Research Degrees in Geography

Differences from 2016/17 to 2023/24

  • For students admitted before 1 October 2015

  • 1. Transfer from Probationer Research Student status to M.Litt., M.Sc., or D.Phil. status

    Governance

    The transferDPhil in Geography and the Environment shall be under the supervision of statusthe normallyGraduate takesStudies placeCommittee not later thanof the thirdSchool termof afterGeography admissionand asthe Environment.

    2. Attendance requirements

    The DPhil programme shall be offered on a researchfull-time studentand part-time basis. StudentsFull-time students are required to demonstrate thatmeet the researchresidence alreadyrequirements accomplishedset showsout promisein §6 of the abilityGeneral to produce a satisfactory M.Litt., M.Sc., or D.Phil. thesis on the intended topic. Students are required to submit to the director of Graduate Studies a report title and abstract (of no more than 300 words/one side of A4) by Friday of eighth week Michaelmas Term. Each student will also give a Transfer of Status Presentation of fifteen minutes (plus ten minutes of questions) during noughth week of Hilary Term. Students should submit two copies (and one electronic copy) of a research proposal of no more than 7,500 words, including an outline of research plans, a preliminary review of the literature, methodology progress to date, bibliography and a timetable for completion to the Director of Graduate studies by Friday of eighth week Hilary Term. On receiving the application, the Director of Graduate studies will, on behalf of the Graduate studies Committee, appoint two assessors (normally two members of the academic staff) neither of whom will normally be the student’s supervisor. The interviewers will read the script before submitting to the board their reports and a joint summary statement supporting their recommendation. Students will be required to attend a Transfer of Status Assessment Meeting with their supervisor(s) and transfer of status assessors to discuss their report. These meetings will be held during 1st week of Trinity Term. A student whose first application is unsuccessful may be given one further opportunity to apply for transfer, following the procedures laid down, and may apply for an extension of time for one term if this is necessaryRegulations for the purposeDegree of making the application.

  • 2. ConfirmationDoctor of D.Phil status

    Application for Confirmation of D.Phil status should normally be made not earlier than the sixth term from admission as a research student and not later than the ninth termPhilosophy. The department expects that, in most cases, the conformation will be made immediately after return from field-work and no later than eighth week Trinity Term of the student’s third year. No candidate may submit a thesis for the doctoral degree without having first obtained confirmed doctoral status. Any student who does not confirm by the end of their ninth term, will be required to apply for a deferral of confirmation of status and may be allowed up to three terms for this purpose. Any student who fails to confirm status within nine terms of registering as a PRS (or within a maximum of twelve terms where deferral has been approved) will have their student status lapsed. Students who have taken an M.Phil first and were admitted directly to D.Phil status, should confirm status within three terms of starting the D.Phil. Any student who fails to confirm within nine terms of starting the M.Phil (or within a maximum of twelve terms where deferral has been approved) will have their status lapsed. The purpose of the submission for confirmed status is to ensure that the candidate is working to a doctoral standard.

    The confirmation report should show evidence that the research already accomplished gives promise of the ability to produce a satisfactory D.Phil. thesis on the intended topic. For this purpose the candidate must submit to the Director of Graduate Studies two copies (together with an electronic version) of a report describing in approximately 3,000 words the aims and methods of the projected thesis. The student will also be required to include with the written work an outline of the proposed thesis, including the topics to be covered in individual chapters, and a timetable for completion. In addition, two substantive chapters of no more than 10,000 words each must also be submitted. Candidates wishing to undertake the D.Phil. via scientific papers should substitute the chapters of the thesis with two papers.

    On receiving the application the Director of Graduate studies will appoint two assessors (normally two academic members of staff) neither of whom will normally be the student’s supervisor. The assessors will read the script before submitting to the board their written reports and a joint summary statement supporting their recommendation. Students will be required to meet with their assessors and supervisor at an assessment interview to discuss their report. A student whose first application is unsuccessful may be given one further opportunity to apply for confirmation, following the procedures laid down, normally within one term if necessary for the purpose of making the application. Students will be notified of the outcome and they should receive advice from their supervisor(s) on their confirmation assessment.

  • 3. Submission of theses

    Candidates for the Degrees of M.Sc., M.Litt., and D.Phil. are required to submit at least two sets of all maps, diagrams, and other illustrations, one of which should be a reproduction of the original set. The copy of the thesis deposited in the Bodleian should be one of those with a complete set of maps and illustrations.

