5. The Degree of MPhil in International Relations

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1 Welcome Guest User Home - Help - Register - Login Search: Home Prospective Students About Us Events Research Teaching Staff Only Home > Teaching > International Relations Graduate Portal > Notes of Guidance > 5. The Degree of MPhil in International Relations 5. The Degree of MPhil in International Relations Navigate this document: Short summary MPhil course objectives MPhil syllabus and teaching arrangements The role of the supervisor of an MPhil student Examinations for the MPhil Ordering of work in the MPhil MPhil thesis Completing the MPhil (a) Short summary The course of study leading to the MPhil degree lasts for two academic years (21 months). It provides a basic training in the development of the international system since 1900, in the major contemporary debates in international relations theory, and in research methods appropriate to the subject. It also comprises two optional subjects and a 30,000-word thesis. Throughout, there is emphasis on understanding a wide variety of different schools of thought, national approaches, and methods of analysis. The course of study for the MPhil is aimed principally at those who have done a first degree in a related subject (history, international relations, politics, law, economics, area studies etc.), and seeks to ensure that the students gain a thorough mastery of the field. The MPhil may be regarded as a qualification in its own right, or as preparation for a doctoral degree (at Oxford, the DPhil). The structure of the course enables those students who continue in academic life to teach a wide range of courses, involving various methodologies and approaches. The first year of the course gives the students a solid basis in the major facts, methodologies and perspectives in the field of international relations, and develops students research skills. This base is then supplemented in the second year by specialised coursework on the two optional subjects and the thesis. The approach to teaching involves a heavy emphasis on close work on a one-to-one basis between students and supervisors, combined with a carefully planned programme of classes, seminars and lectures. Progress is assessed through supervisors reports, self-assessment reports by the students, seminar papers, formally assessed assignments, formal examinations, and a thesis. Any questions about the course or about supervision should be directed to the MPhil in International Relations Course Director, Prof Richard Caplan. (b) MPhil course objectives The course objectives are that, on completion of the MPhil in International Relations, students will have: 1. gained empirical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of the major topics and perspectives within International Relations (including different national, intellectual, and disciplinary perspectives) based on a wide-ranging critical knowledge and understanding of the scholarly literature relevant to the course; 2. developed an understanding of research skills appropriate to the subject, including quantitative and qualitative methods, historical and archival research, interview techniques and fieldwork these research skills being deployed in individual research in the 30,000-word thesis; 3. developed a capacity to test information, narratives and theories in light of the perceptions and records of participants in events; 4. participated in, and gained breadth of learning from, a wide range of additional intellectual activities provided by a major postgraduate teaching university; 5. fostered a spirit and practice of analytical enquiry; 6. achieved a high standard of written and oral work through the presentation and critical reception of seminar papers and essays; and 1 of 10 1/27/07 3:15 PM

2 7. in general, gained skills and knowledge appropriate for further research work, including at doctoral level; for a teaching post, including in institutions of higher education; and for other public or private sector employment, whether nationally or in international organizations. (c) MPhil syllabus and teaching arrangements Syllabuses for the various components of the MPhil in International Relations are set out in the Examination Regulations, and are reprinted in full below in Appendix A, Part (a), Degree of Master of Philosophy International Relations. Full reading lists and course outlines are available on the Department s website, and also from Marga Lyall in the Department. On planning your work, including for the optional subjects, see also below, Section 5(f) Ordering of work in the MPhil. The MPhil degree is composed of the following four elements: I. Core MPhil examination subjects The two core subjects are taught primarily in the compulsory MPhil class that meets weekly on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. throughout the first year of the course. At this seminar students are asked to give short presentations which serve as an introduction to that week s topic. Presentations can assume many forms, but must have a strong analytical element. The normal time limit for presentations is fifteen minutes. These are then discussed by the group. Each student will normally have to make about two such presentations per term in the core seminar. Reading lists are provided, and students are expected to prepare themselves for discussion each week, whether or not they are contributing a paper. Because of the numbers, the seminar is usually divided into two groups. Attendance at this MPhil core class is compulsory. Students are also required to submit two essays each term (in 3rd and 7th weeks) to the seminar leaders on two of the topics covered in that term. The two compulsory subjects are: (a) The Development of the International System since (Pre-1950, Michaelmas; post-1950, Trinity.) The history