MPhil in Politics (Political Theory)

University of Oxford

The MPhil in Politics (Political Theory) is an advanced two-year postgraduate degree, which provides training in research techniques and methodology and enables you to acquire substantive knowledge in this sub-area of the discipline. It is also suitable if you wish to later embark upon doctoral research.

Course structure

Year one

In the first year, you must complete:

• Core classes and tutorials in the theory of politics.
• A programme of research methods training, which includes courses in approaches to the study of political theory, reasoning in contemporary political philosophy and problems of method in the history of political thought.

Year two

In the second year you will:

• Write a thesis.
• Complete two specialist option papers. Options offered in recent years have included:
  • Imperialism in 20th Century Political Thought
  • Political Theories of Hegel and Marx
  • Mitigating Historical Injustice
  • Critical Theory
  • Contemporary Political Philosophy
  • Normative Political Economy: The Ethics of Economic Systems and Social Policy
  • Reasonable Disagreement and Political Argument

Assessment

Progression to the second year is conditional on passing examinations and/or coursework in research methods as well as the core course.

At the end of the course, you will complete two option papers of your choice assessed by examination or coursework and submit a thesis.