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DPhil in Philosophy

Wellington square, oxford, gb, oxford, united kingdom, # 4 qs subject rankings, 36 months program duration, 66,150 gbp tuition fee/year, philosophy main subject area, program overview, main subject, study level, admission requirements, exam scores, important dates.

A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in philosophy or a closely-related degree which involved substantial engagement with philosophy. 

Tuition fee and scholarships

Tuition fee, scholarships, domestic students, international students.

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

A list of available scholarships around the world

A scholarship application checklist

QS WUR Ranking By Subject

More programs from the university, bachelor ug.

Oxford offers 48 undergraduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines, from the traditional sciences through to humanities, law, languages, and fine art. Students can also study joint honors programs such as Philosophy and Theology, and Archaeology and Anthropology. 

Undergraduate degrees are usually three years in length and are taught inside the individual college to which students apply. Undergraduate study at Oxford is centered on the weekly tutorial, which is supported by classes, lectures, and laboratory work carried out in university faculties and departments. 

The admissions rate for Oxford is 21 percent, which seems high in comparison to Ivy League universities but is a reflection of the English system. The application period runs during the autumn for the following academic year. Applicants register to take a test, and prospective students might have to send in written work alongside the standard completed UCAS form. Shortlisted candidates are then invited to interview, and will know whether they have been successful by the end of the calendar year. 

Unlike the University of Cambridge, Oxford does not operate a pooling system for candidates invited to interview. Instead, it’s common for applicants to be asked to stay multiple days in the city (accommodation is provided) and, if there are no places available at their first-choice college, they may also be invited for interviews at other colleges which have less competition for places.

Around 17 percent of applicants are international citizens, and there are no quotas for international students (with the exception of the medicine program). The application process is broadly the same for international students, with Oxford accepting school-leaving qualifications from many different countries. There are, however, additional elements to the application such as English language requirements. 

Tuition fees are currently set at the annual UK maximum of £9,250, with loans available from the UK government for the full amount. Loans are also available to cover living costs during the full three years of study. Students from outside the EU are charged a significantly higher tuition fee, of up to £24,000 a year, and an additional £7,570 a year college fee. This does not include accommodation or board. 

Terms at Oxford are actually shorter than at other UK higher education institutions, and their total duration amounts to less than half of the year. However, undergraduates are also expected to do some academic work during the three holidays, known as the Christmas, Easter, and Long Vacations.

Arts and Humanities (5)

Archaeology and anthropology, classical archaeology and ancient history, classics and english - 36 months, classics and english - 48 months, classics and modern languages, classics and oriental studies, english language and literature, english and modern languages, european and middle eastern languages, history (ancient and modern), history and economics, history and english, history and modern languages, history and politics, history of art, modern languages, modern languages and linguistics, oriental studies - 36 months, oriental studies - 48 months, philosophy and modern languages, philosophy and theology, philosophy, politics and economics, engineering and technology (5), computer science, computer science and philosophy - 36 months, computer science and philosophy - 48 months, engineering science, life sciences and medicine (5), bm bch (graduate entry) medicine, biochemistry (molecular and cellular) (mbiochem), biology - 36 months, biology - 48 months, biomedical sciences, human sciences, medicine (graduate-entry/ accelerated) (bm bch), medicine - 36 months, medicine - 72 months, psychology (experimental), psychology, philosophy and linguistics, natural sciences (5), chemistry (mchem), earth sciences (geology) - 36 months, earth sciences (geology) - 48 months, materials science, mathematics - 36 months, mathematics - 48 months, mathematics and computer science - 36 months, mathematics and computer science - 48 months, mathematics and philosophy, mathematics and statistics, physics (mphys) - 36 months, physics (mphys) - 48 months, physics and philosophy - 36 months, physics and philosophy - 48 months, social sciences and management (5), bachelor of theology (bth) - 12 months, bachelor of theology (bth) - 24 months, economics and management, law (jurisprudence), religion and oriental studies, theology and religion.

Oxford has a reputation for world-leading research, teaching and resources, all within the confines of a uniquely beautiful city. Graduate programs at Oxford are shorter than in many countries, typically lasting only one year for a master’s degree, something which is designed to facilitate swift career progression. 

Students belong to an academic department or faculty that provides teaching, supervision and numerous resources to support studies and are assigned an academic supervisor who provides guidance and advice throughout the program. There are taught programs that usually lead towards a master’s qualification, where students study a range of core and optional courses, supported by lectures and seminars. Research degrees at the master's and doctoral level are conferred in all subjects studied at graduate level at the university. 

There were over 20,000 graduate applications last year, so getting your application right is absolutely crucial. Candidates must choose their subject carefully and check to see if they have the correct qualifications before submitting an application. 

To apply, applicants must complete Oxford’s graduate application form, pay a £75 application fee and upload the following supporting documents: a statement of purpose and research proposal (if applicable), an official transcript of a bachelor’s degree, academic references, and in many cases a portfolio and written work. 

International students whose first language is not English will also need to submit an English language test score certificate to prove either standard or higher (depending on the course) level of English proficiency.

The cost of studying at Oxford as a graduate varies depending on the program. In the humanities, this could range from £4,260 (US$5,962) a year for a three-year DPhil (PhD) in music, to £16,230 (US$22,714) for an MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies. 

Most graduate courses fall within this range of costs. There are a few exceptions however, with the most expensive programs, including business administration, costing up to £77,390 (US$108,307). Likely living costs can be anything up to a further £18,655 (US$26,108) a year on top of the course fees.   

Financial aid for graduate students is diffuse in its nature. Some colleges offer their own scholarships, and there are a number of external scholarships available, where organizations offer anything from £1,000 (US$1,400) to the entire cost of tuition. 

For British students, the UK government offers a loans scheme for master’s courses, and there are hundreds of charities that make awards to current and prospective graduate students. 

Arts and Humanities (6)

