General information on master's programmes

Research Programmes
General Guidelines on the Presentation and Evaluation of Work

The Master of Philosophy and the Master of Science in Economic and Social History

These specialist master's programmes offer a unique framework for research training in economic and social history. The compulsory core qualifying papers provide an opportunity to evaluate a range of different approaches, and also for the students to influence and respond to each other. They impart a common language, and create a close and friendly community, in which ideas are shared, and strong personal ties are forged. The course community provides a base from which to venture out and experience the other rewards of Oxford, intellectual, social, and cultural.

The M.Phil. is a two-year programme and the M.Sc. a one-year programme. They offer a wide range of options and allow students to specialize in economic and/or social history, or historical demography, although the boundaries between these areas are deliberately permeable.

Teaching and examination comprises three elements:

(1) The core qualifying papers
The core paper on social sciences methodologies and approaches is taught thourgh a series of lectures and parallel classes during Michaelmas and the first half of Hilary Term. The quantitative methods classes are taught during Michaelmas Term. Class convenors are requested to submit a report on each candidate's preparation and participartion in the weekly classes. Formal assessment is through an essay of up to 4,000 words for the core methodology paper, and through a take-home assignment for the quantitative methods courses.

(2) A choice of Advanced Papers
Advanced papers are usually taught in small classes, mostly during Hilary Term. Assessment is usually by three-hour written examination, but candidates may choose to be assessed for up to half of their advanced papers by two extended essays of up to 5,000 words each. M.Sc. candidates offer two advanced papers, and M.Phil. candidates four, of which they may offer up to two in their first year.

(3) A dissertation
In the case of the M.Sc. a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words on a topic of the student's choice, approved by her or his supervisor, and submitted at the end of the Long Vacation; in the case of the M.Phil. a dissertation of not more than 30,000 words on a topic of the student's choice, approved by her or his supervisor, and submitted at the beginning of Trinity Term in the candidate's second year.

Successful candidates often use these master's programmes as a preparation for further research, and they have been structured with this possibility in mind. It should be stressed, however, that the admission of any candidate to further study at Oxford will depend on his/her overall performance in the master's programme, together with the viability of any proposed research topic and the availability of appropriate supervision at Oxford.
 

For formal assessment criteria and submission deadlines see individual Instructions to Candidates

Further detailed information about the degree programmes

 
 
Contact information
 

The current programme convenor is Dr Deborah Oxley (All Souls College)

For all programme-specific admission queries please contact the History Graduate Office at History Graduate Admissions:
telephone: (01865) 615002 (or 15002 from an internal phone)
fax: (01865) 615009
address: History Faculty, Old High School for Boys, George Street, Oxford, OX1 2RL 
 

Examinations are administered by the History Graduate Office. After students have submitted their examination entry forms in Hilary Term, all examination queries should be directed to the History Graduate Office:
telephone: (01865) 615002 (or 15002 from an internal phone)
fax: (01865) 615009
address: History Faculty, Old High School for Boys, George Street, Oxford, OX1 2RL 

Alternative History master's programmes

• Medieval History

• Late Antique and Byzantine Studies

• Medieval Studies

• History of Art and Visual Culture

• Modern British and European History

• Global and Imperial History

• US History

• History of Science, Medicine, and Technology