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We have 68 University of Oxford PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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University of Oxford PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Radcliffe Department of Medicine

The Radcliffe Department of Medicine (RDM) in the University of Oxford is a large multi-disciplinary department which aims to tackle some of the world’s biggest health challenges by integrating innovative basic biology with cutting edge clinical research. RDM is committed to training the next generation of scientists in biological and clinical sciences.

Oxford University Medical Sciences Graduate School

Funded phd programme (students worldwide).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.

PhD Opportunities

PhD Opportunities highlight some of the specific PhD projects, programmes or other information currently available from a university.

Advancing Drug Delivery and Gene Therapy for Regeneration and Repair of the Aging Cartilage (NDORMS-2025/12)

Phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology - 4 Year PhD Prize Studentships

4 year phd programme.

4 Year PhD Programmes are extended PhD opportunities that involve more training and preparation. You will usually complete taught courses in your first year (sometimes equivalent to a Masters in your subject) before choosing and proposing your research project. You will then research and submit your thesis in the normal way.

Osteogenic-angiogenic coupling in fracture repair - Why do some patients fail to heal? (NDORMS-2025/11)

Addressing shoulder pain: single-cell led repurposing of injectables for subacromial impingement syndrome (ndorms-2025/10), causal inference from observational data: trials, real world evidence and genomics to triangulate the evidence (ndorms-2025/9), flexible parametric survival models in randomised controlled trials practice (ndorms-2025/8), promis scale validation in clinical trials of common musculoskeletal injuries (ndorms-2025/7), trial replication and target trial emulation for arthritis and orthopaedic treatments: an analysis of national and international real world data (ndorms-2025/6), msc (res) project: resolution versus persistence of fibrosis: the extracellular matrix decides (ndorms-2025/5), development of advanced in vitro models for dupuytren’s disease (ndorms-2025/4), rna splicing in immune cells: mechanisms, regulation, and predictive modelling (ndorms-2025/3), disease free survival: handling survival and quality of life data in clinical trials (ndorms-2025/2), evaluating methods for signal detection of drug side effects in real world data (ndorms-2025/1), research studentship in scalable security support for next-generation computing architectures, funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

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DPhil in Theology and Religion

A DPhil — our name for a PhD — commands worldwide recognition. It will prepare and enable you to make an original contribution to your field.

Length of study

Completing a DPhil requires at least three years of full-time research, although this period can be extended if you chose to study part time. For many of our students it is the beginning of an exciting academic career.

Supervision

Our large and committed faculty of world-renowned scholars will guarantee that your work receives expert supervision and we actively ensure that you benefit from a high level of interaction with all of our staff.

Find out more about our supervisors.

Course content

You will begin research as soon as you arrive at Oxford with formal submissions of work-in-progress normally made at the end of your first and second years. Your completed thesis will be examined orally and there is no additional written examination.

There is no taught component of the programme but all of our students choose to take advantage of our extensive selection of seminars, lectures and reading groups in order to broaden and enhance their knowledge of both their area and the wider field.

If you are interested in joining our community find out how to apply and take a look at the University’s fees and funding page.

You may also be interested in reading our handbooks for Postgraduate Research Students.

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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

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.

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• Accessibility
• 1 plus 3 Doctoral Programme in Neuroscience

Doctoral Programme in Neuroscience (1+3)

COURSE DIRECTOR: PROFESSOR ANDREW J KING

COURSE LECTURER: DR DEBORAH J CLARKE

The graduate training programme in Neuroscience is very well established. The programme has been running since 1996 and has an excellent record of achievement in terms of the publications and future careers of students who have graduated from the programme. The programme is highly regarded internationally and its alumni are now leading neuroscientists.

The course gives an integrated view of Neuroscience, and provides a wide range of practical skills so that the students can ask questions and tackle problems that transcend the traditional disciplines from which Neuroscience has evolved.  The first year follows the taught MSc course, during which students undertake two extended research projects from a choice of over one hundred offered by the extensive Neurosciences research community in Oxford.  Students also attend the graduate programme lecture series which provides a broad education covering molecular, cellular, systems, computational and cognitive neuroscience. 

After successful completion of the MSc students continue with a 3 year doctoral research project (DPhil). During the third term students decide which laboratory(ies) and supervisor(s) they wish to work with and write a proposal for their three-year doctoral research project. The doctoral project can take place in any area of Neuroscience within the Oxford network of laboratories and approved Supervisors.

