In the second term students select two option courses in which they explore specific topics in greater detail by applying concepts covered in the Autumn. The second term also includes a course on research methods which helps to develop skills needed for the dissertation. Each of the option courses is assessed by an extended essay of approximately 5,000 words which is written during the Spring vacation. The courses in the first two terms are delivered through lectures and seminars. In the third term and over the summer students prepare a dissertation of approximately 20,000 words, submitted at the end of August.
Great emphasis is placed on undertaking independent research for the dissertation.
Sometimes there are opportunities to work on current problems proposed by policy-making bodies such as the UK Office of Science and Technology, the UK Department of Trade and Industry, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England. A selection of recent dissertation topics is given below. Part-time students take the course components over two years, with the Summer Term at the end of Year One providing an opportunity for preparation of the dissertation research which is completed at the end of the second year. The overview chart on the main MSc page shows the structure and course requirements of both the STP and TIM MSc programmes, and brief descriptions of the courses are also available. Marlie MacLean Marlie MacLean started her MSc at SPRU with several years of work experience behind her.