Master of Philosophy in Comparative Social Policy

1. The programme shall be under the supervision of the Comparative Social Policy Teaching Committee of the Department of Social Policy and Intervention.
2. Each candidate will be required to follow a course of instruction in Comparative Social Policy for at least six terms full-time. 
3. Candidates must submit assessments as detailed below.

Qualifying Test 

4. Methods of Social Research – Candidates must submit:

(1) a 3,000 word quantitative methods assignment by noon on Tuesday of week 0 of Hilary term of the first year.  

(2) a 3,000 word qualitative methods assignment by noon on Wednesday of week 11 of Hilary term of the first year. 

5. Core Paper: Comparative Social Policy and Social Policy Analysis – Candidates will sit a written examination in Trinity term of the first year.
6. One Option Paper – Candidates must submit a written assignment of up to 4,000 words by noon on Wednesday of week 0 of Trinity term of the first year. 

Final Examination 

7. One Option Paper – Candidates must submit a written assignment of not more than 4,000 words by noon on Wednesday of week 0 of Trinity term of the second year.
8. Thesis – Candidates must submit a thesis of not more than 30,000 words by noon on Friday of week 6 of Trinity term of the second year. An additional word limit of 6,000 words in total applies to the abstract, footnotes, endnotes and technical appendices (including graphs, tables and charts).

9. Candidates should refer to the Course Handbook for full details of the requirements for each assessment. 
10. Option Papers will be chosen from a list published annually by Friday of the week 6 of Michaelmas term in the Department of Social Policy and Intervention. In exceptional circumstances and with the special permission of the Course Director, the option paper may be from subjects outside this list offered in any other relevant master's degree in the University. 
11. All assessments must be submitted using the University approved online submission system. Technical information on the requirements for online submissions is provided in the Course Handbook. 
12. Candidates who fail either/both of the Methods of Social Research assignments, or the Option Paper assessment will have the opportunity to resubmit in the same academic year. Candidates will be informed of the exact dates for re-submission after the exam board has confirmed that reassessment is required. Candidates who fail a written examination paper will have the opportunity to retake the exam, normally before the start of the next academic year. In the case of failure of the dissertation, the candidates may resubmit by noon on 15 August (or the weekday nearest 15 August) the following year. 
13. Candidates must present themselves for an oral examination if required by the examiners