Program Overview

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Introduction to the DPhil in History of Art

The DPhil in History of Art is an advanced research degree awarded on the basis of successful completion of an individual research thesis and an oral examination. The Department of History of Art, operating as part of the Faculty of History, offers research degrees in a broad range of fields within the discipline of art history and visual culture.

About the Course

History of Art at the University of Oxford draws on a long and deep tradition of teaching and studying the subject. The core academic staff work on subjects from medieval European architecture to modern Chinese art. Over fifty associated academic staff include teachers and researchers across the full global and historical range of art and visual culture. This offers students exciting possibilities to develop their own interests in art history and to receive supervision on a very wide range of topics.

Research Areas

The following examples of topics researched by past students illustrate the themes that may be explored in this course:

• The print-making techniques of the eighteenth-century British artist Alexander Cozens
• The role played by the political economy of silver in the invention of photography
• The elite tombs of late Medieval Castile
• The visual and material culture of pilgrimage in the Este courts of fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Italy
• The relationship of colour and race in late nineteenth-century French painting
• The erotic in Venetian popular prints made between 1550 and 1620
• The work of the twentieth-century Italian photographer Ugo Mulas
• Illustrated books about China published in Edo Japan
• The visual culture of the British railway system in Western Anatolia
• The pictorial work of the nineteenth-century English polymath John Herschel
• The function and agency of religious images in late-medieval England

Attendance

The course can be studied full-time or part-time with both modes requiring attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements. Part-time students are required to attend course-related activities in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year.

Resources to Support Your Study

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources, and IT services. The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK, including the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, with more than 13 million printed items and access to e-journals.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of History of Art. All students for the DPhil in History of Art will be supported by a supervisor or supervisors who will help them develop a programme of research and writing.

Assessment

All students will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). Within a maximum of four terms as a full-time PRS student or eight terms as a part-time PRS student, you will be expected to apply for transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status. A successful transfer of status from PRS to DPhil status will require a statement, a piece of written work, and the support of your supervisor.

Graduate Destinations

A number of doctoral students in the history of art have gone on to academic teaching or research positions, have gained Junior Research Fellowships and other postdoctoral awards, or are producing work as independent scholars. Many now occupy a variety of senior roles in international museums and galleries. Other career destinations include teaching, conservation, TV production, auction houses, and law.

Changes to This Course

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.

Entry Requirements

• Proven and potential academic excellence: Applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve a master's degree with a minimum of 68% overall and 68% for the dissertation, or an undergraduate degree with a minimum of 68% overall and 68% for the dissertation.
• GRE General Test scores: No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
• Other qualifications, evidence of excellence, and relevant experience: In the case of mature students/intended career changes, professional experience in cognate areas may compensate for shortcomings in the formal academic record.
• English language proficiency: This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level.

Funding

For entry in the academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

Costs

• Annual course fees: The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis. For full-time study, the annual course fees are ｣14,180 for Home students and ｣37,080 for Overseas students. For part-time study, the annual course fees are ｣7,090 for Home students and ｣18,540 for Overseas students.
• What do course fees cover?: Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies.
• 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.

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. The following colleges accept students for full-time study on this course:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Harris Manchester College
• Hertford College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Merton College
• New College
• Oriel College
• The Queen's College
• Regent's Park 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
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

• Before you apply: Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application.
• Application fee waivers: Application fee waivers are available for 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.
• Proposed field and title of research project: Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known.
• Proposed supervisor: If known, under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the name of the academic(s) whom you would like to supervise your research.
• Referees: 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.
• Official transcript(s): Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date.
• Research proposal: Your research proposal must be written in English and should cover all of the following: a research question, historiography, sources, and method.
• Written work: Written work should be from your current, or most recent completed qualification, but does not need to relate closely to your proposed area of study.