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 .
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 one of the Faculty of Philosophy's specialist MSt programmes - the MSt in Philosophy of Physics , the MSt in Ancient Philosophy and the MSt in Practical Ethics .
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 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 BPhil in Philosophy please check the Admissions Procedure and Enry 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 Service 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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Ion trap quantum computing
Research group
Research theme
- Quantum information and computation
Sub department
- Atomic and Laser Physics
Related research groups
- Atom-photon connection
- NMR quantum computing
- Ultracold quantum matter
Doctoral Theses
High-fidelity, near-field microwave gates in a cryogenic surface trap marius weber 2022.
Implementation of Mølmer-Sørensen two-qubit gates on 43 Ca + hyperfine clock qubits in a cryogenic (≈25K) surface trap, driven by near-field microwaves. We achieve gate durations of 154µs (with 1.0(2)% error) and 331µs (0.5(1)% error), which approaches the performance of typical laser-driven gates. In the 331µs gate, we demonstrate a new Walsh-modulated dynamical decoupling scheme which suppresses errors due to fluctuations in the qubit frequency as well as imperfections in the decoupling drive itself. Development of an ion transport toolbox, with demonstrations of splitting and merging operations in two different traps.
Device-independent key distribution between trapped-ion quantum network nodes David Nadlinger, 2022
Implementation of a complete protocol for device-independent quantum key distribution over a quantum network link, resulting in the generation of a 95884-bit shared private key, after 8.5 hours of run time. This is enabled by the high-rate (100s -1 ), high-fidelity [96.0(1)%] generation of Bell states between remote trapped-ion qubits, yielding a detection-loophole-free CHSH inequality violation of 2.677(6) and quantum bit error rate of 1.44(2)%, both of which are stable during the generation of millions of Bell pairs. We also introduce a versatile method for micromotion compensation using time-stamped photon detection; we achieve a sensitivity to stray electric fields of 0.1 Vm -1 /\(\sqrt{\rm Hz}\).
An elementary quantum network of entangled optical atomic clocks Bethan Nichol, 2022
Demonstration of entanglement-enhanced frequency comparison of two optical atomic clocks based on the 674nm quadrupole transition of 88 Sr + ions, which are linked by a quantum-optical fibre link (\(\approx 2\)m long). We show that the use of an entangled state reduces the measurement uncertainty by nearly \(\sqrt{2}\), the value expected for the Heisenberg Limit. Today's optical clocks are typically limited by dephasing of the probe laser; in this regime, we find that entanglement yields a factor 2 reduction in the measurement uncertainty compared to conventional correlation spectroscopy techniques. We demonstrate this enhancement for the measurement of a frequency shift applied to one of the clocks.
A cryogenic trap for microwave-driven quantum logic using 43 Ca + ions Clemens L ö schnauer, 2021
Development of single and two-qubit operations for a new hyperfine atomic clock qubit, operating at 28.8mT in 43 Ca + , in a cryogenic surface-electrode trap. A single ion is laser-cooled to 0.5mK, close to the Doppler limit, by exploiting two-photon dark resonances that form between fine-structure levels. Resolved-sideband cooling on a Raman transition is used to cool the two-ion radial motional mode to an average occupation number \(\bar{n}=0.08\) . Spin-motion entanglement driven by near-field microwaves is used to diagnose the Mølmer–Sørensen interaction. Initial two-qubit gate attempts give a fidelity 0.77(2).
Benchmarking memory and logic gates for trapped-ion quantum computing Amy Hughes, 2021
Characterisation of the memory performance of a 43 Ca + clock qubit: randomised benchmarking is used to directly measure errors as small as 1.2(7) × 10 −6 after a storage time of 1 ms. The memory error remains < 10 −4 for up to 50 ms with no additional dynamical decoupling, or < 10 −3 for up to 2 seconds with a simple CPMG sequence. Comparison of different implementations of mixed-element two-qubit gates on a 43 Ca + - 88 Sr + crystal: a light-shift gate with a fidelity of 99.8(1)% or 99.7(1)%, measured using partial state tomography or interleaved randomised benchmarking respectively, and several varieties of Mølmer–Sørensen gates with measured fidelities of up to 99.6(2)%.
High-fidelity mixed species entanglement of trapped ions Keshav Thirumalai, 2019
High-fidelity mixed-species quantum logic gates between 43 Ca + and 88 Sr + ground-level qubits. Demonstration of a Ca-Sr logic gate, using a single 402nm laser system tuned midway between S-P dipole transitions of these two species, and characterization of the gate by several methods (Bell state tomography, process tomography and randomized benchmarking). An entangled state fidelity of up to 99.8% is achieved, comparable to that of the best same-species gates. A same-species Sr-Sr gate is also demonstrated, using the 674nm S-D quadrupole transition, with fidelity 96%.
Cryogenic, near-field quantum logic chips with passive field nulling on 43 Ca + Jochen Wolf, 2019
Design and characterization of our first cryogenic ion trap apparatus. Design of UHV system for both room temperature and cryogenic (LHe) operation using a flow cryostat. Description of new chip trap design for microwave-driven high-fidelity entangling gates, using a novel electrode layout for passive field nulling. Development of a wafer-scale chip fabrication process and eutectic chip bonding technique. Preliminary study of ion loading rates. Initial characterization of microwave field distribution above the chip using a single calcium-43 ion.
Entanglement between nodes of a quantum network Laurent Stephenson, 2019
Construction of our first quantum networking experiment. Demonstration of high-rate, high-fidelity remote entanglement of two 88 Sr + ions, trapped in two separate vacuum systems "Alice" and "Bob", connected by a 4m-long quantum-optical fibre link (qubit separation ~2m as the crow flies). Achievement of heralded entanglement with fidelity 94% at an average rate of 182 Bell pairs per second (success probability 0.022%). Generation of single-ion/single-photon entanglement with fidelity 97.9% at a rate of 5700 events per second.
Fast gates and mixed-species entanglement with trapped ions Vera Schäfer, 2018
Fast entangling gates using amplitude-shaped pulses on 43 Ca + , reaching a fidelity of 99.8% in 1.6µs and 60% in 480ns. Bell test experiment on 43 Ca + - 40 Ca + mixed-species crystal and demonstration of mixed species entangling gate on 88 Sr + - 43 Ca + .
Probing qubit memory errors at the 10 −5 level James Tarlton, 2018
Direct measurement of qubit memory errors in a calcium-43 "atomic clock" qubit. Randomized memory benchmarking is used to measure the memory error of a single qubit down to the few 10 -6 level. The error is found to remain below the 10 -3 level for up to 400ms. Surface trap designs for near-field microwave-driven two-qubit gates are explored.
A high-fidelity microwave driven two-qubit quantum logic gate in 43 Ca + Martin Sepiol, 2016
Experimental implementation of a microwave-driven two-qubit quantum logic gate in a room-temperature microfabricated surface ion trap. The gate scheme involves dynamical decoupling methods, which stabilise the qubits against fluctuations of the motional mode frequency and fluctuating energy shifts, and avoid the need to null the microwave field. The gate is applied directly to hyperfine "atomic clock" qubits in 43 Ca + using the near-field microwave magnetic field gradient produced by an integrated trap electrode. The achieved gate fidelity is 99.7(1)%, after accounting for state preparation and measurement errors.
Near-field microwave addressing of trapped-ion qubits for scalable quantum computation Diana Prado Lopes Aude Craik, 2016
Demonstration of high-fidelity spatial and polarization addressing of trapped-ion "atomic clock" memory qubits using near-field microwaves. Addressing is performed by interfering fields from integrated microwave electrodes to address a chosen trap zone whilst nulling crosstalk fields in the neighbour zone. Design of a next-generation ion trap which can perform near-field microwave addressing in a quantum CCD architecture without the need for nulling fields. Demonstration of a prototype micro-fabricated loop antenna for microwave characterization of chip ion traps.
