DPhil in Economic and Social History

Themes of this course include:

• Demography
• Economic inequality
• Economic relations
• International monetary systems
• Labour markets
• Political and economic systems
• War and economics

Recently completed thesis titles include:

• The Development of Wealth Inequality in the German Territories of the Holy Roman Empire, 1300-1850
• Chile, Argentina and the Bretton Woods System (1945-1973)
• Innocence and experience: early childhood education and industrialisation in England and Wales, 1767-1876
• Economic Growth in the Baltic States since 1913: From Capitalism to Socialism and Back
• Preparing for localism: a socioeconomic history of education and housing in Hong Kong between 1950 and 1981
• Falling behind and catching up: China's productivity in comparative perspective, 1840-2010
• Thriving, Surviving and Declining: Industrial jobs and the deindustrialisation of twentieth century England and Wales

Information on research and academic and research staff can be found on the Oxford Centre for Economic and Social History website.

Official course title

Doctor of Philosophy in Economic and Social History

Award

Course code

Full time: RD_HSHN2

Part time: RD_HSHN9P2

The full-time course is studied over three to four years, the part-time course has the same requirements, but is studied over six to eight years. If studying full-time, you will be expected to submit your dissertation three, or at most four, years from the date of admission. If studying part-time, you will be expected to submit your dissertation six, or at most eight, years from the date of admission.

Although there will be no requirement to live in Oxford, part-time research students must attend the University on a regular basis (particularly in term-time) for supervision, study, research seminars and skills training. The dates of attendance will be determined by mutual agreement with your supervisor.

The explicitly interdisciplinary nature of this DPhil means that the faculty collaborates with other divisions and departments within the University, predominantly with the departments of Economics, Politics and International Relations, Sociology and Management Studies within the Social Sciences Division.

History in Oxford stretches from around c. 300 to the present, and embraces an exceptionally broad geographical range. It comprises an active research community of up to 800 academics and graduate students. The faculty’s research is organised around historical periods, research centres, or in collaborative and individual research projects, and graduates are key participants in the wide range of seminars, workshops and conferences run by the History Faculty. Further opportunities for exchange are provided by the interdisciplinary communities fostered within individual colleges, which also offer dedicated support for graduates by means of personal advisors. The Oxford Centre for Research in the Humanities (TORCH) offers a stimulating range of interdisciplinary activities, as does the Oxford Martin School and the new Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities. History graduates are also encouraged to join the Oxford History Graduate Network (OHGN), which fosters friendships, conversations and collaboration.

The University's core research resource in the Humanities are the Bodleian Libraries, whose combined collections contain more than eleven million printed items, in addition to more than 50,000 e-journals and a vast quantity of manuscripts, maps, music and other materials.

The Bodleian Libraries’ Special Collections Department attracts scholars from all over the world. Further strengths include the countless databases and digital resources currently offered by the Bodleian and being developed through Oxford’s Digital Humanities programme.

You will also be able to draw on the specialist resources offered by the Bodleian History Faculty Library which provides dedicated support and training courses for all graduates. You also have access to the many college libraries and to college archives which can house significant collections of personal papers as well as institutional records dating back to the middle ages.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of History and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Offers will only be made if appropriate supervision is available. 

DPhil students usually have one or two supervisors. For the DPhil in Economic and Social History, one supervisor must be a full member of the Faculty of History or the Department of Economics. Co-supervisors can be appointed from a different department if specialist knowledge is required. In exceptional circumstances, a co-supervisor from outside the university may be appointed. You do not need to contact potential supervisors before applying, but all applicants are strongly advised to make sure that full supervision is available before applying.

As a doctoral student you will be driving your own research, identifying sources and framing questions. Your supervisor(s) is there to provide advice, guidance, and support as you develop these skills throughout your DPhil.  From an early stage you can expect to be in command of your own research. Your supervisor(s) will engage you in discussion and offer suggestions rather than directly tutoring. You should arrange to meet your supervisor(s) early in your first term to establish a clear framework for your research and writing, and identify any skills training needed to undertake your research. It is up to you and your supervisor to decide on the frequency of future meetings. In the first year, you should arrange to meet your supervisor at least twice a term, and keep in frequent contact. As you become more engaged with your research, you may meet your supervisor less frequently, but you should maintain in regular contact with them.

You will also have the opportunity to benefit from the advice and support of other members of the faculty in a variety of settings, including at relevant research seminars and workshops, and directly from those involved in your progression through the transfer and confirmation stages of the degree. You can also draw on the expertise of scholars and colleagues in cognate fields throughout the wider university. 
 

All students will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). Within a maximum of four terms as a full-time PRS student, or eight terms as a part-time PRS student, you will be expected to apply for transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status. This application is normally made by the second term for full-time students and by the fifth term for part-time students.

