Global and Imperial History
The Global and Imperial History programme is open to all students whose research focuses on the history of the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, East Asia, the Americas (excluding the US) and Australasia. Students should indicate from the start whether their interests lie in one of these areas.The course lasts for nine months (from October to June) and the examination results are normally published by the beginning of July.
The MSt in Global and Imperial History can be taken either as a free-standing degree, or as the first step towards one of the research degrees of M.Litt. or D.Phil. Students wishing to proceed to a research programme will be encouraged to develop their master’s and doctoral proposals in tandem during the first few months, so that they will be well placed to make their research applications in the spring. All students will be encouraged to attend some of the faculty’s many advanced research seminars. The admission of any candidate for 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
The examination comprises three elements:
- Two extended essays of up to 5,000 words based on an Advanced
Option, a course dedicated to in-depth study
of a one of the areas within the programmes scope.
Teaching is usually arranged in small classes or
tutorial groups.
- An examination paper in historical
methodology. Teaching is usually in weekly
classes. Assessment is through a three-hour written
examination at the end of Trinity term. The
methodological paper must normally correspond to the
candidate's choice of area for the extended essays and
dissertation.
- A dissertation of up to 15,000 words on a topic falling within the scope of the general subject area chosen by the candidate for the Advanced Option essays. It is expected that students will write their submitted essays and dissertations on different themes, or covering a different sequence of events. The Dissertation is written up during the Easter vacation and the first five weeks of Trinity Term, but it is essential that students begin to formulate and plan their dissertation in conjunction with their supervisors from the beginning of the course.
Programmes
- Research degrees (by thesis only)
- Master of Letters (M.Litt.)
- Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.)