Optical Bloch equations for simulating trapped-ion qubits Hugo Janacek, 2015
Modelling temperature and fluorescence of a trapped ion using the optical Bloch equations. Development of efficient simulations that solve the time-dependent and time-independent problems for systems with large numbers of states. Introduction of a routine designed to model the approach to the steady state. Analysis of Doppler cooling incorporating motion of a trapped ion and the effects of repumping from a D state. Development of cooling schemes for 43 Ca + at 146G and comparison with experiment. Demonstration of Doppler cooling below the Doppler limit for this isotope. Analysis of resonant effects in systems with more than three levels and comparison with experiment.
Linear Paul trap design for high-fidelity, scalable quantum information processing Sarah Woodrow (M.Sc. Thesis), 2015
Design of a new linear 'blade' trap, with improved optical access. Review of linear Paul trap theory. Discussion of axial micromotion and its use for ion addressing. Numerical simulations of trap fields. Technical drawings of trap components.
High-fidelity quantum logic in Ca + Christopher Ballance, 2014
High-fidelity single- and two-qubit laser-driven logic gates in 43 Ca + hyperfine qubits. Theoretical and experimental study of speed/fidelity trade-off for two-qubit gates. Achievement of single-qubit gate fidelities above 99.99%, and two-qubit gate fidelities ranging between 97.1(2)% (for a gate time of 3.8µs) and 99.9(1)% (at 100µs), after accounting for single-qubit operation and readout errors (each at the 0.1% level). Demonstration of a mixed-species ( 43 Ca + and 40 Ca + ) entangling gate with a fidelity of 99.8(5)%.
High-fidelity microwave-driven quantum logic in intermediate-field 43 Ca + Thomas Harty, 2013
Development of an intermediate magnetic field "atomic clock" qubit in 43 Ca + at 146G and high-fidelity techniques to manipulate this qubit using microwaves and lasers in a microfabricated surface-electrode ion trap. Randomized benchmarking of a single qubit. Work towards microwave-driven two-qubit gates including a theoretical analysis of likely sources of experimental error.
Background-free detection and mixed-species crystals in micro- and macroscopic ion-traps for scalable QIP Norbert Linke, 2012
Assembly and testing of a microstructured 3D ion trap. Background-free detection and read-out of trapped ions. Raman laser system consisting of two injection-locked frequency-doubled lasers. Ground-state cooling and coherent manipulation of a mixed-species crystal in a macroscopic ion trap.
Surface-electrode ion traps for scalable quantum computing David Allcock, 2011
Design, fabrication and testing of microfabricated surface-electrode ion traps. Pulsed laser cleaning of ion traps to reduce anomalous heating. An intermediate-field hyperfine "atomic clock" qubit in 43 Ca + . Design, construction and testing of an ion trap incorporating microwave resonators for microwave-driven quantum logic gates.
High fidelity readout of trapped ion qubits Alice Burrell, 2010
High-fidelity readout of trapped ion qubits. Demonstration of time-arrival resolved discrimination of ion states (TARDIS) with a photomultiplier detector to perform single-shot readout of a single 40 Ca + optical qubit with 99.991(1)% fidelity. Replacing the photomultipler by an electron-multiplying CCD camera, the TARDIS method allows discrimination in both spatial and temporal dimensions, enabling achievement of the same 99.99% readout fidelity for a 4-ion "qunybble", despite 4% optical cross-talk between neighbouring ions.
Measurement-selected ensembles in trapped-ion qubits Michael Curtis, 2010
Segmented ion trap modelling; measurement-selected ensembles (weak measurement); operation of planar and 7-electrode traps; implementation of a qubit in D5/2 state of 40Ca; partial collapse and `uncollapse' experiments.
High fidelity readout and protection of a 43 Ca + trapped ion qubit David Szwer, 2009
Rate equations programs for simulation of 43 Ca + ; comparison with experiment and Bloch equations. Simulation and optimisation of a robust, high-fidelity readout method from 43Ca+; experimental implementation. Attempted two-qubit gate with 40 Ca + and 43 Ca + mixed crystal; problems with crystallisation; electrode noise; measurement of heating rate, motional decoherence and "Schrodinger Cat" states. Derivation of Uhrig Dynamical Decoupling (UDD); review of the literature; experimental implementation of UDD and CPMG on 43 Ca + hyperfine ground-state qubits.
Implementing segmented ion trap designs for quantum computing Gergely Imreh, 2008
Numerical modelling of multiple-electrode traps. Ion shuttling and loading theory. Set-up of apparatus (including vacuum system, lasers and optics and control electronics) for trapping and experimenting with microfabricated "Sandia trap". Detailed evaluation of "Sandia trap": loading and micro-motion compensation; measurement of ion lifetime, motional frequency and heating rate; demonstration of ion shuttling.
A quantum memory qubit in calcium-43 Benjamin Keitch, 2007
Design and construction of various experimental apparatus: Laser Control Unit for precise pulse timing; master-slave 398nm laser system for Raman transitions in the hyperfine ground states of 43 Ca + ; KILL-110 system for PDH locking of lasers to optical cavities. Investigation of magnetic field fluctuations, using microwaves and 43 Ca + hyperfine states; Spicer SC20 field cancelling system tested. Demonstration of long T2 coherence time of 43 Ca + hyperfine clock state qubit.
Entanglement of two trapped-ion spin qubits Jonathan Home, 2006
Careful study of sideband cooling and temperature diagnostics for one and two ions. Motional coherence measurements. Coherent manipulation of two ions. Spin state tomography for two ions. Quantum logic gate by oscillating force; deterministic entanglement. For electrode configurations for trap arrays, see Home and Steane paper, 2006.
Raman sideband cooling and coherent manipulation of trapped ions Simon Webster, 2005
Photoionisation, Rabi/Ramsay experiments on single spin qubits by magnetic resonance and stimulated Raman transitions, continuous Raman sideband cooling using bright/dark resonance, pulsed Raman sideband cooling to the motional ground state, temperature diagnostics for 1 and 2 ions, rate equations for Ca-43.
Two-photon readout methods for an ion trap quantum information processor Matthew McDonnell, 2003
MOPA 397 laser system, servo theory, Pound-Drever-Hall (and other) locking, optical Bloch equations, dark resonance fits, dark resonance cooling/heating, spin state readout: various methods, EIT method proposed and implemented.
Stabilization and control in a linear ion trap John-Patrick Stacey, 2003
Reference cavities, improved photon counting, photon arrival time correlation method for micromotion compensation, new 850 laser, AOM optics, r.f. study towards helical resonator, magnetic field coils, dark resonances, isotope-selective photoionisation in detail.
Marek Š a š ura, 2002
Survey of ion/laser coupling theory, theoretical study of "pushing" gate method.
Development of an ion trap quantum information processor Charles Donald, 2000
Some space charge ideas, general apparatus development, imaging, spectroscopy of blue laser diodes, field compensation drift, precise D 5/2 lifetime measurement, upper bound on 2- and 3-ion quantum jump correlations and statistical analysis.
The quantum manipulation of ions David Stevens, 1999
Construction from scratch of our first ion trap, some Mathieu equation and Doppler cooling theory, optogalvanic spectroscopy, frequency doubling, observations of crystals and quantum jumps, first look at D 5/2 lifetime measurement.
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DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences
Page Contents
Key information, student experience, supervisors, fees and funding.
The DPhil programme in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences provides an opportunity for students to pursue cutting-edge research into the societal implications of the Internet.
