Master of Science by Coursework in Politics Research

Differences from 2015/16 to 2021/22

(See also the general notice at the commencement of these regulations. The current edition of the Student Handbook contains an elaborated version of these regulations.)

The regulations made by the Politics Graduate Studies Committee are as follows:

M.Sc. Examination

A candidate for the M.Sc. in Politics Research shall follow a course of instruction in Politics Research for twelve months. Each candidate must pass the M.Sc. Examination at the end of Trinity Term in the two compulsory papers. Each candidate   must also submit a thesis during the Long Vacation.



Compulsory papers

  • (1) A single three hour written examination paper testing knowledge of the candidates core subject (Comparative Government or European Governance).

    Comparative Government

    Compulsory paper taken from the M.Phil. in Politics

    The theory and practice of government in modern states.

    European Governance

    Compulsory paper taken from the M.Phil. in Politics

    The constitutions and formal structure of governments in European states, including the UK, and the theory and practice of integration in Europe.

    (2) Research Methods in Political Science

    (Compulsory paper taken from the M.Phil. in Politics)

    The paper is assessed in the following way. The candidates must submit:

    • (i) A Research Design Proposal of between 4000 and   6000 words, excluding the title page, contents, bibliography and any methodological appendices, on research design as it bears on the subject of the candidates proposed M.Sc. thesis. Two copies of theThe Research Design Proposal, together with a copy on CD or USB flash drive, must be submitteduploaded to the ExaminationUniversity Schoolsapproved online assessment platform by noon on the Friday of sixth week of Trinity Term. ItThe work must be anonymous and must be accompanied by a separate signed declaration that it is the candidates own work except where otherwise indicated, and that it has not previously been submitted for assessment, either at Oxford or at another institution.

      (ii) Research methods training coursework. Candidates will satisfactorily complete a programme of core and optional research methods training, as specified in the Student Handbook. Candidates who fail elements of the research methods training coursework are normally permitted to submit a second time (or, of the coursework is assessed by a test, to resit that test) by a date specified in the Student Handbook.

The Thesis

Each candidate must submit a thesis of not more than 15,000 words, excluding the title page, contents, bibliography and any methodological appendices. TwoThe hard copies, together with a copy on CD or USB flash drive,thesis must be submitteduploaded to the ExaminationUniversity Schoolsapproved online assessment platform by noon on the last Friday of August following the end of Trinity Full Term. ItOn mustsubmitting the thesis, candidates will also be accompaniedrequired byto asubmit separatean signedonline declaration thatof 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 institutionauthorship. The thesisexaminers mustshall beexclude clearlyfrom markedconsideration withany the candidate’s examination number, the titlepart of the thesis which is not the candidate’s own work or which has been or will be submitted to satisfy the requirements of another course, and the wordsexaminers M.Sc.shall inhave Politicspower Researchto require the candidate to produce for their inspection the work so submitted or to be submitted. After the examination process is complete, each successful candidate must deposit one hardbound copy of their thesis in the Bodleian Library.

With

respect to the Research Design Proposal and the thesis, only the file uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform constitutes a valid submission; no concomitant hard-copy submission may be submitted for any purpose.

For a candidate to pass the degree of M.Sc. in Politics Research, the candidate must pass: the Research Methods in Political Science paper (all elements of coursework and the Research Design Proposal), the written examination paper (Comparative Government or European Governance), and the thesis.

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