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University of Oxford, Pawel-Sytniewski
University of Oxford
Oxford

Oxford Postgrad Personal Statement

Can anyone please link me to some sample personal statements for Oxford postgrad study?
What subject?
University of Oxford, Pawel-Sytniewski
University of Oxford
Oxford
Original post by punctuation
What subject?


I am looking for the same thing.

Do you perhaps have some history (or anything closely related) personal statements? I am a bit confuzzled about how it is to look like since Oxford wants some kind of preliminary research proposal in the personal statement as well.

Thanks!
(edited 9 years ago)
Reply 3
There's a database o fpersonals tatements here at TSR.
Original post by Ivanka
There's a database o fpersonals tatements here at TSR.


Not postgrsd though

Op Durham have examples of post grad PSs
I doubt you'll be able to find many real examples of postgraduate statements, particularly not for any including a research proposal component. Research proposals are very specific to the individual candidate, and to the field they're trying to engage in. I don't think anyone could give you more specific advice than the university itself, and Oxford gives pretty specific guidelines.

I'm on a masters in the History Faculty at Oxford right now, though, and I can tell you what I did: I treated the personal statement specifications/instructions as a checklist, and made sure I answered every question. For the research proposal part, I tried to do in about 500 words of my statement a simpler version of what they asked DPhil applicants to do.
Original post by Historiadora
I doubt you'll be able to find many real examples of postgraduate statements, particularly not for any including a research proposal component. Research proposals are very specific to the individual candidate, and to the field they're trying to engage in. I don't think anyone could give you more specific advice than the university itself, and Oxford gives pretty specific guidelines.

I'm on a masters in the History Faculty at Oxford right now, though, and I can tell you what I did: I treated the personal statement specifications/instructions as a checklist, and made sure I answered every question. For the research proposal part, I tried to do in about 500 words of my statement a simpler version of what they asked DPhil applicants to do.



Thanks! May I PM you for questions in the future?
Original post by Tea and Scones
Thanks! May I PM you for questions in the future?

Sure, go ahead and do if you want to.
Reply 8
Original post by Historiadora
I doubt you'll be able to find many real examples of postgraduate statements, particularly not for any including a research proposal component. Research proposals are very specific to the individual candidate, and to the field they're trying to engage in. I don't think anyone could give you more specific advice than the university itself, and Oxford gives pretty specific guidelines.

I'm on a masters in the History Faculty at Oxford right now, though, and I can tell you what I did: I treated the personal statement specifications/instructions as a checklist, and made sure I answered every question. For the research proposal part, I tried to do in about 500 words of my statement a simpler version of what they asked DPhil applicants to do.

Hello, I m from India and I have just finished my BA in History Honours from a ' not-so-top' University in India. I wanted to apply for a M.St. at Oxford this year. But couldn't write a research proposal before the funding deadline. I wish if you could tell me what books and materials did you guys at UK Universities study at the undergraduate level ( mainly for European History modules and Historical Research Methods modules). You know Arts and Humanities programmes at the undergraduate level in countries like India are pathetic with very little focus on research training. I want to know what books were you all made to study for topics like Early Modern and Late Modern History, Contemporary History and Historical Research Methods. I will be very grateful if you could help me with your suggesstions.
Original post by Historiadora
I doubt you'll be able to find many real examples of postgraduate statements, particularly not for any including a research proposal component. Research proposals are very specific to the individual candidate, and to the field they're trying to engage in. I don't think anyone could give you more specific advice than the university itself, and Oxford gives pretty specific guidelines.

I'm on a masters in the History Faculty at Oxford right now, though, and I can tell you what I did: I treated the personal statement specifications/instructions as a checklist, and made sure I answered every question. For the research proposal part, I tried to do in about 500 words of my statement a simpler version of what they asked DPhil applicants to do.


I am also looking into an MSt in history or a closely related field.
So you followed this checklist for your research proposal?


a research question: the central issue or problem with which you intend to grapple, and a working title;

historiography: some account of the current state of scholarship in this area. You may want to explain why you are dissatisfied with existing scholarship: is it limited, dated or unconvincing? What kind of contribution will your work make?

sources: an indication of the sources you expect to use, where these can be found, how they will contribute to your research, what if any technical skills you will need to work with them (eg language, quantitative, use of specialist software), and whether you already have, or will need to acquire, those skills; and

method: some discussion of your approach to dealing with sources and constructing your thesis. Some of the following considerations may apply. At what level is your inquiry: micro or local, regional or national, comparative or transnational? Will you be using qualitative or quantitative techniques? Samples or case studies? Will your research draw on a body of theory? Does your approach draw on the agenda or methods of related disciplines such as anthropology, or literary studies?

Original post by CanadianBeaver
I am also looking into an MSt in history or a closely related field.
So you followed this checklist for your research proposal?


a research question: the central issue or problem with which you intend to grapple, and a working title;

historiography: some account of the current state of scholarship in this area. You may want to explain why you are dissatisfied with existing scholarship: is it limited, dated or unconvincing? What kind of contribution will your work make?

sources: an indication of the sources you expect to use, where these can be found, how they will contribute to your research, what if any technical skills you will need to work with them (eg language, quantitative, use of specialist software), and whether you already have, or will need to acquire, those skills; and

method: some discussion of your approach to dealing with sources and constructing your thesis. Some of the following considerations may apply. At what level is your inquiry: micro or local, regional or national, comparative or transnational? Will you be using qualitative or quantitative techniques? Samples or case studies? Will your research draw on a body of theory? Does your approach draw on the agenda or methods of related disciplines such as anthropology, or literary studies?




Exactly that, & trying to answer as many of the questions there as were relevant. Is there any particular bit there where you're having difficulty?

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