As a doctoral student at the Oxford Internet Institute, you and your peers will address research questions from across the spectrum of disciplines, drawing on our multidisciplinary faculty and on the complementary strengths of your cohort of peers, who are building on literature from different disciplines to answer their research questions.
We are looking for academically excellent candidates who display the potential and enthusiasm necessary to perform research that will make a difference — to ask important questions and to adopt innovative methodologies and approaches for exploring those questions.
Our DPhil students research spans a wide range of topics, normally linked to one or more of our Research Labs, Groups and Research topics .
This system allows doctoral students to dig deeply into disciplinary questions in, for instance, politics or sociology, while also being able to place these questions into a broader picture of how the Internet can be theorised and researched.
Over the course the programme, you are expected to produce an important and original piece of scholarship that will make a significant contribution to the dynamic area of Internet research. On completion, you will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary to excel in teaching, research, policy-making or business.
Whilst every doctoral project will follow a unique path, broadly there are three stages:
- Formulating a research question: You will focus on developing your research questions, and research skills. All doctoral students are required to take two courses which give the necessary foundation for undertaking research in this multi-disciplinary field.
- Gathering data: You will outline the structure of your thesis, this includes data gathering, and might 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.
- Writing up your thesis and submitting: You will concentrate on any final data gathering, and writing up the final chapters for submission of your thesis.
In addition to the formal requirements of the DPhil thesis, all doctoral students receive regular training in the key graduate skills necessary to support their research and future employment. These range from classes on specific tools or skills such as programming in Python or using content analysis software, to more generic training such as presentation skills, academic writing and peer review.
We also provide opportunities for DPhil students to gain teaching experience through mentored assistantship roles in some of the MSc courses. There are also opportunities for taking part in organising the annual student-run Connected Life conference dedicated to sparking exchange between disciplines and showcasing emerging Internet research.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the DPhil programme, it is expected that you will have developed your knowledge and understanding of:
- The application of one or more of the social sciences to a detailed study of the Internet and related information and communication technologies and their societal implications.
- Practices and technologies relevant to the Internet and related ICTs.
- Theories and techniques of social sciences research applicable to the field of information and communication and of emerging technologies in particular.
- Modes of communicating and applying research in the field of information and communication to such issues as the design of new technologies and the formation of public policy.
- The qualities and transferable skills necessary to excel in teaching, research, policy-making or business in your studied field, including abilities to design new technologies and to predict and analyse their impacts.
- Leading-edge research methods relevant to investigating emerging information and communication technologies in the social sciences.
How To Apply
All applications must be made through the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions site . Please ensure that you start the online application process as early as you can, to ensure plenty of time to complete your application. We particularly advise applicants to contact their referees as early as possible, and register their details in the draft application form well in advance of the deadline.
Both the full-time and part-time DPhil programmes have one application deadline in January. Only applications that are complete by the deadline, including receipt of references, can be considered by the admissions team.
The Oxford Internet Institute is part of the University of Oxford’s pilot on selection procedures which aims to explore actions aimed at better contextualising admissions procedures for graduate students while minimising conscious and unconscious bias. For all our courses, the socio-economic data you provide in the application form will be used to contextualise the shortlisting and decision-making processes. For details about the pilot and the actions we are taking, please see the University’s page on the Pilot selection procedure.
- Full-time: 3-4 Years
- Part-time: 6-8 Years
Start date:
- October 2024
12 noon UK time (midday) on:
- Friday 5 January 2024
Professor Mariarosaria Taddeo
Professor of Digital Ethics and Defence Technologies, DPhil Programme Director (ICSS)
Rosaria Taddeo is the Programme Director of the DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences.
Laura Maynard
DPhil Coordinator
Laura is the DPhil Co-ordinator, and administrates the course.
Our induction programme is usually held in the first week of October, the week preceding the start of Michaelmas Term (also referred to as 0th week). During Induction Week students will be formally introduced to the OII’s Director, Director of Graduate Studies, Programme Directors, Graduate Studies Support team, as well as our faculty and administrative team. In addition students will be offered a full tour of the OII’s facilities and introduced to IT and library resources, followed by several informative DPhil induction sessions. There is also ample opportunity to get to know fellow students and staff through student-led social activities and an afternoon drinks reception. During October the Social Sciences Division also holds a welcome event for all new research students.
Our doctoral students are provided with hot-desk working space in the department. We are equipped with advanced video conferencing facilities and high-speed network access. The OII’s library specialises in the social sciences, technology and computing, and our students also have access to the Bodleian Libraries, the University’s main research library.
Opportunities for teaching and training
We provide opportunities for DPhil students to gain teaching experience through mentored assistantship roles in some of the MSc courses. Students will have the opportunity to attend the Introduction to Learning and Teaching at Oxford programme run by the Social Sciences Division, an interactive and discursive course in which attendees will explore common teaching formats (lectures, small groups, tutorials) and common experiences (for example, group management, preparation, presentation and delivery). Students must complete this programme if they wish to undertake a teaching assistant position at the Oxford Internet Institute.
Pastoral and Welfare Support
In addition to the pastoral support provided your college, as a department the OII seeks to support students by various means. Each degree programme has dedicated administrative support and the administrators in question will be able to help and advise students on a range of matters relating to welfare or academic matters, or point them towards dedicated sources of support elsewhere in the University. Supervisors and the Director of Graduate Studies can also serve as a source of support, in addition to our dedicated disability lead and several Harassment Officers who can assist with connecting students with the appropriate support.
Whilst every doctoral project will follow a unique path, there are common milestones that every DPhil student must pass. The information below gives a broad indication of the general milestones, 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
DPhil Milestones
(You can find detailed information on scheduling in the OII DPhil handbook.)
Stage 1: Formulating a Research Question
Stage 1 takes place over Year 1 for full-time students and Years 1 and 2 for on the part-time programme.
All doctoral students are required to take courses which give the necessary foundation for undertaking research in this multi-disciplinary field. Both courses must be passed in order to transfer from PRS to DPhil status.
- Advanced Social Theory provides 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.
- DSR Methods Core and DSR Statistics Core provides students with the core skills, methods, theories and concepts required to undertake the remainder of the degree. It examines 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.
If you come from a background outside the social sciences (e.g. in computer science), you may be asked to take appropriate courses in theory and methods offered by the OII or one of the University’s Social Science Division departments during your first year of doctoral studies.
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, and will meet regularly with their supervisor to this end. By the end of this stage, students will be expected to have formulated clear research questions and identified appropriate theoretical and methodological frameworks for addressing these questions.
Transfer of Status
As most students will enter the DPhil programme as Probationer Research Students (PRS), they will be expected to gather materials and draft a research proposal for transfer to DPhil Status between their third and fourth term in Oxford. Assuming the normal three-year programme, we expect students to complete the transfer interview by the end of their fourth term. Most students successfully transfer in the third term.
Stage 2: Gathering Data
Stage 2 usually occurs in Year 2 for full-time students and Years 3 and 4 for students on the part-time programme.
This stage of the DPhil will normally be devoted to data gathering and mapping the outline structure of your thesis. However, students will also need to make significant progress in writing their thesis, drafting at least two chapters in preparation for the Confirmation of Status milestone. This 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.
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.
The OII’s Graduate Studies Committee expects students to complete the confirmation interview by the end of their third year for full time students; and by the sixth year of study for part-time students.
Stage 3: Writing Up and Thesis submission
Stage 3 usually occurs in Year 3 for full-time students and Years 5 and 6 for students on the part-time programme.
Stage 3 will concentrate on any final empirical work, and on writing up the final chapters for submission of the thesis. The thesis must be submitted within four years (full-time) and eight years (part-time) from the date of admission as a graduate student. In special circumstances, you may apply for an extension of time through the Graduate Studies Committee. The maximum extension permitted is two years, making six years (full-time) or ten years (part-time) of study in all.
