MPhil Economic & Social History (Second Year) - Course Handbook

2023-25

Disclaimer

The information in this handbook is accurate as at October 1st 2024. Although it may be necessary for changes to be made in certain circumstances, as explained at www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/coursechanges, it is hoped to keep such changes to a minimum. If changes are made, the Faculty will publish a new version of this handbook together with a list of the changes and students will be informed.

The Examination Regulations relating to this course are available at https://examregs.admin.ox.ac.uk/ or Appendix 2 below.

If you have any concerns or queries please contact the Graduate Office at graduate.office@history.ox.ac.uk.

This handbook has been prepared for students who started their Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Economic and Social History in Michaelmas Term 2023. You are advised to refer to it throughout your course, as it will be of considerable help throughout the period of your study.

It contains information about the structure of the course, teaching and assessment deadlines, how to format and submit your work, and the exam conventions that set out how your work is marked. It also acts as a signpost to more general information, including useful contacts and locations around the Faculty and University.

The term dates can be found here: Dates of Term | University of Oxford

As well as this handbook, you will also find these other sources of information useful:

The Economic and Social History Canvas pages: https://canvas.ox.ac.uk/courses/13943

 To find information about your course, such as reading lists and available options.
The Oxford Historians Hub: https://ohh.web.ox.ac.uk/ To find information on studying history at Oxford, the termly lecture list, details of the Oxford History Graduate Network, how to present your work when submitting it, and other general information relating to your studies.
Examination regulations: https://examregs.admin.ox.ac.uk/. The definitive rules that govern the course.
Marking criteria and conventions in this handbook The rules by which your work is marked.

Your supervisor will review, monitor and comment on your academic progress using Graduate Supervision Reporting (GSR), which is accessible via Student Self Service (https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/selfservice). You are also encouraged to submit comments on this system.

An introduction to Oxford for new students is available on the university website: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/new.

This programme is convened and administered by the Faculty of History. If you need help or advice relating to your course, and can’t find the answer in this handbook or on Canvas, you should contact one of the following:

Details of the administrative staff that support the Master’s courses can be found on the Academic Administration page of the History Faculty website: https://www.history.ox.ac.uk/administrative-staff.

If you have any comments or suggestions about the content of this handbook, please email them to graduate.office@history.ox.ac.uk.

1| Course Content and Structure

This unique programme in economic and social history teaches the techniques, skills and knowledge required to study historical societies and economies using the perspectives and approaches of the social sciences.

The MPhil covers substantially the same ground as the MSc, but in greater depth; second-year students have an opportunity to extend their substantive historical knowledge by completing two additional Advanced Papers and by writing a more demanding dissertation, which is 30,000 words in length compared with the 15,000-word dissertation for the MSc degree.

The course extends over 21 months and consists of:

Year 1:

Induction session:

  • Introduction to the Graduate Programme in Economic and Social History

Core papers:

  • What Happened and Why?
  • Quantitative methods (1) or Advanced quantitative methods (2)

Elective papers:

  • Economics for economic historians (elective)
  • History for economic historians (elective)

Required:

  • Two Advanced Papers

Year 2:

  • Two Advanced Papers
  • Dissertation

You MUST check all deadlines against the Examination Regulations for your course. If there are any discrepancies with what is published here, the official Examination Regulations take precedence.

Extensions to deadlines for the submission of assessed work can be requested ONLY from the Proctors, where there is good cause, i.e. circumstances beyond your control preventing you from completing assessed work on time. Details of policy and procedure can be found here. Please note that you are responsible for the timely submission of your assessed work: submitting work, especially your thesis, after the original deadline may mean that your work will not be marked according to the usual timetable, and you must not make plans for graduation without first checking with the Graduate Office that your marks will have been ratified by the relevant Board of Examiners in time.  

Year One

Michaelmas Term (year 1)

Week 1, Friday (5pm) Avoiding Plagiarism Certificate

Send Avoiding Plagiarism certificate to the Graduate Office (current.graduates@history.ox.ac.uk)

Week 4, Friday (5pm)

 Choose Advanced Papers (year 1)

A link will be circulated two weeks before the deadline for you to submit your options

Week 7, Friday (noon)

Test Assignment Submission

 Complete this exercise on Inspera (see Section 2.6 for more details)
Week 8, Monday Quantitative Methods Take-Home Test The test will be sent out to students

 

Week 8, Friday

 

Online Exam Entry

Complete online exam entry - Exam Schools will contact you with details of how to do this.

