DPhil course overview
Completion of a doctorate at Oxford is expected to take between two and four years. Whilst every doctoral project will follow a unique path, there are common milestones which every OII DPhil student must pass: the information below gives a broad indication of what you need to do when, but all students are advised to discuss the timeline with their supervisor.
During the programme you will move through three different stages:
- Probationer Research Student (PRS)
- DPhil Status
- Confirmed DPhil Status
As an OII DPhil student you are expected to have already completed at least a one or two year Master's degree (at Oxford or elsewhere). The minimum period in which the DPhil can be completed is therefore two years (if you have completed an Oxford MPhil in a related area) but the norm is three years. Please note that part-time study is not possible, and students are required to be resident in Oxford for at least the first two years of their degree.
DPhil milestones
| Year One | Year Two | Year Three |
|---|---|---|
| Entry as Probationer Research Student (PRS) | Transfer to DPhil Status | Confirmation of DPhil Status |
| Core paper: Social Dynamics of the Internet | ||
| Social Research Methods and the Internet I: Students must take both Methods Core and Statistics Core | ||
| Social Research Methods and the Internet II: Students are not required but may choose to take Methods Core, Advanced Qualitative Analysis and/or Advanced Quantitative Analysis | ||
| Thesis: formulating a research question | Thesis: gathering data | Thesis: writing up and submission |
Note: Oxford University terms are referred to as Michaelmas Term (MT), Hilary Term (HT) and Trinity Term (TT). Each term lasts eight weeks. Find out Oxford University term dates.
Year 1: formulating a research question
The focus in the first year is on formulating research questions, and research skills training. All students will be required to take two courses which will provide the necessary foundation for undertaking research in this multi-disciplinary field:
- Core Paper: Social Dynamics of the Internet (MT). An overview of the major findings to date regarding the social implications of the Internet, drawing material from several social science disciplines, including communication studies, sociology, and political science.
- Research Methods: Social Research Methods and the Internet (MT and HT). Examining issues concerning the application of traditional social research methods to the study of emerging ICTs as well as the use of new methods, enabled by the Internet and ICTs, in the study of an array of social research problems. This course consists of five elements. All students must take Research Methods I and Statistics in Michaelmas term. In Hilary term all students must take Research Methods II and choose either Advanced Quantitative Analysis or Advanced Qualitative Analysis.
Note that both these courses must be passed in order to transfer from PRS to DPhil status.
First year doctoral students may also be required to attend additional research methods training classes if deemed necessary for their proposed research. If you come from a background outside the social sciences (eg in computer science), you may be asked to take appropriate courses in theory and methods offered by the OII or one / more of the University's Social Science Division Departments during your first year of doctoral studies. Likewise, if you are a social scientist without a mastery of ICTs, you may be asked to take appropriate courses in computer science, information engineering or related fields during your first year.
DPhil students are also welcome to take any of the OII MSc Option Papers, with the approval of their supervisor and the course provider.
In addition to these classes, students will be required to work on their thesis (dissertation), and will meet regularly with their supervisor to this end. By the end of the first year, students will be expected to have formulated clear research questions and have identified appropriate theoretical and methodological frameworks for addressing these questions.
Transfer of Status
As most students will enter their DPhil programme as Probationer Research Students (PRS), they will be expected to gather materials and draft a research proposal for Transfer to DPhil Status some time between their third and sixth term in Oxford. Assuming the normal three year programme, the OII's Graduate Studies Committee expects you to transfer from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status during your third or fourth term.
Year 2: gathering data
The second year of the DPhil will normally be devoted to data gathering and mapping the outline structure of your thesis. However you will also need to make significant progress in writing your thesis, drafting at least two chapters for your confirmation of status as a DPhil student. It may include a period of fieldwork away from Oxford. Many students also use this time to start drafting journal articles, often in collaboration with their supervisors.
Year 3: writing up and submission
Your third year will concentrate on any final data gathering, and writing up the final chapters for submission of your thesis.
Confirmation of Status
Confirmation of DPhil Status is an essential stage on the way to the doctorate and confirms that the student is capable of producing a thesis of the necessary standard and within an appropriate timescale. It is not possible to submit a thesis for examination until DPhil status has been confirmed: this applies to students who have transferred to the DPhil from an Oxford MLitt, MSc or MPhil as well as to those who enter as a PRS student.
Thesis submission
The thesis must be submitted within 12 terms from the date of your admission as a graduate student. In special circumstances you may apply for extension of time through the Graduate Studies Committee. The maximum extension permitted is 9 terms, making 21 terms in all.
Once your thesis has been submitted, two examiners will be appointed and you will be examined by viva voce (an oral defence of the Thesis).
Last updated on: 14 September 2011