Once the thesis has been submitted, two examiners are appointed and the examination by viva voce (an oral defence of the thesis) is scheduled.
As a graduate student you will be assigned an academic supervisor, who is responsible for your academic well-being and progress. In addition to academic supervision, you will also have a college advisor who can help with issues of student support and welfare.
You should expect to meet with your supervisor at least three to four times a term. In the early stages of your doctoral studies your supervisor will assist you in settling into the pace of academic life, help you identify your training needs in order to fulfil your research and facilitate appropriate networking across the University. As your research progresses, your supervisor will advise you on research design, provide guidance on any data collection, and comment on your written drafts. In the final stages of your doctoral studies, your supervisor will provide comments on your thesis drafts and help you prepare for milestones and the final examination of the thesis. Your supervisor may also provide career guidance as you plan your future beyond your period of study.
The following OII faculty members are eligible to supervise DPhil students. The supervision areas are intended as a guide only: please contact a faculty member directly if you would like to discuss their suitability to supervise your research proposal.
Dr Adam Mahdi
Dr Ana Valdivia
Professor Andrew Przybylski
Dr Bernie Hogan
Professor Brent Mittelstadt
Professor Carl-Benedikt Frey
Professor Chris Russell
Professor Ekaterina Hertog
Dr Gemma Newlands
Professor Greg Taylor
Professor Helen Margetts
Dr Joss Wright
Professor Kathryn Eccles
Dr Keegan McBride
Dr Luc Rocher
Professor Mark Graham
Professor Philip Howard
Professor Ralph Schroeder
Professor Rebecca Eynon
Professor Sandra Wachter
Dr Scott A. Hale
Professor Victoria Nash
Professor Viktor Mayer-Schönberger
Professor Vili Lehdonvirta
Details of fees, living expenses, and definitions of home and overseas students, together with information about potential sources of funding are available from the University’s Fees and Funding website.
There are a number of sources of funding for postgraduate students at Oxford. Details of all scholarships for which candidates may be eligible can be found on the University’s Fees and Funding website. The scholarships are all highly competitive and are awarded on academic merit.
Clarendon Scholarships
Clarendon is one of the biggest of the University’s scholarship schemes, offering around 170 new scholarships each year to academically outstanding graduates. Clarendon scholarships are competitive, prestigious and highly sought-after. As well as providing for fees and living costs Clarendon aims to enhance the Oxford experience by offering students the chance to form lasting social, academic and professional networks. Students can apply by completing the funding sections of the graduate admissions form. As part of the admissions process, the Oxford Internet Institute Scholarship Committee will decide which applicants to nominate to the University for consideration. Further details of this scholarship can be found on the University’s Clarendon Scholarships page.
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding
The ESRC is the UK’s largest organisation for funding research on social and economic issues. The University, in collaboration with Brunel University and the Open University, hosts the Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP).
The Oxford Internet Institute’s graduate degree programmes are a recognised doctoral training pathway in the partnership and our Digital Social Science pathway is provided through two routes, MSc-to-DPhil (known as 1+3) and DPhil-only (known as +3), and is available to students studying part-time as well as those studying full-time.
In order to be considered for a Grand Union DTP ESRC studentship, you must select ‘ESRC Grand Union DTP Studentships in Social Sciences’ in the University of Oxford scholarships section of the University’s graduate application form. You must complete a Grand Union DTP Application Form and upload it, together with your graduate application form, in order to be considered for nomination for the studentship.
Information about ESRC studentships at Oxford can be found on the Grand Union DTP website . Please ensure you have read all of the guidance available on the website before completing the ESRC Grand Union DTP Studentship Application Form . Questions can be directed to the Grand Union DTP Office at [email protected]
ESRC studentships are open to both Home (UK) and International candidates, read more about the eligibility criteria here .
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding
The AHRC provides public funding in support of research into the arts and humanities, for approximately one quarter of the UK’s research population. Oxford participates in the Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership, providing a number of scholarships each year to students working in eligible subject areas across the Humanities and Social Sciences Divisions.
Information about applying for AHRC scholarships at Oxford can currently be found on the Open-Oxford-Cambridge Doctoral Partnership website. In order to be considered for a studentship you must apply by the programme deadline and tick the relevant box in the studentships section of the application form. You will also need to complete the OOC DTP Application Form and upload it as an additional document when completing your application.
Black Academic Futures scholarships
The Black Academic Futures programme offer scholarships to UK Black and Mixed-Black students starting doctoral study at Oxford. A pplicants need to apply to an Oxford department by the relevant programme deadline to be considered for the scholarship and ensure they include the ethnicity information in their application.
Refugee Academic Futures
The Refugee Academic Futures scheme offers financial support to pursue graduate study at Oxford to students who are refugees or other people with lived experience of displacement. The scholarships are open to all academic subjects. Each scholarship will cover your course fees and will provide you with a grant for living costs. Awards are made for the full duration of your fee liability for your course. Scholars will be offered opportunities to receive mentoring and a bespoke programme of pre-arrival and on course support.
Care-Experienced Academic Futures
The Care-Experienced Academic Futures scholarships offer financial support to students who have experienced being in care in the UK to pursue graduate study at Oxford. The pilot will include the inaugural award of the Oxford-Rees Graduate Scholarship, which supports care-experienced Social Sciences candidates.
OII Shirley Scholarship
The OII awards a limited number of DPhil Scholarships each academic year supported by the Shirley Scholars Fund which was established in honour of OII founder donor Dame Stephanie Shirley. These scholarships are open to both full- and part-time students (from any country) and all applicants who are offered a place on our programme are automatically considered for an award. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit.
DPhil Handbook 2023-24
Download the handbook for study at the OII in the academic year 2023-2024
You can find general FAQs about applying to our courses, studying at the OII, and choosing a college on the study FAQs page .
When should I apply?
The DPhil programme has one deadline in January.
Please ensure that you start the online application process as early as you can, to ensure plenty of time to complete your application. Only applications that are complete by the deadline (including letters of reference) can be considered by the admissions team. All applications must be made through the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions site.
How do I choose a supervisor?
Our students are supervised by OII faculty members. Please note that we will only admit students where appropriate supervision is available; please see the full list of faculty members eligible to supervise students on this programme. If having read these, you are still unsure who could supervise your proposed research (or if you are considering supervision by a faculty member from a different department within the University of Oxford), please contact us to discuss this at [email protected] .
Please note that it is strongly advised that DPhil applicants should contact a potential supervisor before they submit an application to check that there is appropriate supervision for their research proposal. Once DPhil applicants have identified an appropriate supervisor they should email them directly with a brief overview of the proposed research topic. The faculty member will then indicate whether they would be suitable to supervise the proposed topic.
If I need to submit English Language Test results, when are they due?
You can read more about the English language requirements for graduate study applications in the graduate application guide. This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level . If you already have English language test scores at the required level achieved within two years of the start of the course to which you are applying, please include them in your application. However, you are not required to provide test scores when you submit your application.
How does the DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences differ from the DPhil in Social Data Science?
The DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences is designed for students interested in research about the Internet and related technologies and their societal implications. Theses in this programme might include quantitative, qualitative, computational or mixed methods applied to a broad range of questions about digital phenomena and could address questions about technology policy or practice. The DPhil in Social Data Science is designed for students with core quantitative skills who wish to develop their skills for analysing structured and unstructured data using advanced computational techniques such as machine learning. Theses in Social Data Science might develop new computational approaches for analysing human behavioural data and/or apply such approaches to answer a social science question.
What does a good DPhil application look like? Do you have any examples?
Here is some great advice from OII DPhil alumni Bertram Vidgen on how to write your DPhil application proposal . You can also read OII Professor Vili Lehdonvirta’s advice about picking a research topic for a DPhil application.
