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A wide range of assessment methods are used, including:
Short and long essays
Policy analysis reports
Assessed oral presentations
Assessed group work
Research based dissertations (standard dissertations and dissertations based on work-based placements).
Theoretical and conceptual dissertations
The assessment strategy for the programme relies upon a combination of methods to meet the full range of aims and learning objectives and draw maximum advantage from the variety of teaching approaches employed. The assimilation of knowledge, capacity for critical scrutiny and propensity for reflective analysis will be gauged primarily through coursework essays and other written assignments such as policy briefs. The School of Social and Political Science formal template will be used to provide formative and summative feedback, including a checklist relating to critical analysis, coherence, structure, discussion of the relevant literature, referencing clarity of expression. Copies of this will be returned with a formal report sheet completed by the marker. Between May and August,
With regard to the MSc dissertation, we offer two options: The standard MSc dissertation offers the chance to undertake an extended piece of scholarship. It gives students the opportunity to pursue in some depth an academic interest in a topic (largely) of their choosing. The dissertation is an extended piece of writing of up to 15,000 words, based on independent and self-directed study. In assessing the dissertation, examiners look for similar analytic and presentational qualities to those expected in all coursework. In addition, they expect the dissertation to explore the chosen topic in much greater depth, and to sustain a coherent analysis of considerably greater length.
Students are expected to demonstrate your ability to engage critically and analytically with literature in the field, building upon relevant concepts and theory covered in the taught element of the degree. Students usually undertake a balance of empirical and theoretical work, but are not specifically required to conduct primary empirical research. The subject will be determined on the basis of your own interests, the expertise of staff, and what is feasible in terms of the literature and time available. Therefore, choose a topic that interests you, and which has a clear focus and definable boundaries. Dissertations can be based on primary fieldwork research (see section on fieldwork below) or secondary library research.
The second option is a dissertation based on a work-based placement. Students have the opportunity to apply for a number of work-based projects. Work-based projects are a privilege and not an entitlement and not all students will be able to take up the opportunity. Projects may be within the UK or internationally. All placements will involve an identified programme of work which the student will be undertaking. The programme of work will form the basis of the dissertation. The agreed programme of work can either be a piece of research requested by the host organisation, or a specific contribution to an identified project. Students will be supervised throughout the placement by an academic supervisor and a supervisor based in the host organisation.
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