Program Overview

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Introduction to the DPhil in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

The DPhil in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a part-time program offered by the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre (OCTC) in collaboration with Oxford Lifelong Learning. This program is designed for established CBT practitioners who wish to further their development as specialist practitioners through extensive research.

About the Course

The part-time DPhil in CBT is normally carried out over eight years, equivalent to four years of full-time study. The chosen topic of research should have a significant focus on issues related to cognitive behavioural theory and/or practice. Students are expected to participate in relevant seminars and tutorials held within OCTC and may be required to attend informal meetings with staff and other researchers.

Attendance

Part-time students are required to attend course-related activities in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year. The dates and pattern of attendance will be determined by mutual agreement with the supervisor.

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 and a vast array of electronic resources.

Supervision

Each student will have an identified Oxford-based supervisor who is interested in their research ideas. In some instances, a field supervisor may also be necessary to closely monitor and advise on practical research. A good supervisory relationship is crucial to research, and it is essential that the supervisor understands the research concepts and agrees on the potential and direction of the research.

Assessment

Students will be admitted initially as Probationary Research Students (PRS) and will develop and begin work on their thesis topic during the probationary period. They must apply for a Transfer of Status from PRS to DPhil status between the sixth and eighth academic terms after admission. This involves submitting a piece of written work examined by two assessors, neither of whom will be their supervisors. A Confirmation of Status assessment will also be required, focusing on the progress of the research, the quality of draft chapters/papers, and the plan for completion.

Graduate Destinations

DPhil students on this course are expected to be established CBT practitioners, and the extensive research they carry out will further their development as specialist practitioners. This might be in a clinical, research, or training capacity, or indeed all of these areas.

Changes to the Course

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out on the course page. However, there may be situations where changes are necessary, 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 a better understanding of the cognitive and behavioural aspects of a problem
• Developing an aspect of CBT to address a particular disorder
• Exploring theoretical or methodological issues in relation to cognitive behavioural practice

Entry Requirements

The requirements for this course include:

• A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a related field of study
• Alternatively, successfully completing a course equivalent to the PGCert in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, PGCert in Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Although a previous master's degree is not required, it will strengthen the application to have completed a master's with a distinction grade in a relevant subject
• For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.5 out of 4.0
• 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)
• CV/résumé
• Research proposal and personal statement (combined document, maximum 2,500 words)
• Written work (two essays, maximum 2,000 words each)

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 for which you may be eligible.

Costs

The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis. For the academic year, the annual course fees are:

• Home: Ł5,570
• Overseas: Ł9,825 Course fees cover teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies.

Additional Costs

You may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for attending the course in Oxford. Accommodation costs in Oxford can start at around Ł98 per night in a college or around Ł120 in a hotel (single rate). Students should also factor in costs for meals during their stay.

Living Costs

Your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances, but you will still need to cover your cost of living on a full-time basis for the duration of your course. The range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student living in Oxford is 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 for full-time study on the DPhil in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy:

• Campion Hall
• Kellogg College
• Linacre College
• St Catherine's College
• Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

Before you apply, you should identify an academic member of staff who is willing to supervise you and has the resources to support your proposed research project. You should do this by contacting them directly. Details of academic staff, including their research interests and contact details, can be found on the department's website.

Application Fee Waivers

An application fee of Ł20 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for applicants from low-income countries, refugees and displaced persons, UK applicants from low-income backgrounds, and applicants who applied for the Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

After You've Submitted Your Application

Your application will be assessed against the entry requirements detailed on the course page. Whether or not you have secured funding will be taken into consideration when your application is assessed. You can find out more about the shortlisting and selection process in the detailed guide to what happens next.