Screen Media & Cultures Thesis

General information

Theses must, according to the criteria laid down by the Board of Graduate Studies, 'represent a contribution to learning'. Theses must be written in English. The arrangements for their preparation are similar to those for the essays. Titles are chosen by students, in consultation with module convenors and/or prospective supervisors, and then have to be approved by the Faculty Degree Committee.

Topics and precise thesis titles must be submitted by a specific deadline in Lent Term (for details see link, below). Up to this point the Course Director is the titular supervisor of M.Phil students, but once the thesis topics are approved, a specialist supervisor is appointed for each student. Students are entitled to up to four hour-long sessions with their supervisor. (In the event that a thesis is co-supervised, a candidate may expect two hours of individual teaching from each supervisor. Only one supervisor should comment on the full draft of the thesis.)

Submission deadlines for the thesis can be found in the 'Practical Guidelines', here:
→ Deadlines for written work

Theses should conform to the same guidelines for presentation as the essays.

Word limit

The word limit for the thesis is 14-15,000 words including footnotes but excluding bibliography and the word-count should be indicated at the end of the thesis. The thesis is not allowed to exceed the word limit, though it may be shorter.

Submission

Candidates must submit two softbound copies of the thesis. They will need to include the following in the thesis:

1. Title page containing: title, Blind Grading ID, style used (e.g. MHRA) and declaration stating "This dissertation is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy".

2. Signed declaration (to be submitted separately) stating: "This dissertation is the result of my own work and includes nothing which is the outcome of work done in collaboration except where specifically indicated in the text".

3. A statement of length (word count).

The form in which the thesis is presented, and the care with which it has been prepared and illustrated, are in themselves evidence of the candidate's capabilities, and will receive consideration as such. Candidates are strongly advised to check their thesis carefully, prior to submission, for typing errors, spelling mistakes and poor English. The thesis, apart from quotations and recognised technical formulae, must be written in English.

Marks

Information on the marking of the M.Phil thesis is provided in the examining guidelines included on this site.
→ Examining Guidelines