• Course Provision
• Organising Committee
• Research Highlights
• Application Process
• Costs and Funding
• Contact Details & Links

DPhil in Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Philosophy is a three- to four-year research programme in which a candidate undertakes a doctoral level research project under the guidance of a supervisor. The doctoral work culminates in a 75,000-word thesis that is defended in the form of a viva voce examination ( oral defence). Satisfactory progress through the DPhil is checked in the form of a mini- viva voce examination taking place at the end of the first and second year of study.

The aim of the Faculty’s DPhil in Philosophy is to prepare you for an academic career in philosophy.

For information on how to make an application please see our   Admissions Procedure and Entry Requirements page .

The Philosophy Graduate Studies Committee recommends progression from Oxford's BPhil in Philosophy to the DPhil programme in view of the opportunity it offers to students to study a wide range of philosophical topics as well as to focus on a narrower field of research interest. Students proceeding to the DPhil programme via the BPhil will normally write a DPhil thesis which is an expansion of their BPhil thesis, although this is not a formal requirement. Indeed, sometimes, the BPhil thesis topic is not suitable for expansion into a DPhil thesis, or a student may wish to write their DPhil thesis on a different topic.

Each year, some students are admitted to the DPhil in Philosophy from programmes other than the BPhil in Philosophy. These students enter the DPhil initially as Probationary Research Students (“PRS”) from appropriate programmes at Oxford or elsewhere. Typically, these students will have already completed substantial graduate work in philosophy, usually equivalent to that required for the BPhil. Students may also progress from a specialist MSt programme, for example from the MSt in Philosophy of Physics  or the MSt in Ancient Philosophy .

In the third term after enrolment onto the DPhil, you are required to complete a transfer of status from PRS to full DPhil status. Two appointed examiners will interview you both on your two-page thesis outline, which explains in outline the intended line of argument or contribution to the subject, and on a piece of written work of approximately 5,000 words in the area and philosophical style of the proposed thesis which is typically, though not necessarily, a draft chapter of the thesis. Students will also normally be expected to submit an additional essay of up to 5,000 words as part of their application to Transfer status, on a philosophical subject that differs from their doctoral research.

Students who progressed from the MSt in Philosophy of Physics course are required to write a 20,000-word thesis during their year as a PRS, as their MSt does not have a thesis element. Students who progress from the BPhil will enter the DPhil without being required to pass a year as a PRS and as a result will only have another six terms (instead of the usual nine terms) of fee liability for their DPhil.

At the end of the second year, you will be required to apply for confirmation of DPhil status. This entails an interview by one or two appointed examiners on your two-page thesis outline, which goes into some detail and comprises a reasoned statement of the nature of the proposed thesis together with a provisional table of contents, and a piece of written work of approximately 5,000 words.

You should have regular one-on-one tuition sessions with your supervisor(s). These will normally happen twice per term but in some terms, especially at the start of the degree and during the final stages of the thesis, the number of sessions may be increased. You are not required to attend any taught graduate classes as part of your DPhil degree, but you are encouraged to participate in lectures, classes, seminars and other educational opportunities offered throughout the university as relevant to your topic of study.

The course has no fieldwork, industrial placement or year abroad element, but you may decide to attend conferences, workshops or research training elsewhere.

Admission to the DPhil in Philosophy

Admission procedure an entry requirements.

For information on admissions to the DPhil in Philosophy please check the  Admissions Procedure and Entry Requirements page .

FAQs about Admission to the DPhil in Philosophy

Please find answers to frequently asked questions about admissions to the DPhil in Philosophy  here .

• Teaching Opportunities

The Faculty believes that it is important both professionally and personally for graduate research students to have opportunities to teach. For graduates seeking an academic career, it is often crucial to have teaching experience when applying for jobs. For many graduate students, teaching is also an important supplement to their income.

The Faculty operates a number of schemes to help our research students secure relevant teaching experience:

• Graduate Teaching Assistant Scheme
• Graduate Lecturing Scheme
• Graduate Teaching Register

For more information on these schemes, please visit the Teaching Opportunities page . 

• DPhil Seminar

The DPhil Seminar at Oxford University provides a forum for graduate students to present and discuss thesis chapters, and workshop papers that are to be submitted for publication.  

