Our Masters by Research degree allows you to undertake extended independent research at Masters level.You'll carry out a research project on a topic of your choice, with expert guidance from a single supervisor or two co-supervisors, and use your findings to produce a thesis of around 30,000 words. This degree presents a great opportunity to explore an area of interest in greater depth, gaining advanced knowledge and skills that will prepare you for specialist career paths or further study. Unlike a Masters degree, a Masters by Research degree doesn't include any taught content. Instead, you'll work closely with your supervisor to agree the content and structure of your research project, as well as your process and schedule. Your supervisor will help you to make sure that your research will be a significant original contribution to your field, and that you can realistically complete it within the proposed timescale. You'll continue to receive expert guidance from your supervisor throughout your degree, and they can advise you on developing your project as your research progresses. Your research will be assessed on both the strength of your thesis and an oral examination called a viva voce.<br><br>The Textual Histories Research Group brings together scholars engaged in textual studies, textual editing, and the history of the book. These topics are never far removed from debate or even controversy, particularly at the present time, when numerous new large-scale critical editions are under way, employing different methodologies and leading to outputs in both print and digital forms. While the editing and study of literary texts remains central to our work, we are interested in exploring the practices appropriate for editing texts that fall beyond the normally understood parameters of ‘Literature' are particularly encouraged, including political texts, travel writing, religious works, letters and diaries. The School of English has long been associated with the historical study of texts, and with editions ranging widely across historical periods. Current work based in our School includes the new Oxford editions of the collected works of John Marston and the political works of Richard Brinsley Sheridan.