Bphil in philosophy, mphil in archaeology, mphil in classical archaeology, mphil in cuneiform studies, mphil in economic and social history, mphil in egyptology, mphil in english studies (medieval period), mphil in greek and/or latin languages and literature, mphil in greek and/or roman history, mphil in history, mphil in history of science, medicine and technology, mphil in islamic art and archaeology, mphil in jewish studies in the graeco-roman period, mphil in late antique and byzantine studies, mphil in linguistics, philology and phonetics, mphil in modern languages, mphil in modern middle eastern studies, mphil in music (composition), mphil in music (musicology), mphil in music (performance), mphil in russian and east european studies, mphil in slavonic studies, msc in applied landscape archaeology, msc in applied linguistics and second language acquisition, msc in applied linguistics for language teaching, msc in archaeological science, msc in archaeology, msc in english local history, msc in history of science, medicine and technology, msc in modern middle eastern studies, mst in ancient philosophy, mst in archaeology, mst in classical archaeology, mst in classical armenian studies, mst in classical hebrew studies, mst in comparative literature and critical translation, mst in creative writing, mst in english (1550-1700), mst in english (1700-1830), mst in english (1830-1914), mst in english (1900-present), mst in english (650-1550), mst in english and american studies, mst in global and imperial history, mst in greek and/or latin languages and literature, mst in greek and/or roman history, mst in historical studies, mst in history - 21 months, mst in history - 9 months, mst in history of art and visual culture, mst in islamic art and archaeology, mst in jewish studies, mst in jewish studies in the graeco-roman period, mst in late antique and byzantine studies, mst in linguistics, philology and phonetics, mst in literature and arts, mst in medieval studies, mst in modern languages, mst in music (composition), mst in music (musicology), mst in music (performance), mst in philosophy of physics, mst in practical ethics, mst in slavonic studies, mst in world literatures in english, mst in yiddish studies, mst in the history of design, master of fine art (mfa) - 21 months, master of fine art (mfa) - 9 months, business and management (6), msc in financial economics, msc in major programme management, msc in taxation, engineering and technology (6), msc + dphil in social data science - 36 months, msc + dphil in social data science - 72 months, msc by research in engineering science, msc in computer science, msc in energy systems - 12 months, msc in energy systems - 24 months, msc in energy systems - 36 months, msc in social data science, msc in social science of the internet + dphil in information, communication and the social sciences, msc in social science of the internet - 10 months, msc in social science of the internet - 22 months, msc in software engineering, msc in software and systems security, life sciences and medicine (6), mphil in medical anthropology, mphil in social anthropology, mphil in visual, material and museum anthropology, msc by research in biochemistry, msc by research in clinical neurosciences - 12 months, msc by research in clinical neurosciences - 24 months, msc by research in experimental psychology- 12 months, msc by research in experimental psychology- 24 months, msc by research in molecular and cellular medicine, msc by research in musculoskeletal sciences, msc by research in oncology, msc by research in pharmacology, msc by research in physiology, anatomy and genetics, msc by research in psychiatry, msc by research in surgical sciences, msc by research in women's and reproductive health, msc in clinical embryology, msc in clinical trials, msc in clinical and therapeutic neuroscience, msc in cognitive behavioural therapy, msc in cognitive and evolutionary anthropology, msc in evidence-based health care, msc in evidence-based health care (medical statistics), msc in evidence-based health care (systematic reviews), msc in experimental and translational therapeutics, msc in global health science and epidemiology, msc in integrated immunology, msc in international health and tropical medicine, msc in medical anthropology, msc in migration studies, msc in neuroscience, msc in paediatric infectious diseases, msc in pharmacology, msc in precision cancer medicine, msc in psychological research, msc in radiation biology, msc in sleep medicine, msc in social anthropology, msc in surgical science and practice, msc in translational health sciences, msc in visual, material and museum anthropology, mst in mindfulness based cognitive therapy, mst in psychodynamic practice, natural sciences (6), mphil in biodiversity, conservation and management, mphil in environmental change and management, mphil in nature, society and environmental governance, mphil in water science, policy and management, msc by research in chemical biology, msc by research in inorganic chemistry, msc by research in materials, msc by research in mathematics, msc by research in organic chemistry, msc by research in physical and theoretical chemistry, msc in biodiversity, conservation and management, msc in environmental change and management, msc in mathematical modelling and scientific computing, msc in mathematical sciences, msc in mathematical and computational finance, msc in mathematical and theoretical physics, msc in mathematics and foundations of computer science, msc in nanotechnology for medicine and health care, msc in nature, society and environmental governance, msc in sustainable urban development, msc in theoretical and computational chemistry, msc in water science, policy and management, social sciences and management (6), bachelor of civil law, mphil in buddhist studies, mphil in classical indian religion, mphil in comparative social policy, mphil in development studies, mphil in eastern christian studies, mphil in economics, mphil in evidence-based social intervention and policy evaluation, mphil in international relations, mphil in islamic studies and history, mphil in japanese studies, mphil in judaism and christianity in the graeco-roman world, mphil in latin american studies, mphil in law, mphil in modern chinese studies, mphil in modern south asian studies, mphil in philosophical theology, mphil in politics (comparative government), mphil in politics (european politics and society), mphil in politics (political theory), mphil in socio-legal research, mphil in sociology and demography, mphil in theology, mphil in tibetan and himalayan studies, mphil in traditional east asia, msc by research in statistics, msc in african studies, msc in comparative social policy, msc in contemporary chinese studies, msc in criminology and criminal justice - 21 months, msc in criminology and criminal justice - 9 months, msc in economic and social history, msc in economics for development, msc in education (child development and education), msc in education (comparative and international education), msc in education (higher education), msc in education (research design and methodology) - 12 months, msc in education (research design and methodology) - 24 months, msc in educational assessment, msc in evidence-based social intervention and policy evaluation, msc in global governance and diplomacy, msc in japanese studies, msc in latin american studies, msc in law and finance, msc in learning and teaching, msc in modern south asian studies, msc in political theory research, msc in politics research, msc in refugee and forced migration studies, msc in russian and east european studies, msc in sociology - 12 months, msc in sociology - 24 months, msc in statistical science, msc in teacher education, mst in bible interpretation, mst in diplomatic studies, mst in film aesthetics, mst in international human rights law, mst in islamic studies and history, mst in korean studies, mst in oriental studies, mst in philosophical theology, mst in study of religions, mst in syriac studies, mst in theology, mst in traditional china, mst in women's studies, mth in applied theology - 24 months, mth in applied theology - 36 months, magister juris, master of public policy (mpp), executive master of business administration (emba) - 22 months, executive master of business administration (emba) - 26 months, master of business administration (mba), oxford 1+1 mba, dphil in ancient history - 36 months, dphil in ancient history - 96 months, dphil in archaeological science, dphil in archaeology - 36 months, dphil in archaeology - 72 months, dphil in architectural history, dphil in classical archaeology, dphil in classical languages and literature - 36 months, dphil in classical languages and literature - 72 months, dphil in english - 36 months, dphil in english - 72 months, dphil in english local history, dphil in fine art - 36 months, dphil in fine art - 72 months, dphil in geography and the environment - 36 months, dphil in geography and the environment - 72 months, dphil in history (history of science and medicine & economic and social history) - 72 months, dphil in history (history of science and medicine & economic and social history) -36 months, dphil in history - 36 months, dphil in history - 72 months, dphil in history of art - 36 months, dphil in history of art - 72 months, dphil in linguistics, philology and phonetics - 36 months, dphil in linguistics, philology and phonetics - 72 months, dphil in literature and arts, dphil in medieval and modern languages- 36 months, dphil in medieval and modern languages- 72 months, dphil in music - 36 months, dphil in music - 84 months, dphil in management, dphil in computer science, dphil in engineering science, dphil in engineering science - 36 months, dphil in social data science - 36 months, dphil in social data science - 72 months, dphil in anthropology - 36 months, dphil in anthropology - 72 months, dphil in biochemistry, dphil in biochemistry (skaggs-oxford programme), dphil in biomedical sciences: nih-ou, dphil in biomedical and clinical sciences, dphil in cardiovascular science, dphil in cellular structural biology, dphil in clinical medicine - 36 months, dphil in clinical medicine - 72 months, dphil in clinical neurosciences - 36 months, dphil in clinical neurosciences - 72 months, dphil in cognitive behavioural therapy, dphil in evidence-based health care, dphil in experimental psychology - 36 months, dphil in experimental psychology - 72 months, dphil in genomic medicine and statistics, dphil in ion channels and membrane transport in health and disease (oxion), dphil in medical sciences, dphil in migration studies - 36 months, dphil in migration studies - 72 months, dphil in molecular cell biology in health and disease, dphil in molecular and cellular medicine, dphil in musculoskeletal sciences, dphil in oncology, dphil in paediatrics, dphil in pharmacology, dphil in physiology, anatomy and genetics, dphil in plant sciences, dphil in population health - 36 months, dphil in population health - 72 months, dphil in primary health care - 36 months, dphil in primary health care - 72 months, dphil in psychiatry - 36 months, dphil in psychiatry - 72 months, dphil in radiation oncology (1+3), dphil in surgical sciences, dphil in women's and reproductive health, dphil in zoology, interdisciplinary bioscience (bbsrc doctoral training partnership), msc in musculoskeletal sciences, synthesis for biology and medicine (epsrc centre for doctoral training), dphil in astrophysics, dphil in atmospheric, oceanic and planetary physics, dphil in atomic and laser physics, dphil in chemical biology, dphil in condensed matter physics, dphil in earth sciences, dphil in inorganic chemistry, dphil in materials, dphil in mathematics, dphil in organic chemistry, dphil in particle physics, dphil in physical and theoretical chemistry, dphil in sustainable urban development, dphil in theoretical physics, environmental research (nerc doctoral training partnership) (dphil), dphil in area studies, dphil in criminology - 36 months, dphil in criminology - 72 months, dphil in economics - 36 months, dphil in economics - 72 months, dphil in education - 36 months, dphil in education - 72 months, dphil in information, communication and the social sciences - 36 months, dphil in information, communication and the social sciences - 72 months, dphil in international development - 36 months, dphil in international development - 72 months, dphil in international relations - 36 months, dphil in international relations - 72 months, dphil in law - 36 months, dphil in law - 72 months, dphil in oriental studies, dphil in politics - 36 months, dphil in politics - 72 months, dphil in public policy - 36 months, dphil in public policy - 72 months, dphil in social policy - 36 months, dphil in social policy - 72 months, dphil in socio-legal studies - 36 months, dphil in socio-legal studies - 72 months, dphil in sociology - 36 months, dphil in sociology - 72 months, dphil in statistics, dphil in theology and religion - 36 months, dphil in theology and religion - 72 months.