Speaker Series:  DPhil students present a part of their dissertation to a faculty member and fellow students. The format is approximately 45 minutes for presentation, 15 minutes for faculty commentary, and 30 minutes for Q&A

Publishing Workshop:  DPhil students receive targeted feedback on papers they intend to submit for publication relatively soon. Each term participants are placed in groups of 3-4, according to topic. During each of the 3-4 workshops (per topic group) the paper of one group member is discussed. Participants will be expected to attend the workshops of their fellow group members and to have read each of the other papers in advance of the relevant sessions. The format will be approximately 10 minutes for author introduction, 30 minutes for faculty commentary, and 50 minutes for discussion. Other faculty members and students are very welcome, but are encouraged to read the paper in advance.

The Faculty expects that DPhil students will present their work in the DPhil seminar at some point during their studies: most likely in their second or third year. The seminar provides an excellent opportunity for presentation experience, as well as feedback from peers and at least one faculty member other than their thesis supervisor(s). All graduate students and faculty are encouraged to attend, and all students are welcome to present but advantage is given to those who have not yet presented a paper.

For more information, please contact the Graduate Training Student Representative .

• Graduate Placement Scheme

The Faculty operates a Graduate Placement Scheme which aims to support graduate research students on the job market from the final year of their DPhil until they secure a tenure track / permanent position. To find out more, please visit the Graduate Placement Scheme page . 

• DPhil Placement Record

The Faculty has an outstanding placement record, including a number of past students who have obtained positions within Oxford itself, such as an associate professorship and a junior research fellowship. Please visit the DPhil Placement Record page for an overview of the Faculty’s placements in recent years. 

Entry Requirements

For a detailed description of the entry requirements for the DPhil in Philosophy, please visit the DPhil in Philosophy page on the central university’s Graduate Admissions webpages.

We hold a Graduate Open Day in March each year, for applicants who receive an offer of a place. If your application is successful, you will receive further information about this in due course.

For the latest information on fees charged by the University, and living costs, please visit the Fees and Funding page .

Please visit our Graduate Funding page to identify various sources of funding for the Philosophy Faculty’s graduate programmes.

Please read through our applicant  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)  regarding Admission to our courses.

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Graduate Courses in Psychology

Graduate Courses Available 

We offer the following courses:

• MSc by Research (MRes) in Experimental Psychology - full-time 2 Year Masters Research degree.
• MSc by Research (MRes) in Experimental Psychology - part-time 4 Year Masters Research degree.
• DPhil (PhD) in Experimental Psychology - full-time 3 or 4 Year Postgraduate Research degree .
• DPhil (PhD) in Experimental Psychology - part-time 6 to 8 Year Postgraduate Research degree.

These courses do not have BPS accreditation.

Associated Courses

Oxford Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

This degree trains clinical psychologists in a broad range of research, clinical and professional skills. The Oxford Doctoral in Clinical Psychology Course is validated by the University of Oxford and all trainees are members of Harris Manchester College.

MSc in Neuroscience

This is a one year taught masters degree in Neuroscience which provides inter-disciplinary training spanning from molecular biology through to systems cognitive neuroscience. 

Wellcome Trust DPhil for Clinicians

This direct-entry, 3-year Fellowship programme is tailored specifically to the needs of talented clinicians who aspire to a career in academic medicine or clinical psychology. Successful applicants will work towards a DPhil on one of the two streams within the programme: Basic Sciences or Mental and Cognitive Health .

Oxford Interdisciplinary Bioscience DTP

The Oxford Interdisciplinary Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership programme provides training for graduates from a life science or physical science background who wish to conduct leading edge bioscience research. Research areas within the programme include integrative animal and plant biology, mechanistic molecular and cellular biology, agriculture and food security, and industrial biotechnology and bioenergy. 

ESRC Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership

Our department provides a training pathway in the Grand Union DTP, which brings together Brunel University London, the Open University (OU) and the University of Oxford to create a social science research training community with distinctive and complementary research strengths, student profiles and approaches to research training. Prospective students do not apply directly for ESRC studentships; they are nominated by the department based on an evaluation during the normal graduate admissions process.

Our Facilities

Across all areas of research within the department, we are able to offer facilities that are at the international forefront of the field and we welcome the possibility of joint supervision to optimise inter-disciplinary research.

There are close interactions with the FMRIB Centre for MRI, OHBA Centre for MEG and with the departments of Clinical Neurology, Education, Linguistics, Philosophy, Physics, Biomedical Sciences, Psychiatry, Sociology, Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics.

Finding a potential  Supervisor

We require all applicants for the  DPhil (PhD) in Experimental Psychology and MSc by Research 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) or MSc by Research studies and whether the potential supervisor is able to supervise their proposed project.

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.

If you have any further questions about our graduate courses then please email [email protected]

The graduate application deadline for entry in October 2025 will be published when the application cycle opens in September 2024.