PLEASE NOTE that this is compulsory, and that Exam Schools charge a fee for late entries and modifications to exam entries.

Hilary Term (year 1)

Week 1, Monday (noon) Quantitative Methods Take-Home Test Essay Submit your Quantitative Methods Take-Home Test Essay and your What Happened and Why Essay (see Section 2 [Submission & Assessment guidance] on how to submit)
What Happened and Why Essay
Week 6, Friday Advanced Paper Essay Titles (year 1) A link will be circulated two weeks before the deadline for you to submit the titles of your Advanced Paper essays *
Friday, Week 9 (5pm) Annual Graduate Workshop abstract Submit 100-word abstract for Annual Graduate Workshop to the workshop organisers

Trinity Term (year 1)

Week 9, Monday (noon)

 Advanced Paper Essay submission (year 1)

Submit all of your first year Advance Paper essays to Inspera (see Section 2 [Submission & Assessment guidance] on how to submit)
Week 9 Written Examinations Attend written examinations (timetables will be available in Trinity Term)

Year Two

Michaelmas Term (year 2)

Week 4, Friday (5pm)

 Choose Advanced Papers (year 2) A link will be circulated two weeks before the deadline for you to submit your options

 

Week 8, Friday

 

Online Exam Entry

Complete online exam entry - Exam Schools will contact you with details of how to do this.

PLEASE NOTE that this is compulsory, and that Exam Schools charge a fee for late entries and modifications to exam entries.

Hilary Term (year 2)

Week 6, Friday

 Advanced Paper Essay Titles (year 2) A link will be circulated two weeks before the deadline for you to submit the titles of your Advanced Paper essay and Dissertation *

Dissertation title

Trinity Term (year 2)

Week 1, Monday

(noon)

Dissertation submission

Submit your Dissertation (see Section 2 [Submission & Assessment guidance] on how to submit)

Week 9, Monday (noon)

 Advanced Paper Essay submission (year 2)

Submit all of your second year Advanced Paper Essay to Inspera (see Section 2 [Submission & Assessment guidance] on how to submit)
Week 9 Written Examinations Attend written examinations (timetables will be available in Trinity term)

*Modification of your essay and dissertation titles is only possible up to five days before the submission deadline, and requires the permission of the course/option tutor or (for your dissertation) your supervisor. Once permission has been obtained, the new title should be sent to the Graduate Office by email (graduate.office@history.ox.ac.uk).

Please note that most title changes that are approved consist of small adjustments to the title and/or focus of an essay or dissertation. Proposed title changes that radically alter the topic of a piece of work are unlikely to be granted approval at a late stage.

This is a short hands-on induction session, designed to acquaint students with the structure of the Master’s programmes and with basic tools, techniques, and resources available in Oxford. Most of the events are run by the Bodleian History Faculty Library. Full details are available here: https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/libraries/ssl/services-and-facilities/training.

Teaching

  • The first meeting arranged specifically for incoming Economic and Social History Students will take place from 10 am to 12 noon on Tuesday of Week 0 (4 October 2022) in the Old Library at All Souls College. It may prove necessary to move this session online, in which case students will be sent a link to attend.
  • This is followed by an Introduction to information facilities from 4.30 to 5.30 pm on Tuesday of Week 0 (5 October) on MS Teams.
  • You are also expected to go on a Bodleian and History Faculty Library orientation tour in weeks 0 or 1 (booking required), and to attend the History Faculty Graduate Research Fair in week 4.
  • Additional, optional History Faculty training sessions are also available. These include courses on bibliographic software and mapping software, which some of you will find very useful. In particular, bibliographic software will make your life a lot easier, so if you aren’t already familiar with these programmes, you should attend a course.
  • You are also required to complete an online course on plagiarism and how to avoid it: https://cosy.ox.ac.uk/accessplan/clientinput/shoppingbasket3/basket/wizard/EditBasket. On successfully completing this course you will receive a certificate, which you should email to graduate.office@history.ox.ac.uk by the end of week 1 (Friday 15 October).

Teaching

The core course, ‘What Happened and Why?’, will be taught over the Michaelmas Term, commencing in Week 1.

Lectures are held on Thursdays at 10 am-11.45 am in the Old Library at All Souls College. It may prove necessary to move lectures online, in which case students will be sent a link to attend. The Thursday lecture introduces a particular topic in the themes, methods and approaches of economic and social history.

