Course description
Structure and Content
The programme structure is designed to allow for tailor-made study to run alongside tuition in the theory and methods of the humanities.
Module 1: A tailor-made programme of study in Semester One, taught by regular individual supervisions (at least five), on a subject of your choice agreed with the departments concerned. This may involve interdisciplinary supervision across departments where appropriate. The module allows you to begin work on a topic of particular significance to you personally, but to do so within a relatively structured teaching environment. The module lasts one semester and is assessed by a written assignment.
In addition, you are entitled to take existing Advanced level (level 10 or 11) tuition from the departments concerned and/or to undertake language tuition at all levels in French and Spanish, or in earlier varieties of English (Old and Middle English), if appropriate.
Module 2: A programme of study in the theory and methods of the Humanities. This module runs alongside Modules 1 and 3, and is intended to provide structured tuition in broad areas of concern relating to graduate work in the humanities. It includes a significant element of practical work intended to provide you with the skills to produce graduate work.
Module 3: In Semester Two, you will begin work on an in-depth dissertation exploring the research topic of your choice, as agreed with an appropriate supervisor, thus building upon the tailor-made tuition from Module 1.
NB: The Postgraduate Certificate involves completion of Modules 1 and 2, but not the dissertation.
Delivery and Assessment
You will need to successfully complete all three modules within one year (27 months part-time). The second module consists of individual research under the guidance of two supervisors, who may be drawn from different subject areas in the case of students with an interdisciplinary research focus. The module is assessed by means of a written assignment of 5,000 to 6,000 words. The second module is delivered in seminar format and is assessed by the completion of a short research plan, a presentation, and the submission of a research log.
The final element of the programme consists of a dissertation of 20,000 to 25,000 words. Your performance in Modules 1 and 3 is moderated by an external examiner. Upon successful completion of the first two modules, you are eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate. Those awarded the full MRes qualification will have demonstrated their ability to proceed to a PhD, and will be in a strong position to apply to the Arts and Humanities Research Council for funding for three years.
Career Opportunities
With an MRes programme or Postgraduate Certificate you are already highly qualified for employment in a number of areas, including e.g. teaching, journalism, the civil service and the foreign office. It is a particularly appropriate qualification for those intending to pursue subsequent doctoral research.