What fees do I have to pay?
Course fees cover your teaching, and other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. They do not cover your accommodation or other living costs. You may have seen separate figures in the past for tuition fees and college fees. We have now combined these into a single figure.
See the University’s guidance on fee status and fee liability for information on Home/Republic of Ireland , Islands and Overseas student classification. As well as covering University and College fees, students will also have to support their maintenance costs. As Oxford is a relatively expensive place to live, it is recommended that students consult the University’s guidance on living costs when planning their budget, to cover accommodation, meals and other living expenses.
Do I have to live in Oxford during my studies?
Full-time students are required by the University’s regulations to be in residence in Oxford during term time. That means a commitment to be in Oxford for at least the full nine weeks of all three terms of each academic year. You also need to be available in Oxford for several events outside full term, from the induction programme to examinations. Research away from Oxford should be discussed with your supervisor. Part-time students are not required to live in Oxford, but are expected to be present in Oxford on average 30 days per year. Please see the DPhil handbook for more details.
Do you offer any intensive, online or distance-learning courses?
We do not normally offer any of our MSc or DPhil programmes in an intensive, online, or distance-learning modality. Although we do make use of virtual learning environments and various other online components of study, both full and part-time students are required to attend in person during term time due to the collaborative and multi-disciplinary nature of our programmes, and the principles that underpin Oxford education as a collegiate university. We strongly believe that the face-to-face element of the programme is vital in providing a multi-disciplinary peer network for students to engage in ideas, discussion and debate.
We do, however, offer this programme on a part-time basis. The part-time DPhil is substantively identical to the full-time degree, but distributes the workload over five to six years for those who must fit study around work, family, or other outside commitments.
What does the schedule look like for a part-time DPhil student?
Part-time students can typically expect to spend at least 30 days physically in Oxford each year, and will be expected to commit approximately 20 hours per week to their studies. Part-time DPhil students will be expected to take core courses in Michaelmas Term of Years 1 and 2, which will mean choosing two courses in one year, and one in the other year. These courses have been scheduled to allow part-time students to take them on a single day, so students will need to be able to attend classes in Oxford one day a week for the eight consecutive weeks of Michaelmas Term, as a minimum. In addition, part-time students will need to be present in Oxford in their first year for the full Induction Week (normally held the first week of October).
There are provisions to attend DPhil seminars and supervision meetings via video conference, the latter at your supervisor’s discretion, particularly from Year 3 onwards. However, classes for the core courses and any corresponding examinations in Michaelmas Term of Years 1 and 2 can only be attended in person.
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DPhil in Economics
DPHIL IN ECONOMICS
Oxford has a thriving group of research students studying towards the award of a DPhil in Economics. The DPhil is the name Oxford gives to its doctoral degree rather than the more familiar name PhD used in most other universities.
In joining the Department of Economics, you will join one or more of the department's research groups, becoming part of a vibrant educational research community with an active set of doctoral student-led events, seminars and conferences. You will also have opportunities to present your work at a variety of seminars and sessions in the department.
Full information about the DPhil in Economics, including how to apply can be found here.
The department has started a joint MPhil-DPhil programme, admitting the first students for a start in October 2021.
We have a large and active community of DPhil (PhD) students undertaking research in across all fields of economics. Please see the latest results from our DPhil programme below
Completion Rates: 117 completed between Jan 2014 and July 2020
Outstanding Publications of PhD Thesis Chapters: • American Economic Review: Bilicka (2019), Roth (2018), Adams-Prassl (2014), Sankjohanser (2020) • Journal of Political Economy: Gola (2020) • Journal of the European Economic Association: Singh (2020) • Economic Journal: Herresthal (2020), Franklin (2018) • Review of Economics and Statistics: Paul (2020), Bakker (2019), Roth (2019) • Journal of Monetary Economics: Moran (2018) Student Satisfaction: A survey of our PhD students was undertaken as part of our 2018 Athena Swan application. The positive conclusion was that over 80% were satisfied with their academic supervision. In response to qualitative feedback, the Department moved to integrate PhD students much more closely into research groups and provide additional research support. Job Placement: From a total of 163 postdocs and PhDs: • 78 to Assistant Professors • 43 to Post-doctoral positions • 27 to World Bank / IMF and Central Banks. • 15 others Academic positions outside the UK: MIT Sloan, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Northwestern (Kellogg), Michigan State, Duke, UC Irvine, Toulouse, Bocconi; and within the UK: Birkbeck, Bristol, Cambridge, Glasgow, Imperial, LSE, Manchester, Queen Mary, Surrey, UCL, Warwick, York.
Further programme information
Graduate Funding
DPhil Course Structure
Apply for DPhil in Economics
Applicant Mentoring Programme
Writing a Thesis or Dissertation
A course for students who are either writing, or preparing to write, a dissertation or thesis for their degree course at oxford, intensive course timetable: trinity term 2024.
Enrolment will close at 12 noon on Thursday of Week 8 of term (13 June 2024).
To ensure that we have time to set you up with access to our Virtual Learning Environment (Canvas), please make sure you have enrolled and paid no later than five working days before your course starts.
MT = Michaelmas Term (October - December); HT = Hilary Term (January - March); TT = Trinity Term (April-June)
Course Timetable: Trinity Term 2024
Enrolment will close at 12 noon on Wednesday of Week 1 of term (24 January 2024).
Course overview
This course is designed for students who are either writing, or preparing to write, a dissertation or thesis for their degree course at Oxford. Each lesson focuses on a different part of the thesis/dissertation/articles (Introductions, Literature Reviews, Discussions etc.), as well as the expected structure and linguistic conventions. Building upon the foundational understanding provided by our other Academic English courses (particularly Introduction to Academic Writing and Grammar, and Key Issues), this course prepares students for the challenges of organising, writing and revising a thesis or dissertation.
Learning outcomes
- Gain an understanding of the different organisational structures used within Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences dissertations and theses
- Consider works of previous Oxford students in order to understand the common structural, linguistic and stylistic issues that arise when drafting a research project
- Increase competence in incorporating citations into texts, including choosing appropriate tenses and reporting verbs
- Learn how to structure the various parts of a dissertation or thesis (Introduction, Literature Review, Discussion, Conclusion and Abstract)
Enrolment information
For Learners with an Oxford University SSO (Single Sign-On) simply click on the enrol button next to the class that you wish to join.
For Learners without an Oxford University SSO, or who are not members of the University, once enrolment opens , please email [email protected] with the following details:
- Email address and phone number
- The name of the course you wish to study
- The start date and time of the course
- Your connection to Oxford University, if any (to determine course fee)
We will then provisionally enrol you onto the course and send you a link to the Oxford University Online Store for payment. Once payment is received we will confirm your place on the course. Please note that we will be unable to assist you until enrolment has opened, so please do not send us your enrolment details in advance.
Course structure
- Taught in Weeks 2-8 of term
- Seminars per week: 1
- Length of seminar: 2 hours
- Academic English tutor will provide all materials
Intensive course structure
- One week intensive course
- Taught in week 9 of term (Monday - Friday)
- Number of classes throughout the week: 5
- Length of class: 2-3 hours
- Total hours of tuition over the week: 14
Course fees
VIEW THE COURSE FEES
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ACADEMIC ENGLISH
MODERN LANGUAGES
Other Term-time Courses
DPhil in Economics
- Entry requirements
- Funding and costs
College preference
- How to apply
About the course
Oxford has a thriving group of research students studying for the DPhil in Economics. The DPhil, which is the equivalent to a PhD at most other institutions, is similar in structure to a PhD at leading economics graduate schools worldwide.
