Program Overview

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Introduction to the DPhil in Philosophy

The DPhil in Philosophy is a research-based degree that focuses on developing a 75,000-word thesis in a chosen area of philosophy. The primary aim of the faculty's DPhil in Philosophy is to prepare students for an academic career in philosophy.

About the Course

The DPhil in Philosophy is a full-time course that requires attendance in Oxford. The course is not available in part-time mode of study and is not offered via distance learning. Students will have the opportunity to undertake research within specialized themes, including aesthetics, epistemology and metaphysics, ethics and moral philosophy, and more.

Research Areas

The faculty is able to support doctoral students working on a wide range of research areas within philosophy, including:

• Aesthetics
• Epistemology and Metaphysics
• Ethics and Moral Philosophy
• Feminist Philosophy
• History of Philosophy (including ancient, medieval, early modern, Kant, Post-Kantian)
• Philosophy of Language
• Philosophy of Logic and Mathematics
• Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science
• Philosophy of Physics and Science
• Philosophy of Religion
• Political Philosophy

Entry Requirements

The requirements for the DPhil in Philosophy include:

• A distinction or near-distinction grade in a master's-level degree in philosophy
• A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honors in philosophy or a closely-related degree
• English language proficiency at the University's higher level
• GRE General Test scores are not required

Funding and Costs

The University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses. The annual course fees for the DPhil in Philosophy are:

• Ł14,180 for Home students
• Ł37,080 for Overseas students
• Living costs for full-time study in Oxford are estimated to be between Ł1,405 and Ł2,105 per month

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. The following colleges accept students on the DPhil in Philosophy:

• 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
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• St Anne'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

How to Apply

To apply for the DPhil in Philosophy, students should submit an application form, including:

• A statement of purpose and research proposal
• A CV/résumé
• Official transcript(s)
• Written work (one essay of 4,000 to a maximum of 5,000 words)
• Three academic references

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Philosophy. Most students have the opportunity to receive regular one-to-one tuition sessions with their supervisor(s).

Assessment

Students will be assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• A transfer of status from Probationary Research Student to full DPhil student status
• A confirmation of DPhil student status
• A 75,000-word thesis that is defended orally in front of two appointed examiners (viva voce)

Graduate Destinations

The DPhil in Philosophy's primary aim is to prepare students for an academic career in philosophy. Most DPhil graduates do indeed secure academic posts, as witnessed by the faculty's placement record. The faculty provides a placement scheme to help students seeking jobs within philosophy.