Research Degrees in Classics

1. Admission as a Probationer Research Student

Candidates may apply for admission as Probationer Research Student, or directly to DPhil status, on a full-time or part-time basis. In assessing applications from candidates seeking to undertake a research degree through part-time study, the Graduate Studies Committees of the Board of the Faculty of Classics shall have regard to evidence that the candidate can meet the following attendance requirements for their period of part-time study: attendance for a minimum of thirty 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 Committees of the Board of the Faculty of Classics. During a candidate's probationary period the attendance arrangements must take account of relevant induction and training events scheduled by the Faculty.

2. Transfer to M.Litt. and D.Phil. status

Candidates must submit the documents detailed in the Divisional regulations, above.

The written work to be submitted should be a single essay on a subject relevant to the candidate's proposed thesis. The essay should be approximately 7,000 words in length. In Languages and Literature candidates will also be required to have attended such classes as the Graduate Sudies Committee shall from time to time determine.

3. Confirmation of D.Phil. status

Candidates must submit the documents detailed in the Divisional regulations, above.

Candidates are required to submit a fully worked chapter or section of a chapter of the thesis, of approximately 10,000 words in length.

In Languages and Literature candidates will also be required to provide evidence of reading competence in German and a second modern language by the time of confirmation. Further details on the modern language policy are set out in the Faculty's D.Phil handbook.

4. Theses

All candidates when they submit their theses must state the approximate number of words therein both (a) including citations and, if they have been granted permission to count citations separately, (b) excluding citations. Theses exceeding the limit are liable to be returned unexamined for reduction to the proper length. Candidates who have submitted in their final term may be allowed a maximum period of two terms to effect the necessary reduction.

Theses submitted for the Degree of M.Litt. in Ancient History and Archaeology should not exceed 50,000 words, and those submitted for the Degree of D.Phil. should not exceed 100,000 words, excluding the bibliography, any text that is being edited or annotated, and any descriptive catalogue, but including footnotes and appendices. Leave to exceed these limits will only be given in exceptional cases, and upon the presentation of a detailed explanation by the candidate, together with a statement of the excess length required and the written support of the supervisor. Such applications should be made immediately it becomes clear that authorisation to exceed the limit will be required, and in any case not later than the Friday of the fifth week of the term before that in which application is made for appointment of examiners. Every candidate submitting a thesis must state the number of words therein.

A thesis submitted for the Degree of M.Litt. in Classical Languages and Literature should not exceed 60,000 words. There is no minimum word limit but approximately 50,000 words would be accepted as a guideline. A thesis submitted for the Degree of D.Phil. should not exceed 100,000 words. There is no minimum word limit but approximately 80,000 words would be accepted as a guideline. The word limit excludes the bibliography, any text that is being edited or annotated, translations of Greek or Latin quoted, and any descriptive catalogue, but includes Greek or Latin quoted, footnotes and appendices.