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General Regulations for the Degree of Master of Letters: Part 3 Admission of Candidates

  • 1. Candidates qualified under Part 2 of this section may apply for admission as a Student for the Degree of Master of Letters to the board concerned through the Registrar. Such applications shall be accompanied by:

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

    • (ii) a statement of support for the application from the candidate's college;

    • (iii) a statement of the subject of the thesis and of the manner in which the candidate proposes to treat it.

  • 2. Candidates qualified under Part 2, cl. 1 (i) and (ii) of this section shall in addition be required to submit written work, the precise manner and form of which shall be determined by regulation by each board. This shall be considered by two assessors appointed by the board, neither of whom shall normally be the candidate's supervisor, and who shall examine the candidate orally. Upon completion of their examination of the candidate's application, the assessors shall make a recommendation as to whether it should be granted. In each case the assessors shall make a reasoned written report to the board in support of their recommendation.

  • 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. Subject to the approval of the Education Committee, each board may determine by regulation what other test or condition, if any, it requires before admitting a candidate to M.Litt. status. Each board shall be empowered, without further authority, to require from the supervisor any further confidential report on an applicant's suitability to pursue research towards the Degree of Master of Letters.

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

  • 6. A student qualified under Part 2, cl. 1 (i) or (ii) of this section whose application for transfer to M.Litt. status is successful shall be reckoned as having been admitted to the status of student for the Degree of Master of Letters with effect from the date of admission to  their previous status, unless the board determines otherwise.

  • 7. A student qualified under Part 2, cl. 1 (iii) of this section whose application for admission to M.Litt. status is successful shall be admitted as a Student for the Degree of Master of Letters from the beginning of the term in which admission takes place.

  • 8. The oral examination required 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 both the assessors have agreed in writing to the proposed arrangements.

  • 9. In exceptional circumstances, application may be made to the relevant board for special permission to hold the oral examination required 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 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 both 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 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 and to determine the outcome will be decided by the Proctors.

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