Interviews for the DPhil and MSc by Research in Experimental Psychology are expected to take place in late January 2025.

Applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be invited to interview online via Microsoft Teams (with video).

Our Graduate Courses

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

How to Apply

Our Graduate Admissions Procedures

University Admissions for DPhil (PhD) in Experimental Psychology Applicants

University Admissions for MSc By Research (MRes) in Experimental Applicants

Fees & Funding Opportunities

Fees Information

Funding Information

Further Information

Supporting Students with Disabilities

What happens after you've been made an offer?

Student Profiles

Graduate Career Destinations

Graduate Admissions Statistics

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• MSc in Quantum Technologies
• DPhil in Superconductivity (CDT)
• DPhil in Astrophysics
• DPhil in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics
• DPhil in Atomic and Laser Physics
• DPhil in Condensed Matter Physics
• DPhil in Particle Physics
• DPhil in Theoretical Physics

From working alongside experts in their field to having access to specialist facilities, we train and equip our graduates to do the best research in the world – come and join us to pursue your passion and fulfil your potential.

Each year, we welcome some 100 graduate students to our department to study for a 3 to 4-year DPhil research degree – which is equivalent to a PhD. Graduates can choose from a range of specialisms across our six sub-departments of astrophysics; atmospheric, oceanic and planetary physics; atomic and laser physics; condensed matter physics; particle physics; and theoretical physics.

Our DPhil degrees are research-based across an exceptionally broad range of topics and many of our groups are interdisciplinary. You will be part of a dynamic and world-leading research community and you will join an existing group that typically comprises at least one lead academic as well as postdoctoral research assistants or fellows and other research students.

Your research work begins on day one and will be underpinned by a taught graduate course in the first year that runs in parallel. You will also have the opportunity to follow courses taught at other departments across the Maths, Physics and Life Sciences division. Our department runs an active programme of seminars and colloquia giving students and academics the opportunity to regularly come together for specialist and interdisciplinary discussion.

Why Oxford?

As a graduate student at Oxford’s Department of Physics, you will work alongside world experts and have access to the department’s world-class facilities – from the ultra-low vibration and ultra-low temperature labs in the state-of-the-art Beecroft Building to our in-house specialist SRFs and mechanical and electronic workshops and technicians. Our students also get to benefit from the close relations we foster with other facilities in the UK and around the world: in the UK, these include the leading science and innovation campus at Harwell home to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Diamond Light Source synchrotron among others; internationally, it extends to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, T2K in Japan, DUNE in the USA and large telescopes around the world.

We want our graduates to be as diverse as the science they investigate. We are actively pursuing our equality, diversity and inclusion agenda and you can read more about it here: equality, diversity and inclusion

DPhil courses

Each of the six sub-departments within the Department of Physics offers a DPhil course for postgraduates and many of our research projects are inter-disciplinary. Prospective students apply to the sub-department of their choice however we welcome applications to multiple sub-departments if your interests span sub-departments or if you are undecided. Find out more about our six DPhils below.

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DPhil in Chemistry

• Entry requirements
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College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

This is a research degree leading to the award of a DPhil in Chemistry. The course admits students across the full breadth of research in the department, which focuses on fundamental science aimed at making significant and sustained long-term impact.

The main aspect of the course is an original research project, which develops research skills, knowledge and expertise in an area of cutting-edge chemistry. You will work with one or more academic supervisors, on a project that falls within the department's research themes:

• Advanced Functional Materials and Interfaces
• Chemistry at the interface with Biology and Medicine
• Energy and Sustainable Chemistry
• Innovative Measurement and Photon Science
• Kinetics, Dynamics and Mechanism
• Theory and Modelling in the Chemical Sciences

Many students work on projects that cut across the traditional boundaries of chemistry, and some work in interdisciplinary fields that exploit the Department of Chemistry's strong connections with other departments of the University. Students are supervised by some of the country’s most gifted research chemists, many of whom have world-class reputations.

You will work in an environment which encourages and inspires you to acquire and develop a wide range of communication, study, and research skills. 

A typical week would primarily be spent carrying out your research, along with attending research group meetings, preparing reports, and keeping up-to-date with the scientific literature. You will also have access to a range of training opportunities, including specialist training within the department on key research techniques. Alongside your research project, you will be expected to develop your transferable skills, and many courses and opportunities for this are provided by the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences division and the wider University.