of the relations between states in peace and war, and the development of the international system since It will include such topics as: the pre-1914 system; the balance of power and the causes of the First World War; the effects of the peace settlement and the rise of liberal and realist approaches to international relations; collective security and the League of Nations system; political and economic co-operation in the interwar period; the USA, Soviet Union, Middle East, and Far East in the inter-war years; the impact of domestic politics and ideology on foreign policy; the causes of the Second World War; the relationship between politics and strategy in the Second World War; post-war reconstruction and the origins of the Cold War; the evolution of the Cold War; decolonisation and self-determination; regional conflicts; integration in Western Europe; détente and the end of the Cold War; the evolution of international economic institutions; the evolution of security institutions; and international relations in the post Cold War world. (b) Contemporary Debates in International Relations Theory. (Hilary.) Ideas about, and explanations of, international relations, concentrating mainly (but not exclusively) on the major theoretical approaches in the academic study of international relations since The key theories and approaches to be examined include: realism and neo-realism; theories about war, security, and the use of force in international relations; classical liberalism, globalization, and transformation in world politics; theories about inter-state co-operation and transnationalism; the concept of international society; constructivism and the impact of law and norms in international relations; neo-marxist and critical theory approaches to international relations; normative theory and international ethics. [top] II. Research training in the MPhil International Relations This too is a compulsory element of the MPhil in International Relations. In addition to 2 of 10 1/27/07 3:15 PM

3 the core MPhil class on Tuesdays throughout the year, students must attend all of the following extensive range of meetings, courses, lectures, workshops etc. All except the last item are done during the first year. (a) The Department s induction programme that takes place in noughth week of Michaelmas Term. This includes: general introduction to the Department for all new graduate students in International Relations; follow-on meeting specifically for MPhil IR students; session on International Relations at Oxford; and introduction to Oxford libraries and computing services. (For details, see p. 2 of these Notes.) (b) Introduction to the Advanced Study of Politics and International Relations. Michaelmas Term. This course, coordinated by Professor Neil MacFarlane, consists of eight lectures on Thursdays from to 16.00; it will also be attended by MPhil Politics and MSc (Politics and International Relations) students. (c) Introduction to the Advanced Study of International Relations. Michaelmas Term. This course, coordinated by Dr Kalypso Nicolaidis, consists of eight lectures on Fridays from to 1.00, and is meant for International Relations students only. It focuses on the theories and methods relevant to the advanced study of international relations. (d) Quantitative and Formal Methods in International Relations. Hilary Term. This course consists of (1) eight 2-hour sessions on Statistical Methods for the Social Sciences on Tuesdays from o and (2) four 2-hour workshops on Quantitative Analysis in International Relations during Hilary Term. For details of the assessed coursework that you must do on this course as part of the MPhil Qualifying Test, see below, Section 5(e)I, MPhil Qualifying Test. (e) Research Design: Theory and Practice. Hilary Term. Coordinated by Dr Kalypso Nicolaidis, this course consists of eight 2-hour sessions (lectures with discussion) on research design in theory and in practice. Each week, a faculty member will introduce a research question, discuss the associated research design issues, and elaborate on how she tackled the issue. (f) The MPhil in IR Research Design Workshop. Week 4, Trinity Term. This workshop is designed to discuss the preparation and execution of the Research Design Essay (due Week 6). Students will give brief presentations of their Research Design Essay in progress, in the hope of receiving useful feedback from their teachers and peers. (g) Philosophy of the Social Sciences. Weeks 1-3, 5-7, Michaelmas Term. A series of six lectures by Professor Alan Ryan on Tuesdays at in the Manor Road Building. (h) MPhil Thesis Seminar. Michaelmas Term (second year), on Tuesday afternoons from p.m. A wide range of other lectures, classes and seminars is available covering both specific research methods and more general issues in the philosophy of social sciences. If you consider that another research training course offered by the Department (listed in the Politics Notes of Guidance and on the Department website) is more appropriate for your proposed research than one of those courses listed above, you should consult with your supervisor and then with the MPhil course director, whose approval in writing is necessary. Some MPhil students may also need training in additional skills (e.g. languages). All MPhil students should discuss their specific research training requirements with their supervisor and, if necessary, with the MPhil Course Director or the Director of Graduate Studies. III. Two optional subjects in the MPhil This is the third key element of the MPhil in International Relations. Each MPhil student must choose two options from the following list. The syllabus for each option is below 3 of 10 1/27/07 3:15 PM

