Taught courses

Students studying full-time are normally required to undertake one year (three terms) of study followed by an examination. The exact composition will vary according to the course, but will usually involve a range of core and optional course elements often including research methods and the submission of a dissertation (usually of around 10,000–15,000 words). Study is supported by seminars and lectures. Assessment may be by coursework as well as by written examination papers and dissertation. Some course elements may be common with Master of Philosophy (MPhil) courses and it is possible in some cases to form the foundation of an application to either the related MPhil or DPhil.

These degrees are generally offered in Science or Social Science subjects and typically require students to undertake one year of full-time study, although sometimes part-time options are available. The exact composition of the degree will vary according to the course, but will often comprise a range of core and optional modules, supported by teaching in the form of lectures and seminars. Assessment is by a combination of course assignments (in many cases including a dissertation of around 10,000–15,000 words) and sometimes but more rarely, written examinations.

This course is of a higher standing than the Master of Studies (MSt) and full-time study normally lasts for two years (six terms). In the first year, some of the course elements may be common with the MSt and MSc and at its end candidates may be required to pass a qualifying test before continuing. Some MPhils are organised so that the first year is taught and the second is predominantly research based. In the second year, students are expected to complete a substantial dissertation (usually up to 30,000 words) and to sit written examinations. Although the majority of MPhils are recognised as taught courses, the MPhil in Law and the MPhil in Socio-Legal Research are formally classed as research courses and are both one year in duration.

The University offers a range of other master’s-level degrees:

• Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL)
• Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil)
• Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Fine Art (MFA)
• Magister Juris (MJur)
• Master of Public Policy (MPP)
• Master of Theology (MTh)

Please see the relevant course page for further details about each course.

A number of one-year (three-term) as well as some part time (1 to 3 years) diplomas and certificates are available to graduate students. These include the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, which is a teacher training course for graduates that is more commonly referred to as the PGCE.