Master of Studies in Ancient Philosophy

1. Every candidate must follow for at least three terms a course of instruction in Ancient Philosophy. 

2. Every candidate shall be required to offer (i) three essays in Ancient Philosophy: one on the first subject (refer to 4. below) and the other two on the second subject (refer to 5. below); and (ii) a thesis in Ancient Philosophy of 10,000-15,000 words.

4. The second subject shall be a dedicated class taught across the Michaelmas and Hilary terms of the year of examination. The subject will be assessed by two 5,000 word essays on two topics (relevant to the subject) to be chosen by the candidate and approved by the Chair of Examiners no later than Friday of fifth week of Hilary Term. The essays must be word-processed and submitted electronically via an online assessment submission platform by 10 a.m. on Friday of ninth week of Hilary Term in the year in which the examination is taken.

5. Candidates may not be permitted to offer certain combinations of subjects.

6. The reading lists for all subjects will include texts both in the original language and in translation; candidates' readings will be guided by their supervisor(s) according to their level of Ancient Greek.

7. Candidates must offer a thesis of no more than 10,000-15,000 words, exclusive of bibliographical references, on a subject proposed by the candidate in consultation with his or her supervisor and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee in Philosophy. A subject and thesis title must be submitted to the Committee no later than the fifth week of the Hilary Term of the year in which the examination is to be taken. Requests for permission to make later changes to the thesis title should be submitted, with the support of the candidate's supervisor to the Director of Graduate Studies in Philosophy as soon as the candidate has decided to seek permission. The thesis must be word-processed and submitted electronically via an online assessment submission platform by 10 a.m. on Wednesday of eighth week of Trinity Term in the year in which the examination is taken. The thesis shall be accompanied by a brief abstract and statement of the number of words it contains (exclusive of bibliographical references). 

8. Candidates who have not submitted any assessment as prescribed by the due date shall, unless they show exceptional cause, be deemed to have failed the assessment in question.

9. Each essay shall be the candidate's own work. The candidate may discuss a draft (but not more than one) of each essay with his or her supervisor. The candidate's supervisor may provide bibliographical advice on essays throughout.

10. A candidate who fails one or more elements of the examination may apply to retake them either in the September immediately following the failed examination, or in the year immediately following the failed examination, in line with the normal assessment timetable for the course. A candidate may retake only the failed element(s) of the examination; all failed elements have to be retaken together, either in the September immediately following the examination or during the immediately following academic year. No resubmitted essay or thesis can receive a mark of more than 50. Failure to satisfy the examiners a second time in any part of the examination will lead to failure of the whole MSt.