What is a DPhil?

A DPhil is the Oxford equivalent of a PhD. Both ‘PhD’ and ‘DPhil’ are abbreviations for ‘Doctor of Philosophy’, which is an advanced research qualification usually involving independent research to write an original thesis. It usually takes three to four years of full-time study or six to eight years of part-time study to complete. Successfully completing a DPhil usually involves submitting a thesis and then an oral examination of your work, a viva voce . Examiners must be satisfied that your thesis represents a significant and substantial piece of research, is conveyed in a lucid and scholarly manner and that you have a good general knowledge of your academic field. Further information about the types of graduate courses offered at Oxford, their titles and duration is available on our Introducing our Courses pages . 

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Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Geography and the Environment

Admissions guidance, potential supervisors and topics for dphil research, current graduate research, frequently asked questions, where can i get more information.

The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Geography and the Environment is our premier research degree. The DPhil (or PhD as it is known in most other universities) is an advanced research degree awarded on the basis of a thesis and oral examination (assessment of other work is not taken into consideration). The DPhil is of a higher standing than the MSc by Research or the MLitt. Examiners of the DPhil must be satisfied that the thesis represents a significant and substantial piece of research, is conveyed in a lucid and scholarly manner and that the candidate has a good general knowledge of the field of their thesis. The DPhil in Geography and the Environment is offered as either a full time 3-4 year degree, or a part-time 6-8 year degree.

Students intending to read for the DPhil are initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). During their first year (or second year for the part-time pathway) of work, students must apply for transfer to DPhil status, which requires successful completion of a Qualifying Test. This involves submission of a piece of written work which is examined by two assessors. Students will also be required to undergo a similar examination to confirm their DPhil status during their third year (or by the end of the sixth year for the part-time pathway).

Full-time DPhil students must be resident in Oxford for at least six terms (2 years). It is mandatory for students at the School of Geography and the Environment to spend their first year in Oxford so that they can take full advantage of the research training which is provided. Field work undertaken in the second or third year can be counted towards the residency requirement. Currently the expected contact time for the part-time pathway is thirty days at Oxford per year, the majority of this will take place across the three eight week terms, and will include supervision meetings and core research training.

It is expected that the thesis will be submitted after three or at most four years from admission (or within the sixth/eight year time limit for the part-time pathway). The standard fee liability for students registered for the DPhil is 9 terms (3 years) (or 6 years for the part-time pathway). The University applies a termly Continuation Charge for graduate students who exceed the standard period of University tuition fee liability.

Some DPhil study in the School is supported by various scholarships and grants available through Oxford University and from sources outside of the university such as government scholarships and research council funding. In the period 2019-2021, 40% of DPhil students at SoGE were fully funded, whilst 28% were partially funded. Each year around 20% of DPhil offer holders receive funding from Oxford University. The vast majority of Oxford scholarships are open to new graduate students only. Funding options for on-course students are extremely limited. The School of Geography and the Environment is working hard to expand access to funding for all students but unfortunately we feel we must discourage students who have not secured funding for the whole period of their DPhil from taking up their place.

For more information on scholarships and funding for under-represented groups, please see the University's scholarships and funding for under-represented groups webpage.

Currently available scholarships from SoGE are listed on our graduate fees and funding webpage.

For information on graduate admissions, selection criteria, funding and how to apply for the DPhil in Geography and the Environment, please see the DPhil in Geography and the Environment webpage on the University's Graduate Admissions website.

Please also read through the following information which will help support your application. Applicants are expected to have made contact with a potential supervisor and obtained their provisional agreement to act as a supervisor. Please note that provisional agreement from a supervisor is not a guarantee that you will be offered a place as final decisions are made by the departmental admissions panel. Applicants who have not made contact with a potential supervisor are unlikely to be considered for a place.

Read the form we use to assess every DPhil application

Guidelines to writing a research proposal

Meet potential DPhil supervisors and discover the topics for research that are available.

Explore our current graduate research

Why are there multiple application deadlines?

We offer two application deadlines to maximise the time scale for candidates to prepare and make their application.

Can I apply before I secure funding?

Applications will be considered without secured funding. The college which accepts you will require you to complete a Financial Declaration form in order to meet your financial condition of admission and the college will give you a deadline for meeting this requirement. For further details please see the University's Financial Declaration webpage. If you have any questions regarding the financial declaration, you should contact your college and not the department.

Is there funding available?

Do i need to submit a research proposal.

If you apply for the DPhil you must submit an acceptable research proposal which addresses the questions of what you plan to accomplish and why you want to and how you are going to do it. You can find full information and guidelines on writing a research proposal on our website.

Do I need to contact a supervisor before I apply?

Yes. All applicants are expected to have made contact with a potential supervisor before applying. Applicants who have not made contact with a supervisor are unlikely to be successful in obtaining an offer of a place.

Please note that provisional agreement from a potential supervisor is not a guarantee that you will be offered a place. Final decisions are made by the departmental admissions panel.

What level of written and spoken English do I need?

Applicants whose first language is not English are usually required to provide evidence of proficiency of English at the higher level required by the University. You can find details of what is required from the University's Application Guide . The department may be able to consider a waiver of this requirement if you are currently completing, or have completed within the last two years, a degree-level course that is: full-time; at least nine months long; undertaken at a recognised institution where the medium of instruction and assessment throughout the course is entirely in English. To request a waiver, you will need to write a letter or statement giving the reasons for your request and upload this to your application. We will ask you for proof by means of a letter from your institution indicating that the medium of instruction and assessment has been in English.

You do not need to submit an English language test result at the same time as your application if you have not yet taken a test or received your results; your application will still be considered (provided that all other required documentation has been submitted) by the department but any offer of a place will be conditional on your supplying English language test results at the required level.

Can I apply to the DPhil from the MPhil?

Application process.

MPhil students who wish to apply for the DPhil in the department must follow the same application process as any other applicant for the DPhil. There is no automatic progression from MPhil to DPhil and applications from MPhil students will be assessed against the same criteria as all other applicants.

Current MPhil students are eligible to be considered for all Oxford funding schemes. If you are made an offer, you will automatically be considered for funding, but you should be aware that the funding available is limited and very competitive.

The DPhil thesis via the 2+2 route

Students following the 2+2 route have the same thesis requirements as all other DPhil students: the book format following the traditional thesis-style, or the article-based thesis which comprises a minimum of three academic papers.

Students who have followed the article-based format for their MPhil should be aware that papers included in the thesis must have been written whilst holding the status of PRS or DPhil. A DPhil thesis may build directly on work completed during a Master's programme at Oxford but material which has already been submitted for assessment as part of an MPhil thesis cannot be included in the DPhil thesis.

When should I expect a decision on my application?

You can expect to hear the outcome of your application about 8 to 10 weeks after the application deadline. You should expect to receive college notification around 8 to 10 weeks following the department decision. This timetable is for guidance only and notifications may take longer in some cases. For further information on what to expect after you apply please see the University's After you apply webpage.

If my application is declined, will I receive feedback?

Due to the volume of applications the University receives; it is not possible to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications. For further information on admissions decisions please see the University's Decision timeline webpage.

When does the course begin?

The academic year starts in October each year and students are normally admitted for an October start. The department will notify you of the exact date in their offer letter which will also give you information about any pre-sessional courses/fieldwork that you may be required to attend and the relevant dates. Please see the University's Your offer and contract webpage for further information about your offer and contract.

I need to apply for a visa, when can I expect to receive my CAS number?

CAS numbers cannot be issued until you have successfully met all academic and financial conditions which were outlined in your offer letter. You are unable to apply for your visa until three months before your course start date. In most cases we would normally start issuing CAS numbers from July onwards. Once a CAS request has been made you will receive an email asking you to check the information that has been used for the CAS request. You should contact your departmental course-coordinator to let them know that the information is correct or let them have any amendments. Once the course-coordinator has been informed, they will be able to submit the CAS request and the CAS number will be sent to you via email within a few days of submission. For further information about the visa application please see the University's Before you arrive webpage and the University's information on the Student visa .

