Application Procedure, Admission Policy & College Membership

Graduate Admissions for 2010/11

For entry in October 2010, three application deadlines will be used.  The deadlines are:

• 20 November 2009
• 22 January 2010
• 12 March 2010

Following each application deadline the merits of each applicant are judged against those of other applicants. Applicants who wish to apply for a Clarendon Scholarship MUST apply by 22 January 2010. Applicants are strongly advised to apply early as some courses may become full before the later deadlines.

Applicants should have a good honours degree (or its equivalent) from a British or recognised foreign university. Applicants from overseas must submit full details of qualifications (transcripts, certificates or diplomas) together with evidence of their capacity to meet the requirements of the course for extended writing in English.

NB: Applicants for whom English is not the first language are required to provide evidence that they meet the higher level of proficiency at the time of application. Please refer to the information on recognised English language tests and levels of profiency.

Applicants residing in Britain will be invited for an interview as soon as possible after submitting their applications. The Department cannot defray the expenses of an interview. 

See further information under ‘Admissions Policy’.

Research applications

In addition to completing the application form, applicants are asked to write two/three pages (750 – 1000 words) consisting of (i) proposed dissertation title; (ii) an outline of their research focus and why they think it is an important area for investigation; (iii) their initial thinking about appropriate research methods.

For part-time research applications admission is initially dependent on evidence of the following requirements: (i) the applicant has a minimum of three years’ experience as a professional educator and is currently employed (and will continue to be employed) in some capacity in the field of education; (ii) the applicant can meet the attendance requirements relating to part-time study (In practice this means living in or very near Oxford); (iii) the applicant has the written support of their present employer for their proposed course of study and its obligations; (iv) the applicant’s proposed topic of research is related to their present or intended professional work.

If you have any queries regarding application or admission to the course please contact:

Philippa Moss
Administrator for Higher Degrees
University of Oxford Department of Education
15 Norham Gardens
Oxford OX2 6PY
Tel: 01865 274018
Fax: 01865 274027
E-mail:higherdegreesoffice@education.ox.ac.uk

Admission procedure

All applications go through the Graduate Admissions Office of the University and application guidelines etc. can be downloaded from their website www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gsp/apply. The following may help to clarify some points, but it is advisable to read the guidelines thoroughly.

Course Code: D.Phil Education 003115

Application Form:

Section D: College Choice: You should list 2 colleges from the list of those which accept students for Educational Studies.

See: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/postgraduate/colleges/

Written work: Written work may be an extract from some previous academic work, but it doesn’t have to be academic.

College Membership

Every student at Oxford must become a member of one of the colleges of the University, and this applies to all higher degree students. The college system gives students an opportunity to meet and mix with people outside the Department and colleges offer a wide range of academic and social activities, as well as catering for most sporting interests. Students become full members of their colleges, eligible to participate in all activities. Accommodation for higher degree students is often arranged by their colleges and is likely to be in student houses or flats within the university area. The college application procedure is simple and begins only after the Department has accepted an applicant onto one of the higher degree courses. Applicants should not contact colleges direct.

Fees and Funding

Please see the University information on fees and funding: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/postgraduate/finance/fees.shtml

Fees for the coming academic year are published in the University Gazette in April or May of the year in question.

Details concerning ESRC funding, Clarendon Bursaries and University Studentships can be obtained from the Graduate Studies Office.

For overseas students, application for funding should be made to:

International Office
University of Oxford
Wellington Square
Oxford
OX1 2JD
Email: international.office@admin.ox.ac.uk

Tel: 1865 270105

Equal Opportunities Policy for Students

The University of Oxford and its colleges aim to provide education of excellent quality at undergraduate and postgraduate level for able students, whatever their background. In pursuit of this aim, the University is committed to using its best endeavours to ensure that all of its activities are governed by principles of equality of opportunity, and that all students are helped to achieve their full academic potential. This statement applies to recruitment and admissions, to the curriculum, teaching and assessment, to welfare and support services, and to staff development and training.

Please see the  Equal Opportunities Policy statement.