Program Overview

Introduction to the DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences

The DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences is a research-based doctoral program offered by the Oxford Internet Institute at the University of Oxford. This program provides an opportunity for highly-qualified students to undertake innovative internet-related research, focusing on the social sciences aspects of the internet, World Wide Web, and related technologies.

About the Course

The DPhil program is designed to produce an important and original piece of scholarship that makes a significant contribution to the dynamic area of internet research. As a DPhil student, you will work on multidisciplinary research across the social sciences, anchored in disciplinary questions while being situated in broader social science theories and methods. The Oxford Internet Institute's faculty are international leaders in their research fields, and their teaching and supervision reflect their innovative research.

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, while part-time students are required to attend course-related activities in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year. The full-time program is studied over three to four years, and the part-time program has the same requirements but is studied over six to eight years.

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, holding more than 13 million printed items and providing access to e-journals. The University's IT Services is available to all students, supporting core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Oxford Internet Institute. Students should normally expect to meet with their supervisor around three to four times a term. The full list of faculty members eligible to supervise DPhil students for this course can be found on the departmental website.

Assessment

The first year is a probationary year, after which, subject to satisfactory progress, you will normally transfer from Probationer Research Student (PRS) to full DPhil status. A second formal assessment of progress, Confirmation of Status, takes place later in the program, normally in the third year if studying full-time or fourth/fifth year if studying part-time. Examination for the DPhil takes place at the end of the program by means of a written thesis and an oral examination.

Research Areas

You will have the opportunity to undertake research within the specialized themes of this course, which include:

• AI and the Future of Work
• Digital Economies
• Digital Knowledge and Culture
• Digital Politics and Government
• Education, Digital Life and Wellbeing
• AI Ethics and Philosophy of Information
• Information Geography and Inequality
• Information Governance and Security

Entry Requirements

The requirements for entry include:

• A master's degree with a mark of at least 67%
• A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honors in any subject
• Strong analytical abilities in understanding the social aspects of the internet, World Wide Web, and related technologies
• English language proficiency at the University's higher level

References

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course.

Supporting Documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application, including:

• Official transcript(s)
• Personal statement and research proposal
• Written work (one essay of a maximum of 2,000 words)

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. You can use the fees, funding, and scholarship search tool to identify opportunities and find out how to apply.

Costs

The annual course fees for the academic year at the University of Oxford are:

• Full-time study: Ł15,350 (Home), Ł32,960 (Overseas)
• Part-time study: Ł7,675 (Home), Ł16,480 (Overseas)

Additional Costs

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 materials. You will need to meet these additional costs yourself, although you will have access to some departmental funding towards research expenses and may be able to apply for additional grants.

Living Costs

In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course. The range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between Ł1,405 and Ł2,105 for each month spent in Oxford.

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. You can express a preference for one of the colleges listed or ask us to find a college for you.

How to Apply

You should refer to the information on the application form and pay attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents. The application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document.

After You've Submitted Your Application

Your application will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page. You can find out more about the shortlisting and selection process in the detailed guide to what happens next.