Course Assessment

For successful award of your MA, you must submit all nine assignments, passing at least seven out of nine, of which three must be assignments 5, 8 and 9; pass the examination; and pass the dissertation.

Year one

During year one you must submit five assignments (essays) of 2,000-3,000 words each and sit an examination. For each assignment you will be invited to choose to answer one question from a list of two or more. The examination comprises a written paper in which you must answer questions relating to Modules 5 and 6.

Progress to year two depends on successful completion of the first year of study. For successful completion of the first year you must:

• submit all assignments
• pass a minimum of three assignments* (one of which must be assignment 05)
• pass the examination

At the end of the year you will receive a Year one transcript recording your grades on all elements.

Successful candidates may opt for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate at the end of the year one and withdraw from the remainder of the MA course.

Year two

During year two you must submit two assignments (6 and 7) of 2,000-3,000 words each and two assignments (8 and 9) of 3,000-4,000 words each. If you achieve an overall pass grade on the assignments you may proceed to the dissertation – an extended piece of writing of between 12,000 and 15,000 words. Students who do not submit a dissertation, or whose dissertation is deemed unsatisfactory by the examiners but who have satisfactorily completed the other elements of course assessment will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma.

For successful completion of the second year you must:

• submit all assignments and the dissertation
• pass a minimum of three assignments (two of which must be assignments 8 and 9)
• bring your total number of passes to at least seven* (four of which must be assignment 5, examination, assignments 8 and 9)

*A failed assignment may be resubmitted once. Up to three re-submissions of failed assignments will normally be allowed.