Primary tabs
Teaching
The MPhil in Early Modern History is a nine-month full-time programme which combines elements of formal teaching with independent research. Students on the MPhil will join a group of researchers of all levels within the field of early modern history, allowing them to integrate into the research culture of early modern history at Cambridge.
The MPhil involves three assessed components:
- Core course (seven classes) examined through an essay of 3,000-4,000 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography), worth 10 per cent of the overall mark
- Two option courses (see representative list below; seven or eight two-hour classes for each option) examined through an essay of 3,000-4,000 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography), each worth 10 per cent of the overall mark
- Dissertation (15,000–20,000 words) worth 70 per cent of the overall mark
In addition, students are required to attend and participate in the weekly Early Modern History research seminars and workshops.
Students may also take optional skills modules in palaeography and languages. These are not assessed elements of the MPhil but will help students develop the skills needed for the MPhil in Early Modern History.
| One to one supervision | All students admitted to the MPhil in Early Modern History will be assigned a supervisor to work with them throughout the course, but crucially on the dissertation. Students will meet regularly with their supervisor for one-on-one supervisions throughout the course. The frequency of supervisions will vary depending on the time of year, with the regularity of meetings increasing as the year progresses and the student begins to focus more on the dissertation. Students can expect at least one supervision session per term and normally eight across the year. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
|---|---|
| Seminars & classes | All students will take the core course, Sources and Methods, which runs with weekly seminars throughout the Michaelmas term. The Core Course provides an introduction to the theories, approaches and conceptual challenges that accompany original historical research. Four of the classes usually explore different ways of contextualising and evaluating key types of source material. The other three sessions normally look at how scholars have addressed important underlying themes in the social, cultural, political and economic history of the Early Modern world. Some sessions will usually involve practical exercises in the handling and analysis of source material. Students will also select two modules from a list of options offered by the Faculty's seven MPhil courses. Typically, students will select one module in the Michaelmas term and one module in the Lent term. The courses offered each year may vary. In recent years, the optional courses offered have included:
Students are also expected to attend the graduate research seminar which is most relevant to their field of study. These thriving research seminars meet weekly during term-time. Students are encouraged to ask questions and engage with speakers. |
| Lectures | Although not compulsory, students may attend undergraduate lectures relevant to their topic. |
| Posters and Presentations | All students will present their work at least once during the academic year and will receive feedback from academics and peers on their work-in-progress. This is not an assessed element of the course but is a valuable feedback tool for the dissertation. |
Feedback
Students will receive regular constructive feedback throughout the MPhil.
Students can expect to receive:
- regular oral feedback from their supervisor, as well as termly online feedback reports;
- written feedback on essays and assessments;
- oral feedback from peers during graduate workshops and seminars;
- written and oral feedback on dissertation proposal essay to be discussed with their supervisor; and
- formal written feedback from two examiners after examination of dissertation.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
The dissertation is Part II of the MPhil in Early Modern History.
All students will submit a dissertation of 15,000–20,000 words, worth 70 per cent of the overall mark.
At the discretion of the examiners, the examination may include an oral examination on the dissertation and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls.
Essays
Each of three modules in Michaelmas and Lent terms (one compulsory core, and two options) will require an essay of 3,000–4,000 words (or equivalent).
Each will count toward 10 per cent of the final degree mark, for a total of 30 per cent.
Students will also prepare a 2,000-word dissertation proposal essay due in the Lent term. This essay will be unassessed but students will meet with their supervisor to discuss the essay and get feedback in preparation for the dissertation.
Practical assessment
All students will present their work at least once during the academic year and will receive feedback from academics and peers on their work-in-progress. This is not an assessed element of the course but is a valuable feedback tool for the dissertation.