Classes for this course are held on Fridays in the Old Library at All Souls College. It may prove necessary to move classes online, in which case students will be sent a link to attend. You will be allocated to one of two classes, 11 am-12:30 pm or 2.30-4 pm. The Friday class gives you the opportunity to discuss the Thursday lecture topic in the context of a particular historical debate. 

Students are expected to complete all the readings listed for each of the classes. Each week, 2-3 students will be assigned to lead the class session, but all students will be expected to do the reading in advance and contribute actively during the session.

Details of the reading lists can be found on Canvas.

Assessment

This course is assessed by an essay of up to 4,000 words, which must be submitted by the deadline given above. This essay will present the first stages of your dissertation topic, and you will be given guidance on how to approach it.

See Section 2 for guidance on submission, including information on word count.

A second component of assessment is a presentation at the Annual Graduate Workshop in Week 1 of Trinity Term based on your dissertation work.

What Happens and Why? aims to develop an appreciation of different epistemologies and methods, with a view to informing your research work.

You will be expected to demonstrate this theoretical awareness when you make a twenty-minute presentation to a forum of students and course tutors at the Annual Graduate Workshop (AGW) in the first week of Trinity Term (see below at 1.9). Full attendance and participation at the AGW are requirements for the successful completion of the qualifying course.

About

 You will take one of the courses below:

Quantitative methods (QM1)

Quantitative Methods (QM1) provides an introduction to applied statistical methods and is specifically targeted at economic and social history students. No mathematical or statistical background is necessary.

The course moves quickly, starting with descriptive statistics and ending with basic multiple linear regression.

By the end of the course, the students should have a good understanding of the main statistical concepts discussed in the course, as well as the practical skills to carry out simple statistical analysis using Stata.

Details of the course contents, timetable and reading list can be found on Canvas.

Advanced quantitative methods (QM2)

This paper is intended for students who have already been introduced to some form of quantitative methods. It introduces students to multiple regression and related methods for analysing data in economics and related disciplines.

Additional topics include:

  • regression with discrete random variables,
  • instrumental variables regression,
  • analysis of quasi-experiments,
  • regression with time series data.

Students will learn how to conduct – and how to critique – empirical studies. Accordingly, the emphasis of the course is on empirical applications.

The mathematics of econometrics will be introduced only as needed and will not be a central focus.

The course will provide an introduction to probability and distribution theory, the theory of estimation, the econometrics of the classical regression model, and a module on time-series analysis.

Details of the course contents, timetable and reading list can be found on Canvas.

Teaching

These papers are taught over Michaelmas Term, Weeks 1 to 8 or 9.

All students will be provided with a copy of Stata at the beginning of the term. It is crucial that you have your laptop available for computer practical, as you will have to use it for all the empirical exercises.

QM1

There will be a 1-hour lecture each week and a 1.5-hour practical each week. Students will be informed of the teaching timetable by email at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term.

QM2

There will be a 1-hour lecture each week and a 1.5-hour practical each week. Students will be informed of the teaching timetable by email at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term.

 

QM1 & QM2 Quantitative Methods Surgeries

A 1-hour quantitative methods surgery will be held as a drop-in session each week. Students will be informed of the teaching timetable by email at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term. If you would like to attend a surgery, please email the course tutor beforehand so that they have an idea of how many people will show up: hannah.zillessen@st-annes.ox.ac.uk.

Assessment

Homework assignments are due every week. These cover both theoretical concepts and empirical techniques.

This course is then assessed by a take-home test, to be completed over the Christmas vacation; the test will be sent out to students in Week 8. It is submitted by noon on Monday Week 1 of Hilary term. See Section 2 for guidance on submission.

Details of the test can be found on Canvas.

Economics for economic historians (elective)

Economics appears, probably more than any other social science, alien to anyone not familiar with its language and method. Still, it is one of the most dynamic, versatile, and useful approaches to the study of social behaviour. The aim of this course is to introduce students to the principles and way of thinking of economics. Over eight sessions, we will explore the various elements in the economist’s basic ‘toolbox’, placing a special emphasis on how these elements are applied to describe and understand the real world. Since it does not assume any prior knowledge in the field, the course is particularly suited for graduate students who have not previously studied economics and need to understand the main concepts and the jargon used in the discipline. Students with some knowledge of economics, however, might also find it useful for reviewing concepts or clarifying ideas.

Teaching

The paper consists of eight sessions of two hours each. These will take place from Weeks 1 to 8 in Michaelmas Term. Students will be informed of the teaching timetable by email at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term.

