be submitted by 12 noon on Friday of theWeek weekday6 onof orTrinity nearest to 1 Septemberterm in the academic year in which the examination is taken. The thesis must be accompanied by a statement that the thesis is the candidate’s own work except where otherwise indicated.

  • 6. Each of the items of written work detailed above must be uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform at the times and days specified for each paper. Each submission must be accompanied by a declaration indicating it is the candidate’s own work.  Successful candidates may be required to deposit a hard copy of the thesis in the Bodleian Library.

  • 7. Students wishing to transfer from the MSc in Modern South Asian Studies to the MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies (non-language track) must normally apply to the Course Director(s) by 12 noon of Monday of Week 4 of Hilary Term. Candidates will need the support of their supervisor(s), and must satisfy the Teaching Committee that they have good reasons for wishing to change and well thought-out plans for the second year of the MPhil including the thesis.

  • 8. A candidate who fails the research methods course overall will be permitted to re-submit a new submission for the failed piece(s) of work within four weeks of publication of the failed mark, on a date specified by the Chair of Examiners. A candidate who fails the core course essay will be permitted to re-submit the essay on one further occasion, normally at the beginning of the September following the term in which the written papers are first taken but at the latest within one year of the original submission. If a candidate fails either of the written papers or the thesis, they may re-sit/resubmit one further time on the next occasion when examined. 

  • 9. Candidates may be required to attend an oral examination on any part of the examination.

  • 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. 
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  • Each candidate will be appointed an academic advisor from the Saïd Business School to plan an individual course of study which will include as a minimum, the following three compulsory elements:
    • (i) Normally two meetings during the bridging programme with the senior advisor appointed by the Saïd Business School at the start of the Oxford 1+1 MBA programme.
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    • (ii) A formatively assessed Integrative Development Plan of up to 3,000 words. Candidates would be required to critically reflect on their learning from the Masters programme and relate this both to their forthcoming MBA programme as well as to their career goals. The meetings with the advisor will frame the design, delivery and discussion of the plan.
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    • (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.