The Department of Chemistry has a strong and vibrant research community, of which you will become part, and you will be encouraged to attend a range of events including seminar series, lectures from distinguished visiting researchers, and the annual Graduate Symposium.

The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements.

Provision exists for students on some courses to undertake their research in a ‘well-founded laboratory’ outside of the University. This may require travel to and attendance at a site that is not located in Oxford. Where known, existing collaborations will be outlined on this page. Please read the course information carefully, including the additional information about course fees and costs. 

Resources to support your study

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of world-class resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.

The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.

The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students, to support with learning and research.

Workspace will be related to individual circumstances. If undertaking experimental work, you will be provided with space in a laboratory with access to all the required equipment. If undertaking theoretical research, you will have shared office space.

The Department of Chemistry has one of the largest and well-resourced research laboratories in the world. You will have access to the department’s IT support staff, to the Radcliffe Science Library and other University libraries, and centrally provided electronic resources, technical workshops and glass workshops. Experimental facilities are available as appropriate to the research topic. The provision of other resources specific to your project should be agreed with your supervisor as a part of the planning stages of the agreed project.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Chemistry and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Chemistry.

You will join a research group supervised by one or more members of the Department of Chemistry, sometimes in collaboration with other departments.

If you require specific help to adjust to an academic programme or to develop a new range of skills, your supervisor will work with you to ensure that you have additional support.

Most students have the opportunity to meet with their research supervisor to discuss and review their progress on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

You will be admitted as a Probationary Research Student. At the end of the first year, you will undergo a Transfer of Status assessment, to ensure that you have the potential to gain a doctorate. This assessment is made by independent assessors on the basis of a report, a short presentation and an oral examination. Assuming that you satisfactorily transfer to DPhil status, your research proceeds with quarterly reporting throughout the rest of your course. By the end of the third year, you must pass the Confirmation of Status assessment, to ensure that you are on track to complete the thesis within a reasonable time.

You will be expected to submit a DPhil thesis within, at most, four years from the date of admission. Your thesis will be read by two examiners, one of whom is normally from Oxford and one from elsewhere, and you will be assessed via the thesis and an oral (viva voce) examination. The examiners will judge, along with other requirements, whether you have made a significant and substantial contribution to your particular field of learning.

Graduate destinations

This is a new course, formed by the amalgamation in 2024 of four of our previous courses: DPhil in Chemical Biology, DPhil in Inorganic Chemistry, DPhil in Organic Chemistry, DPhil in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry.

Students who have graduated from our previous chemistry doctoral courses often remain in chemistry. Many continue in academic research as post docs and, later, run their own independent research programmes. Some go into the educational sector, and some go into industry (particularly the health-related industries such as pharmaceuticals). There is a wide variety of other destinations, including scientific writers, patent attorneys, government and the civil service; and a few go into financial services.

The department runs annual careers events for graduate students, and the Oxford University Careers Service offers a variety of specialist support. The department also hosts a large number of visits from prospective employers, where students can find out more information. There is an Alumni Officer, who keeps in touch with graduates, and the department runs a number of social and scientific events for them.

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 if a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency occurs. 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 2025-26

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 first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a subject relevant to the proposed research. Normally this will be a chemistry degree, but degrees in other physical sciences or in a biological science may be suitable.

Entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.

For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.5 out of 4.0. However most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.7.

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

• A previous master's degree (either an integrated master's degree or stand-alone) is preferred, but is not required.
• Prior publications are not expected but may help to indicate your aptitude for research.
• Applicants with substantial professional experience are welcome.
• It would be expected that graduate applicants would be familiar with the recent published work of their proposed supervisor and have an understanding of the background to their proposed area of study.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  standard 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 standard 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

A shortlist of candidates will be invited for interview.

Interviews are arranged directly by the prospective supervisors and usually they are conducted via MS Teams. Typically, the interview lasts up to 30 minutes and it may include discussion on your research interests and subject-related questions.

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.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Some postgraduate research students in science, engineering and technology subjects will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate prior to applying for a  Student visa (under the Student Route) . For some courses, the requirement to apply for an ATAS certificate may depend on your research area.

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.

Oxford is one of the leading chemistry research departments in the world, with around 80 academic staff carrying out international level research and an annual research income of around £38 million.

In the most recent national assessment of research (REF 2021) 66% of our research output was judged world-leading, and 32% was judged internationally excellent. The department has a number of research themes, including:

• chemistry at the interface with biology and medicine
• sustainable energy chemistry
• kinetics, dynamics and mechanism
• advanced functional materials and interfaces
• innovative measurement and photon science
• theory and modelling of complex systems.