Assessment

Assessment for this paper will take the form of a student presentation in Week 8 of Michaelmas Term. The presentation applies the concepts covered to a topic of interest chosen by the student.

Presentations should be about 10 minutes long to leave room for questions and feedback from the other students. The purpose of the presentation is to get students used to applying the concepts of economics in their own research, and is for self-monitoring and will serve as good training for academic or commercial life. It has no impact on degree results.

History for economic historians (elective)

As a highly interdisciplinary degree, our programme attracts students with diverse disciplinary backgrounds. This eight-session course is an optional introduction to (or refresher in) historical methods for graduate students in economic and social history. Each class is organized around a type of source that researchers may use either as the backbone of an historical study or as additional material for context and colour in their scholarship. The hour-long classes are loosely thematic. Each will introduce a type of source, how it is used, and where it can be found.

Teaching

The paper consists of eight one-hour sessions spread over two terms, Michaelmas and Hilary.  In Michaelmas Term the sessions will be held in Weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7; in Hilary term, they will be held in Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8. Students will be informed of the teaching timetable by email at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term.

The bibliography for this course can be found on Canvas.

Assessment

The paper will culminate in Week 8 of Hilary with a brief (5-10 minute) presentation by each student, using a primary source or sources not previously discussed in class to illuminate a topic in economic and/or social history. It has no impact on degree results.

This course covers basic skills of academic writing and making oral presentations.

The first three sessions discuss how to structure an essay, paper or dissertation; how to tackle the most important parts (especially the introduction and conclusion); and how to produce writing that conveys your ideas clearly.

The fourth session deals with how to present your work at a seminar, workshop, conference, or job interview.

There is no assessment and the course has no impact on degree results.

Teaching

The course consists of four one-hour sessions, held online in Weeks 2-5 of the Michaelmas Term.

Please register with the Graduate Office (graduate.office@history.ox.ac.uk) to receive the online invitation.

Students will be informed of the teaching timetable by email at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term.

MPhil students must take two Advanced Papers in each year of their course, i.e. four Advanced Papers om total.

The list of papers being offered in any particular year tends to change: not all papers are offered every year.

The papers are normally delivered in eight sessions over one or two terms, typically through two-hour sessions, as a small class. They are taught by experts on subjects close to their research interests, and thus offer the opportunity to experience cutting-edge research, as well as to be initiated into the craft of scholarship.

The Faculty reserves the right to not run an option if insufficient numbers enrol.

Choosing options

There will be an Advanced Papers Event in Week 2, consisting of a brief presentation by each option-course tutor followed by student questions about that course.

Choices are made by students after discussion with their supervisor, taking account of students’ interests and the coherence of their programme of learning.

At least one Advanced Paper each year must be selected from Schedule I (i.e. from within the MPhil and MSc Economic and Social History programmes). A full list of available courses can be found on Canvas.

Schedule II courses

In addition to the option-courses offered within the Economic and Social History Master’s Programme, it is possible to take one option-course each year from graduate offerings elsewhere in the History Faculty and in other faculties and departments, including economics, sociology, criminology, and anthropology (these are referred to as Schedule II courses). Choices under Schedule II must be approved by your supervisor, the Economic and Social History Programme convenor and the convenor for the paper in question, and candidates must have an adequate background in the subject.

PLEASE NOTE: Students taking an option paper from a programme other than that in which they are enrolled will be assessed on that paper according to the regulations of the programme under which the advanced paper is offered. This means that deadlines, length of assessed work, teaching timetable, and mode of assessment may be different to option papers being taken by other students on the same course. If you take a paper from another programme, please consider the impact on your workload based on the other deadlines for your own programme. The modes of assessment and deadlines for the other course elements of the programme for which the candidate is registered are unaffected. Advanced or Option papers from other programmes may run for 8 weeks. Please contact graduate.office@history.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions. 

Assessment

Different Advanced Papers have different assessment methods.

The most common assessment methods are:

  • a three-hour unseen examination;
  • submission of two 5,000-word essays;
  • submission of one essay of up to 10,000 words.

The method of examination offered for each Advanced Paper is at the discretion of the tutor for each paper.

In the case of an essay submission, the Examiners expect that the essay(s) submitted will be the work of the candidate alone. You may consult your supervisor about the subject of the essay(s), but you must not consult any other person, including your supervisor, in any way concerning the method of handling the themes chosen.

