Introducing our courses
Oxford’s graduate courses are challenging and intensive: we expect a lot from our graduate students. Our approach to graduate study emphasises your ability to work independently, while supported by a world-class academic community.
About our courses
Oxford offers more than 350 graduate courses across the disciplines, with courses opening in new areas every year. This includes taught courses and research courses available for full-time and part-time study, and at every level from diplomas to doctorates.
Each graduate course has a dedicated course page on our website, which will provide you with detailed information about the course and how to apply for it. You can browse our graduate courses A to Z or the list of courses organised by department.
As a graduate student you'll belong to a department or faculty – a thriving academic community working to advance knowledge in a particular field. Your department or faculty will provide your teaching and supervision, as well as extensive, specialist resources to support your studies. Our departments often collaborate on joint courses and interdisciplinary research projects.
Every graduate student at Oxford is given an academic supervisor. Throughout your course, you'll receive personalised support and guidance from an expert in your field, helping to guide your programme of study or research.
Students on matriculated courses also belong to a college (find out more about matriculation). You can find out more about Oxford's colleges in our Colleges section.
Non-standard admissions processes
The following courses have a non-standard application process:
Medicine (Graduate entry)
Admissions to the graduate-entry medicine programme are not managed by the central Graduate Admissions team. All enquiries about this programme should be directed to the Medical School using the contact details shown below.
For information about admission to the pre-clinical stage of medical training, please see the accelerated course details and prospectus on the Medical Sciences Division website. If you have a query about the pre-clinical stage of medical training, please contact the Medical School directly by email (via geadmin@medsci.ox.ac.uk).
For information about admission to the clinical stage of medical training please contact the Medical School by email for further information (via enquiries@medsci.ox.ac.uk).
DClinPsych in Clinical Psychology
This three-year, full-time course leads to the qualification of Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych) from the University of Oxford. On successful completion, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health & Care Professions Council and for Chartered status with the British Psychological Society. The course is unique in being fully funded and run from within the NHS. All trainees are currently employed by the Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust and are members of one of the following colleges: Harris Manchester College, Green Templeton College, St Cross College, or Worcester College.
The course aims to provide a thorough and integrated academic, clinical and research training in clinical psychology. For further information, visit the Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training website or contact the admissions team directly by email.
Residence requirements
Students enrolled on full-time courses are subject to the University's residence requirements, which are set out in the Examination Regulations for each course. Students studying for part-time courses are exempt from these residence requirements.
Changes to courses
The University will seek to deliver each course in accordance with the descriptions set out in the relevant course pages and the corresponding “Course Information Sheet”, which is sent to applicants with their offer of a place. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. For further information about changes to courses, please see our dedicated page.
Taught courses
As a taught graduate, you'll study your chosen subject area at an advanced level, usually leading to a master’s or master’s-level qualification.
Our courses are shorter than those at other institutions, making them intensive and fast-paced. Some courses are intended to prepare you for a research degree; others are oriented toward specific professional skills. All of our taught programmes are designed to challenge and inspire you, and help you to build transferable skills that are sought after by employers.
A full-time taught course typically lasts 9-12 months, but some take two years to complete. We also offer a range of part-time taught degrees. Students on taught programmes study a range of core and optional courses. You can find more information about the structure of each programme and the options offered on the course page and the department's website.
During your course, your academic supervisor will be on hand to offer advice and support, and to help guide your programme of study. We're proud of the close working relationships between supervisors and students, and the small-group teaching on our taught courses.
Types of taught course at Oxford
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
This course is of a higher standing than the Master of Studies (MSt) and full-time study normally lasts for two years (six terms). In the first year, some of the course elements may be common with the MSt and at its end candidates may be required to pass a qualifying test before continuing. Some MPhils are organised so that the first year is taught and the second is predominantly research based. In the second year students are expected to complete a substantial dissertation (usually up to 30,000 words) and to sit written examinations.
Master of Studies (MSt)
Students studying full-time are normally required to undertake three terms of study followed by an examination. The exact composition will vary according to the course, but will usually involve a range of core and optional course elements often including research methods and the submission of a dissertation (usually of around 10,000–15,000 words). Study is supported by seminars and lectures. Assessment may be by coursework as well as by written examination papers and dissertation. Some course elements may be common with Master of Philosophy (MPhil) course and it is possible in some cases to form the foundation of an application to either the related MPhil or DPhil.
