About the course

Supervision is available in all disciplines where the School has expertise:

• English
• History
• Media, Communications and Culture
• Music and Music Technology

You will be able to develop your research topic within the context of current debates and methodologies in relevant disciplines and within the humanities generally. The course will develop practical, critical and analytical research skills that can be deployed in a variety of professional and intellectual contexts. The programme is tailored to your research and career plans, and we recommend that you contact us before making a formal application.

The MRes degree is intended for applicants who already have a clear dissertation project (or equivalent, e.g. composition portfolio, performance or software development plan). In liaison with the  supervisor and discipline lead, a plan of work in semester 1 and 2 is agreed and serves as preparation for the  project as well as assessed work in its own right. When you submit your online application, please use your personal statement to describe the dissertation (or equivalent) project you intend to carry out (500-700 words). Include specific research questions and aims. What does the project intend to elucidate? Is any hypothesis proposed? How will the research be carried out (i.e. methodology)?

Please also refer to Humanities MA and MRES Handbook 2018/19

Aims of the course

To enable students to research and write an extended dissertation, whilst developing practical, critical and analytical research skills that can be deployed in a variety of professional and intellectual contexts. Students will develop an understanding of the place of a specific research topic within current debates and methodologies in relevant disciplines, and within the humanities generally. The course will promote the ‘project management skills’ of defining and planning a project, meeting deadlines, and recording and reflecting on outcomes.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should normally have a good honours degree (2.1 or above) in a relevant subject.  Students from different backgrounds who believe they have the capacity to undertake postgraduate work in the humanities should contact us to discuss their situation.

Course content

Students follow a tailor-made programme, comprising three components totalling at least 180 credits.

• A 20,000 word dissertation (or equivalent composition or artistic production) is at the heart of the programme (90 credits).
• Research Training covering research skills and reflective practice in the humanities (2 x 15 = 30 credits).
• Research methods in the field relevant to the thesis topic (30 credits)
• Individual Research Orientation: a module tailored to the needs of the student (30 credits).

Teaching and assessment

Assessment is by coursework, culminating in the 20,000 word dissertation (or the equivalent composition or artistic production). Research Training is assessed by a portfolio consisting of an annotated bibliography, a project outline and a reflective diary. Each of the other modules will be examined through a 4,000-5,000 word essay or approved equivalent.

The pass mark is 50%. A merit will be awarded where students obtain 60% or over for the dissertation (or equivalent project or performance) and an average of 60% on their other coursework. A distinction will be awarded where students obtain 70% or over for the dissertation, (or equivalent project or performance) and an average of 70% in their other coursework.

Additional costs

Apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for this post graduate programme.