Project Guidelines
1. Projects comprise a piece of research, within the bounds of an approved bibliography, under the direction of a Faculty adviser appointed by the College.
2. Two Projects may be chosen within the eight required units. The Project(s) will normally be undertaken when all other subjects are complete.
3. A Project is to be 8–10,000 words in length (including footnotes). It should contain a 300 word synopsis and must not incorporate any substantial amount of material previously submitted by the candidate for any other degree or similar award.
4. A Project need not be an original contribution to knowledge. It must reflect an understanding of the area or topic discussed which is commensurate with master's level study. In addition to the range of skills appropriate to undergraduate candidates at level III, a candidate must:
4.1. Demonstrate evidence of reading across a range of viewpoints and report them empathically;
4.2. Take a point of view and sustain it with evidence; and
4.3. Show evidence of analytical skill and ability to assess critically existing scholarly literature.
5. The format should follow the Guidelines for Essay Writing in the College's Student Handbook.
6. Proposals for Projects should be submitted through the Registrar and contain the following:
6.1. Title;
6.2. Five or six line description of the proposed approach; and
6.3. Proposed bibliography containing at least seven titles.
7. Project topics may be from any of the three streams of Biblical Studies, Christian Thought or Christian Ministry. The topic may complement or extend the work undertaken in another MA unit, but may not cover the same ground if that unit has been taken by the student. Topics may cover a part of another MA unit not taken by the student.
8. Proposals should normally be submitted at least two months prior to the intended time of commencement of research.
9. The Registrar in consultation with the Director of Postgraduate Studies will identify an appropriate adviser and suggested examiners (from among whom one is to be chosen by the relevant Department Head and confirmed by the Director of Postgraduate Studies), and seek endorsement of the proposal by the relevant Department Head.
10. The Director of Postgraduate Studies in conjunction with the Registrar will respond in one of the following ways:
10.1. Approved;
10.2. Approved, subject to finalisation of topic and approach with adviser;
10.3. Not approved because topic not suitable;
10.4. Not approved because not convinced that the student will be able to execute the work at a sufficiently high level; or
10.5. Not approved due to lack of resources to supervise.
11. Students can expect two one-hour sessions with their adviser as follows:
11.1. Session 1 (within 3 weeks of approval by Postgraduate Committee). The purpose of this session is to define the exact area of research, the scope of the project and the approach to be taken in dealing with the topic.
11.2. Session 2 (within 4 weeks of having submitted a first draft to the adviser). The purpose of this session is to ensure that M.A. standard research has been undertaken and that primary and secondary literature has been adequately treated. Comments will be provided on style and approach.
12. While it is not the supervisor's responsibility to correct the student's grammar, syntax, punctuation and English expression, he is responsible to inform the student if it is not of a standard sufficient for presentation of the Project;
13. Two copies of the completed Project are to be submitted to the Registrar in the same format as for an essay (as specified in the College's Student Handbook).
14. The adviser will review the completed Project and approve it (or otherwise) as being of a standard suitable for submission to an examiner approved by the Postgraduate Committee.
15. Candidates who achieve a mark of 40–49% in a Project may be allowed to re-submit after taking into account the examiner's comments. The Project is to be submitted to the same examiner for a second result. A Project may be re-submitted only once.