The essay(s) must clearly relate to the subject of the paper on which you are being assessed. Essays should address a well-defined question clearly distinct both from that treated in the other essay (where two are submitted), and also from the core argument of your planned dissertation.

Essay titles

The draft title of the essay should be as descriptive and precise as possible, posing a question or proposition that can reasonably be dealt with within the word-limit (either 5,000 words or 10,000 words, depending on the specific Advanced Paper). Please consult with the course tutor for the relevant Advanced Paper. See Section 2 on guidance on submission.

Written examinations

Written examinations of Advanced Papers are provisionally scheduled for the first half of Week 9, Trinity Term. You will be notified of the time and date by Examination Schools.

The exam(s) will typically last for three hours (for some Advanced Papers, it lasts for two hours). It will consist of a list of questions on the general topics covered by the paper. You will be required to write essay-type answers to (typically) three of these questions. The Examiners will expect you to draw on the breadth of your individual reading and learning over the whole year, as well as on the coursework for the paper.

Please note that the following papers will be taken as in-person typed examinations in Trinity 2025:

  • History from Below
  • International Money and Finance since 1945 (TBC as may not run in 2024-25)
  • Problems in European Historical Demography
  • Topics in African Economic History

Further information on sitting in-person typed exams can be found at this link https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/completing-an-exam

You are advised to consult past examination papers published by the Examination Schools in order to familiarise yourself with the nature of such question papers: Exam Paper Archive

When attending this examination you must wear academic dress, as specified in the Examination Regulations (i.e., sub fusc, gown and mortar board).

 

The Annual Graduate Workshop is a two-day workshop held on the Monday and Tuesday of Week 1 of Trinity term.

At this workshop, you will make a twenty-minute presentation to a forum of students and course tutors.

Your presentation will consist of a preliminary account of your dissertation project:

  • the topic,
  • the current state of knowledge,
  • your specific research question(s),
  • possible and chosen approaches,
  • source materials
  • and – for the very advanced – any preliminary findings.

The Annual Graduate Workshop normally takes place at Nuffield College (Monday) and All Souls College (Tuesday). The Hicks lecture, Feinstein Dissertation Prize Award (Mphil, and Thirsk Dissertation Prize Award (MSc) are also components of the Workshop.

A small number of students will be elected to the organising committee for the workshop, and they will be required to design the programme, arrange for the chairing of sessions, and organise the conference catering.

The Workshop and Hicks Lecture are important events, constituting a component of the qualifying course.

Attendance is mandatory for the full duration, and absences of any length may jeopardise progress through the degree.

All students in the MPhil are required to submit an abstract of no more than 100 words no later than 5 pm on Friday Week 9, Hilary term in the first year of their course for inclusion in the Annual Graduate Workshop proceedings. Abstracts are to be emailed to the student organisers of the Workshop.

During the admissions process you are assigned a supervisor to direct your intended individual research. In the course of the first term, your research focus may change – and in some cases this may lead to a change in your supervision arrangements. If this happens, you should complete a GSO.25 form (change of supervisor or appointment of joint supervisor) and submit it to the Academic Office so that the student record system can be updated: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/graduate/progression.

Your supervisor’s primary responsibility is to advise you on the programme of work necessary to complete your dissertation or thesis. To this end, they should maintain a general overview over your course work and academic development. They should help you to identify and acquire the knowledge and skills needed to complete your dissertation or thesis, and to further your aims for study or employment, insofar as these build upon the programme of graduate study.

You should agree a definitive title with your supervisor(s) and inform the Graduate Office of the title by the deadline. The dissertation should be on a topic falling within the scope of this programme.

The Examiners will expect your dissertation to be clearly distinct from coursework essays in either chronological or geographical range, or historical issue. The dissertation is expected to include some study of original source material, whether in printed, manuscript, or other form (e.g. archaeological, numismatic, visual evidence, etc).

The following notes provide rough guidance for students and supervisors. Individual progress rates will vary, depending (for example) on the level of your background knowledge; whether you need to acquire new technical skills; the speed at which you identify a workable topic; the accessibility of sources in Oxford or Britain; the time needed to process data; the extent to which the research programme makes feasible the drafting of chapters while research is in progress, etc.

Year One:

Michaelmas term:

  • Meet supervisor, identify any training needs, lecture/seminar attendance, programme of secondary reading necessary to set scene for proposed research; initial exploration of primary sources.

