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Master of Philosophy in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology

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

  • (1) Every candidate must follow for at least six terms a course of instruction in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology, and must upon entering for the examination produce from their society a certificate to that effect.

  • (2) The examination will consist of the following parts:

  • Qualifying test

  • Every candidate must pass a qualifying test. The test shall consist of a course in Methods and Themes in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology.

  • The Methods and Themes in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology course will be assessed by an essay of up to 4,000 words. The essay must be uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform by noon on Tuesday of Week 10 of Michaelmas Term of the candidate’s first year. In addition, convenors of qualifying courses will confirm in writing to the chair of examiners not later than Friday of Week 8 of Hilary Term the candidates’ satisfactory participation in their classes, including the completion of any assignments for the weekly sessions. No candidate who has failed the qualifying test will be permitted to supplicate for the degree. Candidates who fail the qualifying course once will be permitted to take it again, not later than one year after the initial attempt.

  • Candidates will submit two ‘practice’ essays of 3,000 words, one on Friday of Week 3 of Michaelmas Term and one on Friday of Week 6 of Michaelmas Term. Of these two essays and the Methods and Themes in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology essay, at least one must address a topic in the history of medicine and at least one must address a topic in the history of science and technology. The essays must address a range of topics in the history of science, medicine, and technology, and may not overlap considerably in subject matter.

Final Examination

The examination shall consist of four option papers and a dissertation.

1. Option papers

Candidates take four papers in total: two in Year 1 and two in Year 2. 

Each option paper is assessed either by essays of 4,000-5,000 words, or one essay of 8,000-10,000 words. Candidates must not consult supervisors or any other person regarding the content, structure, or argument of submitted essays. All essays must be submitted via the University-approved online assessment platform, two by noon on Tuesday of Week 9 of Trinity Term of the first year, and two by noon on Tuesday of Week 9 of Trinity Term of the second year.

A. History of Science, Medicine, and Technology Option papers

Three papers must be taken from papers offered within the MSc/MPhil in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology list of options. A descriptive list of available option papers is published annually on the course's virtual learning platform, with the definitive list for the relevant academic year confirmed and published at the start of Michaelmas term. 

B. Cross-Programme Option papers

In place of one History of Science, Medicine, and Technology option paper, a candidate may, with the approval of both the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology Course Convenor and the convenor of the paper concerned, select one paper from another eligible Master’s programme. Approved Cross-Programme Papers may be selected from the following:

i. Option papers offered through the MSc/MPhil in Economic and Social History

ii. A suitable paper from another Master's programme within the Faculty of History

iii. A suitable paper from another Master's programme recommended by the candidate's supervisor

Cross-programme options 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).

2. Dissertation

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  • Candidates will submit a dissertation of not more than 30,000 words, including appendices but excluding bibliography on a topic approved by the candidate's supervisor. The dissertation must be uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform not later than noon on the Tuesday of Week 1 of the Trinity Term of the candidate's second year. The dissertation must conform to the presentation and referencing conventions specified by the Faculty of History. 

  • Each dissertation must include an abstract of approximately 300 words summarising its scope and principal arguments. The abstract is not included in the dissertation word count.

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3. Failure and resit provisions

  • Where examiners consider that a candidate has not reached the standard required for the MPhil but has reached the standard required for the M.Sc. in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology, the candidate may either: resit the MPhil examination once, or be granted leave to supplicate for the M.Sc.

  • A candidate who fails the award overall will be permitted to re-take any failed assessment(s) on one further occasion only, usually not later than one year after the initial attempt.