The MPhil is a two-year programme designed for students wishing to attain a thorough grounding in medieval English language and literature and related subjects at an advanced level, either as a preparation for doctoral research or as an autonomous qualification. In the first year, students will follow the MSt in English (650–1550). In the second year, students will have the opportunity to study another three aspects of medieval culture in depth, including medieval languages, literatures, authors, philosophy, history and palaeography. Students will also submit a dissertation, which often forms the basis of doctoral research. The second year of the MPhil programme is assessed via the submission of four pieces of coursework. In addition to the dissertation, submission of three essays of 6,000 to 7,000 words relating to courses that have been taken are also required. All course work will be completed by the end of the second term (Hilary term), leaving the summer term (Trinity term) for the writing of the dissertation, which is submitted in June.