Introduction to the DPhil in History (Economic and Social History)

The DPhil in History (Economic and Social History) is an advanced research degree awarded on the basis of successful completion of an individual research thesis and an oral examination. Economic and Social History is the study of economic activities, institutional change, and social organization in the historical past.

About the Course

The course encompasses a range of methods and topics but typically studies the past using social scientific rather than humanities-focused approaches. Although some students on the course produce theses using entirely qualitative empirical findings, most include quantitative data and analysis to support their arguments. Students are expected to frame their topics in historical context and engage with theories and debates in economic and social history.

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.

Full-time Study

The full-time course is studied over three to four years.
Students will be expected to submit their dissertation three or, at most, four years from the date of admission.
Full-time students will be expected to attend and contribute to two weekly research seminars.

Part-time Study

The part-time course has the same requirements but is studied over six to eight years.
Part-time students will be expected to submit their dissertation six or, at most, eight years from the date of admission.
Part-time students must attend the University on a regular basis, particularly in term-time, for supervision, study, research seminars, and skills training.

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 is the largest library system in the UK, holding more than 13 million printed items and providing access to e-journals.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of History. DPhil students usually have one or two supervisors, with at least one being a full member of the Faculty of History or the Department of Economics. Co-supervisors can be appointed from a different department if specialist knowledge is required.

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. This application is normally made by the second term for full-time students and by the fifth term for part-time students.

Graduate Destinations

Approximately half of students who complete their doctoral thesis go on to further academic posts worldwide. Some work as freelance historians, while others are in professional administrative positions in areas such as finance, the civil service, university administration, banking, and publishing.

Changes to the 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.

Research Areas

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

The Development of Wealth Inequality in the German Territories of the Holy Roman Empire
Enterprise, Family, and Institutions in the German Industrial Revolution
Fertility Decline in England during the Demographic Transition
Towards the Great Divergence: Economic Growth in the Yangzi Delta
Lives and Livelihoods of Rural Women in Qing China: Quantitative Evidence from Nanbu County
Discourses on Slavery: A Quantitative Re-examination of the Ideological Drivers of British Abolitionism
Thriving, Surviving, and Declining: Industrial Jobs and the Deindustrialization of Twentieth-Century England and Wales
Innocence and Experience: Early Childhood Education and Industrialization in England and Wales
Economic Stabilization in Civil-War China
Southern Cone of Latin America in the Bretton Woods International Monetary System
Who Performed the Business of Banking?: Women Bank Clerks and the City of London
Information, Networks, and Financial Crises in the Long-Run

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

A master's degree with a minimum of 68% overall and 68% for the dissertation.
An undergraduate degree with a minimum of 68% overall and 68% for the dissertation in history or cognate disciplines.
Entrance is very competitive, and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or equivalent.

Degree-Level Qualifications

For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate degree requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0. For those with a masters degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the masters-level requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0.

English Language Proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement.

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 a research proposal and written work.

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

Full-time study:
- Home: ｣14,180
- Overseas: ｣37,080
Part-time study:
- Home: ｣7,090
- Overseas: ｣18,540

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. The range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between ｣1,405 and ｣2,105 for each month spent in Oxford.

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
Brasenose College
Campion Hall
Christ Church
Corpus Christi College
Exeter College
Green Templeton 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
Nuffield College
Oriel College
Pembroke 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
St John's College
St Peter's College
Somerville College
University College
Wadham 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

It is not necessary for you to identify a potential supervisor in your application. However, please check that a supervisor with expertise in your proposed area of research is available before applying.

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: the central issue or problem with which you intend to grapple, and a working title
Historiography: some account of the current state of scholarship in this area
Sources: an indication of the sources you expect to use, where these can be found, how they will contribute to your research, what if any technical skills you will need to work with them
Method: some discussion of your approach to dealing with sources and constructing your thesis

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. Extracts from a longer piece of work are welcome, but please include a preface which puts the work in context.

After You've Submitted Your Application

Your application (including the supporting documents outlined above) will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on this course page. Whether or not you have secured funding will be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

DPhil in History (Economic and Social History)

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