4 in Appendix A, Part (a). Teaching in some options may not be available every year. The persons primarily responsible for the teaching of optional subjects in the present academic year are listed after each option, along with their contact address, and the term in which the bulk of the teaching takes place. The availability and teaching arrangements for optional subjects for next academic year (i.e. for those starting the MPhil this academic year) will be announced during the course of the current academic year (usually around March/April). Then, at a meeting of the MPhil core class in Trinity Term of the first year, students will be asked to indicate which two optional subjects they will study in the following year. Queries should be addressed to the MPhil Course Director. (a) European International History of West Europe since 1945: Dr Anne Deighton, Wolfson, (Hilary). (b) The Politics of the United Nations and its Agencies: Professor Richard Caplan and Dr Gil Loescher (Hilary). (c) The USSR and Russia in International Relations since 1945: Dr Alex Pravda, St Antony s (Hilary). (d) Strategic Studies: Dr Patricia Owens, Oriel (Michaelmas and first half of Hilary). (e) The United States in International Relations since 1945:Professor Yuen Foong Khong, Nuffield College (Hilary). (f) The International Relations of the Middle East: Professor Avi Shlaim, St Antony s (Hilary). (g) International Political Economy: Dr Kalypso Nicolaidis, St Antony s (Hilary). (h) The Function of Law in the International Community: Professor Vaughan Lowe, All Souls, and Professor Adam Roberts, Balliol (Hilary). (i) The International Relations of East Asia: Professor Rosemary Foot, St Antony s (Hilary). (j) Classical Theories of International Relations: Dr Andrew Hurrell, Nuffield (Michaelmas). (k) The International Relations of the Developing World: Dr Ngaire Woods, University College, and Dr Louise Fawcett, St Catherine s (Michaelmas). (l) The International Relations of Latin America: Mr Laurence Whitehead, Nuffield and Dr Ana Covarrubias (Michaelmas). (m) International Normative Theory: Professor Henry Shue, Merton (Michaelmas). (n) The Balkan Crises of the 1990s: (not offered ). (o) Special Topic in International Relations. To be decided annually by the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee, and where available, to be notified to candidates by the end of Hilary Term of their first year. (IRGSC has not announced one for ) If, instead of one of the above options, you wish to take an optional subject from one of the Politics MPhils, you must ask specific permission from the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee. Notes in support from the teacher of the course concerned, and from your supervisor, must be provided. IV. MPhil thesis The fourth and final element of the MPhil degree is the thesis of up to 30,000 words. Students normally develop their research topic in the course of their first year, and they submit the Research Design Essay during Trinity Term of that year. They then do the bulk of the thesis research over the summer vacation. They present their thesis plan at 4 of 10 1/27/07 3:15 PM

5 the MPhil Thesis Seminar in Michaelmas Term of the second year. Further information on the MPhil thesis is provided in Section 5(g) below. [top] (d) The role of the supervisor of an MPhil student The role of the supervisor is central to the work of MPhil students. What is written in Section 4(a) above about supervisors generally applies also in the case of MPhil students. An MPhil student normally has the same supervisor for the whole two years of the course (but special thesis supervision can be arranged where appropriate). The norm is that MPhil students see their supervisor individually for at least four teaching hours per term. These meetings would normally involve written work, which might include: essays on the core MPhil examined subjects, complementing any essays written for seminars or classes; essays in the area of what the student proposes for the formally assessed Research Design Essay for the Qualifying Test; and essays on the theme of the student s proposed MPhil thesis. It is very important that the supervisor provides feedback on such work. In providing overall guidance, the supervisor will discuss with the MPhil student the compulsory subjects, the choice of optional subjects, and the choice of thesis topic. The supervisor must ensure that you are attending any compulsory classes or seminars, e.g. for the two MPhil core papers, and that you are aware of classes or seminars for the optional subjects, as well as in research methods. While classes and seminars are an important component of MPhil work, and generally involve presentation of essays, students normally also do a number of pieces of written work for their supervisor often on the two compulsory subjects, or in the proposed area of the MPhil thesis. You should discuss your thesis proposals in detail with your supervisor, including presenting draft outlines and chapters. Students should discuss the timetable for writing up the MPhil thesis with their supervisor, taking into account periods when their supervisor is likely to be away from Oxford (for example over the Easter Vacation). Where special supervision is needed, for example in connection with the thesis, this should be arranged through your supervisor, and any teacher giving special supervision will report on it to your supervisor at the end of term. In ensuring that you are prepared for examinations, you may be well advised to do a practice paper for your supervisor. This can be vital if you are not familiar with three-hour written examinations of the type set at Oxford. See Section 5(e) immediately below. [top] (e) Examinations for the MPhil It is the candidate s own responsibility to enter for the examinations by completing the examination entry form by the appointed date. The dates are laid down in Examination Regulations. For the Qualifying Test this is by Friday of the fourth week