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Master of Philosophy in History

The regulations of the Board of the Faculty of History are as follows:

1. Candidates must apply for and follow a particular named strand of the programme, chosen from a list published by the Faculty by 1 September of the year before entry.  They may only change to a different strand with the written agreement of their supervisors, and of the Convenor of the MPhil in History.

2. The final examination shall comprise (I) one essay based on the programme’s core component, Historical Methods, (II) and (III) two essays based on two Options, (IV) one essay based on a class on the writing of History, (V) a seminar presentation for a class on the Research Masterclass, and (VI) a dissertation of not more than 30,000 words in the final year of the programme.

  • I. Historical Methods: an essay of up to 5,000 words, to be submitted by 12 noon on Thursday of Week ten in Hilary Term of the candidate’s first year. 

  • II. Option 1: An essay of 5,000 words, to be submitted by 12 noon on Thursday of Week nine in Michaelmas Term of the candidate’s first year. This essay may complement but must not share significant content with the essay submitted under I. or III. 

III. Option 2: An essay of 5,000 words, to be submitted by 12 noon on Thursday of Week nine in Hilary Term of the candidate’s first year. This essay may complement but must not share significant content with the essay submitted under I. or II.  

    • For II. and III., candidates wishing to take Option papers from another programme offered by the History Faculty, and exceptionally, by other Faculties, may do so with the permission of the programme convenor, the person responsible for the delivery of the requested Option paper, and their supervisor. Such candidates will be assessed according to the regulations with respect to the form of assessment and deadlines governing that Option (i.e. the regulations of the programme under which the Option paper is offered), but the modes of assessment and deadlines for the other course elements of the programme for which the candidate is registered will remain in force. 

  • IV. Writing History: An essay of 5,000 words be submitted by 12 noon on Tuesday of Week Nine of Trinity Term of the candidate’s first year. The essay may complement but must not share significant content with the essays submitted under I., II. and III. above. 

  • V. In their second year, candidates must attend the Research Masterclass seminars, and prepare a seminar presentation. Students may choose a topic for their presentation in an area proximate to their dissertation subject, but may not replicate any other material submitted for examination.  

  • VI. A dissertation of not more than 30,000 words, including footnotes and appendices but excluding bibliography, to be submitted by 12 noon on Tuesday of Week Eight of Trinity Term of the candidate’s second year. Each dissertation must include a short abstract which concisely summarises its scope and principal arguments, in about 300 words. 

3. In order to pass the degree, a student must pass assessments (I), (II), (III), (IV), and (VI). Only candidates who pass (V) as well will be considered for a Merit or Distinction classification. 

4. A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in I, II, III, IV, VI may enter again to be examined on the failed assessment on one, but not more than one, subsequent occasion. This resubmission of paper will be made within twelve months of the original assessment deadline. No candidate who has satisfied the examiners in any one of the examinations may enter again for the same examination. Candidates who have initially failed any element of assessment shall not normally be eligible for the award of merit or distinction.