Program Overview

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DPhil in International Development

The DPhil in International Development provides an opportunity for outstanding students to pursue in-depth multi- and interdisciplinary research into processes of social, political and economic development and change in the global South.

About the Course

Academics at the Oxford Department of International Development (ODID) can offer supervision in a wide range of subjects. The department also has close connections with other departments and research centres across the University.

As a DPhil student, you will undertake your own original research project under the guidance of your supervisor. The supervisor will help develop and guide your project and, at later stages, provide feedback on chapter drafts. However, you will work to a significant extent on your own, and you will need a high level of motivation and self-discipline.

During an initial probationary period as a Probationer Research Student (PRS), you will develop and begin work on your thesis topic. You will be offered training in relevant research methods, computing and other skills, and you will have the opportunity to attend lectures, seminars and classes in your general topic area.

As a PRS, you will also take one taught course, either in research methods or from an Oxford masters degree relevant to your research, which will be examined. Full-time students usually transfer to full DPhil status by the end of their first year and part-time students usually transfer by the end of their second year.

Following satisfactory progress and transfer to full DPhil status, you may leave Oxford for up to three terms (six terms for part-time students) in order to conduct fieldwork, if the project requires. You will then continue the course by carrying out your own research under the guidance of your supervisor, with whom you will have the opportunity to meet or correspond. Full-time students should return to Oxford after fieldwork for at least three terms.

Attendance

Time to completion depends on the complexity of your individual research programme and on the amount of fieldwork that may be required. The University considers that the normal time for completion of the DPhil should be three to four years (six to eight years for part-time), or two to three years (four to six years for part-time) for students who transfer to the DPhil after the MPhil in Development Studies, although the exact time will vary depending on the complexity and ambition of the project.

Full-time students are expected to be resident in Oxford during the PRS period. If you study part-time, you will be required to attend, in person, classes, seminars, supervision meetings and other obligations in Oxford for a certain number of 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.

• The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK.
• The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities.
• The Social Sciences Library is nearby offering study spaces, discussion rooms, printing and IT facilities and research support.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Oxford Department of International Development and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff.

Each student/supervisor relationship is different and the number of meetings varies, but generally, students are likely to meet with their supervisor two or three times per term.

Assessment

You will be admitted initially as a Probationer Research Student (PRS). At the end of your first year, you will be examined on one taught course (either in research methods or from an Oxford masters degree relevant to your research). You must pass this course in order to transfer from PRS status to full DPhil status.

You also need departmental approval of a fully developed research plan, which you will present in your transfer paper to two assessors approved by the departments Graduate Studies Committee.

Graduate Destinations

Graduates of the DPhil in International Development have a strong track record in developing academic careers in universities and research institutions across the world.

Research Areas

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

• Migration
• Refugees and humanitarianism
• Urban, agrarian and environmental development
• Political and social change and conflict
• State-making and disciplinary regimes
• Public health and social policies
• Global governance, diplomatic studies, and security
• Economic growth and structural transformation
• Macroeconomics and public finance
• Firms and households
• Poverty and inequality
• Technology

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 distinction or a very high 2:1/merit in a relevant social science subject
  • A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a relevant social science subject
• GRE General Test scores: No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are required
• Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience:
  • Research or working experience in a relevant area may be an advantage but is not essential
  • Evidence of training in research methods is required
• 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.

Costs

• Annual course fees for the academic year at the University of Oxford:
  • Full-time study:
    • Home: Ł17,310
    • Overseas: Ł31,110
  • Part-time study:
    • Home: Ł8,655
    • Overseas: Ł15,555
• What do course fees cover?: Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies
• How long do I need to pay course fees?: Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability

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.

• Living costs for full-time study: For the academic year, the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between Ł1,405 and Ł2,105 for each month spent in Oxford
• Living costs for part-time study: 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

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college.

• Full-time study: The following colleges accept students for full-time study on this course:
  • Balliol College
  • Blackfriars
  • Brasenose College
  • Campion Hall
  • Exeter College
  • Green Templeton College
  • Harris Manchester College
  • Hertford College
  • Jesus College
  • Kellogg College
  • Lady Margaret Hall
  • Linacre College
  • Lincoln College
  • Magdalen College
  • Merton 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 Hugh's College
  • Somerville College
  • Wolfson College
  • Wycliffe Hall
• Part-time study: The following colleges accept students for part-time study on this course:
  • Balliol College
  • Blackfriars
  • Brasenose College
  • Campion Hall
  • Exeter College
  • Harris Manchester College
  • Jesus College
  • Kellogg College
  • Lady Margaret Hall
  • Linacre College
  • Regent's Park College
  • St Antony's College
  • St Catherine's College
  • St Cross College
  • Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application.

• Application fee waivers: An application fee of Ł20 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:
  • Applicants from low-income countries
  • Refugees and displaced persons
  • UK applicants from low-income backgrounds
  • Applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria
• Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?: It is strongly advised that you make contact with potential supervisors before you apply
• Completing your application: You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents

Supporting Documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application.

• 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
• Research proposal: The research proposal should be written in English only and should set out your research topic succinctly
• Written work: Academic essays or other writing samples from your most recent qualification, written in English, are required

Application Deadlines

• 12:00 midday UK time on: Tuesday 27 January 2026: Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships, Final application deadline for entry in

Key Facts

• Course code: RD_DT2 (Full-time), RD_DT9P1 (Part-time)
• Expected length: 3-4 years (Full-time), 6-8 years (Part-time)
• Places in: c. 13 (Full-time), c. 2 (Part-time)
• Applications/year: 158 (Full-time), 14 (Part-time)
• Expected start: 5 October 2026
• English language: Higher level required