Research degrees

Theses which are deemed not to meet these requirements may not be accepted.

Style and Format:

• Your thesis must be submitted in English, apart from quotations and recognised technical formulae, or where the Divisional or Faculty Board has determined otherwise;
• Pages of the thesis must be numbered;
• Include an abstract with each copy of your thesis (generally bound in with the thesis);
• Include a title page with each copy of your thesis, giving your full name, College, thesis title and your degree;
• The main body of your thesis should be in double spacing with quotations and footnotes in single spacing;
• Your thesis should be presented on A4 (or equivalent) paper, ensuring a heavier grade of paper if your thesis is double-sided;
• Portrait would usually be expected, landscape may be exceptionally permitted by agreement with the relevant board;
• Select an easily readable font, such as Times New Roman or Arial;
• Font size 12pt is preferred, but a minimum font size 11pt is recommended for text and 10pt for footnotes;
• You should allow a margin of 3 to 3.5cms on the left-hand/inner-edge of each page;
• Footnotes should normally be placed at the bottom of each page. Where they are given at the end of each chapter or at the end of the thesis, two separate unbound copies of footnotes should also be presented, for the convenience of the examiners.

Binding and Presentation (Examiners copies):

• Submit two copies of your thesis;
• Your thesis must be securely bound in either hard or soft covers. Loose-leaf or spiral binding is not acceptable;

Fine Art candidates offering studio practice as part of their submission must submit, together with the written portion of their thesis, documentation in appropriate form of the exhibition or portfolio of works to be examined.  Wherever possible, this documentation should be bound with the written portion of the thesis.

• It is recommended that you apply for the appointment of examiners two months before submitting your thesis.
• You must submit your examiners’ copies no later than the last day of the vacation immediately following the term in which your application for the appointment of examiners was made.
• You may submit the examiners’ copies of your thesis at the same time as applying for the appointment of examiners, but note that your work will not be examined until form GSO.3 has been approved and your examiners have confirmed their appointment.
• Copies of your thesis should be packed in separate, unsealed, padded envelopes, one copy per examiner.
• Submissions are made at the Submissions Desk at the Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford OX1 4BG. The Examination Schools are open between 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

• Your internal examiner is responsible for making all the arrangements for your viva examination and will contact you to arrange a date for your viva (usually within a month of receiving your thesis).
• You MUST NOT contact your examiners yourself, except when you have to agree a date for the viva. If your examiners do not contact you within a month of receiving the thesis, the Research Degrees Team will contact them on your behalf to enquire regarding a viva date.
• If you wish to ask for an early viva, the application setting out the reasons for your request must be made using form GSO.16 at the same time as you submit your form for the appointment of examiners (GSO.3). You may not request an early viva to take place within a month of submitting your thesis.
• You must present for a viva in academic dress – subfusc  and a gown. The gown should be that of your present status (i.e. Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy), or the gown and hood of the degree held from your own university, or, if an Oxford graduate, the gown and hood of your Oxford degree.
• Don't forget to bring a copy of your thesis with you to the viva.

Your examiners may recommend that you complete minor corrections before they recommend award of the degree. Your examiners will provide you with a list of the required corrections. If you have not received the list of corrections within two weeks of the viva, then you should contact the Graduate Studies Assistant for your subject area.

The University expects that these minor corrections will be completed to the satisfaction of your internal examiner within three months of being issued.  If, for exceptional reasons, additional time is needed you may apply for an additional three months by submitting a copy of form GSO.18 ‘(Extension of Time for Minor Corrections’).  If you fail to complete your corrections within the time allowed your name will be removed from the Graduate Register and a reinstatement application will be required.

• If you are re-submitting your thesis, you are required to pay the re-submission fee (£124 in this academic year) when you apply for the appointment of examiners.
• Your resubmission fee should be paid via the Research Degrees section of the University's Online Shop.
• Although you may propose new examiners at the time of re-submission, it is usual for your previous examiners to be proposed.
• The report on the first examination will automatically be sent to the examiners of the re-submitted thesis. This is to ensure that the examiners are aware of the background to the revision which you have made. If you wish to make a case for this not happening, permission must be sought from the Proctors.  You will need to apply in writing via the relevant Graduate Studies Assistant, stating your reasons, before or at the same time as re-applying for the appointment of examiners.