Christmas vacation

  • Make progress on dissertation reading and initial research if time allows.

Hilary Term

  • Identify and establish basic familiarity with primary and secondary sources central to proposed research
  • Proceed, against the background of continuing work as above, to refine definition of dissertation topic

Trinity Term/Summer

  • Present and participate at the Annual Graduate Workshop
  • Finalise plan of work for dissertation; sketch provisional structure
  • Undertake substantial research, modifying plan and structure as necessary in process
  • Produce at least one draft chapter for supervisor’s comments.

 

Year Two:

Michaelmas term:

  • Progress review with supervisor; agree plan of work and training for coming year
  • Discuss whether you wish to apply to undertake doctoral research in Oxford or elsewhere, and if so decide upon nature of doctoral research proposal (submission by mid-January essential if student wishes to be considered for funding).

Michaelmas / Hilary

  • This second Michaelmas Term typically has fewer classes and offers the best opportunity for conducting primary data collection, analysis and drafting of chapters.

Easter vacation

  • Aim to produce near complete draft for supervisor’s comments; make sure draft is in supervisor’s hands in plenty of time for supervisor to comment
  • Revise in light of comments - Submission Monday of 1st week of Trinity Term

Trinity Term

  • Participate in the Annual Graduate Workshop, sharing the wealth of your experience with the next generation of MPhil and MSc candidates

The dissertation must be submitted by the given deadline. Refer to Section 2 for guidance on how to submit your dissertation, and for guidance on the presentation and submission of essays and dissertations.

The dissertation should consist of up to 30,000 words. It must be accompanied by a short abstract which concisely summarises its scope and principal arguments, in about 300 words; the abstract should be included in the dissertation, immediately after the title page. Please see Word Count in Section 2, for detailed guidance on what is included and excluded from the word count. 

The dissertation must not exceed the permitted length. If it does the Examiners will reduce the marks awarded.

Part of the exercise of writing a dissertation lies in devising a topic that can be effectively handled within the word limit. However, in exceptional circumstances – for example if a large section of your dissertation is taken up with translations or lengthy appendices – you can apply to the Director of Graduate Studies for permission to exceed the word limit. This should be supported by your supervisor.

The Examination Regulations for your degree state that you should submit a printed copy of your dissertation to the Bodleian Library once the examination period is over and you have received your results.

Should you decide to have your work included for consultation you should deliver it (bound in the manner stated in the regulations) to the Bodleian Library (FAO Oxford Theses – Humanities), together with forms GSO.3B and GSO.26B.

Please ensure you use the correct Student Number rather than your card or candidate number on the form.

Formative feedback

This is offered through:

  • small classes or tutorial groups, which allow constant monitoring of development
  • submission of written work on a regular basis
  • meetings with supervisors, which occur several times a term. The dissertation is guided and monitored on a regular basis by a specialist supervisor. As mentioned earlier, your supervisor should also submit termly reports on the Graduate Supervision Reporting (GSR) system.

Summative feedback

  • The examiners will provide feedback on your assessed essays and your dissertation. Written feedback for your summative assignments will be shared via Canvas by the Graduate office. Feedback for your dissertation will be shared the same way, however, given the proximity to the summer Exam Board, this will only be released alongside, or shortly after, your final classification.
  • Please note that marking is inherently subjective, and it is not uncommon to receive two separate pieces of feedback that may differ in tone or perspective.

Candidates who fail a qualifying course once will be permitted to take it again, not later than one year after the initial attempt.

If you fail any element in the first year of the course which cannot be compensated within the year, then you may either:

  • repeat the failed elements of the first year of the course in the following year, with a view to proceeding to the final MPhil examinations in the year following that; or
  • re-take the failed component of the first-year examination concurrently with the second-year assessment (though before you take this course of action you should carefully discuss its feasibility with your supervisor(s) and the Course Convenor).

A candidate who finds him/herself unable to, or is disinclined to, continue with the two-year course may, with the support of his or her college and supervisor, apply to the Director of Graduate Studies in History for permission to transfer to the status of a student for the MSc in Economic and Social History and to enter that examination in the current year.

A candidate whose application for transfer is approved may offer for the MSc the Qualifying Tests and Advanced Papers originally planned for the MPhil. Such a candidate may choose for his or her dissertation a revised version of the initially intended dissertation topic.

Approval of the essay and dissertation titles must be sought in good time from the Chairman of Examiners for the MSc in Economic and Social History.

The programme of teaching will be supported by regular seminars.

