The MA by Research is ideal for those who want: an MA qualification in areas where taught programmes are not offered; the experience of a research degree without committing to a PhD at the outset. The Department of Political and Cultural Studies (PCS) boasts a dynamic research environment with a committed staff all of whom are research-active. Academic members of staff have a very considerable range of research interests on which we offer supervision for research degrees. This programme gives you the chance to pursue a major research project based around your own passions and interests, leading to a qualification which can open the door to an academic career or boost employment prospects outside academia. It will give you the freedom to explore a topic of your choosing and develop a methodology under the close supervision of two experienced academics but without attending regular classes as required in taught programmes. Typically, you will work closely with your supervisors, meeting them regularly, in many instances fortnightly, in the first term and at regular intervals thereafter. Meetings are logged and goals agreed each time. Students enrolled in the MA by Research are required to attend skills and training courses at College and University level. You may also be expected to give presentations to other research students and staff at departmental seminars and attend the postgraduate conference of the College of Arts and Humanities. Your are assessed on the basis of a thesis of about 40,000 words.