Program Overview

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Introduction to the DPhil in Fine Art

The DPhil in Fine Art is a research-based degree that supports students in developing their artistic practice and research skills. The program is designed to foster a community of artists, art historians, and art theorists who can work together in a stimulating and dynamic environment.

About the Course

The DPhil in Fine Art is offered by the Ruskin School of Art, which provides an exceptional research environment that enables students to work closely with academic staff and other students. The program is designed to support research in contemporary art making and contemporary art history and theory.

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, while part-time students are required to attend course-related activities in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year.

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, with over 13 million printed items and access to e-journals.

Studio and Technical Resources

The Ruskin School of Art has workshops for specialist training in digital, 2D, and 3D media. The project space at the Ruskin's re-developed Bullingdon Road site is equipped for the full breadth of contemporary art practices, from performance and digital installations to painting and sculptural work.

Museums and Galleries

Oxford holds some of the world's richest collections of art and artifacts. The Pitt Rivers Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the Ashmolean Museum are important centers for the research and display of artifacts and artworks within the University of Oxford.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Ruskin School of Art. Most students have the opportunity to meet regularly with their supervisors, and at least once a term.

Assessment

There are three stages in obtaining the degree of DPhil: Probationer Research Student (PRS) status, DPhil status, and confirmed DPhil status. Transfer (ToS) and Confirmation (CoS) of Status are formal assessment procedures.

Final Submission

The final submission consists of either a thesis of up to 80,000 words (for the contemporary art history and theory DPhil) or a thesis of art practice that makes an original contribution to knowledge and a written component (for the practice-led DPhil).

Research Areas

You will choose to undertake the DPhil by one of two strands: the contemporary art history and theory strand or the practice-led strand.

Contemporary Art History and Theory Strand

If you choose to undertake the contemporary art history and theory strand, supervision can be offered across a wide range of research projects. These may include aspects of exhibition curating and organization, historiography of twentieth-century art, and theorization of contemporary artistic practices.

Practice-Led Strand

If you choose to undertake the practice-led strand, art work will be undertaken as the central component of the registered research program, and will be presented in relation to written work that engages with the relevant theoretical, historical, technical, or critical context.

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

The minimum requirements are:

• A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honors in fine art, art history, or a related subject.
• A master's degree in fine art, art history, or a related subject is highly desirable.

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, written work, and a portfolio (for practice-led DPhil applicants).

Funding and Costs

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.

Annual Course Fees

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

• Full-time study: Ł14,180 (Home) and Ł37,080 (Overseas)
• Part-time study: Ł7,090 (Home) and Ł18,540 (Overseas)

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. You can express a preference for one of the colleges listed or ask us to find a college for you.

Full-Time Study

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

• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Exeter College
• Hertford College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• The Queen's College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Wycliffe Hall

Part-Time Study

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

• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Exeter College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• The Queen's College
• Regent's Park College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• Wadham 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

Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known.

Proposed Supervisor

If known, 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.

CV/Résumé

A CV/résumé is compulsory for this course. Most applicants choose to submit a document of one to two pages highlighting their academic achievements and any relevant professional experience.

Research Proposal

All applicants (practice-led and written thesis only) should submit a research proposal, comprising a detailed outline of their proposed research written in English.

Written Work and Portfolio (Practice-Led DPhil Only)

For practice-led DPhil applicants, a sample of recent written work is required, as well as a portfolio consisting of recently-completed studio work documented through up to 15 images and/or 12 minutes of moving image or sound work.

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.