Dissertation & Assesment
Dissertation
Students seeking the M.Phil in Modern Irish History will be required to submit a dissertation of between 15,000 and 20,000 words based on primary research and on a review of relevant modern historical writing. Those who opt not to submit a dissertation may be considered for the award of postgraduate diploma.
Students are advised to give some thought to possible dissertation topics in advance of registration for the M.Phil programme.
Assessment:
Assessment allows for the award of an M.Phil Degree (Masters in Philosophy) or, where a thesis is not submitted, a Postgraduate Diploma
Candidates are assessed on the completion of:
- Major subject of study: the equivalent of an essay of c.3,500 words per major subject of study
- Research Training: these are pass/fail modules assessed on the basis of regular attendance and the completion of written assignments
- Research Seminar: this is a pass/fail course assessed on the basis of regular attendance and the completion of weekly seminar reports
- Dissertation (15,000-20,000 words): this will be assessed by two members of staff and the external examiner.
The pass mark in all modules is 50%. To qualify for the award of the M.Phil. a student must achieve a credit-weighted average mark of at least 50% across the taught modules, and either pass taught modules amounting to 60 credits or pass taught modules amounting to 50 credits and achieve a minimum mark of 40% in any failed modules, and achieve a mark of at least 50% in the dissertation.
Students failing to pass taught modules may present for supplemental examination or re-submit required work within the duration of the course as specified in the course handbook.
In the calculation of the overall M.Phil. mark the weighted average mark for the taught components carries 40% and the mark for the dissertation carries 60%.
To qualify for the award of the M.Phil. with Distinction students must achieve a final overall mark for the course of at least 70% and a mark of at least 70% in the dissertation. A distinction cannot be awarded if a candidate has failed any credit during the period of study.
A student who successfully completes all other requirements but does not proceed to the dissertation stage or fails to achieve the required mark of 50% in the dissertation will be recommended for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma. The Postgraduate Diploma will not be awarded with Distinction.
ECTS
The M.Phil programme is weighted at 90 ECTS. These are distributed across the courses and the dissertation.
Dissertation:
Students seeking the M. Phil will be required to submit a dissertation of between 15,000 and 20,000 words based on primary sources and on a review of relevant modern historical writing. Those who opt not to submit a dissertation may be considered for the award of a postgraduate diploma. The requirements for the dissertation are as follows:
- It must be between fifteen and twenty words in length, excluding notes, appendices and a full bibliography
- It must be accompanied by a two hundred word abstract, which should include eight key words to facilitate indexing.
- It must be word processed, and its presentation should follow a recognized style sheet Those of Irish Historical Studies or Historical Journal are recommended as a default.
- Three copies of the work must be submitted, of which two may be ring bound in soft covers. One must be bound in hard covers with the student's name, year of submission and the degree sought printed on the spine.
- Depending on the sources used, supporting evidence may be submitted in recognized electronic formats (e.g. CDs or DVDs).
- Students must submit a two hundred word typed proposal to the Department of Modern History by the end of Michaelmas Term.
- The proposal must include a statement of the problem to be studied, a brief discussion of relevant secondary literature, and a discussion of the proposed primary sources to be used.
- Students will then be required to defend their proposals in class discussions, and to participate in the discussion of other students' proposals as appropriate.
- Each student will be assigned a supervisor who will provide academic guidance and comment during the Hilary and Trinity Terms. Such guidance will include observations on written work submitted during this period. It is the responsibility of students to make arrangements to secure such advice.
- Dissertations must be submitted in the stipulated form and number of copies not later than 5 p.m. on the last Friday in September. No extensions to this deadline will normally be granted.
- If required a viva voce examination will be held.