The facilities at Oxford for research and teaching are among the best available in the UK, with a wide range of the latest instrumentation and a huge computational resource networked throughout the University and beyond to national computing centres. Among the facilities available are the latest in automated X-ray diffractometers, electron microscopes, scanning tunnelling microscopes, mass spectrometers, high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers and specialised instruments for the study of solids.

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For entry in the 2025-26 academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.

If you apply by the January deadline shown on this page and receive a course offer, your application will then be considered for Oxford scholarships. For the majority of Oxford scholarships, your application will automatically be assessed against the eligibility criteria, without needing to make a separate application. There are further Oxford scholarships available which have additional eligibility criteria and where you are required to submit a separate application. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

To ensure that you are considered for Oxford scholarships that require a separate application, for which you may be eligible,  use our fees, funding and scholarship search tool  to identify these opportunities and find out how to apply. Alongside Oxford scholarships, you should also consider other opportunities for which you may be eligible including  a range of external funding ,  loan schemes for postgraduate study  and any other scholarships which may also still be available after the January deadline as listed on  our fees, funding and scholarship search tool .

Details of college-specific funding opportunities can also be found on individual college websites:

Select from the list:

Please refer to the College preference section of this page to identify which of the colleges listed above accept students for this course.

For the majority of college scholarships, it doesn’t matter which college, if any, you state a preference for in your application. If another college is able to offer you a scholarship, your application can be moved to that college if you accept the scholarship. Some college scholarships may require you to state a preference for that college when you apply, so check the eligibility requirements carefully.

Annual fees for entry in 2025-26

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 expenses, 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 and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

Living costs for full-time study

For the 2025-26 academic year, the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between £1,425 and £2,035 for each month spent in Oxford. We provide the cost per month so you can multiply up by the number of months you expect to live in Oxford. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to budget for the  costs of a student visa and immigration health surcharge and/or living costs for family members or other dependants that you plan to bring with you to Oxford (assuming that dependant visa eligibility criteria are met).

Further information about living costs

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. For study in Oxford beyond the 2025-26 academic year, it is suggested that you budget for potential increases in living expenses of around 4% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. For further information, please consult our more detailed information about living costs , which includes a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs.

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 . 

If you are a current Oxford student and you would like to remain at your current Oxford college, you should check whether it is listed below. If it is, you should indicate this preference when you apply. If not, you should contact your college office to ask whether they would be willing to make an exception. Further information about staying at your current college can be found in our Application Guide. 

The following colleges accept students on the DPhil in Chemisty:

• Balliol College
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Merton College
• New College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Reuben College
• St Anne'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

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 is important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under the 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 £20 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 .

Application fee waivers for eligible associated courses

If you apply to this course and are considering applying (or have already applied) to any of the associated courses listed below , you can request an application fee waiver so that you only need to pay one application fee. We recommend that you use your application fee waiver to apply only for eligible courses that are closely related in research area to this one.

For full details about how to request an application fee waiver, please select the course you are interested in from the list below and refer to the equivalent section of its course page.

The following associated courses are taking part in this application fee waiver scheme:

• Autonomous Intelligent Machines and Systems , EPSRC CDT
• Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (Oxford-GSK) , DPhil
• Cancer Science (Biological background) , CDT
• Cancer Science (Clinician) , DPhil
• Cancer Science (Intercalation) , DPhil
• Cancer Science (Maths/Physics background) , CDT
• Chemical Synthesis for a Healthy Planet , CDT
• Engineering Biology , BBSRC and EPSRC CDT
• Fusion Power , EPSRC CDT
• Genomic Medicine and Statistics , DPhil
• Healthcare Data Science , EPSRC CDT
• Inflammatory and Musculoskeletal Disease , DPhil
• Inorganic Materials for Advanced Manufacturing , EPSRC CDT
• Intelligent Earth , UKRI CDT in AI for the Environment
• Materials 4.0 , EPSRC CDT
• Mathematics of Random Systems: Analysis, Modelling and Algorithms , CDT
• Neuroscience (1+3), DPhil
• Quantum Informatics , EPSRC CDT
• Robotics and AI for Net Zero , EPSRC CDT
• Statistics and Machine Learning , EPSRC CDT
• Superconductivity: Enabling Transformative Technologies , EPSRC CDT

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You should make contact with the academic(s) in your area of research to discuss potential research topics and likely availability of funding. You can approach academic staff directly via the contact details provided on their departmental webpage.