The majority of students on the DPhil at Oxford have first completed the two-year Oxford MPhil in Economics . You can also apply for the DPhil if you hold, or will hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics from other universities.
All students starting the DPhil are admitted with Probationer Research Student status (PRS) in the first instance. You will take additional courses from the MPhil menu to deepen and broaden your economic training, while starting to work on your first research project. The PRS status allows for a smooth transition from learning about economic research to producing new economic insights yourself. If you haven’t completed the MPhil in Economics at Oxford, you will usually be required to take a year of coursework taking papers from either the first and/or second year of the MPhil programme. Students progressing from the MPhil in Economics at Oxford will usually complete their coursework by taking additional advanced courses from the MPhil.
You will join one or more of the department's research groups, becoming part of a vibrant educational research community with a large number of doctoral student-led events, seminars and conferences.
You will have opportunities to present your work at a variety of seminars and sessions in the department.
Further information about part-time study
The department is able to offer the DPhil in Economics as a part-time mode. Although there is no requirement to reside in Oxford, part-time research students must attend the University on a regular basis (particularly in term-time: October and November, mid-January to mid-March, and late April to mid-June) for supervision, study, research seminars and skills training.
The department understands that part-time research students will have non-standard attendance and work patterns. To ensure a comprehensive integration into the faculty's and University's research culture and with their full-time peer groups a pattern of attendance at MPhil courses, training events and research seminars would form part of the general part-time study agreement.
Supervision
The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Economics 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 Economics. In those cases, the expectation is that a co-supervisor or secondary supervisor from within the Department of Economics will also be appointed.
DPhil students will work closely with their supervisors and will be expected to meet face-to-face on at least two occasions per term with additional contact through online meetings and email exchanges.
Full-time students admitted to Probationer Research Student status are first required to transfer to DPhil status. The Transfer of Status requires the completion of the Qualifying Examinations, necessary coursework, and an interview with two assessors appointed by the department, at which the candidate presents an outline of their proposed thesis and a piece of written work relevant to the thesis. The transfer is normally expected to be completed by the end of the fourth term, and no later than six terms from admission to Probationer Research Student status. In exceptional circumstances, where a student has already successfully completed advanced coursework as part of the MPhil in Economics at Oxford, the department may waive the requirement for Transfer of Status and students may progress directly to DPhil status. Upon a successful transfer to DPhil status, students are required to confirm their DPhil status no later than nine terms after admission to Probationer Research Student status.
Candidates for Confirmation of Status are required to present a research paper at a workshop or seminar, present a detailed outline of the complete thesis and some complete draft chapters, and will be interviewed by an assessor.
Part-time students admitted to Probationer Research Student status are normally expected to transfer to DPhil status during the first two to three years of study. Upon a successful transfer to DPhil status, students are required to confirm their DPhil status no later than eighteen terms after admission as a Probationer Research Student.
The award of this degree is based on a thesis of not more than 100,000 words in length. It should constitute a significant and substantial piece of research, of a kind which might reasonably be expected of a diligent and competent student in three years of full-time study. The maximum time allowed for completion of the DPhil is four years (eight years for part-time).
Graduate destinations
The interests and strengths of the department's doctoral students are many and diverse and this is reflected in the positions they take up after graduation: most take up tenure track or postdoc positions in academia; others find employment in government, international organisations, or the private sector. The international reputation of Oxford’s doctoral programme also means that its DPhil graduates can be found making a contribution in many different parts of the world.
The department recognises the importance of helping doctoral students find suitable employment and its placement efforts are directed by a senior member of the faculty. The department provides advice and help on all aspects of the job application process, including limited financial assistance to cover travel and conference expenses.
Changes to this course and your supervision
The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.
Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.
For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.
Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25
Proven and potential academic excellence.
The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .
Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying.
Degree-level qualifications
As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:
- an outstanding performance in a rigorous master's course in economics; and
- a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in economics or another approved subject (such as mathematics).
Applicants must demonstrate a strong quantitative preparation.
Offers will usually be made conditional on obtaining a distinction grade (or an equivalent level of performance where a distinction grade is not officially awarded) at master's level.
Please note:
- a master's qualification that is only partially in economics would not be considered a suitable background: for example, a master's course in development studies, public administration, or in finance lacks the required level of economics content, even if there are economics courses as part of the training;
- a master's qualification in a specialised field within economics (eg development economics, applied economics, or financial economics) may also be insufficient background. Candidates with these qualifications should provide a written statement as part of their research proposal to demonstrate that the courses on which they have been examined covered all the core material of a rigorous master's course in economics.
Applicants with an insufficient master's background in economics who wish to proceed to DPhil are encouraged to first apply to the joint MPhil+DPhil in Economics.
For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum cumulative GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.
If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.
GRE General Test scores
If you do not hold, or will not shortly hold, a UK or Republic of Ireland degree, you must submit the results of a GRE Test obtained within the last 5 years. However, we recommend applicants from UK or Republic of Ireland universities also submit a GRE score. Entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants will have a GRE score of Verbal 160, Quantitative 164, Analytical 4.5.
Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience
- All candidates are expected to have working knowledge in one programming language (of the candidate’s choice) at the start of the DPhil. The department will provide advice to accepted candidates on how to acquire such knowledge.
- Part-time applicants will also be expected to show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and, if applicable, an employer's commitment to make time available to study, to complete coursework, and attend programme and University events and modules. Where appropriate, evidence should also be provided of permission to use employers’ data in the proposed research project.
- Publications are not expected.
English language proficiency
This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.
*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides further information about the English language test requirement .
Declaring extenuating circumstances
If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.
You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The How to apply section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.
Supporting documents
You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The How to apply section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.
Performance at interview
Interviews are not normally held as part of the admissions process.
How your application is assessed
Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.
References and supporting documents submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.
An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about how applications are assessed .
Shortlisting and selection
Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:
- socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of the University’s pilot selection procedure and for scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
- country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
- protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.
Processing your data for shortlisting and selection
Information about processing special category data for the purposes of positive action and using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.
Admissions panels and assessors
All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).
Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.
Other factors governing whether places can be offered
The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:
- the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the About section of this page;
- the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
- minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.
Offer conditions for successful applications
If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions .
In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:
Financial Declaration
If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a Financial Declaration in order to meet your financial condition of admission.
Disclosure of criminal convictions
In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any relevant, unspent criminal convictions before you can take up a place at Oxford.
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.
With more than 60 academics in permanent posts and 30+ postdoctoral research fellows, the Department of Economics is a large and vibrant international community of researchers. In the 2021 REF, Oxford was ranked first in terms of overall research ‘power’ and funding market share.
The department hosts research centres such as the Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE), which is internationally recognised as a hub for innovative research and outreach to the academic and policy-making communities world-wide through their seminars, workshops and annual conferences.
Within the department, specialised research groups play a key role in bringing together faculty and graduate students working in particular sub-fields, supporting and mentoring doctoral students and postdoctoral research fellows, and promoting research of the highest international standard.
The research groups provide an important interface between the research centres and the department, for example, econometrics and the INET programme on Economic Modelling (EMOD); development economics and CSAE. Other research groups facilitate collaboration across departments, as in the case of the economic history group and economic historians in the Faculty of History. Each research group runs a regular seminar series with external presenters, plus a more informal workshop in which members, including DPhil students, present their research in progress.
Students can access a range of internship programmes through the University Careers Office as well as the RCUK Policy Internship scheme for ESRC-funded students. In addition, the Bank of England and Goldman Sachs each provide a short summer internship for a doctoral student specialising in macroeconomics or finance and the Department of Economics is accredited by the Asian Development Bank to nominate candidates for their internship programme. In recent cohorts, students have benefited from an internship with organisations including the EBRD, European Central Bank, UK Home Office, as well as those identified above.
