Program Overview

Introduction to the DPhil in Education

The DPhil in Education is a research-based doctoral program designed to provide students with a wide range of research skills and in-depth knowledge in their chosen field of research. The program is intended for students who wish to pursue a career in educational research and aims to equip them with the necessary skills and expertise to conduct high-quality research in the field.

About the Course

The DPhil in Education is a full-time or part-time program that can be completed in three to four years for full-time students and six to eight years for part-time students. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the research methods and skills required to conduct educational research. Students will have the opportunity to work with experienced supervisors and be part of a vibrant research community.

Attendance

The program requires attendance in Oxford, with full-time students expected to be in residence during term-time and part-time students required to attend course-related activities in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year. Students will be expected to participate in supervision meetings, core research training, and other academic activities.

Resources to Support 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, the largest library system in the UK, provides access to over 13 million printed items, e-journals, and special collections.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the Department of Education. Students will be assigned a supervisor who will provide guidance and support throughout their research. In exceptional circumstances, a second or co-supervisor may be found outside the Department of Education.

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 and achieve transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status. This application is normally made by the third term for full-time students and by the sixth term for part-time students.

• A successful transfer of status from PRS to DPhil status will require submission of a research proposal, comprising a literature review and research design.
• Students who are successful at transfer will also be expected to apply for and gain confirmation of DPhil status to show that your work continues to be on track.
• This will include submission of two chapters from your thesis (methodology and a findings chapter) and a framing document.

Graduate Destinations

Past DPhil students from the Department of Education have gone on to academic and research careers at universities in the UK and across the world, as well as employment in policy, government departments, NGOs, international organizations, think tanks, and administration at local and national levels.

Research Areas

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

• Language, Cognition, and Development
• Policy, Economy, and Society
• Pedagogy, Learning, and Knowledge

Within each of the research themes, there are several research groups and centers.

Entry Requirements

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown.

• Proven and potential academic excellence: Applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve a master's degree, normally with a mark of at least 68 and at least 68 in their dissertation, in a relevant subject.
• Degree-level qualifications: A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honors in a relevant subject.
• GRE General Test scores: No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
• 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.
• To ensure that you are considered for Oxford scholarships that require a separate application, use our fees, funding, and scholarship search tool to identify these opportunities and find out how to apply.

Costs

Annual Course Fees

The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis.

• Full-time study:
  • Home: È15,350
  • Overseas: È31,110
• Part-time study:
  • Home: È7,675
  • Overseas: È15,555

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, equipment, materials, and field trips.

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.

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:

• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Green Templeton College
• Harris Manchester College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Mansfield College
• New 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
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

The following colleges accept students for part-time study on this course:

• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Harris Manchester College
• Jesus College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• New College
• Regent's Park College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Hilda's College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.

• 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: 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.
• Personal statement and research proposal: Your statement of purpose/personal statement and research proposal should be submitted as a single, combined document with clear subheadings.

Application Deadlines

• 12:00 midday UK time on:
  • Friday 9 January 2026: Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships
  • Tuesday 3 March 2026: Final application deadline for entry in

Key Facts

• Course code: RD_ED2 (full-time), RD_ED9P2 (part-time)
• Expected length: 3-4 years (full-time), 6-8 years (part-time)
• Places in: c. 38 (full-time), c. 2 (part-time)
• Applications/year: 199 (full-time), 16 (part-time)
• Expected start: 5 October 2026
• English language: Higher level required