Do I need an ATAS certificate?

It is very unlikely that DPhil students will need to apply for a certificate. For information about the ATAS certificate please see the University's Student visa webpage.

What level of supervision can I expect?

Your offer letter will state who your supervisor(s) is and you should arrange to meet with them as soon as possible after arriving in Oxford to establish a timetable of regular meetings and they will help you devise a programme that allows you to realise the full benefits of the resources and intellectual community in Oxford. Your supervisor will meet with you regularly to provide advice about your specific project and suitable research methods and they will review your progress and help you to work within a planned framework and timetable. We would normally expect that you would meet with your supervisor(s) for at least nine one-hour meetings during each academic year. It is departmental practice for all research students to have two supervisors if possible. You may be allocated two supervisors when you are admitted however, in some cases only one supervisor may be allocated and a second supervisor will be allocated at the end of the first year if a suitable secondary supervisor can be found. You can find further information on research courses and supervision on the University's Research courses webpage.

What research training is provided?

DPhil students will be required to attend a weekly training seminar which is held each term. The aim of the DPhil training programme is to welcome, introduce and orientate students into DPhil work and life at the School. The seminars will be led by academics and some sessions will involve experiences from current DPhil students.

Doctoral students at Oxford will need to combine detailed subject knowledge with thorough training in relevant quantitative and qualitative research methods and techniques, as well as general research management skills, professional knowledge and career development. This combination of skills, knowledge and training is intended to help with research and also to enhance personal and professional development and employability.

DPhil students will have access to a wide range of training whilst undertaking their research at the University, including:

• Research methods training within the department, and other departments as appropriate;
• Researcher Training provided by Doctoral Training in the Social Sciences open to all doctoral student;
• Training provided by University providers such as the Careers Service, IT Services and Bodleian Library.

Where can I find accommodation in Oxford?

Colleges are unable to accommodate all graduate students and the offer of a college place does not guarantee accommodation. The college which accepts you will contact you with regard to making an application for college accommodation. The Graduate Accommodation Office lets and manages rooms, flats and houses in and around Oxford city centre and on sites owned by the University to full-time graduate students. They also offer advice on renting private accommodation. If you wish to look for private accommodation and are based outside of the UK, please see the section on the International Students webpage about immigration checks required by law before agreeing a tenancy. We also recommend you look at the Oxford University Student Union's helpful guide on Living Out .

What are the likely career destinations of postgraduate students?

Many of our graduates are commanding influential positions in multinational corporations, in national, state and international government, in non-governmental organisations, and by continuing with further research. For further information on potential careers and alumni please see the departmental alumni webpages and the University's Careers and alumni webpage.

Can I work to help fund my studies?

We advise that no student should expect to fund their studies through taking on paid employment or teaching. The MSc or MPhil programmes have a very intensive teaching programme which leaves very little time to take on paid work. You should generally regard your studies as a full-time occupation of at least 40 hours per week, and you should normally be available for academic commitments during core working hours (i.e. 9am to 5pm on weekdays during term for MSc and MPhil students and year-round for DPhil). You may also have a work restriction placed on your student visa. If you do undertake some paid work, you should ensure that this does not impact on your studies. Please see the University Policy on Paid Work Guidelines for Oxford Graduate Students .

Are there any opportunities for developing teaching skills?

As the undergraduate and MSc teaching system at Oxford University is normally delivered by academic staff, there are very limited opportunities for graduate students to become involved and, if any teaching is available, it will only be available to DPhil students in their 2nd or subsequent years. Most opportunities arise from undergraduate teaching or acting as a teaching assistant on our MSc courses. Before students are allowed to commence any teaching, they must undertake an 'Introduction to Undergraduate Teaching' seminar which is held in the department each year and, after attending this, students can also take advantage of the Social Sciences Division Preparation for Learning and Teaching at Oxford seminars which are accredited.

Are there any opportunities for work experience and internships?

The School of Geography and the Environment does not normally arrange work experience or internships for DPhil students, however, many students have very successfully taken up opportunities related to their research and temporary suspension of studies can be arranged to cover any period which is spent undertaking this.

What workspace is provided?

DPhil students have access to the Staff Common Room where they will find a microwave, fridge and hot water. There are also three DPhil study rooms. Our large DPhil room offers space on a 'hot desk' basis and rooms two and three have allocated spaces for those who are writing up their thesis. Working space is also available in some of the Libraries.

If you have any questions about the University's application process you are strongly advised to contact the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions Office, tel: +44 (0)1865 270059, or by e-mail: [email protected] taking particular care to follow the instructions in the automatic reply, in the first instance.

If you have any further questions that have not been answered by the information provided by the Graduate Admissions Office or our website then please contact the Research Degrees Coordinator at the School of Geography and the Environment.

Faculty of Philosophy

The Faculty’s high standing, together with internationally renowned lecture series such as the annual John Locke lectures, attract many distinguished academic visitors, with a very large number of philosophers both from around the UK and from the rest of the world giving lectures or seminars in Oxford each year. Almost every major philosopher speaks in Oxford at some time in their career.

Our work is immeasurably helped by the generous support of our donors. Gifts help us maintain Oxford’s status as a world-leading centre of philosophical research and teaching, through the support of academic posts, and through scholarships and bursaries for graduate and undergraduate students. We are grateful to all our benefactors, and welcome new donors. All gifts, large and small, go towards helping us to achieve our goals.

If you would like any more information or to discuss making a donation, please use the contact details provided.

Faculty of Philosophy - General Support

Support for Faculty priorities, including widening graduate scholarships, attracting the best academics and creating a world-class centre for the study of Philosophy.

Faculty of Philosophy - Graduate Scholarship Fund

Donations will go towards supporting graduate scholarships in Philosophy, which help to ensure that we can continue to attract the most outstanding students, regardless of their background.

Donors in the US can give tax-effectively via Americans For Oxford (AFO). Donate via AFO

• Faculty of Philosophy website

Find other funds to support

DPhil programmes

Oxford's Department for Continuing Education offers part-time DPhil programmes in the following disciplines:

• Archaeology
• Architectural History
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• English Local History
• Evidence-Based Health Care
• Literature and Arts
• Sustainable Urban Development

What is a DPhil?

The term 'DPhil' stands for 'Doctor of Philosophy', sometimes referred to as a 'doctorate' or 'PhD'. This is an advanced research degree awarded on the basis of a thesis and an oral examination called the viva voce. The thesis must be a significant and substantial piece of research, make an original contribution to its field, and be presented in a lucid and scholarly manner. In the viva, the candidate is required to defend their thesis and to demonstrate a good general knowledge of their field of study.

A DPhil is the highest level of a degree that a student can achieve.

Level and demands

All DPhil applications are considered on their academic merits. 

As guidance, you should have achieved at least 2.1 honours, 3.5 GPA, or equivalent in an undergraduate degree. On some programmes, successful applicants have also normally achieved a distinction in a master’s degree. More information about entry requirements can be found on each individual programme page.

DPhil students are not required to be resident in Oxford, but will normally be required to attend for at least 30 days per year and to meet their supervisors at least once per term.

College affiliation

All students studying for a degree (including DPhil) must be a member of a college. There is single application process to the DPhil programme within which you can specify a college choice. Your choice of college is up to you, and does not affect the academic viability of your application to the DPhil itself.  A number of Oxford colleges accept applications from part-time postgraduates, whereas others do not: please consult the graduate prospectus or enquire with  individual colleges . (Even if you are accepted onto the degree, please note that you are not guaranteed a place at your first choice of college).

Applicants may wish to note that the majority of students on part-time degree programmes are members of Kellogg College and most of the tutors and lecturers are Fellows of the College. Kellogg is dedicated to graduate part-time students and has developed a unique expertise in attending to the intellectual, social, IT and welfare needs of part-time, mature graduate students. The College is based a short distance from the Department on the Banbury Road.