General enquiries should be made to the Graduate Studies Team via the contact details provided on this page.

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

Under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the name of the academic(s) whom you would like to supervise your research. 

You should name up to three proposed supervisors and list them in order of preference. Your proposed supervisors can be from different sections of the chemistry department. If you wish to list more than three proposed supervisors, please contact the department directly via the email address listed on this page. Assessment of your application is likely to be delayed if no proposed supervisors are listed.

Referees: Three overall, of which at least two must be academic

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.

Academic references are preferred, although a maximum of one professional reference is acceptable where you have completed an industrial placement or worked in a full-time position.

Your references will be assessed for:

• your intellectual ability
• your academic achievement
• your motivation and interest in the course and subject area
• your ability to work effectively both in a group and independently
• your research potential in the chosen area

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.

Statement of purpose: A maximum of 1,000 words

Rather than a research proposal, you should provide  a statement of purpose. 

Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialise in.

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

Your statement will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying
• your ability to present a coherent case in proficient English
• your commitment to the subject
• your preliminary knowledge of the subject area and research techniques
• your capacity for sustained and intense work
• reasoning ability
• your ability to absorb new ideas, often presented abstractly, at a rapid pace

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 .

Apply Continue application

After you've submitted your application

Your application (including the supporting documents outlined above) will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page. Whether or not you have secured funding will  not  be taken into consideration when your application is assessed. You can  find out more about our shortlisting and selection process  in our detailed guide to what happens next.

Find out how to manage your application after submission , using our Applicant Self-Service tool.

ADMISSION STATUS

Open to applications for entry in 2025-26

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 15 November 2024

Applications more likely to receive earlier decisions

Wednesday 29 January 2025

Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships

Tuesday 4 March 2025

Applications may remain open after this deadline if places are still available - see below

A later deadline under 'Admission status'

If places are still available,  applications may be accepted after 4 March . The Admission status (above) will provide notice of any later deadline.

*Three-year average of applications of all previous Chemistry DPhil programmes (for entry in 2022-23 to 2024-25)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Department of Chemistry

• Course page on the department's website
• Funding information from the department
• Academic and research staff
• Departmental research
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

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 272569

Application-process enquiries

Application guide

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Course type

Qualification, university name, phd in oxford.

106 degrees at 3 universities in Oxford.

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Select the start date, qualification, and how you want to study

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• Course title (A-Z)
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Oxford Brookes University

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Marketing is a highly dynamic and wide ranging subject area and we welcome doctoral students who wish to critically investigate both Read more...

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This four-year DPhil programme aims to train and nurture future leaders in the application of genomics to advance human health, equipping Read more...

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The Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Mathematics of Random Systems is a four-year doctoral programme that offers academically Read more...

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Oxford theses

The Bodleian Libraries’ thesis collection holds every DPhil thesis deposited at the University of Oxford since the degree began in its present form in 1917. Our oldest theses date from the early 1920s. We also have substantial holdings of MLitt theses, for which deposit became compulsory in 1953, and MPhil theses.

Since 2007 it has been a mandatory requirement for students to deposit an electronic copy of their DPhil thesis in the Oxford University Research Archive (ORA) , in addition to the deposit of a paper copy – the copy of record. Since the COVID pandemic, the requirement of a paper copy has been removed and the ORA copy has become the copy of record. Hardcopy theses are now only deposited under exceptional circumstances. 

ORA provides full-text PDF copies of most recent DPhil theses, and some earlier BLitt/MLitt theses. Find out more about Oxford Digital Theses, and depositing with ORA .

Finding Oxford theses

The following theses are catalogued on SOLO (the University libraries’ resource discovery tool) :

• DPhil and BLitt and MLitt theses
• BPhil and MPhil theses 
• Science theses

SOLO collates search results from several sources.

How to search for Oxford theses on SOLO

To search for theses in the Oxford collections on SOLO :

• navigate to the SOLO homepage
• click on the 'Advanced Search' button
• click the 'Material Type' menu and choose the 'Dissertations' option
• type in the title or author of the thesis you are looking for and click the 'Search' button.

Also try an “Any field” search for “Thesis Oxford” along with the author’s name under “creator” and any further “Any field” keywords such as department or subject. 

Searching by shelfmarks

If you are searching using the shelfmark, please make sure you include the dots in your search (e.g. D.Phil.). Records will not be returned if they are left out.

Oxford University Research Archive (ORA)

ORA was established in 2007 as a permanent and secure online archive of research produced by members of the University of Oxford. It is now mandatory for students completing a research degree at the University to deposit an electronic copy of their thesis in this archive. 

