Program Overview

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Introduction to the DPhil in Area Studies (Africa)

The DPhil in Area Studies (Africa) is a research-based course that explores Africa through interdisciplinary approaches, covering politics, history, society, literature, and globalization, with opportunities for fieldwork and regional focus.

About the Course

The course offers the opportunity to undertake a doctoral project dedicated to the study of a specific country or region, or else to compare more than one region, using social science approaches whilst also generating theories and propositions that are of value across regions.

Research Areas

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

• Politics
• Globalization
• History
• Literature
• Society

Recent doctoral research projects undertaken by students undertaking the Africa stream include:

• Emotion, Uncertainty and Higher Education in Nigeria
• A History of Gold Mining in the Asante Region of Ghana
• Teenage Pregnancy, Motherhood and HIV in Botshabelo, South Africa

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.

Supervision

For this course, the allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff.

Assessment

Candidates for the DPhil are normally admitted with Probationer Research Student (PRS) status. As a PRS, you will develop your research proposal and skills, and produce a draft section or sections of your thesis, in order to apply for the Transfer of Status that will end your probationary period as a research student and give you full DPhil status.

Graduate Destinations

This course is completing its sixth year, therefore data on alumni destinations is yet to be captured. However, area studies graduates have found employment in many and diverse fields including business, finance, law, civil service, journalism, government, and industry.

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

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

• A master's degree with distinction in a subject relevant to your proposed research which includes appropriate research methods training.
• A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honors in any subject relevant to your proposed research.

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.

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.

Costs

Annual Course Fees

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

• Full-time study:
  • Home: ｣22,600
  • Overseas: ｣32,960
• Part-time study:
  • Home: ｣11,300
  • Overseas: ｣16,480

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
• Campion Hall
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Kellogg College
• Linacre College
• Oriel College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Hugh's College
• Wolfson 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
• Proposed supervisor
• Referees: Three overall, academic preferred
• Official transcript(s)
• Personal statement and research proposal: Statement of a maximum of 1,000 words and proposal of a maximum of 2,500 words
• Written work: Two essays, a maximum of 2,000 words each

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.