    Applications for leave to present only one set of maps, diagrams and other illustrations may be granted in exceptional circumstances, but such concessions will be granted only very sparingly.

    M.Sc theses should be approximately 40,000 words, inclusive of appendices but exclusive of tables, figures, and references.

    M.Litt theses should not exceed 50,000 words, exclusive of the bibliography, unless for exceptional reasons and on the recommendation of the candidate’s supervisor the board otherwise determines.

    D.Phil. theses submitted by students in Geography must not exceed 100,000 words, exclusive of the bibliography but including notes, glossary, appendices, etc., unless for exceptional reasons and on the recommendation of the candidate’s supervisor the board otherwise determines.

    A D.Phil thesis may be accepted for examination if comprised of a minimum of four scientific papers submitted for publication if not yet accepted or published. Such a body of work will be deemed acceptable provided it represents a coherent and focused body or research. It should include an Introduction, a Survey of Literature, and a Conclusion. Current word limits and conditions remain in place.

    A D.Phil. thesis submitted under this rubric may include joint publications. In that case, all co-authors must certify in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies of the School that the majority of the work represents that of the candidate.

    Candidates wishing to proceed in this manner must obtain permission from his/her supervisor, the School, and the Divisional Board and must be approved at the time of confirmation for D.Phil. status. Evidence must be submitted at the time permission is sought that the scientific papers have been submitted to identified journals.

    If, after a petition is accepted, a candidate wishes to revert to a standard D.Phil thesis format, the candidate must lodge a petition with his/her supervisor, the School, the Divisional Board showing good cause for the change.

  • For students admitted after 1 October 2015

  • [From MT 2017: 1. Special provisions for partPart-time D.Phil. students

  • Candidates are required to meet the following attendance requirements for their period of part-time study: attendance for a minimum of 30 days of university-based work each year, normally coinciding with the full terms of the academic year, to be arranged with the agreement of their supervisor, for the period that their names remain on the Register of Graduate Students unless individually dispensed by the Graduate Studies Committee. During a candidatestudent's probationary period the attendance arrangements must take account of relevant induction and training events scheduled by the department.]

  • 13. [2.] Transfer fromto ProbationerDPhil, MLitt or MSc by Research Studentstatus

    Students statuswill normally be expected to M.Litt.,achieve M.Sc., or D.Phil. status

    The transferTransfer of statusStatus normallyin takes place not later than thetheir third term [Fromafter MT 2017:admission (or sixth term after admission for part-time students)] after admission as a research student. 

    Students areapplying requiredfor to demonstrate that the research already accomplished shows promiseTransfer of theStatus ability to produce should:

    • (a satisfactory M.Litt., M.Sc., or D.Phil. thesis on the intended topic. Students are required to) submit to the director of Graduate Studies a report title and abstract (ofor no more than 300 words/one side of A4) to the Research Degrees Coordinator by Friday of eighth week Michaelmasof Termthe [Fromfirst MTterm 2017: (Hilarysecond term for part-time students)].;

    • (b) Each student will also givemake a Transfer of Status Presentationpresentation of fifteen minutes (plus ten minutes of questions) duringin noughth week of Hilarytheir Term [From MT 2017: of the first year (noughth week of Hilarysecond term of(fifth the second yearterm for part- time students)]. Students should;

    • (c) submit a completed Transfer of Status application form and two copies (and one electronic copy) of a research proposal of no more than 7,500 words, including ana thesis title, outline of research plans, a preliminary review of the literature, a preliminary review of methodology, progress to date, bibliography and a timetable for completion, fieldwork design (if applicable), and bibliography to the DirectorResearch ofDegrees Graduate studiesCoordinator by Friday of eighth week Hilary Term [From MT 2017: of thetheir first year (Friday of eighth week of Hilarysecond term of(fifth the second yearterm for part-time students)]. On receiving the application, the Director of

    The Graduate studiesStudies Committee will, on behalf of the Graduate studies Committee, appoint two assessors (normally two members of the academic staff) neither of whom will normally be the student’s supervisor. The interviewerswho will read the scriptwork, beforeinterview submittingthe student and submit a recommendation to the boardCommittee their reports andin a jointwritten summary statement supporting their recommendationreport. [UntilThe MT 2017: StudentsCommittee will bedecide requiredwhether to attend aapprove Transfer of Status Assessment Meeting with their supervisor(s) and transfer of status assessors to discuss their report. These meetings will be held early in Trinity Term.