Libraries and computing facilities

Registered students receive an Oxford University card, valid for one year at a time, which acts as a library card for the Departmental Library at Rewley House and provides access to the unrivalled facilities of the Bodleian Libraries which include the central Bodleian, major research libraries such as the Sackler Library, Taylorian Institution Library, Bodleian Social Science Library, and faculty libraries such as English and History. Students also have access to a wide range of electronic resources including electronic journals, many of which can be accessed from home. Students on the course are entitled to use the Library at Rewley House for reference and private study and to borrow books. More information about the Continuing Education Library can be found at the  Bodleian website . 

The University card also provides access to facilities at Oxford University Computing Service (OUCS), 13 Banbury Road, Oxford. Computing facilities are available to students in the Students' Computing Facility in Rewley House and at Ewert House.

DPhil student spotlights

Discover what our students have to say about their experience of undertaking a part-time DPhil programme with the Department.

Graduate School

The Graduate School facilitates a stimulating and enriching learning and research environment for all of the Department’s diverse range of graduate students.

The Department has an active interdisciplinary research community, with a strong focus on the humanities and social sciences.

Student spotlights

Discover how others have used their Oxford DPhil for further study, career progression or personal enrichment. 

You can also view current DPhil research projects here .

Katherine Maxwell

Shaun morley, anne jensen, steve edwards, rosemary yallop, further information.

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Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil)

What is a dphil.

A DPhil is Oxford's name for a PhD - a higher research degree which allows you to make an original contribution to mathematics in the form of a thesis. A DPhil takes three to four years to complete. During your DPhil, you will be supervised by at least one academic, although some students will have more than one supervisor (particularly if they are working across disciplines). Unlike CDT courses (and PhDs in other countries), you will begin to do research straight away and there is no prescribed taught component. 

As part of your study toward a DPhil in Mathematics at Oxford, you will also be required to complete broadening and skills training and deliver class teaching to undergraduates, to enhance your broader mathematical knowledge and develop your career. You are very welcome to attend seminars and there may also be journal clubs or seminar series specific to your area of study. 

If you enjoy doing mathematics, and would like to be part of a lively and world-class research institute, take a look at our research groups to see if they align with your own interests. 

How to apply

All applications should be submitted online through the University's Graduate Application Form . Before you apply, check that you can meet the entry requirements , and read the   University of Oxford's graduate application guide .

Key Deadlines

Application deadlines for the DPhil in Mathematics:

• 8th January 2025
• 4th March 2025

Please apply by the 8th January deadline to be considered for available University-administered or Departmental scholarships. 

Martingale Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships

The Martingale Foundation awards fully funded Scholarships for postgraduate degrees in the mathematical sciences at research universities in the UK. 

Tuition fees and research expenses are fully covered, and Scholars receive a tax free living wage stipend. Martingale Scholars also receive access to leadership and career develop through a multi-year programme of training and support. Visit the Martingale website for more information.  

Applications for the 2025 academic year are open until 27 October 2024.  

Why do a PhD?

Research interests:  group theory, representation theory and algebraic aspects of geometry.

Who's who in Algebra

Find out more about the group

Combinatorics

Research interests: extremal combinatorics, graph theory, and combinatorial number theory.

Who's who in Combinatorics

Functional Analysis

Research interests: operator theory, including unbounded operators, and abstract differential equations.

Who's who in functional analysis

Research interests: algebraic geometry,  geometric representation theory , and differential geometry.

Who's who in Geometry

History of Mathematics

Research interests: history of algebra (19th and 20th century), history of modern algebra, and Soviet mathematics. 

Research interests: analytic topology,  geometric stability theory, and the model theory of p-adic fields and diophantine geometry.

Who's who in Logic

Machine Learning and Data Science

Machine Learning and Data science are being developed using wide ranging mathematical techniques. Our particular research expertise include: applied and computational harmonic analysis, networks, optimisation, random matrix theory, rough paths, topological data analysis, and the application of these methods.

Who's who in machine learning and data science

Mathematical & Computational Finance

Research interests: behavioural finance, financial big data, high dimensional numerical methods, stochastic analysis.

Who's who in Mathematical and Computational Finance

Mathematical Biology

Research interests:  cancer modelling, collective behaviour, gene regulatory networks, multiscale modelling, pattern formation, and sperm dynamics.

Who's who in Mathematical Biology

Mathematical Physics

Research interests: gauge and gravity theories (quantum field theories), string theory, twistor theory, Calabi-Yau manifolds, quantum computation and cryptography.

Who's who in Mathematical Physics

Number Theory

Research interests: analytic number theory, arithmetic geometry, prime number distribution, and Diophantine geometry.

Who's who in Number Theory

Numerical Analysis

Research interests: complexity in optimisation, symmetric cone programming, numerical solutions of PDEs. 

Who's who in Numerical Analysis

Oxford Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics

Research interests: energy, industry, geoscience, networks, finance, methodologies.

Who's who in OCIAM

Oxford Centre for Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations

Research interests: geometric analysis, inverse problems, nonlinear hyperbolic systems, specific PDE systems.

Who's who in OxPDE

Stochastic Analysis

Research interests:  rough path theory, Schramm-Loewner evolution, mathematical population genetics, financial mathematics, self-interacting random processes.

Research interests: geometric group theory, 3-manifold topology and knot theory, K-theory, algebraic topology.

Who's who in Topology

• DPhil vs PhD – Differences Explained
• Types of Doctorates

DPhil vs PhD – What Are the Differences?

There is a common misconception that a DPhil and PhD are two different degrees. This is not the case.

The abbreviations ‘PhD’ and ‘DPhil’ both relate to the same academic qualification – a Doctor of Philosophy. A  Doctor of Philosophy is a professional research qualification usually undertaken after a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree. It’s awarded to students who successfully undertake a novel research project and usually involves the production and defence of a thesis during an oral examination.

Whilst both abbreviations refer to the same qualification, ‘PhD’ is far more common and well known compared to ‘DPhil’. In fact, it’s likely that most doctoral students located outside of the UK have never even stumbled upon the abbreviation ‘DPhil’ before!

The reason for this is that ‘DPhil’ is a British abbreviation and is only currently used by a handful of UK universities such as Oxford, and occasionally, Sussex and York. While almost all UK universities adopt the term ‘PhD’, the University of Oxford still uses ‘DPhil’ as you can see on their admissions page . As a result, almost all doctorate students graduating today do so with ‘PhD‘ written on their official manuscript.

Are There Any Differences in Funding, Eligibility Requirements or Duration?

In short, no.

As ‘DPhil’ and ‘PhD’ both refer to the same qualification, a ‘Doctor of Philosophy’, there are no differences in programme between them. This is true regardless of whether you’re a UK/EU or international student.

With respect to entry requirements, both will require graduate students to possess a relevant Master’s degree (or a very strong Bachelor’s degree), have the same funding opportunities attached to them and take approximately 3 to 4 years to complete if studied full-time.

There are no additional costs associated with a DPhil compared to a PhD in Philosophy, and external funding sources within the UK are the same.

Potential DPhil Concerns

In the past, several current and post-doctoral students have expressed concerns about whether they will be at a disadvantage due to having ‘DPhil’ on their official degree manuscript as opposed to ‘PhD’.

In almost all cases, these concerns have arisen when an individual is contemplating moving abroad. The reason for this is that the abbreviation ‘DPhil’ is not always as well understood in countries outside the United Kingdom. For example, a recent post-doctoral student once shared with us how she spent two days going back and forth with a potential US employer while trying to explain that her degree is the same qualification as a PhD. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be an isolated event given the number of stories and personal anecdotes available through various post-doctoral forums.

However, in all the above cases, the affected individuals were able to address the employer’s confusion once they explained the difference in the abbreviation system.

Therefore, while obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy which has ‘DPhil’ written on its official manuscript may raise a few questions, it’s not a factor that you should be concerned about.

To summarise, ‘DPhil’ and ‘PhD’ both correspond to a ‘Doctor of Philosophy’. Apart from the differences in abbreviation convention, both degrees are the same higher education qualification.

How Long is a DPhil?