The Department of Economics is located in the Manor Road Building in central Oxford, alongside the Department of Politics and International Relations. The department contains faculty offices and open-plan workspaces for DPhil students and postdoctoral research, with access to Wi-Fi and print services. A BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy is in place within the Economics department, enabling you to access data shares, printing, software and for some, a full Windows desktop via the department's Virtual Desktop environment. The Manor Road IT team support all IT-related infrastructure and systems within the department, including desktops, laptops and tablets, and all associated peripherals (printers, scanners, webcams etc) and software provision.
The Manor Road Building also houses the Bodleian Social Sciences Library (SSL), a first-class research library open to all members of the University. The SSL holds over 250,000 printed books, over 1,000 printed journal titles, as well as statistical publications, working papers, dissertations, pamphlets and reports. Online resources include almost 100,000 e-journals and an extensive collection of databases and archives in the social sciences. Graduate teaching and most seminars take place within the Manor Road Building, where there is also a cafeteria and common room for students' use.
Oxford's Department of Economics is one of Europe's leading research departments and its members include some of the world's most distinguished academic economists.
The department offers its community of around 300 graduate students a rigorous and relevant training in economics, providing a setting in which debate and research can flourish. The department’s graduate courses prepare students for a wide range of careers in academia, government and business.
The department is committed to excellence in teaching and the MPhil and DPhil in Economics are internationally recognised for the quality of the training provided. The University of Oxford is ranked 2nd in Europe in the most recent Tilburg University ranking of Economics departments, based on research contribution for the period between 2016-2020. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework exercise, that evaluated research output of UK Universities, Oxford was first for overall research strength in Economics and Econometrics, with more research ranked as ‘world-leading’ than any other participating institution.
In a submission of 84 FTE academics, which was the largest number of researchers submitted in the Economics and Econometrics Unit of Assessment, 94% of the department's research output was assessed as ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘world-leading’ (3* or 4*). The scale and breadth of the Department’s research is a product of a vibrant and well-connected community, with particular attention on supporting early career researchers. The Department maintains world-class expertise in the core discipline areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, while building clusters of research strength in more specialist subfields – notably applied microeconomics; behavioural economics and game theory; the economics of climate change and sustainability; machine learning; economic history; development economics.
Oxford has one of the strongest, largest, and most varied groups of economists in the world. Our objective is to engage in innovative research that extends the frontiers of the discipline, deepening our understanding of the operation of modern economies. Research spans almost all the major sub-fields of economics with particular strengths in microeconomic theory, including behavioural economics; econometrics, both micro-econometrics and time series; economic history and development and international economics. Research activity is focused within smaller, specialised groups, with each group holding regular workshops at which research by faculty and graduate students is presented and discussed. Many distinguished researchers from outside Oxford also visit to present their work at seminars.
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The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.
For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.
Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:
Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.
Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the department's website.
Annual fees for entry in 2024-25
Full-time study.
Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.
Part-time study
Information about course fees.
Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .
Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.
Continuation charges
Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.
Where can I find further information about fees?
The Fees and Funding section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility and your length of fee liability .
Additional information
There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel 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.
Please note that you are required to attend in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. Also, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur further additional expenses, such as travel 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, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.
For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.
If you are studying part-time your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you must still ensure that you will have sufficient funding to meet these costs for the duration of your course.
Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs).
If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief introduction to the college system at Oxford and our advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.
The following colleges accept students for full-time study on this course:
- Balliol College
- Blackfriars
- Brasenose College
- Campion Hall
- Christ Church
- Corpus Christi College
- Exeter College
- Harris Manchester College
- Hertford College
- Jesus College
- Keble College
- Kellogg College
- Lady Margaret Hall
- Linacre College
- Lincoln College
- Magdalen College
- Mansfield College
- Merton College
- New College
- Nuffield College
- Oriel College
- Pembroke College
- The Queen's College
- Regent's Park College
- Reuben College
- St Anne's College
- St Antony's College
- St Catherine's College
- St Cross College
- St Edmund Hall
- St Hilda's College
- St Hugh's College
- St John's College
- St Peter's College
- Somerville College
- Trinity College
- University College
- Wadham College
- Wolfson College
- Worcester College
- Wycliffe Hall
The following colleges accept students for part-time study on this course:
Before you apply
Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .
If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the information about deadlines and when to apply in our Application Guide.
Application fee waivers
An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:
- applicants from low-income countries;
- refugees and displaced persons;
- UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and
- applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.
You are encouraged to check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver before you apply.
Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students
If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .
Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?
You do not need to make contact with the department before you apply but you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.
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 .
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.
Referees: Three overall, academic and/or professional
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.
It is recommended that you provide three academic references, however the department will accept one professional reference of the three required overall. Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, and motivation.
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.
A CV/résumé is compulsory for this course. Most applicants choose to submit a document of one to two pages highlighting their academic achievements and any relevant professional experience.
Research proposal: A maximum of 1,500 words
You should submit a detailed outline of your proposed research, written in English, covering areas such as the background to the research, methodology, expected results and the contribution to the field of learning.
It is not necessary to include your bibliography in the overall word count.
If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.
This will be assessed for:
- your reasons for applying;
- the coherence of the proposal;
- the originality of the project;
- evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study;
- the ability to present a reasoned case in English;
- the feasibility of successfully completing the project in the time available for the course (a maximum of 4 years);
- commitment to the subject, beyond the requirements of the degree course;
- preliminary knowledge of research techniques;
- capacity for sustained and intense work;
- reasoning ability; and
- ability to absorb new ideas, often presented abstractly, at a rapid pace.
Written work: One essay of a maximum of 2,000 words
An academic essay or other writing sample from your most recent qualification, written in English, is required. An extract of the requisite length from longer work is also permissible. The written work should be related to the subject you propose to study.
The written work should be typed and in English. The word count does not need to include any bibliography or brief footnotes.
- a comprehensive understanding of the subject area;
- understanding of problems in the area;
- ability to construct and defend an argument;
- powers of analysis; and
- powers of expression.
GRE General Test results
If you do not hold, or will not shortly hold, a UK or Republic of Ireland degree, you must submit the results of a GRE Test obtained within the last 5 years. However, we recommend that applicants from UK or Republic of Ireland universities also submit a GRE score. Entrance is very competitive, and most successful applicants have a GRE score of at least 160 for verbal, 164 for quantitative and 4.5 for analytical.
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 . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.
Application Guide Apply - Full time Apply - Part time
ADMISSION STATUS
Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25
Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)
12:00 midday UK time on:
Friday 19 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25
*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)
Further information and enquiries
This course is offered by the Department of Economics
- Course page on the department's website
- Funding information from the department
- Academic and research staff
- Departmental research
- Social Sciences Division
- Residence requirements for full-time courses
- Postgraduate applicant privacy policy
Course-related enquiries
Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page
✉ e [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 281290
Application-process enquiries
See the application guide
Other courses to consider
You may also wish to consider applying to other courses that are similar or related to this course:
MPhil + DPhil in Economics
You can study this course as part of our five-year integrated MPhil+DPhil in Economics which enables students to first study for the two-year MPhil in Economics and then automatically switch to the DPhil in Economics.
Visa eligibility for part-time study
We are unable to sponsor student visas for part-time study on this course. Part-time students may be able to attend on a visitor visa for short blocks of time only (and leave after each visit) and will need to remain based outside the UK.
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RIT graduate pursues Ph.D. across time zones
Nastaran Nagshineh, center, defended her Ph.D. thesis at RIT in April. Faculty from RIT’s Rochester and Dubai campuses served on her thesis committee and include, from left to right, Kathleen Lamkin-Kennard, Steven Weinstein, Nathaniel Barlow, and David Kofke (a professor at the University at Buffalo). Mohamed Samaha participated remotely and appears on the video screen behind the group and alongside Nagshineh’s picture.
