DPhil Course Structure
Stage 1 normally takes place in Year 1 for full-time students, and in Years 1–2 for part-time students.
All doctoral students complete courses that provide the foundation for research in this multidisciplinary field.
Social Data Science students usually take one or more core courses designed to develop key skills, methods, theories, and concepts. These courses must be passed in order to transfer from PRS to DPhil status.
DPhil students also complete additional training as agreed with their supervisors and course providers. This may include content from the MSc in Social Data Science or the MSc in Social Science of the Internet.
By the end of Stage 1, students are expected to have formulated clear research questions and identified the theoretical and methodological frameworks to address them.
Stage 2 normally takes place in Year 2 for full-time students, and in Years 3–4 for part-time students.
This stage is primarily devoted to research, such as data gathering, method development, experiments, and planning the outline of the thesis. Students are also expected to make significant progress in writing, drafting at least two chapters in preparation for the Confirmation of Status milestone.
During this period, students are encouraged to prepare conference presentations and journal articles, and to develop their scientific writing skills in collaboration with their supervisors.
Stage 3 normally takes place in Year 3 for full-time students, and in Years 5–6 for part-time students.
This stage focuses on completing any remaining empirical work and writing up the final chapters of the thesis. The thesis must be submitted within four years (full-time) or eight years (part-time) from the date of admission.
After submission, two examiners are appointed. The examination takes place through a viva voce (an oral defence of the thesis).