Just like a PhD, a DPhil typically takes 3 to 4 years of full time study. This usually comprises of three stages:

• Research, where the DPhil student carries out a literature review, providing critique on a wide range of sources, before carrying out their own research.
• Thesis, where the student writes up their research project in a single document which outlines the importance of the project, methodology, findings and conclusions.
• Viva Voce, the final step before coming a Doctorate of Philosophy. In this stage the DPhil or PhD student sits an oral exam and is required to discuss and defend their original contribution to the field of study.

Tips for a DPhil

You should now be aware of the DPhil meaning, however if you are still unsure whether this is the right PhD degree for you, here are some tips you can use to reassure yourself, particularly if you are an international student looking to study in the UK:

Talk to an academic supervisor, or even your potential supervisor themselves. They will be able to reiterate the points above and give you confidence that your doctoral study will result in a doctoral degree with the same academic merit as a PhD.

If you are pursuing international study, just like any doctorate degree you should confirm English language requirements, study costs, living costs, travel expenses or any other additional expenses associated with the project.

Doctoral study is a big commitment, so as a DPhil or PhD candidate you need to ask yourself ‘is a PhD worth it?’. If you are genuinely interested in your field or research or wish to gain expert knowledge and contribute to a specific topic, then PhD study could be for you. Doctorates are well equipped to pursue academic careers. Academic positions include lecturers, postdoctoral researchers and PhD supervisors. However, the transferable skills developed over the course of their programmes give them an edge beyond just the academic job market. The research and development industries in particular often look to recruit PhD holders for their expertise in novel techniques. It is important therefore to consider your career goals, and how a DPhil may influence your job prospects.

To conclude, when considering a DPhil vs PhD, either way you will hold a Doctorate of Philosophy. The two advanced degrees differ in name only and are of equal academic merit.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

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Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Theology

Oxford is one of the world’s top research universities, and the Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) is its highest award.  Students applying for a doctorate will have already demonstrated academic excellence in theology at the master’s level, and will undertake an intensive period of research on the subject of their choice, directed by their supervisor.  The DPhil equips students with the ability to complete their first major piece of research, to expand their academic horizons, and to learn the tools to be able to enter into an academic post.  The DPhil is particularly relevant for those who have been considered a potential theological educator by the Church.

The DPhil at Wycliffe Hall offers:

• Student-centred learning, with an emphasis on student initiative and exploration
• All the intellectual rigour of the University of Oxford, combined with the pastoral and ministerial insights of Wycliffe tutors
• Sustained personal interaction with and support from tutors
• An evangelical ethos with the opportunity to participate in formational activities and the life of the worshipping community
• Learning within an environment in which the integration of spiritual formation and academic learning is paramount
• The opportunity to be members of the wider Wycliffe community, but also of the Wycliffe Hall Graduate Society, which offers a wide range of additional academic, social, and spiritual support. 
• Course Structure
• Formational Activities
• Entry Requirements
• How to apply

The DPhil is awarded upon the successful oral examination (viva voce) of a dissertation, which is usually submitted after three years of academic research.  There is no additional written examination. 

Part-time study for the doctoral degree is an option for students whose circumstances do not permit full-time study, subject to the Faculty’s approval of the suitability of the research project for part-time study. 

For a general overview of the course, please see the DPhil in Theology webpage on the University of Oxford Admissions website. 

Wycliffe has one of the largest graduate theological communities in Oxford, and specialises in integrating ministerial formation with the academic studies of its graduate ordinands. Each student is overseen by the Tutor for Graduates, Dr Matthew Kirkpatrick , to discuss their particular needs and to ensure that all graduate ordinands leave Wycliffe academically, spiritually, and pastorally prepared and confident for their future ministry.

Ordinands are expected to participate in the life of the worshipping community through participation in daily chapel services and a weekly fellowship group led by a Wycliffe tutor.   Ordinands participate in weekly placements with a church or other ministry organisation, as well as one 5-week summer placement.  Ordinands also serve in 1-2 church missions.  

Integrated study weeks provide ordinands with a chance for in-depth study of key topics such as baptism, communion, Islam, and ethics.  Preaching classes are taken throughout the course with supervised preaching engagements.

Students applying to Wycliffe Hall must be at least 21 years old.

For further entry requirements, please see the ‘Entry Requirements’ tab on the DPhil in Theology webpage on the University of Oxford Admissions website.  

Church of England ordinands must have received recommendation for training from the Church of England.

For tuition fees, please see the ‘Funding and Costs’ tab on the DPhil in Theology webpage on the University of Oxford Admissions website.  

Accommodation fees can be found on the Wycliffe Hall Accommodation webpage.

In addition, Wycliffe Hall students pay a termly Common Room fee, the amount of which is decided on a yearly basis but usually approximates £50.00.    

Out-of-pocket expenses incurred for travel related to placements and missions will be reimbursed up to a fixed limit.

Ordinands should consult with their sponsoring body regarding arrangements for payment of fees.

Students must apply to the University of Oxford; candidates for ordination in the Church of England should also complete a separate Wycliffe Hall application form

All graduate applications are made to the relevant faculty through the University of Oxford online application system.  For detailed information, please see the ‘How to Apply’ tab on the DPhil in Theology webpage on the University of Oxford Admissions website.  

Once students have been accepted onto their course by the University, their applications are then sent on to Wycliffe. Students must indicate their preference to join Wycliffe Hall on their online application.  For detailed information, please see the University of Oxford Choosing a College webpage.

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• Graduate Courses in Psychology

DPhil (PhD) in Experimental Psychology

This is a full time 3 to 4 year research degree course. Students are required to submit a thesis of up to 100,000 words in their 3rd or 4th year. Successful applicants will be registered as students with the Department of Experimental Psychology.

Course Description

The DPhil in Experimental Psychology course is based upon independent research carried out under the supervision and guidance of principal investigators and researchers within the students' chosen research group or lab within this department.  Supervision and guidance may also include co-supervision from other collaborating groups or labs, both within the department or from other departments/faculties within the University or from another institution.

FINDING A POTENTIAL  SUPERVISOR

We require all applicants for the  DPhil (PhD) in Experimental Psychology courses  to contact a potential supervisor in the first instance.

This provides applicants with an opportunity to discuss the area of research they wish to conduct as a part of their DPhil (PhD) studies and whether the potential supervisor is able to supervise their proposed project. Details of staff who may be eligible to supervise DPhil students are listed on our Faculty and Research Fellows  page.

Applicants who do not approach a potential supervisor in the first instance and/or whose proposed Research Project falls outside the area of expertise of our  Research Themes  are unlikely to be successful with their application.

The department is not able to provide funding for all candidates who are successful in obtaining a place on the DPhil course.  However, candidates whose applications are ranked most highly may be eligible to be put forward to funding competitions run within the University, that allocate Research Councils funds (e.g. MRC, ESRC) on a competitive basis. Successful applicants are also welcome to seek their own funding from other sources, e.g. charitable bodies or international scholarships.

Please see the funding page for more detailed information.

Course Structure

First Year of Study

Successful applicants are initially registered as Probationary Research Students (PRS Status). During the first year, students are expected to attend various courses, lectures and seminars which will enable them to gain the most out of their time here at Oxford and assist them with the design and analysis of their own area of research. These will typically include:

• Graduate Statistical Workshops
• Skills Training Courses e.g. MatLab and fMRI methods
• Analysis of Research Methods

The Medical Science Division also offers a large number of courses on transferable skills such as teaching and communicating scientific findings which all our students are encouraged to attend as a part of their DPhil studies.

Students are expected to be fully integrated within their own chosen group or lab and attend group or lab meetings as well as attending related seminars and conferences.

Second Year of Study

As a part of the department's Induction Programme, students will produce a poster and give a brief presentation based on their own research in the first term of their 2nd year on the course.

Third and Final Years of Study

Students submit a thesis of up to 100,000 words and attend an oral examination (the final viva).

Assessment of the Course

Assessment of students' progress on the course is monitored in three stages as well as via termly progression reports:

• Transfer of Status

By their 4 th  term, students submit a Transfer Report based on their research to date and attend a transfer viva.

• Confirmation of Status

By their 9 th  term, students are required to give a presentation and attend an interview to assess the progress of their research.

• Thesis Submission

By their 12 th  term, students will submit a thesis of up to 100,000 words and attend an oral examination, known as a viva.

