Constituting 60 credits, and with appropriate supervision, students pursue an independent research project. The project might take the form of a dissertation or an applied or practice as research project.

individual supervision sessions

One formally assessed assignment: one dissertation of no less than 12000 words and no more than 15000 words OR one play of 40-60 minutes in length submitted 31 July of the academic year of enrolment (weighted 100%). Note that for students to complete this course successfully the following minimum requirements must be met: submission of an independently produced project; satisfactory preparation for tutorial / supervision sessions; satisfactory attendance at tutorial / supervision sessions - 100% at scheduled sessions without advance cancellation.

The course aims to:

■ develop and deepen the student's personal research interest in their chosen subject area;
promote an engagement with other scholarly, critical, theoretical or applied arguments relevant to that area;

■ encourage the application of acquired research skills to a supervised independent project.

By the end of the course students will be able to:

■ demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main primary sources in their chosen field;

■ demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main secondary sources in their chosen field;

■ demonstrate substantial and detailed first-hand knowledge of their chosen subject area;

■ demonstrate the ability to define, plan, and execute a sustained, focused and coherent research project;

■ demonstrate the ability to use appropriate bibliographic and information sources;

■ demonstrate the ability to work independently; and,

■ demonstrate aptitude in both practical and research skills necessary to create and execute a piece of written work or practical project.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.