Master of Philosophy in International Relations

1. The programme shall be under the supervision of the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee of the Department of Politics and International Relations, which is under the supervision of the Social Sciences Divisional Board. 

2. Candidates will be required to follow a full-time course of instruction for six terms. 

3. The examinations shall consist of the following: 

Qualifying Examination

4. Candidates will complete the first year core course (The Development of the International System and Contemporary Debates in International Relations Theory) assessed by a written examination. 

5. Candidates will complete Research Design and Methods in International Relations (Combined) assessed by coursework, full details of which will be set out in the Course Handbook and on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment. 

6. To pass the qualifying examination and proceed to the second year each candidate must pass both courses. Candidates who fail either course will normally be able to retake it before the beginning of the next academic year. 

Final Examination

7. Candidates will take two option papers from a list of those approved by the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee. With the special permission of the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee candidates may take an option paper from outside this list. Option papers will be assessed by written examination, research paper or essay as set out in the Course Handbook and on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment. 

8. Candidates will submit a thesis of not more than 30,000 words by noon on Monday of Week 1 of Trinity term. 

9. Option paper essays or research papers and the thesis must be submitted using the University approved online submission system. Technical information on the requirements for online submissions is provided in the Course Handbook and on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment. 

10. Candidates must present themselves for viva voce examination when requested by the examiners. The examiners shall not normally fail any candidate without inviting them to attend such an examination. However, in the case of a failing mark in two of a candidate's final examination papers, the examiners shall not be obliged to ask the candidate for a viva.