in the Hilary Term before the exam, i.e. Friday 9 February For the MPhil Final Examination, this is Friday in the second week of the Michaelmas Term before the exam, i.e. Friday 20 October The examination entry form is sent out from Examination Schools to your college. Keep a copy of the completed form for your records. If you are not familiar with three-hour written examinations of the particular type set at Oxford, and especially if you are not familiar with difficult written exams in the English language, you are urged in the strongest possible terms to do at least one practice paper for your supervisor. Please raise this matter soon with your supervisor if you think there is any case at all for doing a practice examination paper. This can save a great deal of trouble later on, because problems anticipated in this way are much more easily managed. It may be useful to do such papers both before the Qualifying Test, and before the Final Examination. You can download copies of past examination papers 5 of 10 1/27/07 3:15 PM

6 from the Oxam website: The scale of marks used by examiners and assessors for all subjects in the MPhil (both the Qualifying Test and the Final Examination) is given below in Appendix B. The examiners for the MPhil in International Relations in 2007 are: Professor Henry Shue (Chair), Professor Richard Caplan, Dr Sudhir Hazareesingh, Dr Evelyn Goh, and Professor Margot Light (external examiner). I. MPhil Qualifying Test A Qualifying Test has to be taken by all MPhil candidates before the end of the first year. The Qualifying Test consists of three parts: 1. A single, three-hour written examination testing knowledge of the core compulsory subjects, as taught during the core Tuesday classes in Michaelmas and Hilary Terms and in individual meetings with your supervisor i.e. it covers The Development of the International System only up to 1950, and also Contemporary Debates in International Relations Theory. It is held on the Thursday of noughth week of Trinity Term. Being a formal University examination, it is held in the Examination Schools building and students are required to wear sub-fusc. 2. Research training coursework. The examiners must be satisfied that candidates have satisfactorily completed their designated course of research training. Candidates must therefore submit for examination all coursework completed as part of their research methods training. The coursework requirements relate to the research training outlined in Section 5 (c) II above. Specifically, students will be required to submit the following items: (I). A formally assessed essay of between 4,000 and 6,000 words on research design, as it bears on some aspect of International Relations. This Research Design Essay will normally be related to the subject of the student s proposed MPhil thesis. The Research Design Workshop run in Trinity Term of the first year is intended to assist students in developing a suitable topic and essay plan. Each student should also clear the subject and title of the proposed essay on research methods with his/her supervisor. Successful essays should set out the research topic and the question that the student is considering for their MPhil thesis, and explore the problems of sources and methodology which may arise in attempting to answer that question. If the student or supervisor is uncertain, they should consult the Course Director or the Director of Graduate Studies in International Relations. A paper describing the scope of the workshop and of the Essay will be distributed to students and supervisors in early December. Two copies of the Research Design Essay must be handed in by the candidate in person to Marga Lyall at the Department of Politics and International Relations by noon on the Monday of sixth week of Trinity Term in the first year of the MPhil. The essay must be printed or typed, and include footnote references and bibliography. It must state clearly, on both the envelope and the front sheet of the essay, the candidate s examination number and degree course. The word limit for the essay is 6,000 words (including tables and footnotes, but excluding bibliography) and is strictly enforced. (II). Coursework assignments on Quantitative Methods in International Relations. These are of two types. These are of two types. (a) Four short assignments done in Hilary Term, to be assessed during the term. (b) A test on Tuesday of week 9 of Hilary Term, which will be marked by the Friday of third week of Hilary Term. Any unsatisfactory work under (a) can be revised and resubmitted by Friday of eighth week of Hilary term. Students who fail the test under (b) will have to retake and pass the test in week 7 of Trinity Term. The setting, collecting and marking of these pieces of research training coursework is organized by those doing the teaching. Having been assessed, one copy of each of these completed and marked pieces of research training coursework must be passed on promptly by the teachers concerned to Marga Lyall in the Department of Politics and International Relations, as this work forms part of your submission for the Qualifying 6 of 10 1/27/07 3:15 PM

