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to Main Menu This Diploma programme can provide a firm academic foundation for candidates wishing to take a postgraduate degree in the social sciences but whose initial qualifications are insufficient. Or it may serve as a self-contained programme for those wishing to update and extend their knowledge of sociology, social policy, politics or public administration. The Diploma may be taken full-time (12 months) or part-time (24 months), commencing at the beginning of each academic year. Teaching for part-time students takes place during the day, alongside undergraduate students. The attendance requirement will depend on the courses taken, but is usually for one or two days a week in both years.
Normally a first or upper second class degree in any subject or a degree-level professional qualification in an appropriate subject. But candidates with non-standard qualifications and appropriate professional experience may be considered.
Students take three taught course units (or their equivalent in half-units) from those offered to undergraduates in the Department. One unit must be Research Methods, the others may be selected according to students' interests and course availability. (The Department reserves the right to specify the courses to be taken by students intending to proceed to higher degrees at Royal Holloway.) Students must also write an extended essay on a topic of their choice. Diploma students will be allocated a Personal Adviser to guide their academic studies.
Formal assessment of each taught course unit will be that specified for the equivalent undergraduate course (being most commonly a 3-hour examination or a 2-hour examination and coursework essays for 1 Unit courses). The extended essay must be between 7,000 and 10,000 words in length.
Last modified: 20.09.95