Nastaran Nagshineh is one of the first Ph.D. candidates to bridge RIT’s Rochester and Dubai campuses. Her accomplishment creates a path for future students at the university’s international campuses.
Nagshineh completed her Ph.D. in mathematical modeling while working full time as a mathematics lecturer at RIT Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, teaching as many as five classes a semester. She described her Ph.D. journey as “an exercise in perseverance” due to competing demands and long days. Rochester is eight hours behind Dubai, and the time difference meant many late-night classes and meetings.
“I saw this collaboration as an opportunity, rather than as a challenge, because my primary adviser, Dr. Steven Weinstein (RIT professor of chemical engineering), and my co-adviser, Dr. Mohamed Samaha (RIT Dubai associate professor of mechanical engineering), both have the same area of research interest,” she said. “They both worked toward my success.”
Nagshineh is one of 67 RIT Ph.D. students who defended their thesis this academic year and who will earn their doctorate. RIT awarded 63 Ph.D. degrees in 2023.
In 2020-2021, RIT’s Graduate School met and surpassed the university’s goal of conferring 50 Ph.D. degrees during an academic year. That number will continue to grow as students cycle through the seven new Ph.D. programs that RIT has added since 2017, said Diane Slusarski , dean of RIT’s Graduate School.
Meeting these goals puts RIT on a path toward achieving an “R1,” or research-intensive designation, from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning. RIT is currently ranked as an R2 institution . Many factors go into changing a university’s status, including research investment and maintaining a three-year average of 70 Ph.D. degrees awarded per year, according to Slusarski.
“We have met the goals of the strategic plan, and now we look forward to contributing to the research innovation in the future,” Slusarski said. “We want to help the new programs thrive and win national research awards.”
RIT’s emphasis on high-level research is seen in Nagshineh’s Ph.D. work. She applies mathematical modeling to the field of fluid dynamics. Her research has been published in top-tier journals and has gained notice, said Weinstein, her thesis adviser.
Weinstein describes Nagshineh’s accomplishments as “a testament to a fantastic work ethic and commitment” and is inspirational to younger students at Rochester and Dubai.
“The collaboration between RIT Dubai/Rochester has continued,” he said. “Another paper was submitted a few weeks ago with Mohamed Samaha and Nate Barlow (RIT associate professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics) as co-authors, as well as Cade Reinberger, a younger Ph.D. student in my research group.”
Mathematical modeling is one of RIT’s newer Ph.D. degree programs, and Nagshineh is among its earliest graduates. The program has doubled in size since it began accepting students in 2017, Slusarski said. This past fall, the mathematical modeling program had 35 students, with two graduating this year.
Altogether, RIT has 13 Ph.D. degree programs currently enrolling 438 students, with computing and information sciences accounting for the largest with 117 students. RIT’s other Ph.D. programs include astrophysical sciences and technology , biomedical and chemical engineering , business administration , color science , electrical and computer engineering, imaging science , mechanical and industrial engineering , microsystems engineering , and sustainability .
New programs in cognitive science and physics will launch in the fall.
The growth in RIT graduate education—with more than 3,000 master’s and doctoral students—reflects a demographic change in the student population, Slusarski said. “We have a higher percentage of women in the graduate programs than we have for RIT undergraduate programs.”
RIT’s graduate programs enroll 42 percent women, according to Christie Leone , assistant dean for the Graduate School.
Nagshineh, who also holds an MS in electrical engineering from RIT Dubai, welcomes her role as a mentor to other women students on both campuses.
“As a young woman in an Arabic country, the power of women is often underestimated and undervalued, and I hope to serve as a role model to female students, especially those that question their path,” Nagshineh said.
She plans to continue in her career as a professor and a researcher. “I would like to pursue a research program where I can advise my own students and teach them more deeply.”
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Education - Dissertations, Theses and Current Research
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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.
The Bodleian Libraries collection holds DPhil, MLitt and MPhil theses deposited at the University of Oxford. You can also search for theses and dissertations associated with other universities online, or request them via inter-library loan. ... You may also see it referred to as PhD. ORA: The Oxford University Research Archive, an institutional ...
Members of the University of Oxford can deposit a wide range of research to ORA including articles, conference papers, theses and data. DEPOSIT; Skip to In numbers Latest additions DATASET FOR: Disentangling the origin of degradation in perovskite solar cells via optical imaging and Bayesian inference. Exploiting uncertainty in regression ...
The procedures for the submission and examination of theses are detailed in the Examination Regulations, as well as the Notes of Guidance for the Examination of Research Degrees (GSO.20a). When to submit a thesis. Students must have the appropriate student status before they are permitted to submit a copy of their thesis: if you are a student ...
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 ...
EXPLORE THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD'S WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH. search for. ... Remove constraint File Availability: Available. Available. Remove constraint Item Type: Thesis. Thesis. Item Type. Thesis [remove] 14,544; File Availability. Available [remove] 14,544; Division. MPLS 5,061; ... Oxford Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics 9;
Sarah Woodrow (M.Sc. Thesis), 2015. Design of a new linear 'blade' trap, with improved optical access. Review of linear Paul trap theory. Discussion of axial micromotion and its use for ion addressing. Numerical simulations of trap fields. Technical drawings of trap components. High-fidelity quantum logic in Ca + Christopher Ballance, 2014
The DPhil programme in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences provides an opportunity for students to pursue cutting-edge research into the societal implications of the Internet. As a doctoral student at the Oxford Internet Institute, you and your peers will address research questions from across the spectrum of disciplines, drawing ...
A growing number of Oxford theses & dissertations are available online. These will be included in the results of your SOLO searches once the thesis or dissertation has been deposited into ORA. You can also search ORA directly using course codes, e.g. ALSLA, CIE2021 etc. Theses submitted recently may take a while to be processed and to appear on ...
Oxford has a thriving group of research students studying towards the award of a DPhil in Economics. The DPhil is the name Oxford gives to its doctoral degree rather than the more familiar name PhD used in most other universities. ... Outstanding Publications of PhD Thesis Chapters: • American Economic Review: Bilicka (2019), Roth (2018 ...
Three books are invaluable for the authors of scholarly works, including theses. They are New Hart's Rules. The Handbook of Style for Writers and Editors (Oxford, 2005), New Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors. The Essential A-Z Guide to the Written Word (Oxford, 2005), and New Oxford Style Manual (2nd ed., Oxford, 2012). Together they ...
Course overview. This course is designed for students who are either writing, or preparing to write, a dissertation or thesis for their degree course at Oxford. Each lesson focuses on a different part of the thesis/dissertation/articles (Introductions, Literature Reviews, Discussions etc.), as well as the expected structure and linguistic ...
The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most ...
Learners who have enrolled in at least one qualifying Harvard Online program hosted on the HBS Online platform are eligible to receive a 30% discount on this course, regardless of completion or certificate status in the first purchased program. Past-Participant Discounts are automatically applied to the Program Fee upon time of payment.
This collection contains University of Texas at Austin electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). The collection includes ETDs primarily from 2001 to the present. Some pre-2001 theses and dissertations have been digitized and added to this collection, but those are uncommon. The library catalog is the most comprehensive list of UT Austin ...
RIT awarded 63 Ph.D. degrees in 2023. In 2020-2021, RIT's Graduate School met and surpassed the university's goal of conferring 50 Ph.D. degrees during an academic year. That number will continue to grow as students cycle through the seven new Ph.D. programs that RIT has added since 2017, said Diane Slusarski, dean of RIT's Graduate School.
Education - Dissertations, Theses and Current Research. Browse our best resources, organized by subject. 433 SUBJECTS. Guides.