POSTGRADUATE PROSPECTUS

degree from a UK university, or equivalent, in asubject appropriate to that of the programme tobe followed. As an approximate comparison, anequivalent BA from a good US university wouldhave a Grade Point Average of above 3.3.If an applicant does not have a Bachelors degreein an appropriate field s/he may be requiredto complete a qualifying year or a one-yeardiploma or certificate before entering the Mastersprogramme. Relevant work experience may alsobe taken into consideration.For details on the application process please seepage 170.RESEARCHPostgraduate research forms a major part of theSchool’s academic life. Approximately 100 newresearch students are admitted each year, and theyare central to its thriving research culture.Studying for a research degree, which can be takenin any of the SOAS departments, gives studentsthe opportunity to develop an in-depth knowledgeof a discipline, region and thematic subject, and tobecome familiar with current research techniquesand methodologies.The supervision of research work for higherdegrees and comparable programmes is carriedout on a departmental basis. SOAS providesadditional support for research through itsRegional Centres (see page 22), many of whichhold special seminars and workshops of particularvalue to postgraduate students.There are also several transregional programmes– Comparative Literature, Music and DancePerformance, International Relations, GenderStudies and Media Studies – with importantresearch agendas. New centres or programmes ingender and religion, and refugee and migrationstudies have recently been established to combineSOAS’s unique regional and subject expertise.RESEARCH DEGREES: MPHIL AND PHDThe University of London Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil)degrees are awarded on the basis of researchand the completion of a thesis. Examinationis by assessment of the thesis and includes anoral examination concerning the thesis and theresearch on which it is based.The MPhil and PhD are different degrees.A thesis for an MPhil degree must either bebased on original work or provide an orderedand critical exposition of existing knowledgein the field. At least in modified form, it mustbe suitable for publication as a book or as alearned article.In common with other British universitiesSOAS does not normally offer candidatesregistration for a PhD at the outset. Studentsare initially registered for an MPhil and, usuallyby the end of June in the first full-time year, aretransferred to PhD registration if their progressis satisfactory. PhD registration will be effectiveretrospectively, from the date on which thestudent first registered for their MPhil.Applications must be made through theAdmissions Office, but applicants are encouragedto identify and contact potential supervisorsfor advice before (and after) submitting anapplication. For information on the expertiseand research interest of SOAS staff, please visitwww.soas.ac.uk/registerofexpertise and see thedepartmental pages in the On-Campus Degreessection of this prospectus.LENGTH OF STUDYSOAS offers a structured programme ofsupervision for research degrees. For a fulltimestudent it is designed to ensure that thePhD degree is completed between three and amaximum of four years, including submission ofthe thesis and oral examination. You are registeredwith the School for at least three years of full-timestudy. The time taken to complete any researchdegree depends on your progress and individualneeds, and you must remain registered until yourthesis has been submitted.For a full-time MPhil student, the minimumperiod of registration is two years and the timenecessary for completion of the degree (includingthesis submission and examination) is designedto be three years.The above time limits are important. Anotherwise-qualified student who is not readyto embark on a research programme, and whoneeds a period of preparatory study otherthan that provided by a Masters programme isrecommended to register initially as a VisitingResearch Student (see page 13), or as a Diplomaor Occasional student (see page 15).11POSTGRADUATE STUDY AT SOAS