Master of Studies in History of Design

Differences from 2014/15 to 2021/22

1. Candidates must follow a course of instruction in the History of Design. The course willis be takenavailable on a part- time basis only to be followed over a period of notsix fewer than two years and not more than three years within a maximum period of five yearsterms.    

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

  • (Aa) Mandatory Course Papers

    Every candidate must submit aA written assignment for each of the three mandatory course papers taught in Year 1: 

    • I.(i) TechniquesMaterials and MaterialsTechniques: (Objectan Caseobject Study:case study of not more than  2,500 words) 

    • II.(ii) Historical Methods: (Methodologya methodology and Criticalcritical Sourcessources Review:review of not more than 3,000 words) 

    • III.(iii) ResearchA Projectresearch (Extendedproject Essay:of not more than 5,000 words).

  • (Bb) Advanced Papers

    Every candidate must follow two Advanced Papers courses from the options listed in the Schedule below, and submit oneA written assignment of nonot more than 5,000 words in length for each paper. Candidates will selectof two Advanced Paperspapers inselected Year 2 offrom the M.StSchedule from a list of available optionsbelow.

  • (Cc) Dissertation

    Every candidate must produce aA dissertation of not more than 15,000 words, including appendices but excluding bibliography and endnotes, on a topic approved by any two of the Courseexaminers.  

    Assignments Directorunder 2(a) and (b) shall be uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform for consideration by such dates as the examiners shall determine and of which they shall notify candidates. The dissertation under 2(c) must be deliveredsubmitted in digital copy, format to be prescribed in the course handbook, not later than noon on the last MondayTuesday in September of the second year of the course to the ChairUniversity ofapproved Examinersonline forassessment the Degree of M.St in the History of Design, c/o Head of Examinations and Assessment, Examination Schools, High Street, Oxfordplatform.

3.   Each candidate must attend a viva voce examination when required to do so by the examiners.

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

5. A candidate  Candidates who fails a core topic or 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 of the dissertation,examination which they have failed on one further occasion only, not latermore than one occasion which shall normally be within one year afterof the initialoriginal attemptfailure.

Schedule 

Advanced Papers are available in the following areas: 

  • • Decoration in Modern France

    • • The Arts and Crafts TraditionTraditions: inLocal Modernand BritainTransnational Perspectives

  • •• Design in the Machine Age to Digital: Histories and Technologies

  • • • Design, Body, Environment 

    • Visual Cultures of the World Wars

    • Academic Writing and Contemporary Practice *

    • Medieval Period or Early Modern Paper Option (shared with the proposed M.St Architectural History)

    • Papers available to be shared with the existing MSc English Local History:

    • A.7 The social history of English architecture, 1870-1940

    • A.8• TheDesign Englishfor suburb,War 1800-1939and Peace

    • A.4• EnglishModern architectureDesign 1500-1640and the Home

* This Advanced Paper will be assessed by means of two written assignments: a Documentation Project and a Critical Sources Review; each 1,500 words in length.

Not all advanced papers will be available in any one year and the definitive list of advanced papers available in any one year will be circulated to candidates and their supervisors during the second week of Michaelmas Term.

A Postgraduate Diploma will be available only to those registered as M.St students but who for whatever reason are not continuing to complete the full M.St. To be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in the History of Design students must successfully complete the Core papers in 2A(I-III) and the Advanced Papers in 2B.