The most valuable feature in the new system is that ‘the student enjoys the advantage of being brought into close contact with those who have a first-hand acquaintance with the department of knowledge to which he is devoting himself, and are ready to give him the benefit of their experience in researches similar to his own. Professors and Readers in the University have gained a new responsibility by being brought into relations with the most earnest students in their respective branches of learning.’[61] But perhaps most important of all for the trained research student is the inexhaustible material to be found in that treasure-house, the Bodleian Library, in the Radcliffe and the various special and College libraries, and in the University Museums. [Sidenote: ‘Research degrees.’] These new degrees, Bachelor of Letters and Bachelor in Science, are open to all Oxford graduates (i. e. those holding an Oxford B.A.), and also to other students who are twenty-one years of age and who ‘can give satisfactory evidence of having received a good general education’. Rhodes Scholars who have taken their Bachelor’s degree at some Colonial or American University will generally be able to avail themselves of this latter regulation. All candidates for these degrees in Letters or Science—and this applies also to those reading for the degree of Bachelor of Civil Law (see p. 93)—should be sure to provide themselves with the necessary credentials. They must be prepared to present:— 1. A certificate of age. 2. A certificate of degree or degrees already taken. 3. A detailed statement of work done, or published as a result of their special studies. These credentials should be supplemented by:— 4. Letters of recommendation from former instructors and Professors. 5. A Catalogue or Register of the candidate’s University or College. 6. Candidates must present some definite subject of study or research. Once admitted to be a candidate for the degree, the candidate’s work will be under the direction of a Committee of two, one of whom is usually a Professor, appointed by the Board of the Faculty to which his subject belongs. In addition to the residence requirement of eight University Terms (i. e. two years), he must first have ‘satisfied the Board of Faculty, by examination only, or by submitting a dissertation, which, if approved, is necessarily followed by a viva voce examination. The Board may further require the candidate to publish his dissertation or some part of it.’ Any one who has taken an Oxford B.A. has satisfied the necessary requirements as to residence for the Research degree, and, without necessarily residing in the University, he can pursue his special studies _in absentia_ under the direction of the Committee and proceed to his degree at his convenience. [Sidenote: Opportunities for research. Classical studies.]