Teaching

The MPhil in Economic and Social History is an 11-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 economic and social history, allowing them to integrate into the research culture at Cambridge.

The teaching for the MPhil consists of a ‘core’ module for all Economic and Social History students, and two ‘option’ modules from a list published by the Faculty, each of which is assessed through an essay.

The options offered each year vary. An illustrative list of options previously offered in economic and social history includes:

• British Industrialisation in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
• Money, Trade, and Politics
• History of Economic Thought
• Histories of Capitalism
• Global History of Commodities, 1750-Present

All students will also attend several short courses through the Cambridge Research Methods (CaRM) programme, which provide students with a broad range of quantitative and qualitative research methods skills that are relevant across the social sciences. These are not examined by the Faculty, but are a compulsory part of the training required for the MPhil in Economic and Social History.

In addition to the above, students will attend the weekly Economic and Social History research seminars and workshops, which prepare students for presenting their work to an academic audience.

One to one supervision	All students admitted to the MPhil in Economic and Social 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, Central Concepts in Economic and Social History, which consists of eight two-hour seminars throughout Michaelmas Term. Students will also select two modules from a list of options offered by the Faculty's MPhil courses: one in Michaelmas and one in Lent term. Each option consists of seven or eight two-hour seminars. Students will take several short courses through the Cambridge Research Methods (CaRM) programme, as specified by the Faculty, which provide students with a broad range of quantitative and qualitative research skills that are relevant across the social sciences. Students also attend and participate in the postgraduate research seminar most relevant to their field of study, and the Economic and Social History Postgraduate Workshop. These thriving research seminars and workshops meet weekly during term time and students are encouraged to ask questions and engage with speakers. A variety of additional training opportunities in both subject-specific and general skills are also available to students across the University.
Lectures	Although not compulsory, students are encouraged to attend relevant undergraduate lectures as indicated by their supervisor.
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.
Taught/Research Balance	Equal Taught/Research

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
• feedback on Cambridge Research Methods courses
• oral feedback from peers during postgraduate workshops and/or seminars
• written and oral feedback on the dissertation proposal essay to be discussed with their supervisor
• formal written feedback from two examiners after examination of a dissertation

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

Students submit a dissertation of 15,000–20,000 words, worth 70% of the overall mark. The dissertation is Part II of the MPhil.

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

Students submit an essay of 3,000 – 4,000 words for each of the three taught modules (the core course and two options), which may be under timed conditions. Each essay is worth 10% of the final degree mark, for a total of 30%. Taken together, these essays form Part I of the MPhil.

Students also prepare a 4,000-word dissertation proposal essay due at the beginning of Easter term. This is assessed, but the mark does not contribute to the final degree mark. Students will meet with their supervisor to discuss the essay and get feedback in preparation for the dissertation.

Practical assessment

Students may also be required to take practical assessment as part of the Cambridge Research Methods courses they take, although these assessments do not contribute to the final degree mark.