There are two seminar series in Economic and Social History.

You are expected to attend these two seminars unless you have a very strong reason for absence, and you are strongly encouraged to participate in the discussion. Participation in research seminars is an important part of your professional training as well as providing intellectual stimulation which will feed into your own dissertation project.

There are other graduate seminars which run throughout the academic year and are attended by graduate students and staff.

Details can be found in the Lecture List on the Oxford Historians Hub, but note that a weekly email alert will tell you about all the seminars, lectures, and visiting speaker presentations organised by the Faculty of History.

It is possible to switch from the MPhil to the MSc, but it requires the approval of your supervisor, the Convenor of the Economic and Social History Master’s Programme, the Faculty’s Director of Graduate Studies, and your college. Please note that such a change may have an effect on your funding and/or visa status, and that all applications to change programme must be completed by 8th Week of Hilary Term.

The Change of Programme of Study form for this process (GSO.28) can be found here.

Appendix

The History Faculty is able to provide some support for student research through its trust funds, but you are expected to explore also other sources of support such as your college. Details regarding trust funds can be found on the Oxford Historians Hub.

The Faculty also offers annual prizes for the best dissertations. A central list of all University prizes can be found here.

https://examregs.admin.ox.ac.uk/Regulation?code=mopieandsocihist&srchYear=2022&srchTerm=1&year=2021&term=1

The regulations of the Board of the Faculty of History are as follows:

1. Every candidate must follow for at least six terms a course of instruction in Economic and Social History and must upon entering for the examination produce from his or her society a certificate to that effect.

2. The examination will consist of the following parts:

Qualifying test

Every candidate must pass a qualifying test. The test shall consist of two courses on

(1) Methodological introduction to research in the social sciences and history - What Happened and Why

(2) Quantitative Methods course. Candidates can choose either Quantitative Methods 1 or Quantitative Methods 2, depending on their mathematical and statistical background.

The methodological introduction course will be assessed by an end-of-course essay of up to 4,000 words. The essay must be submitted by noon on Monday of Week 1 of Hilary Term of the candidate’s first year. A quantitative methods course is assessed by an assignment to be completed over the Christmas Vacation of the candidate’s first year; the completed assignment must be submitted by noon on Monday of Week 1 of Hilary Term of the candidate’s first year. No candidate who has failed the qualifying test of two courses will be permitted to supplicate for the degree. Candidates who fail a qualifying course once will be permitted to take it again, not later than one year after the initial attempt. 

Final examination

The examination shall consist of four papers and a dissertation.

I. Three advanced papers at least two of which must be selected from Schedule I below (Advanced Papers for the M.Phil. and M.Sc. in Economic and Social History), and not more than one from any other M.Phil. the choice of which must be approved by the chair of the Course Convenor not later than Monday of the fourth week of the second Michaelmas Term of the course.

II. Either

(I) one paper in a discipline or skill or sources or methods selected from Schedule II below.

or

(II) A fourth advanced paper selected from Schedule I or from any additional list of papers for the M.Phil. and M.Sc. in Economic and Social History approved by the Graduate Studies Committee of the Board of the Faculty of History and published in the definitive list of Advanced Papers as set out in Schedule I.

For I and II, the assessment requirements for the individual papers set out in Schedule I (‘Advanced Papers for M.Phil. and M.Sc. in Economic and Social History’) and Schedule II below will be determined by the Faculty of History and specified in the course handbook. The assessment will take the form either of a timed written examination, or the submission of one essay of 10,000 words, or the submission of two essays of 5,000 words each. The essay must be the work of the candidate alone. The candidate must not consult any other person, including their supervisor, in any way concerning the method of handling the themes chosen. The themes chosen by the candidate must be submitted for approval by the course tutor for that Advanced Paper by the examination entry date. The finished essays must be submitted by noon on Monday of Week 9 of Trinity Full Term.  

III. A dissertation of not more than 30,000 words, including appendices but excluding bibliography on a topic approved by the candidate's supervisor. The dissertation must be submitted not later than noon on the Monday of the first week of the Trinity Full Term in which the examination is to be taken. The presentation and footnotes should comply with the requirements specified in the Regulations of the Education Committee for the degree of M.Litt. and D.Phil. and follow the Conventions for the presentation of essays, dissertations and theses of the Board of the Faculty of History.

Each dissertation must include a short abstract which concisely summarises its scope and principal arguments, in about 300 words. This is not included in the dissertation word limit.