Authors can select immediate release on ORA, or apply a 1-year or 3-year embargo period. The embargo period would enable them to publish all or part of their research elsewhere if they wish. 

Theses held in ORA are searchable via  SOLO , as well as external services such as EThOS and Google Scholar. For more information, visit the Oxford digital theses guide , and see below for guidance on searching in ORA.

Search for Oxford theses on ORA

Type your keywords (title, name) into the main search box, and use quotes (“) to search for an exact phrase.

Refine your search results using the drop-downs on the left-hand side. These include:

• item type (thesis, journal article, book section, etc.)
• thesis type (DPhil, MSc, MLitt, etc.)
• subject area (History, Economics, Biochemistry, etc.)
• item date (as a range)
• file availability (whether a full text is available to download or not)

You can also increase the number of search results shown per page, and sort by relevance, date and file availability. You can select and export records to csv or email. 

Select hyperlinked text within the record details, such as “More by this author”, to run a secondary search on an author’s name. You can also select a hyperlinked keyword or subject. 

Other catalogues

Card catalogue  .

The Rare Books department of the Weston Library keeps an author card index of Oxford theses. This includes all non-scientific theses deposited between 1922 and 2016. Please ask Weston Library staff for assistance.

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

You can use ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global  to find bibliographic details of Oxford theses not listed on SOLO. Ask staff in the Weston Library’s Charles Wendall David Reading Room for help finding these theses. 

Search for Oxford theses on ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global

Basic search.

The default Basic search page allows for general keyword searches across all indexes using "and", "and not", "and or" to link the keywords as appropriate. Click on the More Search Options tab for specific title, author, subject and institution (school) searches, and to browse indexes of authors, institutions and subjects. These indexes allow you to add the word or phrase recognised by the database to your search (ie University of Oxford (United Kingdom), not Oxford University).

Advanced search

The Advanced search tab (at the top of the page) enables keyword searching in specific indexes, including author, title, institution, department, adviser and language. If you are unsure of the exact details of thesis, you can use the search boxes on this page to find it by combining the key information you do have.

Search tools

In both the Basic and Advanced search pages you can also limit the search by date by using the boxes at the bottom. Use the Search Tools advice in both the Basic and Advanced pages to undertake more complex and specific searches. Within the list of results, once you have found the record that you are interested in, you can click on the link to obtain a full citation and abstract. You can use the back button on your browser to return to your list of citations.

The Browse search tab allows you to search by subject or by location (ie institution). These are given in an alphabetical list. You can click on a top-level subject to show subdivisions of the subject. You can click on a country location to show lists of institutions in that country. At each level, you can click on View Documents to show lists of individual theses for that subject division or from that location.

In Browse search, locations and subject divisions are automatically added to a basic search at the bottom of the page. You can search within a subject or location by title, author, institution, subject, date etc, by clicking on Refine Search at the top of the page or More Search Options at the bottom of the page.

Where are physical Oxford theses held?

The Bodleian Libraries hold all doctoral theses and most postgraduate (non-doctoral) theses for which a deposit requirement is stipulated by the University:

• DPhil (doctoral) theses (1922 – 2021)
• Bachelor of Divinity (BD) theses
• BLitt/MLitt theses (Michaelmas Term 1953 – 2021)
• BPhil and MPhil theses (Michaelmas Term 1977 – 2021)

Most Oxford theses are held in Bodleian Offsite Storage. Some theses are available in the libraries; these are listed below.

Law Library

Theses submitted to the Faculty of Law are held at the Bodleian Law Library .

Vere Harmsworth Library

Theses on the United States are held at the Vere Harmsworth Library .

Social Science Library

The Social Science Library holds dissertations and theses selected by the departments it supports. 

The list of departments and further information are available in the Dissertations and Theses section of the SSL webpages. 

Locations for Anthropology and Archaeology theses

The Balfour Library holds theses for the MPhil in Material and Visual Anthropology and some older theses in Prehistoric Archaeology.

The Art, Archaeology and Ancient World Library holds theses for MPhil in Classical Archaeology and MPhil in European Archaeology.

Ordering Oxford theses

Theses held in Bodleian Offsite Storage are consulted in the Weston Library. The preferred location is the Charles Wendell David Reading Room ; they can also be ordered to the Sir Charles Mackerras Reading Room .

Find out more about requesting a digitised copy, copyright restrictions and copying from Oxford theses .