MPhil/PhD in Data, Networks and Society

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Programme Code: RPDNS

Department: Media and Communications

For students starting this programme of study in 2023/24

Guidelines for interpreting programme regulations

These regulations apply to students entering in or after the 2017/18 academic year.

In addition to progressing with their research, students are expected to take the listed training and transferable skills courses. Students may take courses in addition to those listed, and should discuss this with their supervisor.

Year 1
Paper	Course number, title (unit value)
Training courses	Compulsory (examined): Any two of the following:
	MC402 The Audience in Media and Communications (0.5) ^#
	MC408 Theories and Concepts in Media and Communications (0.5) ^#
	MC409 Media, Technology and Everyday Life (0.5) ^#
	MC418 Communication: Cultures and Approaches (0.5) ^#
	MC424 Media and Communication Governance (0.5) ^#
	MC425 Interpersonal Mediated Communication (0.5) ^#
	MC430 Data in Communication and Society (0.5)
	MC433 Technology and Justice (0.5) ^# (not available 2024/25)
	MC434 Digital Platforms and Media Infrastructures (0.5) ^#
	MC440 Children, Youth and Media (0.5) ^#
	Plus: One of the following full-unit courses:
	MC5M2 Advanced Methods of Research in Media & Communications (including Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis) (1.0)
	Or for students who already have a grounding in quantitative methods: ^A
	MC5M8 Advanced Methods of Research in Media & Communications (including Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis) (1.0)
	Optional (examined/not examined):
	Other graduate courses relevant to research subject and agreed with supervisor.
Transferable skills courses	Compulsory (not examined):
	MC500 Research Seminar for Media and Communications (0.0)
	Optional (not examined):
	LN988 Thesis Writing (0.0) ^#
	Modern Foreign Language courses offered by the Language Centre or other graduate seminars of relevance to research subject.
	Presentation requirements: At least one presentation annually in the following:
	MC500 Research Seminar for Media and Communications (0.0)
Year 2
Training courses	Optional (examined/not examined):
	Students can take either another qualitative or quantitative analysis course offered by the Department of Methodology. Courses must be approved by the supervisor and discussed with the MC5M2/MC5M8 convenor.
Transferable skills courses	Compulsory (not examined):
	MC500 Research Seminar for Media and Communications (0.0)
	Annual Joint PhD Symposium for Second Years and above, at Goldsmiths, Westminster and City
	Optional (not examined):
	Other graduate seminars of relevance to research subject.
Year 3
Transferable skills courses	Optional (not examined):
	MC501 Advanced Doctoral Workshop in Media and Communications (0.0) ^#
Year 4
Transferable skills courses	Optional (not examined):
	MC501 Advanced Doctoral Workshop in Media and Communications (0.0) ^#
Research	Students are expected to complete their research.

Prerequisite Requirements and Mutually Exclusive Options

# means there may be prerequisites for this course. Please view the course guide for more information.

Footnotes

A : Students wishing to select this option must seek approval from the Programme Director. Approval is subject to timetabling constraints.

Progression and upgrade requirements
Students will be required to submit a full Thesis Proposal of 10,000 words to their Thesis Committee by week 5 of Summer Term in their first year (part-time students can submit their Proposal by 1 March in their second year). This paper will include a substantive statement of the aims, theories and methods proposed for the thesis, a tentative chapter outline, an indicative bibliography and a timetable for its completion. Together with any examination/s for quantitative methodological courses, the thesis proposal will form part of the evaluation process, and, together with an upgrade viva, will determine whether students are permitted to upgrade from MPhil to PhD and continue into their second year.

In the Summer term of each year the progress of each student registered in the Department is assessed and a decision made as to whether students can proceed to the next academic session. If progress is unsatisfactory, a course of action to assist students to reach performance standards deemed appropriate by supervisors may be required, or a recommendation may be made that the student not be allowed to re-register.

PhD completion and submission

Submission of the final thesis will be in accordance with the relevant regulations. With approval from the supervisor(s), the thesis will consist either of a monograph that forms an integrated whole; or alternatively, a series of papers, with an introduction, critical discussion, and conclusion. A thesis that contains only joint papers is not acceptable. It must contain linking materials which must be solely the work of the candidate; the part played by the candidate in any work done jointly with the supervisor(s) and/or fellow researchers must be clearly stated by the student; the introduction and conclusion should be serious pieces which clearly explain the intellectual link between the papers and the conclusion, and what they add together to knowledge of the field.

Note for prospective students:
For changes to graduate course and programme information for the next academic session, please see the graduate summary page for prospective students. Changes to course and programme information for future academic sessions can be found on the graduate summary page for future students.