One printed copy of an M.Phil. dissertation which is approved by the examiners must be deposited in the Bodleian Library. This finalised copy should incorporate any corrections or amendments which the examiners may have requested. It must be in a permanently fixed binding, drilled and sewn, in a stiff board case in library buckram, in a dark colour, and lettered on the spine with the candidate's name and initials, the degree, and the year of submission.

3. Candidates must be examined in two of their four papers (or submit essays in lieu of these papers as provided for above) at the end of their first year.

4. In an invigilated examination, examiners will permit the use of any hand-held pocket calculator subject to the conditions set out under the heading ‘Use of calculators in examinations’ in the Regulations for the Conduct of University Examinations.

5. If it is the opinion of the examiners that the work done by a candidate, while not of sufficient merit to qualify for the degree of M.Phil., is nevertheless of sufficient merit to qualify for the degree of Master of Science in Economic and Social History, the candidate shall be given the option of re-sitting the M.Phil. (as provided under the appropriate regulation) or of being granted leave to supplicate for the degree of Master of Science.

6. A candidate who fails the examination will be permitted to re-take it on one further occasion only, not later than one year after the initial attempt.

7. Candidates who have initially failed any element of assessment shall not normally be eligible for the award of merit or distinction. 

8. All submitted assessments should be accompanied by a declaration that they are the candidate's own work. 

A descriptive list of Advanced Papers will be published by the Board of the Faculty of History in September for the academic year ahead (not all options may be available in every year)

Schedule I

Advanced Papers for the M.Phil. and M.Sc. in Economic and Social History

A broad range of the course resources are shared with the corresponding courses in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology, and Advanced Papers are therefore available in the subject areas listed here.

1. Economic and business history

2. History of science and technology

3. Social history

4. Historical demography

5. History of medicine

A descriptive list of Advanced Papers will be published by the Board of the Faculty of History in September for the academic year ahead (not all options may be available in every year). The definitive list of the titles of Advanced Papers for any one year will be circulated to candidates and their supervisors and posted on the Faculty notice board not later than Friday of third week of Michaelmas Term of the academic year in which the paper is to be taken.

Candidates wishing to take an advanced paper from another programme offered by the History Faculty, and exceptionally, by other Faculties, may do so with the permission of the Course Convenor of the Master's Programme in Economic and Social History and the person responsible for the delivery of the requested option/advanced paper, who need to be satisfied that each candidate has adequate background in the subject.  Such candidates will be assessed according to the regulations with respect to the form of assessment and deadlines governing that option (i.e. the regulations of the programme under which the advanced paper is offered), but the modes of assessment and deadlines for the other course elements of the programme for which the candidate is registered will remain in force.

Schedule II

The paper in a relevant discipline or skill may be:

1. One of the papers from the M.Phil. in Economics.

2. One of the papers from the M.Phil. in Sociology or in Comparative Social Policy.

3. One of the papers from the M.Phil. in Russian and East European Studies.

4. One suitable paper from another Master's degree under the auspices of the Faculty of History approved from time to time by the Graduate Studies Committee of the Board of History.

5. One suitable paper from another Master's degree on the recommendation of the candidate's supervisor and endorsed by the Cnvenor of the Master's Programme in Economic and Social History.

Choices under Schedule II have to be approved by the person responsible for the delivery of the requested option/advanced paper and the Course Convenor of the Master’s Programme in Economic and Social History not later than Monday of the fourth week of the second Michaelmas Term of the course. Candidates wishing to take a paper under 1, 2, 3, or 5 will also need the approval of Course Convenor of the Master’s Programme in Economic and Social History and the person responsible for the delivery of the requested option/advanced paper, who need to be satisfied that each candidate has an adequate background in the subject. Not all options may be available in every year. Such candidates will be assessed according to the regulations with respect to the form of assessment and deadlines governing that option (i.e. the regulations of the programme under which the advanced paper is offered), but the modes of assessment and deadlines for the other course elements of the programme for which the candidate is registered will remain in force. 

Contacts

Director of Graduate Studies: 

  • Dr Simon Skinner

Programme Convenor: Dr Rebecca Simson (rebecca.simson@history.ox.ac.uk)

The main office contact for all graduate matters is: graduate.office@history.ox.ac.uk

Graduate Officer: Joe Shepherd

Assistant Graduate Officer: Maya Blackwell

Teaching Officer: Callum Kelly

Admissions Officer: Liz Owen

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