    A student whose first application for Transfer of Status is unsuccessfulnot mayapproved be(including givenwhere the outcome is a recommendation to transfer to the MLitt or MSc by Research) is permitted to make one further opportunity to apply for transfer, following the procedures laid down,application and maywill applybe forgranted an extension of time for one term if this is necessary for the purpose of making the application.] [From MT 2017: Students will be required to attend a Transfer of Status Assessment Meeting with their assessors to discuss their report. These meetings will be held early in Trinity term of the first year (Trinity term of the second year for part-time students). A student whose first application is unsuccessful may be given one further opportunity to apply for transfer, following the procedures laid down, and may apply for an extension of time for one term (or up to two terms for part-time students) to Probationer Research Student status if thisnecessary. isIf necessaryafter fora second attempt, the purposeGraduate Studies Committee can neither approve transfer to the DPhil or to the MLitt or to the MSc by Research, the student will be removed from the Register of makingGraduate the applicationStudents.]

  • 24. [3.] Confirmation of D.Phil.DPhil status

    [UntilStudents MTwho 2017:were Applicationinitially foradmitted to the status of a Probationer Research Student must achieve Confirmation of D.Phil.Status statusnot shouldlater than their ninth term or normally be made not earlier than thetheir sixth term from admission as a research student and(or not later than the nintheighteenth term. The department expects that, in most cases, the confirmation will be made immediately after return from field-work and no later than eighth week Trinity Term of the student’s third year. No candidate may submit a thesis for the doctoral degree without having first obtained confirmed doctoral status. Any student who does not confirm by the end of their ninth term, will be required to apply for a deferral of confirmation of status and may be allowed up to three terms for this purpose. Any student who fails to confirm status within nine terms of registering as a PRS (or within a maximum of twelve terms where deferral has been approved) will have their student status lapsed. Students who have taken an M.Phil first and were admitted directly to D.Phil. status, should confirm status within three terms of starting the D.Phil. Any student who fails to confirm within nine terms of starting the M.Phil (or within a maximum of twelve terms where deferral has been approved) will have their status lapsed. The purpose of the submission for confirmed status is to ensure that the candidate is working to a doctoral standard.]

  • [From MT 2017: Application for Confirmation of D.Phil. status should normally be made not earlier than the sixth term (twelfth term for part-time students). fromStudents admissionadmitted directly to DPhil status having completed a full-time MPhil in the School of Geography and the Environment must achieve Confirmation of Status by the end of their third term (sixth term for part-time students) as a researchgraduate student, andexclusive not later thanof the time spent on the Register of Students while undertaking the full-time MPhil.
    Applications for Confirmation of Status should be submitted to the Research Degrees Coordinator by eighth week of the student’s ninth term (eighteenth term for part-time students). Theand departmentwill expects that, in most cases,comprise the confirmationfollowing:

    • (a) willa becompleted made immediately after return from field-work and no later than eighth week Trinity TermConfirmation of theStatus student’sapplication third year (eighth week Trinity term of the student's sixth year for part-time students). No candidate may submit a thesis for the doctoral degree without having first obtained confirmed doctoral status. Any student who does not confirm by the end of their ninth term (eighteenth term for part-time students), will be required to apply for a deferral of confirmation of status and may be allowed up to three terms (six terms for part-time students) for this purpose. Any student who fails to confirm status within nine terms (eighteen terms for part-time students) of registering as a PRS (or within a maximum of twelve terms (twenty-four terms for part-time students) where deferral has been approved) will have their student status lapsed. Students who have taken an M.Phil first and were admitted directly to D.Phil. status, should confirm status within three terms (six terms for part-time students) of starting the D.Phil. Any student who fails to confirm within nine terms (twelve terms for part-time students) of starting the M.Phil (or within a maximum of twelve terms (eighteen terms for part-time students) where deferral has been approved) will have their status lapsed. The purpose of the submission for confirmed status is to ensure that the candidate is working to a doctoral standard.]form;

    TheIn confirmation report should show evidence that the research already accomplished gives promise of the ability to produce a satisfactory D.Phil thesis on the intended topic. For this purpose the candidate must submit to the Director of Graduate Studiesaddition, two copies (together withand an electronic version)copy of:

    • (b) a report describing in approximately 3,000 words the aims and methods of the projected thesis. The student will also be required to include with the written workproject, an outline of the proposed thesis, including the topics to be covered in individual chapters, and a timetable for completion. In addition,;

    • (c) two substantive chapters of no more than 10,000 words each, must also be submitted. Candidates wishing to undertake the D.Phil via scientific papers should substitute the chapters of the thesis withor two papers for students submitting an article-based thesis.

