Master of Politics (MPols)

Regulations for the Degree of Master of Politics (MPols)

1. Admission to the Programme

   1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
   2. Every applicant must have been awarded the degree of Bachelor of Arts majoring in Politics, Political Science, International Relations, Government, Public Policy, Political Theory, Strategic Studies, Defence Studies, or Comparative Area Studies, with an average grade of at least B in the 300-level papers for the degree or have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).

2. Structure of the Programme

   1. The programme of study shall consist of
      1. POLS 501, POLS 590 and three further POLS 500-level papers, or
      2. POLS 501 and five further POLS 500-level papers
   2. With the permission of the Programme Co-ordinator, a candidate may substitute one POLS 500-level paper with a 30-point paper from another subject.
   3. The research dissertation shall be completed over the course of one calendar year. The limit is 20,000 words of text, exclusive of appendices, footnotes, tabular material, bibliography or equivalent.
   4. Before commencing the investigation to be described in the research dissertation, a candidate shall obtain the approval of the Programme Co-ordinator and the supervisor(s) of the proposed topic.
   5. A candidate may not present a dissertation which has previously been accepted for another degree.

3. Duration of the Programme

   A candidate shall normally follow a programme of either twelve months or eighteen months of full-time study and not more than thirty-six months of part-time study.

4. Examination of the Research Dissertation

   1. The Head of Programme (or nominee) shall appoint a Convenor of Examiners who shall oversee the examination of each research dissertation.
   2. The research dissertation shall be examined by at least two examiners internal to the University and be externally moderated.
   3. The candidate's supervisor shall not be an examiner.
   4. Each examiner shall supply a written report on the research dissertation and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the work as submitted.
   5. Where the examiners cannot agree on a result, the Head of Programme should so report to the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Humanities) or nominee who shall arrive at a decision after consulting a referee who should normally be external to the University.

5. Withdrawal from the Programme

   Where a candidate withdraws from the programme after completing the prescribed papers, but does not complete the research dissertation, the Pro- Vice Chancellor (Humanities) or nominee may recommend the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects, or determine which papers shall be credited towards the Diploma.

6. Degree Requirements

   The four required papers (including the core paper) together contribute two thirds, and the research dissertation one third, of the overall mark. A pass standard is required for each of the four papers, and students must meet this standard to submit the research project. Should a pass standard not be obtained in an examination, a student may re-take the examination. Students may be re-examined in only one paper. They must also obtain a pass standard, or better, for the research dissertation.

7. Level of Award of the Degree

   The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.

8. Variations

   The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.