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Admission
The
admission requirement for the degree of Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) is
normally a good honours degree of a recognised university or comparable
institution or qualifications regarded by the University as the equivalent.
Criteria for the award of M.Phil.
The degree
is awarded on the examination of a thesis embodying the results of the
candidate's research. An oral examination may also be required. The work for
the degree consists mainly of research and directed study; the candidate may
in addition be required to undertake coursework, and the award of the degree
may be conditional on satisfactory performance in this coursework.
- A successful
candidate for the degree of M.Phil. must display a convincing grasp of
the techniques of research appropriate to the field of study on a scale
which can be completed during two years, or at most three years, of
full-time study or equivalent.
- The thesis
embodying the results of the research must demonstrate evidence of
originality, at least in the exercise of an independent critical
faculty, and shall achieve a high standard of competence in argument and
presentation.
- The thesis
must comply with the requirements for the form, submission and deposit
of theses (below).
Registration period
For
full-time students the minimum period of registration for the degree is
normally twenty-four calendar months from the date of commencement of studies
to the date of submission of the thesis. Full-time students may, with the
approval of the Director of the Graduate
School, be permitted to
register for a minimum period of less than twenty-four months but in no case
less than twelve months. Full-time students may, with the approval of the
Director of the Graduate
School, be permitted to
extend registration for a further twelve months. Normally an extension beyond
that period will not be permitted.
Part-time
students:
for part-time students the minimum period of registration for the degree is
normally thirty-six calendar months from the date of commencement of studies
to the date of submission of the thesis. Part-time students may, with the
approval of the Director of the University
Graduate School,
be permitted to register for a minimum period of less than thirty-six months
but in no case less than twenty-four months. Part-time students may, with the
approval of the Director of the University
Graduate School,
be permitted to extend registration for a further twelve months. Normally an
extension beyond that period will not be permitted.
For
students registered as full-time the maximum period is thirty-six months and
for those registered as part-time the maximum period is forty-eight months
unless, in exceptional circumstances, a shorter period is approved by the Director
of the University
Graduate School.
Any extension of the maximum period must be approved by the Director of the University Graduate School
after consideration of evidence of the student's progress submitted by the
department concerned.
For both
full- and part-time students the absolute maximum period shall not exceed
sixty months. The Director of the University
Graduate School
may recognise all or part of a period of study for the degree of LL.M., M.A.,
M.B.A., M.Mus., M.Sc., M.Res., or Ph.D. in this University, or for an
appropriate higher degree in another university, as counting towards the
total period for the degree of M.Phil. Such recognition shall not, however,
be granted if the higher degree has already been awarded.
Submission of thesis
See the
page on submission of theses.
Examination
Examiners
(including at least one external examiner) are appointed by the Director of
the University Graduate School
on the nomination of the department(s) concerned. Two external examiners are
appointed for theses submitted by candidates who qualify for remission of
tuition fees as members of staff, except where the Director of the University Graduate School
determines otherwise. The candidate's supervisor does, where practicable, not
act as an examiner. When a supervisor is appointed as an examiner, an
additional examiner (internal or external) is appointed unless, in
exceptional circumstances, the Director of the University Graduate
School decides
otherwise.
Each
examiner makes an independent report on the thesis. These reports are written
before any oral or any other examination required by the examiners takes
place. All examiners participate in any oral examination. Each examiner
then makes a recommendation based on both the report on the thesis and on the
evidence from any examinations which may have been held. The examiners may at
their discretion invite the student's supervisor to be present at any oral
examination.
An oral
examination may be required. It is for the examiners to decide whether an
oral examination is necessary, except that if the examiners are considering
(i) the award of a distinction or (ii) no award or (iii) requiring
re-submission of the thesis, an oral examination must be held before such a
recommendation is made. The examiners have discretion whether or not to
hold an oral examination on a resubmitted thesis.
The
examiners shall make one of the following recommendations:
- that the
degree of M.Phil. shall be awarded forthwith
- that the
degree of M.Phil. shall be awarded with distinction
- that the
degree of M.Phil. shall be awarded subject to corrections being made
within three months from the date of notification of the decision. The
term corrections refers to typographical errors, occasional stylistic and
grammatical flaws, corrections to references, etc.
- that the
degree of M.Phil. shall be awarded subject to minor amendments being
made within six months from the date of notification of the decision.
The term minor amendments refers to stated minor deficiencies requiring
some textual revision
- that the
degree of M.Phil. should not be awarded but that the candidate should be
invited to revise the thesis and resubmit it for the degree of M.Phil.
- that no award
should be made.
Examiners'
reports and recommendations are considered by the Director of the University
Graduate School on behalf of the Committee of the Senate. If the examiners
recommend that no award should be made, the case is considered by the Postgraduate
Review Panel.
Re-submission
The
examiners shall, after holding an oral examination if they wish, recommend
either:
- that the
degree of M.Phil. be awarded;
- that no award
be made.
Cases in
which the recommendation is that no award be made are reviewed by the Postgraduate
Review Panel.
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