7 Test. At absolute latest, she must receive any such last pieces of completed and marked work from the teachers concerned by noon on the Thursday of the eighth week of Trinity Term of your first year. Candidates who fail the written exam element of the Qualifying Test may resit the exam on the Monday of the eighth week of the same Trinity Term. Candidates who fail the Research Design Essay or who have not successfully passed the assignments of research training coursework by the sixth week of Trinity Term may, at the discretion of the International Relations Graduate Studies Committee, be allowed to resubmit their work on the last Friday of the week falling two weeks before Week One of the following Michaelmas Term. Students must pass all three parts of the Qualifying Test before proceeding to the second year of the MPhil. II. MPhil Final Examination At the end of the second year, students are required to take the Final Examination consisting of: Four three-hour papers (two compulsory, two optional). These examinations are normally in the first part of the eighth week of Trinity Term. The thesis (for submission details see Section 5(g) below). It is on the basis of performance in these second-year examinations that decisions to award the degree or otherwise are made. Candidates must present themselves for viva voce examination when requested by the examiners. Vivas for the MPhil final examinations are normally held in the two weeks following the end of Trinity Term. It is absolutely imperative that all MPhil finalists remain available in Oxford in that period to attend a viva at very short notice. Students often ask about the coverage of the written examination for the MPhil. It is the duty of the examiners (and the assessors appointed for special subjects) to interpret the coverage of each paper having regard to the rubrics in Examination Regulations; to the interpretations put on them by previous examiners; to what has actually been covered during the period of the MPhil course; and to their own experience in teaching MPhil students. Each examiner normally serves for three years in rota, in order to preserve continuity in interpretation. In one examination paper that for the optional subject The Function of Law in the International Community certain law documents are available to candidates in the examination room. These will be in the form of copies of M.D. Evans (ed.), Blackstone s International Law Documents, 6th edn., Both the Qualifying Test (including all its components) and the Final Examination are serious: they must be passed if you are to succeed in obtaining the MPhil degree. In the written examinations, answers which merely regurgitate facts or opinions will not suffice: answers must be well structured, relevant to the specific question asked on the examination paper, well written, and show mastery of the subject. In the Final Examination, you must pass in all four subjects and in the thesis. The course for the MPhil is designed to be completed in six terms. The final examination is set each year in June only. The maximum period of study permitted by regulations is twelve terms. A candidate who fails the Final Examination may enter again on one subsequent occasion only, provided this is still within the twelve terms of his initial registration. The examination must be retaken as a whole, and though the same thesis may be resubmitted, it will be examined afresh by the examiners on the second occasion. If you have concerns about decisions of the examiners or the examination process, you must not contact the examiners. You should contact the Tutor for Graduates/Senior Tutor (or equivalent) at your college. For fuller advice, see below, Section 24, Appeals, Feedback, and Consultation Arrangements. 7 of 10 1/27/07 3:15 PM

8 (f) Ordering of work in the MPhil Students are required in their first year to work on the compulsory parts of the course. They should also establish a research question for their thesis, and engage in some preliminary research. The second year can then be devoted to further work on the optional subjects, to completion of the thesis, and to revision. Students generally do most of the work for their optional subjects in the second year of the MPhil course. However, MPhil students are expected to decide on their optional subjects and thesis topics by the end of their third term. Many optional subjects, especially those taught in small groups or classes rather than by individual tuition, can only be taken in a given term. Some optional subjects are not available every year. Arrangements for the teaching of optional subjects are made by the MPhil Course Director. You are advised to discuss your choice of options well in advance with your supervisor, and with the Course Director. MPhil students often ask how many essays/papers they are expected to write. The number is flexible. As an absolute minimum, for each of the core examined subjects taken, you should aim to write at least six essays/papers over the two years of the course. The written requirements for optional subjects will be specified by the course providers. In addition, you are likely to write a number of papers in connection with your thesis. Some of this written work may be for presentation in classes or seminars; some may be for individual consideration by your supervisor, or by a teacher giving you special supervision. [top] (g) MPhil thesis Starting with the work on the Research Design Essay in the first year, it is important to keep in close touch with your supervisor about the preparation of your MPhil thesis. It is advisable (in consultation with your supervisor) to choose the thesis subject and title, and also arrange for any additional supervision of the thesis, well before the end of the first year. The thesis must be on a topic that enables you to show knowledge in depth of a subject bearing on international relations: at the risk of stating the obvious, it is a key part of the evidence that the examiners need that you have mastery of international relations. If you write an excellent thesis, but on a topic that does not enable you to show mastery of aspects of international relations, your final thesis mark may be reduced by the MPhil examiners. You should aim to complete your research by the end of the Summer Vacation. An outline of your thesis is presented at the MPhil thesis seminar in Michaelmas Term of the second year, and the writing of the thesis should in most cases be largely completed in the Michaelmas Term. This gives sufficient time for the supervisor to