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General Regulations for the Degree of Master of Science by Research: Part 3 Admission of Candidates

  • 1. A candidate qualified under Part 2 of this section may apply for admission as a Student for the Degree of Master of Science by Research to the board under whose aegis the proposed subject of research falls. Such applications should be made through the Registrar, and must be accompanied by:

    • (i) a statement from the supervisor (where appropriate) that they approve the proposed subject for a thesis and considers the candidate well fitted to undertake research;

    • (ii) a statement of the subject of the proposed thesis and details of the manner in which the candidate proposes to treat it;

    • (iii) a statement of support for the application from the candidate's society.

  • 2. Applicants shall in addition be required to undertake such other tests and meet such other conditions as, subject to the approval of the Education Committee, a board may determine by regulation.

  • 3. The board shall consider the candidate's application together with the material supplied in accordance with clauses 1 and 2 above. No application shall be granted unless the board is satisfied that the candidate is capable of carrying out research, that the subject of the thesis and the manner of its treatment proposed by the candidate are acceptable, that the subject is one which may profitably be pursued under the superintendence of the board, and that the board or department concerned is satisfied that it has adequate facilities to enable the research to be undertaken.

  • 4. It shall be the duty of the Registrar to submit any application made under these provisions to the board concerned and to inform a candidate of the outcome as soon as may be.

  • 5. A candidate who is admitted to the status of Student for the Degree of Master of Science by Research shall be reckoned as having held that status from the time of admission to their previous status, unless the board shall determine otherwise.

  • 6. Any oral examination or interview which the board may require under cl.2 of this section shall be held in Oxford in a suitable university or college building, unless in exceptional circumstances the board concerned gives special permission for it to be held at some other place. Such permission shall only be granted where the candidate and the assessors have agreed in writing to the proposed arrangements.
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  • 7. In exceptional circumstances, application may be made to the relevant board for special permission to hold any oral examination or interview which the board may require under cl.2 of this section using audiovisual electronic communication. Special permission may be granted for any or all of the candidate and assessors to take part in the oral examination or interview using audiovisual electronic communication. The board concerned may approve the application where:

    • (i) it accepts that no alternative and timely arrangements may reasonably be put in place;

      (ii) the proposed arrangements are acceptable to the assessors and to the candidate, all of whom have agreed to them in writing;

      (iii) it is content to bear the additional cost of the necessary arrangements;

      (iv) the oral examination or interview takes place according to the protocol approved by the Education Committee;

      (v) in the event of any technical or other problems, the validity of the process used to conduct the oral examination or interview and to determine the outcome will be decided by the Proctors.

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