ADMISSION TO MPHIL/PHD DEGREES
1. Applicants must meet the general requirements for higher degrees as set out by the Regulations of the University, Faculty of Humanities and Education, and the Department of History and Philosophy, as approved by the Board for Graduate Studies and Research.
2. The minimum requirement for admission is normally a First or
Upper Second Class Honours degree.
3. Applicants who do not satisfy these requirements, may in
exceptional circumstances be admitted on passing a Qualifying
Examination.
4. Candidates desirous of pursuing the PhD must first register for
the MPhil degree.
All candidates for the MPhil. and PhD must complete a Common First Year. Students will be expected to audit courses covering historiography, methodology and theory. In addition, each candidate will be expected, with the guidance of the assigned Supervisor, to complete an extensive research proposal.
DURATION
MPhil
Candidates registered on a full-time basis will be expected to present their thesis in not less than four (4) semesters and not more than five (5) calendar years after registration. Candidates registered part-time will be expected to present their thesis in not less than six (6) semesters and not more than seven (7) calendar years after registration.
PhD
Candidates registered on a full-time basis will be expected to present their thesis in not less than six (6) semesters and not more than six (6) calendar years after registration. Candidates registered part-time will be expected to present their thesis in not less than eight (8) semesters and not more than eight (8) calendar years after registration.
AWARD OF THE MPHIL DEGREE
In addition to the satisfactory completion of the Common First Year, candidates must present a thesis of not more than 50,000 words (excluding notes and bibliography) on an approved topic. The Examiners may recommend the waiver of an Oral Examination.
AWARD OF THE PHD DEGREE
In addition to the satisfactory completion of the Common First Year, candidates must present a thesis of not more than 80,000 words (excluding notes and bibliography) on an approved topic. A Candidate for the PhD will be required to submit to an oral examination on the thesis submitted.
A thesis will not be deemed adequate unless:
(a) it is judged to be a new contribution to knowledge;
(b) it shows clear evidence of original research;
(c) it is worthy of publication.
A candidate, after consideration of the thesis by the Examiners and after oral examination may be:
1. recommended to the Senate for the award of the Degree;
2. required to re-submit the thesis within 18 months;
3. required to re-submit the thesis and repeat the oral examination on one subsequent occasion within eighteen (18) months from the decision of the Board for Graduate Studies and Research;
4. required to make corrections to thesis within six (6) months from the decision of the Board for Graduate Studies
5. granted an MPhil (in the case of a PhD candidate);
6. failed outright.