A successful transfer of status from PRS to DPhil status will require the submission of a thesis outline and a piece of written work. Students who are successful at transfer will also be expected to apply for and gain confirmation of DPhil status to show that your work continues to be on track. This will need to done within nine terms of admission for full-time students and eighteen terms of admission for part-time students.

Both milestones normally involve an interview with one or two assessors (other than your supervisor) and therefore provide and important experience for the final oral examination.

Full-time students will be expected to submit a substantial thesis of not more than 100,000 words after three or, at most, four years from the date of admission. If you are studying part-time, you will be required to submit your thesis after six or, at most, eight years from the date of admission. To be successfully awarded a DPhil in History (Economic and Social History) you will need to defend your thesis orally (viva voce) in front of two appointed examiners.

Approximately half of students who complete their doctoral thesis go on to further academic posts worldwide. Some work as freelance historians, others are in professional administrative positions in areas such as finance, the civil service, university administration, banking, and publishing. Approximately half of students who complete their doctoral thesis go on to further academic posts worldwide. Some work as freelance historians, others are in professional administrative positions in areas such as finance, the civil service, university administration, banking, and publishing.

This course is offered by the Faculty of History

• Course page on the faculty's website
• Funding information from the faculty
• Academic and research staff
• Faculty research
• Humanities Division
• Contact details

*Combined figure for full- and part-time study

^†Three-year average (applications for entry in 2024-25 to 2026-27)

This course has replaced the DPhil in History (History of Science and Economic and Social History)

• a master's degree with a minimum of 68% overall and 68% for the dissertation); and
• an undergraduate degree with a minimum of 68% overall and 68% for the dissertation); in history or cognate disciplines.

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or equivalent.

For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate degree requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0, and for those with a master’s degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the masters-level requirement is 3.6 out of 4.0. However, successful candidates normally have a GPA of 3.75 or higher.

Applicants without a prior degree in history, economic history or economics should be aware that competition for a place on the DPhil is extremely tough and that even some of Oxford's own master's students are not able to secure a place on the DPhil. You should consider that most of your competitors will have a solid background in the discipline and the appropriate training for academic research in a historical context, with a first class or distinction grade. If you decide to apply without a prior master's degree in history, please ensure that you link your proposed thesis topic with your previous expertise when you present it in your application. You should also show that you have already done a considerable amount of background research into the topic. Your submitted written work should show your writing and research skills in their best light as it will be important to show that you have the necessary skills for historical research and writing.

Professional experience in research, such as holding a research assistantship with an individual researcher or on a research project, may be an appropriate substitute for a master's degree.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• In the case of mature students/intended career changes, professional experience in cognate areas may compensate for shortcomings in the formal academic record.
• Publications are not required.

Further guidance

When assessors judge that a formally qualified and otherwise promising applicant requires strictly limited further training to embark on a doctoral degree, a doctoral place may be offered but only on the stipulation that the student successfully complete relevant elements of one of the faculty's master's courses before attempting 'transfer' to full doctoral status, meaning that the student may be asked to attend seminars or classes intended for master’s students.

Interviews are not normally held as part of the admissions process.

Assessors may get in touch with an applicant by email in case of any queries, but this is very rare.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the faculty's website.

Full-time study

Part-time study

Full-time study

Part-time study

Full time

The following colleges accept students for full-time study on this course:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Green Templeton College
• Harris Manchester College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Mansfield College
• Merton College
• New College
• Nuffield College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• Somerville College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

Part time

The following colleges accept students for part-time study on this course:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Exeter College
• Harris Manchester College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• New College
• Nuffield College
• Oriel College
• Regent's Park College
• Somerville College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Hilda's College
• St Peter's College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

You do not need to contact anyone in the faculty before you apply. You are not responsible for finding your own supervisor. However, you are strongly encouraged to familiarise yourself with the research expertise within the faculty when preparing your research proposal, to make sure that there is a supervisor available in the same area as your proposed project.

You are welcome to contact potential supervisors (with an abstract of your research proposal) before you apply, but it is not necessary. Please note that if you have contacted a potential supervisor prior to submitting your application, any indication made by an academic that they may be willing to supervise a potential project, is not a guarantee that you will be offered a place, or that the supervisor in question has capacity to supervise you in that particular year.

Offers will only be made if appropriate supervision is available. The faculty determines supervision arrangements, taking due account of the workload and commitments of its academics. If you are made an offer, a supervisor will be assigned to you, and identified in the offer letter.

However, please check that a supervisor with expertise in your proposed area of research is available before applying. Details can be found on the faculty website. You are free to consult a specialist in your field for advice on your project, if you think that would be helpful.

References should be academic, though if you are returning to study after extended periods of non-academic employment then you are welcome to nominate professional referees where it would be impractical to call on your previous university tutors.

Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation, ability to work in both a group environment and sustained individual and self-motivated investigation.

Your research proposal must be written in English. A bibliography may also be provided and is not included in the word count, though any footnotes (including references) should be included.

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 (0)1865 615000