Politics (Comparative Government) (Taught)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2019). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas The MPhil in Politics (Comparative Government) is an advanced two-year graduate degree which provides training in research techniques and methodology and enables you to acquire substantive knowledge in this sub-area of the discipline. It is also suitable if you wish to later embark upon doctoral research. The MPhil in Politics (Comparative Government) emphasises the research-led study of government and political institutions from area-specific and comparative perspectives, and provides a range of educational experiences in a variety of learning environments to develop your written and oral communication skills as well as other technical skills. The MPhil will provide you with a solid foundation for a wide range of careers, including academic, professional, commercial, diplomatic and governmental positions. The DPIR is internationally recognised as a leading centre for teaching and research in comparative government and empirical political science, and counts among its members a number of acknowledged authorities within this discipline. In the first year, you must complete the core classes and tutorials in comparative government and a programme of research methods training, which includes core courses in statistics and research design and specialised elective courses. At the end of your first year you will sit a three-hour written examination in the core subject and submit a research design proposal as preparation for the MPhil thesis. Progression to the second year is conditional on satisfactory performance in the first. In your second year you must write a thesis and complete two specialist optional papers. Options that have been offered in recent years include: At the end of the course, you are required to complete the assessment in the optional papers of your choice and submit a thesis of not more than 30,000 words.