Students will need to have successfully completed all stages to be awarded a DPhil in Experimental Psychology from the University of Oxford.

Course code

Our graduate courses.

MSc in Psychological Research (Taught Masters)

MSc by Research in Experimental Psychology (Research Course) - full-time

MSc by Research in Experimental Psychology (Research Course) - part-time

DPhil (PhD) in Experimental Psychology (Research Course) - full-time

DPhil (PhD) in Experimental Psychology (Research Course) - part-time

Graduate Admissions Information

Application Deadline: 12noon, Friday 1 December 2023

What makes a successful application

Our Graduate Admissions Procedures

Entry Requirements for this Course

University Application Guidelines and How to Apply

Choosing a College

Fees and Funding Opportunities

Fees Information

Funding Information

Further Information

What happens after you've been made an offer

Student Profiles

Graduate Career Destinations

Graduate Admissions Statistics

DPhil in Politics

• Entry requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

The DPhil in Politics is a three- to four-year course of full-time doctoral study, or six to eight years of part-time study, which is intended for students who would like to undertake detailed research in preparation for an academic career in political science or political theory. Note that the part-time option is not a distance-learning programme; part-time students are required to attend face-to-face teaching in Oxford on one or two separate days each week during term.

If you are admitted to this degree, you will conduct your own research under the guidance of a University supervisor.

You are required to have a good general knowledge, to master's level, of the field within which your research falls and of the methods appropriate to the study of this field.

You will spend the first year in the development of, and early work on, the thesis topic; in improving knowledge of research design, including statistical, qualitative and other methods appropriate to the advanced study of politics; in attendance at relevant lectures, seminars and classes; and in preparing your transfer from Probationer Research Student (PRS is the status at which you will normally be admitted – see Assessment) to DPhil status. Full-time students must be resident in Oxford in term time throughout the probationary period, while part-time students must attend classes and other obligations in Oxford on set days of the week. Students should not normally undertake fieldwork until after they have successfully transferred to full DPhil status.

You will discuss your research training needs with your supervisor and agree a suitable programme of research training (Training Need Analysis) to assist your research. 

Finally, you will be expected to participate in the various workshops and research groups - most notably the Oxford Politics Research Colloquium, which involves research presentations by faculty, senior researchers, academic visitors and DPhil students.

As a part-time student you will be required to attend classes, seminars, supervision meetings and other obligations in Oxford for a minimum of thirty days each year. There will be limited flexibility in the dates and pattern of attendance. Attendance will be required during term-time at least one day each week throughout the first two years of your study on days determined by your class and seminar attendance and by your supervisor. Attendance will be required outside of term-time on dates to be determined by mutual agreement with your supervisor. You will be required to attend fieldwork and training sessions on dates to be determined by mutual agreement with your supervisor.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Politics and International Relations and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Supervisors are usually selected from the  academic staff  within the Department of Politics and International Relations. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Politics and International Relations.

You will conduct your own research under the guidance of a University supervisor. You must be prepared to work on your own a good deal, and will need considerable personal motivation. Once you have agreed a suitable programme of research training with your supervisor, you should review progress on an annual basis with your supervisor, as part of the process of continuous personal development.

Applicants are admitted to the DPhil with Probationer Research Student (PRS) status. As a PRS, you will develop your research proposal and skills, complete a programme of assessed research methods coursework, and produce a draft section or sections of the thesis, in order to apply for the Transfer of Status that will end your probationary period as a research student. The Graduate Studies Committee will require satisfactory completion of this training programme as a condition of your change of status from PRS to DPhil.

Once you have been admitted to full DPhil status, you must achieve confirmation of that status by the end of your ninth term as a full-time doctoral student, or by the end of your eighteenth term as a part-time student. Once you have completed your thesis, you will be examined viva voce.

Graduate destinations

Graduate work in politics will prepare you for an academic career in the field, either in Oxford or elsewhere, but the department also celebrates the substantial number of its graduates working in government, in diplomatic services, and in senior positions in the private sector.

DPIR is committed to engaging with its alumni community , through its Inspires alumni email newsletter and Alumni Career Conversations series of online talks. 

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a master’s degree with distinction in politics, or in a closely related discipline that has prepared you to undertake advanced graduate research on your chosen thesis topic;  and
• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in political science or international relations or in a related discipline such as economics, history, philosophy, sociology or law.

Nonetheless, each application will be assessed upon its own merits, and so candidates with a degree in an unrelated discipline should demonstrate the relevance of their academic background to their proposed subject or topic of study. 

Entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a record of academic performance at first-class and/or distinction level.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• Research or work experience that is relevant to your proposed study may provide further evidence of your academic potential.
• Publications are not expected, but a peer-reviewed publication in politics or a related discipline may be taken as  prima facie  evidence of aptitude for research.

Part-time applicants

Part-time applicants will also be expected to show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and, if applicable, an employer's commitment to make time available to study, to complete coursework, and attend course and University events and modules. Where appropriate, evidence should also be provided of permission to use employers’ data in the proposed research project. As a probationer research student, coursework requirements will necessitate attendance in Oxford for at least one day per week during full-term. It is therefore likely that part-time students are either already resident in Oxford or will live within commuting distance of the city, such as via the strong transport links along the M4 corridor and between major cities to the north (including Birmingham) and south (including Southampton).

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are not normally held as part of the admissions process.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Initiatives to improve access to graduate study

This course is taking part in a continuing pilot programme to improve the selection procedure for graduate applications, in order to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly.

For this course, socio-economic data (where it has been provided in the application form) will be used to contextualise applications at the different stages of the selection process.  Further information about how we use your socio-economic data  can be found in our page about initiatives to improve access to graduate study.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

The DPIR provides a stimulating research environment in which you can pursue your interests beyond the formal demands of the syllabus.

Many of the academic staff who teach on the graduate programmes also organise extracurricular research seminars for graduate students, such as the Political Theory Research Seminar and the research colloquia which take place weekly throughout term.

The DPIR also hosts a wide range of research centres and programmes which actively seek to develop collaborative research activity via conferences, workshops and other academic events, and which include graduate students in their activities.

Research centres provide opportunities for you to present your own work in research seminar series and at conferences in the department and beyond. The research centres have an established and popular visitors’ programme which has allowed many scholars of international repute to participate in the DPIR’s research activities.

At Oxford you have access to an extensive range of libraries, books, journals, online resources, manuscripts and more. The Bodleian Libraries is the main library service supporting the University of Oxford. The Bodleian Libraries include the Bodleian Library, which has been a library of legal deposit for 400 years, as well as the Bodleian Social Science Library . This is located on the ground floor of the Manor Road Building and houses the main collection for Politics and International Relations alongside a wide range of other social sciences resources.

SOLO (Search Oxford Libraries Online) is the search engine for all library collections across the university. It provides access to information in over 100 libraries including college and departmental libraries as well as the Bodleian Libraries. Your Single Sign-On offers easy access to subscription resources through SOLO. The Politics and International Relations subject guide https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/politics provides up-to-date advice and the contact details of your Subject Librarian for further support.

Politics and International Relations

The Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) at Oxford is an internationally-renowned centre of excellence for teaching and research.

The study of these disciplines at Oxford has a long and distinguished history and the DPIR is now one of the largest in the field in the UK. DPIR is ranked first for research overall in the most recent THES global university rankings for Politics and International Studies and second in the 2023 QS World University Rankings.

The department's large community of academic staff work in research areas that extend in geographical scope across the globe, cover both historical and contemporary sources, and address technical, practical, and philosophical problems in networks that extend beyond the DPIR to other departments, universities, and global and local organisations.  

Graduate students have access to an unrivalled range of expertise and activity in the fields of government and politics, political theory, and international studies. Teaching is based on the most rigorous contemporary scholarship and students are trained in the highest standards of critical analysis, and in the understanding and use of rigorous research methods and techniques. The department’s graduate courses include both taught master's degrees (one-year research preparation MSc and two-year MPhil) and three- to four-year doctoral research degrees (DPhil). However, all taught degrees involve a research element, and all research degrees will involve some taught components, including quantitative and qualitative research methods. The DPIR graduate community currently numbers just over 300, with 150 students studying the taught courses and around 170 undertaking doctoral research.

