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General Regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy: Part 3 Admission of Candidates

  • 1. Candidates qualified under Part 2 of this section may apply for admission as Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the board concerned through the Registrar. Such applications shall be accompanied by:
    • (i) a statement from the supervisor containing their view of the proposed subject for a thesis and of the readiness of the candidate to undertake advanced research (here and hereafter in these regulations, in the case of Fine Art candidates offering studio practice as part of their submission, and in the case of Music candidates offering a portfolio of musical compositions as part of their submission, ‘thesis’ shall be understood to include the totality of the candidate’s submission). A supervisor may delay an early application in the interests of the student, but must enable students to apply for their assessment within the prescribed time limits; 
    • (ii) a statement of support for the application from the candidate's society; 
    • (iii) a statement of the subject of the proposed thesis and details of the manner in which the candidate proposes to treat it. 
  • 2. Save for those applying under the provisions of Part 2, cl. 1 (ii) of this section, applicants shall in addition be required to submit written work to the board, which work shall be assessed by two assessors appointed by the board, neither of whom shall normally be the candidate's supervisor. The precise manner and form of the written work shall be determined by regulation by each board. In the case of Fine Art candidates offering studio practice, and in the case of Music candidates offering a portfolio of musical compositions as part of their submissions, this will include such studio or compositional work as the board requires. The process of assessment must always include an interview with the applicant. Upon completion of their assessment of the candidate's work, the assessors shall make a recommendation as to whether the application for transfer to D.Phil. status should be granted. In each case the assessors shall make a reasoned written report to the board in support of their recommendation.
  • 3. The board shall consider the candidate's application together with the material supplied in accordance with clauses 1 and 2 above. No application for transfer shall be granted unless the assessors shall have certified and the board is satisfied that the candidate is capable of carrying out advanced research, and that the subject of the thesis and the manner of its treatment proposed by the candidate are acceptable; and unless the board or department under whose aegis the research is to be conducted has adequate facilities to enable the research to be undertaken.
  • 4. Subject to the approval of the Education Committee, each board shall have power to determine by regulation what other test or condition, if any, it may require before approving admission to D.Phil. status. Each board shall be empowered, without further authority, to require from the supervisor any further confidential report on an applicant's suitability to pursue research towards the D.Phil.
  • 5. It shall be the duty of the Registrar to submit any application made under these provisions to the board concerned, and to inform the candidate of the outcome as soon as may be.
  • 6. A candidate whose first application for transfer to D.Phil. status is not approved shall be permitted to make one further application, following the procedures laid down in clauses 1–4 above, and shall be granted an extension of time for one term if this is necessary for the purposes of making the application.
  • 7. An applicant who transfers to the status of Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall be reckoned as having held that status from the time they were admitted to their previous status unless the board shall determine otherwise.
  • 8. The interview required under cl.2 of this Part shall be held in Oxford in a suitable university or college building, unless in exceptional circumstances the board concerned gives special permission for it to be held at some other place. Such permission shall only be granted where the applicant and both the assessors have agreed in writing to the proposed arrangements.
  • 9. In exceptional circumstances, application may be made to the relevant board for special permission to hold the interview required under cl.2 of this Part using audiovisual electronic communication. Special permission may be granted for any or all of the applicant and assessors to take part in the interview using audiovisual electronic communication. The board concerned may approve the application where:
    • (i) it accepts that no alternative and timely arrangements may reasonably be put in place; 
    • (ii) the proposed arrangements are acceptable to both assessors and to the applicant, all of whom have agreed to them in writing;
    • (iii) it is content to bear the additional cost of the necessary arrangements;
    • (iv) the interview takes place according to the protocol approved by the Education Committee;
    • (v) in the event of any technical or other problems, the validity of the process used to conduct the interview and to determine the outcome will be decided by the Proctors.