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Master of Philosophy in History

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

1. Candidates for the Master of Philosophy in History must follow for at least six terms a course of instruction and directed research and must, upon entering the examination, produce from their society a certificate to that effect.

2. Candidates must attend such lectures, seminars and classes as their lead supervisor shall determine. In addition to the formally examined programme elements described below, each candidate will be expected to attend and complete in-course requirements for a series of skills options based on a schedule to be published from year to year by the Faculty's Graduate Studies Committee. The candidate's individual programme, agreed with their supervisor, will be subject to approval by the programme convenor, by Friday of Week One of Michaelmas Term; subsequent changes must be agreed by the programme convenor not later than Friday of Week Three of Hilary Term. 

3. 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.

4. The final examination shall comprise (i) one extended essay based on the programme’s core component, (ii) and (iii) two extended essays based on two Advanced Options, (iv) one extended essay based on a class on the writing of History, (v) a seminar presentation for a class on 'Historical concepts and controversies' and (vi) a dissertation of not more than 30,000 words in the final year of the programme.

  • I. During Michaelmas Term of the first year, each candidate shall attend a core programme, comprising introductory lectures, strand-specific classes on sources and historiography, and mixed classes on historical theory and methodological approaches. The core course will be assessed by an extended essay of between 3,000 and 5,000 words. The essay must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday of Week Nought of Hilary Term of the first year. 

  • II. In Hilary Term of the first year candidates must choose one Option course, normally from the Options for the Master of Studies in History. This Option course will be assessed by one essay of 6,000-7,000 words to be submitted by 12 noon on Friday of Week Ten of Hilary Term of the candidate's first year.

  • III. In Hilary Term of the second year candidates must choose one Option course, normally from the Options for the Master of Studies in History. This Option course will be assessed by one essay of 6,000-7,000 words to be submitted by 12 noon on Friday of Week Ten of Hilary Term of the candidate's second year.
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  • 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. These essays may complement but must not share significant content with the essay submitted under I. above. 

  • IV.    In Trinity Term candidates take a class on ‘Writing History’ and finalise a proposal for their dissertation. The Writing History classes will be assessed by an extended essay of between 4,000 and 5,000 words. The essay may complement but must not share significant content with the essays submitted under I., II. and III. above. The essay should be submitted by 12 noon on Monday of Week Nine of Trinity Term of the candidate’s first year.

  • V.   Candidates must prepare a seminar presentation for a class on ‘Historical concepts and controversies’. 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, on a topic approved by the candidate’s supervisor. The dissertation must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday of Week Eight of Trinity Term of the candidate’s second year. The presentation and footnotes should comply with the requirements specified in the Regulations of the Education Committee for the degrees of M.Litt and D.Phil and follow the Conventions for the presentation of essays, dissertations and theses of the Faculty of History. Each dissertation must include a short abstract which concisely summarises its scope and principal arguments, in about 300 words. One copy of an M.Phil. dissertation which is approved by the examiners must be deposited in the Bodleian Library. This final copy should incorporate any corrections or amendments which the examiners may have requested. It must be hard bound, in a dark colour, and lettered on the spine with the candidate’s name and initials, the degree, and the year of submission.

5. A candidate who has failed to satisfy the examiners in any one of the papers 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 (Oxford Calendar). 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.

6. All submitted assessments should be accompanied by a declaration that they are the candidate's own work.