read and comment on the draft. While the MPhil thesis is a very important piece of work, you must remember that it is only part of the MPhil final examination. It is essential to pass in all four written examinations as well as in the thesis. It is therefore necessary to plan your allocation of time carefully. The thesis is marked on the same scale as the other papers, but that does not mean that it is of equal weight. For example, a failure on the thesis cannot be compensated, however good the performance in the written examination papers. The various marks given to an examination candidate in different parts of the examination are not aggregated, and the thesis is recognized to be a very significant piece of work of a different kind from the other papers. In addition, the thesis mark may be a significant factor in subsequent references written on behalf of candidates, and in deliberations about whether they may continue on to DPhil work. The thesis title must be formally registered on the MPhil final examination entry form i.e. in October of the second year. Bear in mind what is said about thesis titles in Section 13(b) of these Notes. As explained there, if subsequently you need to change your thesis title, you should write to Marga Lyall asking for permission to change the 8 of 10 1/27/07 3:15 PM

9 title. Any such request must indicate both the former title and the proposed one, and must have the written approval of your supervisor. The latest date for receipt of any such request is the end of the fourth week of the Hilary Term before the exam. The thesis, exclusive of bibliography, must not exceed 30,000 words. If your thesis exceeds the word limit, the final mark will be reduced by the examiners. If the thesis contains numerous typographical errors, or fails to adopt a consistent referencing system, the final mark may also be reduced. Please include with the two copies of your thesis: one form GSO.3B (Deposit and Consultation of Theses); one form GSO.26 (Information for Thesis Cataloguing); a separate note confirming that the work in the thesis is all your own work except where otherwise indicated. Two hardbound copies of the finished MPhil thesis must be submitted by noon of Monday of the first week of Trinity Term, i.e. 23 April 2007, to the Clerk of the Schools, Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford, NOT to the Department. The University Proctors, who have overall control of examinations, have stated that they will not give leave for work to be submitted late except for very special reasons. You should allow time for checking the text; and also for the binding of the thesis, for which you should make arrangements in advance. A reason for requiring the hard binding is that the MPhil thesis, being part of an examination with a set timetable, must be judged as it is and cannot be subject to a process of revision. Therefore it is important to ensure that the thesis is in good shape before it is submitted. After the end of the MPhil examination process and the announcement of the results, one of the bound copies of the thesis of each successful candidate is sent to the Bodleian Library, and the other can be collected by you from Marga Lyall s office in the Department. Details of the preparation, binding and dispatch of MPhil theses are given in the Examination Regulations. The two hardbound copies should be lettered on the spine with the candidate s name and initials, the degree (MPhil), and the year of submission. Theses can be printed on one or both sides of each page. Please also consult Section 13 of these Notes, which deals generally with thesis preparation; and Appendix C, which indicates how to obtain the relevant GSO forms. (h) Completing the MPhil At Oxford, students are expected to complete the degree course to which they have been admitted. Students have chosen to embark on a particular degree course for which competition was intense, and have been admitted to it after a rigorous selection process involving careful consideration of their qualifications. It is highly unusual, and in principle undesirable, for students to apply to change from one graduate degree course to another. The MPhil course is widely recognized both as a professional training in its own right, and as a preparation for advanced research, including in the DPhil programme. It is, in short, very important for you to complete the MPhil course. However, in exceptional circumstances an MPhil student may apply to change degree course possibly for example with the ultimate intention of submitting a thesis for the degree of MLitt or DPhil. The applications should be made on the Transfer of Status form GSO.2. Such transfers are very far from automatic: it is therefore essential that students continue with all the components of their MPhil course until a transfer of status has been formally approved. For a transfer to be accepted, it is necessary that the student demonstrates the necessary levels of competence, knowledge, and research training for the chosen course; and that there is a serious purpose, a willing and qualified supervisor, and a good reason for transferring. The application must be accompanied by a letter about the matter from your supervisor; a brief outline of your plan of research; and a statement about whether any application would also need to be made to your funding body. If an application for transfer to research status is accepted, you will normally be transferred to the status of Probationer Research Student: this is likely to involve registration for the MSc in Politics and International Relations Research. 9 of 10 1/27/07 3:15 PM

10 On DPhil after MPhil, see below, Section 11. [top] This page is maintained by: The International Relations Secretary Search - Site Map - Help - Contact Us Department of Politics and International Relations of 10 1/27/07 3:15 PM