MPhil in Latin American Studies (by thesis only)

This course is designed to meet the needs of two groups:

• those who have developed an interest in Latin America through study or work and wish to develop this for personal or professional reasons
• those who intend to proceed to a doctorate, and possibly an academic career in the field

The course seeks to provide participants with a critical understanding of Latin America in all its complexity, and of the means and methods that have been devised to study and understand it better.

The criteria for the assessment of the 30,000-word thesis is rather more stringent than on Master’s programmes at most other Universities, where (in the UK) the thesis typically represents only a quarter of the year’s work. In particular, there is a requirement for originality, which must be met either by research using primary sources (documents, interviews, official publications, or the like) or else by developing a distinctive approach to an existing debate or literature. This is consistent with the aim of the thesis, which is to develop advanced skills of research and expression.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course students will have:

• developed a critical view of the contribution made by the academic study of Latin America and of some of its specific disciplines to the humanities and the social sciences;
• developed an understanding of the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary approaches to research on Latin America;
• become familiar with some of the main themes of contemporary debate;
• developed intellectual and practical research skills, and;
• tested their ability to produce a piece of advanced scholarship in conformity with the research techniques, standards of argument and accepted style of presentation of an academic discipline.

Open Days

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.

See further the Postgraduate Admissions Events pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Applicants for this course should have achieved a UK Good II.i Honours Degree. If your degree is not from the UK, please check International Qualifications to find the equivalent in your country. To be offered a place on the MPhil in Latin American Studies by thesis only, you will be expected to obtain, or to have obtained, at least a strong Upper Second (generally averaging 68%, or higher) and preferably a First Class undergraduate degree, or the equivalent for overseas universities. Applicants who have already taken a Masters degree will normally be expected to have obtained a very high Pass or a Distinction. However, we are able to assess cases on an individual basis if there are mitigating circumstances. A background in literary or cultural studies, anthropology, modern languages, area studies, history or economics, sociology, politics or development is useful but not essential. Evidence of interest in or commitment to Latin America is expected. University Minimum Academic Requirements Language Requirement

Listening: 7.0, Writing: 7.0, Reading: 7.0, Speaking: 7.0, Total: 7.5, Listening: 25, Writing: 25, Reading: 25, Speaking: 25, Total: 110