View all courses   View taught courses View research courses

The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the department's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Full-time study.

IMPORTANT : Please note that while most of the content of these pages relates to the course starting in 2024-25, this information about course fees and the additional information section on this page relate to entry in 2025-26 . The remaining content will be updated for 2025-26 entry later in September.

Part-time study

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel and vaccination expenses, conference attendance, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

here are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs.

Please note that you are required to attend in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. Also, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur further additional expenses, such as travel and vaccination expenses, conference attendance, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

If you are studying part-time your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you must still ensure that you will have sufficient funding to meet these costs for the duration of your course.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students for full-time study on this course:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Green Templeton College
• Harris Manchester College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Mansfield College
• Merton College
• New College
• Nuffield College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

The following colleges accept students for part-time study on this course:

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You are advised to review the  profiles of academic staff  before you apply as successful applications always depend on the DPIR's capacity to offer appropriate supervision. A supervisor should be a permanent member of the Department of Politics and International Relations. You may want to contact academic staff members before you apply as the DPIR arranges supervision for successful applicants. 

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known. If the department has advertised a specific research project that you would like to be considered for, please enter the project title here instead.

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

If known, under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the name of the academic(s) whom you would like to supervise your research. Otherwise, leave this field blank.

Referees: Three overall, academic preferred

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Your application must be supported by three academic references, ie each referee should be able to testify to your academic abilities, achievements and motivation. In most cases, the academics who have taught you or who have known your academic work during earlier university-level study will be best placed to testify to these capabilities. When that is not possible, a professional reference from a colleague who has worked with you in a research capacity or is otherwise able to comment on your academic capabilities is acceptable in place of a tutor’s reference.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Research proposal: A minimum of 2,000 words to a maximum of 4,000 words

You should submit a detailed outline of your proposed research, written in English, covering areas such as the background to the research, methodology, expected results and the contribution to the field of learning.

The research proposal should be written in English.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

This will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying to the DPhil programme
• the coherence of the proposal
• the originality of the project
• evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study
• the ability to present a reasoned case in English
• the feasibility of successfully completing the project in the time available for the degree (a maximum of four years)
• commitment to the subject, beyond the requirements of the degree course
• preliminary knowledge of research techniques
• capacity for sustained and intense work
• reasoning ability
• ability to absorb new ideas, often presented abstractly, at a rapid pace.

It will be normal for your ideas subsequently to change in some ways as you investigate the evidence and develop your project. You should nevertheless make the best effort you can to demonstrate the extent of your research question, sources and method at this moment.

Your proposal should focus on your research project rather than personal achievements, interests and aspirations.

Written work: Two essays, a maximum of 2,000 words each

You may submit academic essays on any subject or theme within the discipline of politics but preferably ones that relate to your proposed area of study.

The essays may be written specially for the application or may have been produced for other purposes, for instance as a coursework submission within a previous degree programme. Essays that comprise extracts or excerpted sections from longer pieces are acceptable but should be prefaced with a brief note that places them in context.

The word count does not need to include any bibliography or brief footnotes. All written work should be in English.

This will be assessed for understanding of the subject area; understanding of problems in the area; ability to construct and defend an argument; powers of analysis; and powers of expression.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice .

Application Guide   Apply - Full time Apply - Part time

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 5 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2020-21 to 2022-23)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the  Department of Politics and International Relations

• Course page on the department's website
• Funding information from the department
• Academic and research staff
• Departmental research
• Social Sciences Division
• Residence requirements for full-time courses

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 278727

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Visa eligibility for part-time study

We are unable to sponsor student visas for part-time study on this course. Part-time students may be able to attend on a visitor visa for short blocks of time only (and leave after each visit) and will need to remain based outside the UK.

DPhil in Law

• Course overview

Student experience

 The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) is the Faculty’s most advanced research qualification, and entails writing a thesis of between 75,000 and 100,000 words, which must make a significant and substantial contribution to its field.  It can be undertaken as either a full-time or part-time degree.

Course in brief

Please consult the University Prospectus for further information about the DPhil in Law 

Full-time study for the DPhil usually comprises three to four years and part-time six to eight years, inclusive of research methodology training in the first year for full-time students and over years one and two for part-time students. Part-time study requires attendance for a minimum of 30 days of university-based work each year, normally coinciding with the full terms of the academic year, to be arranged with the agreement of the student’s supervisor.

The Faculty of Law at the University of Oxford has one of the biggest cohorts of law research students in the English-speaking world.

Students are not admitted to the DPhil degree directly. Instead, they are first admitted to Probationer Research Student (PRS) status. During the first two terms, all full-time students, except those who have previously completed an MPhil in Law at Oxford, are required to undertake the Faculty’s Course in Legal Research Method (CLRM), or the alternative methods courses run by the Centre for Criminology and the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies for students affiliated with those centres. Part-time students must also take the CLRM (or the Centre for Criminology / Centre for Socio-Legal equivalent), but may do so over a period of two years. At the same time, students begin working on their doctoral theses, and in their third term (or sixth term for part-time students) undertake a Qualifying Test which involves the submission of a draft chapter and an outline of the intended thesis. Providing they pass the Qualifying Test, students are then admitted to full DPhil status.

A further assessment known as Confirmation of Status is conducted in the sixth term after admission (the 12 th term for part-time students) which also involves submission of draft chapters of the thesis and an outline of the research topic. This is intended to ensure that the student is making satisfactory progress toward ultimate submission of the thesis. After satisfactory completion of Confirmation of Status, students then submit the completed thesis in the third or fourth year (or between years six and eight for part-time students).

Students who have previously completed an MPhil in Law with the Faculty may incorporate the MPhil thesis into the DPhil and, once they have passed the Qualifying Test, may count the three terms of MPhil fees towards the DPhil fee liability.

All students are assigned a specialist supervisor, who will meet regularly with the student throughout the course of the DPhil. A list of Faculty members and their research interests can be found via the link at the foot of this page (applicants to not need to identify or make contact with a prospective supervisor before applying).

The induction programme is usually held in the last week of September and comprises Bodleian Law library and IT induction sessions and an orientation session for all new research students. During October the Social Sciences Division also holds a welcome event for all new research students.  

The Library has 40 reader workstations, which provide access to the internet, legal databases, Microsoft Office applications and Endnote.  There is a Graduate Reading Room, a large seminar room, two IT rooms, and three small ‘discussion rooms’ for private study or group work.

Once a year the Law Faculty runs a two day graduate teaching skills programme - the Preparation for Learning and Teaching at Oxford (PLTO) programme. Students must complete the PLTO if they wish to undertake teaching for the Faculty Research students who complete the course are listed on the Faculty’s Teaching Register, a resource for Faculty members who are looking for teaching provision in particular areas.

Each year the Faculty also appoints a number of Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) in areas where additional undergraduate teaching is particularly needed.  Read about our GTA programme .

In addition to the pastoral support provided by college advisors, the Faculty seeks to support students by various means. Each programme has dedicated administrative support and the administrators in question will be able to help and advice students on a range of matters relating to their studies, or point them towards dedicated sources of support elsewhere in the University. Academic Supervisors and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies - Research can also serve as a source of support.

Apart from these more general roles, the Faculty also offers support in certain specific areas (for example, Disability Contacts and Harassment Advisors).

I gained from my Oxford education a passion for lifelong learning and never-ending curiosity about the world. I learned so much from the most brilliant legal minds in the world — my professors as well as my peers.

The most distinctive feature of the Oxford DPhil programme is the intensity of supervision. 

Menelaos Markakis

Want to know more about what it's like to study Law at Oxford?

Visit the Oxford Law Forum

Full information and advice on how to apply can be found on Graduate Admissions

Our academic staff

You don't have to have a supervisor before you apply, but you might like to see which areas our staff work in. 

Find out more about our Research Groups

Research Groups

Undergraduate Study

Useful links.

Undergraduate Handbook  *

Exam Resources *

Learning Resources  *

Oxford Reading Lists Online (ORLO)

SOLO: Search Oxford Libraries Online

Advice on Plagiarism

Information for students with disabilities

* Canvas login required