Course summary

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2023). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas. It is possible to study for a doctorate by part-time research in archaeology. Completing the DPhil on a part-time basis normally requires between six and eight years of study, compared with a full-time DPhil which normally takes three to four years to complete. The part-time DPhil programme draws on knowledge and skills acquired over many years of providing specialist classes in archaeology and profits from close links with the many different archaeologists elsewhere in the University. It caters for students specialising mainly in landscape and professional archaeology topics, largely concentrated on Britain and Europe. Occasionally, other topics are accepted but admission in these cases is strictly dependent on the availability of appropriate supervision elsewhere in the university. Please note that candidates, even those with an academically strong background, may not be admitted if appropriate supervision is not available for your proposed research topic. The DPhil programme is overseen by the University’s Continuing Education Board, and admission is through the Department for Continuing Education. The part-time DPhil regulations normally require a minimum of six years’ part-time study (equivalent to three years full-time). If you are a research student you may be required to undertake appropriate research training provided within the department. In addition, you will be strongly encouraged to participate in seminars and informal meetings with staff and other researchers. The major commitment of time will be to individual study and research, involving wide and intense reading, data collection and analysis, and writing. As a part-time student you will be required to attend supervision, training, seminars, milestone assessments (e.g. transfer of status) and other obligations in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year. There will be flexibility in the dates and pattern of attendance, which will be determined by mutual agreement with your supervisor. Any dates for fieldwork should be discussed with your supervisor. When not in physical attendance at Oxford, you will be expected to continue your research to an agreed time-plan. Your supervision will continue as normal, via online and remote means. You should take account of any time differences when planning online meetings with your supervisor or graduate training. You will have access to the full range of Oxford’s library, archive and computing facilities. You are encouraged to participate as fully as possible in the wider research environment for archaeology at Oxford, including attending seminars, discussion groups and lectures advertised by the School of Archaeology, Oxford University Archaeological Society and Graduate Archaeology Oxford and elsewhere in the University. The Department for Continuing Education has its own stock of fieldwork equipment and access to specialist facilities elsewhere in the University may be arranged where these are required.