Reporter 13/12/00: Examination in Theology for the M.Phil. Degree

Examination in Theology for the M.Phil. Degree

(Statutes and Ordinances, p. 482)

With effect from 1 October 2001

On the recommendation of the Faculty Board of Divinity, the General Board and the Board of Graduate Studies have approved the following changes to the examination in Theology for the M.Phil. Degree (one-year course). The examination has been retitled 'Theology and Religious Studies' to better reflect the content of the course, and the regulations for the examination have been amended so as to reduce the demands made upon candidates. The regulations have been amended so as to read:

Theology and Religious Studies

1. The scheme of examination for the one-year course of study in Theology and Religious Studies for the degree of Master of Philosophy shall consist of:

(a)	a thesis, of between 15,000 and 20,000 words in length, including footnotes and appendices but excluding bibliography, on a subject approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Divinity;
(b)	an essay, of not more than 4,000 words in length, on a subject falling within an area of study to be prescribed by the Degree Committee not later than the end of the Easter Term of the academical year preceding that to which it applies;
(c)	any two pieces of written work chosen by the candidate from the following:

(i)	one paper of three hours' duration on a language chosen from a list of languages published by the Degree Committee;
(ii)	one exercise on a subject chosen from a list of subjects for exercises published by the Degree Committee;
(iii)	one essay of not more than 4,000 words on a subject chosen from a list of subjects for essays published by the Degree Committee.

A candidate's choice of written work shall be made with the approval of the Degree Committee and in the light of the Committee's general guidance about the course of studies appropriate to particular areas of Theology and Religious Studies.

2. The Degree Committee shall publish, not later than the end of the Easter Term each year, a list of languages and subjects for exercises and essays for the examination to be held in the following academical year; the Degree Committee may give notice of additional languages, and subjects for exercises not later than the end of the first quarter of the Michaelmas Term preceding the examination. In publishing the list of subjects for exercises and any additions the Degree Committee shall announce the form of the examination for each subject, which shall be either (a) an essay or other written exercise of not more than 4,000 words in length, or (b) a three-hour written paper.

3. The examination shall include an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls and, at the discretion of the Examiners, on the other work submitted by the candidate; save that the Examiners may, at their discretion, waive the requirement for an oral examination.

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