    [Until MT 2017: On receiving the application the Director ofThe Graduate studiesStudies Committee will appoint two assessors (normally two academic members of staff) neither of whom will normally be the student’s supervisor. The assessorswho will read the scriptwork, beforeinterview submittingthe student and submit a recommendation to the boardCommittee their written reports andin a joint summary statement supporting their recommendation. Students will be required to meet with their assessors and supervisor at an assessment interview to discuss theirwritten report. The Committee will decide whether to approve Confirmation of Status.

    A student whose first application for Confirmation of Status is unsuccessfulnot mayapproved beis givenpermitted to make one further opportunity to apply for confirmation, following the procedures laid down, normally within one term if necessary for the purpose of making the application. Students will be notified of the outcome and they should receive advice from their supervisor(s) on their confirmation assessment.]

  • [From MT 2017: On receiving the application the Director of Graduate studies will appoint two assessors (normally two academic members of staff) neither of whom will normally be the student’s supervisor. The assessors will read the script before submitting to the board their written reports and a joint summary statement supporting their recommendation. Students will be required to meet with their assessors at an assessment interview to discuss their report. A student whose first application is unsuccessful may be given one further opportunity to apply for confirmation, following the procedures laid down, normally within one term (two terms for part-time students) of the original application, and will granted an extension of one term (up to two terms for part-time students) if necessary. If after the second attempt the Committee can neither approve the application nor approve transfer to the MLitt or the MSc by Research, the student will be removed from the Register of Graduate Students.

    5. Theses

    The thesis must not exceed 100,000 words for the purposeDPhil, of50,000 makingwords for the application.MLitt, Studentsor will40,000 bewords notifiedfor the MSc by Research, the limit to include notes, glossary, appendices etc, but not tables, figures, and bibliography, unless for exceptional reason and on the recommendation of the outcome and they should receive advice from theirstudent’s supervisor(s) onthe theirGraduate confirmationStudies assessmentCommittee otherwise determines.]

    3. [4.] Submission of theses

    Candidates for the Degrees of M.Sc., M.Litt., and D.Phil.Students are required to include a complete sets of all maps, diagrams, and other illustrations, bound into the copy of the thesis deposited in the Bodleian.

    M.Sc.Article-based by Research theses should not exceed 40,000 words, M.Litt. theses should not exceed 50,000 words, and D.Phil. theses should not exceed 100,000 words. In all case word counts are inclusive of notes, glossary, appendices etc. but exclusive of tables, figures, and bibliography, unless for exceptional reasons and on the recommendation of the candidate’s supervisor the board otherwise determines.thesis

    A D.Phil.DPhil thesis may be accepted for examination if comprised of a minimum of fourthree academic papers submitted for publication in peer review journals. The papers do not have to be accepted or published. The papers must be accompanied by a framing document thatwhich will normally be between 15,000 andto 20,000 words and which comprises an Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, and Conclusion. Current word limits and conditions remain in place.

    A D.Phil.DPhil thesis submitted under this rubric may include joint publications. In thatsuch case, the student should normally be the first author for papers submitted as part of their D.Phil. thesis. Where this is not the casecases, a clear justificationstatement should be givenprovided and all co-authors must certify in writing thatby the majoritystudent to the examiners to confirm the student’s substantive contribution to each of the workpublications. representsThis that of the candidate and a letter to this effectstatement must be submittedsupported with thea applicationcontributors’ agreement for appointmenteach of examiners to the Director of Graduate Studies. There are no restrictions on the number,publication or order,letters of otherfrom co-authors, reflecting the variation in established academic practice. Papers should be either incorporated as typescript pages or as offprints bound into the body of the thesis.

    CandidatesStudents wishing to proceed in this manner mustshould obtainindicate permissiontheir fromintention his/herin supervisortheir andTransfer theof SchoolStatus report and must beformally approvedapply atto the timeGraduate Studies Committee with the support of confirmationtheir supervisor when submitting their application for D.PhilConfirmation of Status. status.If Evidenceafter must also be submitted at this time that at least one academic paperpermission has been submitted to an identified journals, if not yet accepted or published.

    If, after an application is acceptedgranted, a candidatestudent wishes to revert to a standard D.Phil.DPhil thesis format, the candidatestudent must submit an application to the Director of Graduate Studies, with a supporting statement from his/her supervisor, and the School showing good cause for the change.

Further details are provided in the Graduate Studies Handbook.