Master of Science (MSc) by coursework
These degrees are generally offered in Science or Social Science subjects and typically require students to undertake one year of full-time study. The exact composition of the degree will vary according to the course, but will often comprise a range of core and optional modules, supported by teaching in the form of lectures and seminars. Assessment is by a combination of course assignments (in many cases including a dissertation of around 10,000–15,000 words) and written examinations.
Other master’s-level degrees (BCL, BPhil, EMBA, MBA, MFA, MJur, MPP, and MTh)
The University offers a range of other master’s-level degrees:
- Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL)
- Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil)
- Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Fine Art (MFA)
- Magister Juris (MJur)
- Master of Public Policy (MPP)
- Master of Theology (MTh)
Please see the relevant course page for further details about each course.
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert and PGCE)
A number of one-year (three-term) diplomas and certificates are available to graduate students. These include the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, which is a teacher training course for graduates that is more commonly referred to as the PGCE.
Research courses
We have over 120 research courses, including our doctoral programmes. Our research degrees offer the opportunity for sustained research in the area of your choice.
Working closely with your supervisor, you will propose, carry out and write up a substantial research project. Your supervisor will help you to devise a programme that allows you to realise the full benefits of the University's outstanding intellectual community and resources. They will meet with you regularly to stimulate your thinking, discuss your ideas, and provide guidance on how to approach your research.
Oxford is internationally renowned for the quality of its research (you can read about our research excellence), and graduate research students are integral to our success. We offer first-rate resources and facilities, expert supervision and a supportive academic community in which to work. You'll also receive specialist training in research skills in one of our graduate schools, and have access to a fantastic range of resources and opportunities to help you make the most of your time at Oxford and boost your employability.
Types of research course at Oxford
Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil)
Oxford’s main doctoral research degree is called a DPhil (our name for the PhD), and usually takes between three and four years to complete, but you should check the relevant course page for the expected length. Working closely with an academic supervisor who will oversee your studies, you will focus on a specific research project to produce a thesis that represents a significant and substantial piece of work. You will be assessed on the basis of this thesis and an oral examination called a viva voce. After completing their DPhil, research students frequently pursue academic careers or careers requiring advanced research skills.
During the course of the DPhil degree at Oxford you will need successfully to meet two different milestones:
Transfer of Status: Most DPhil students are initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). Within a maximum of six terms as a PRS student (and normally by the fourth term) you will be expected to apply for transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status. In some subjects, you might be required to successfully complete one or more master’s papers during your first year before you can apply to transfer to DPhil status.
Confirmation of Status: Students who are successful at transfer will also be expected to apply for and gain confirmation of DPhil status, normally within nine terms of admission, to show that your work continues to be on track. Both milestones normally involve an interview with two assessors (other than your supervisor) and therefore provide important experience for the final oral examination.
If you're studying on a full-time basis, you will be expected to submit your thesis after three or, at most, four years from the date of admission.
Doctoral training programmes (CDTs, DTPs and DEng)
Doctoral training programmes are four-year courses providing structured training and research experience in the first year, and a research project leading to a DPhil or DEng in subsequent years. These programmes are referred to as Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) and Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs). They are supported through links with industry and other partners, including other universities.
Master of Science (MSc) by Research
This degree is awarded on the basis of a submitted thesis and is available in some subject areas that also offer a DPhil. Please see the individual course pages in this section for specific information. The examiners must be satisfied that the thesis shows competence in investigating the chosen topic and that the results have been presented in a lucid and scholarly manner. A satisfactory oral examination is also required.
Students will normally initially hold the status of Probationer Research Student and will be expected to apply to transfer to MSc status during the first year of their research.
Combined Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil)
Combined Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) programmes are four year courses that comprise a one-year taught MSc by coursework (see taught courses) followed by a three-year research project leading to a DPhil. These course arrangements are often referred to as 1+3 programmes. By applying for a 1+3 programme, your application will automatically be considered for both the one-year taught MSc and the DPhil. Progression to the DPhil requires successful completion of the MSc. These programmes are special course arrangements and the constituent MSc and DPhil elements are not always offered separately as stand-alone courses.
Part-time courses
At Oxford, about 1 in 5 graduate students is studying part time. We offer a wide range of part-time courses, from postgraduate certificates and diplomas to taught master’s degrees and doctoral degrees. These programmes are a flexible way to study for a graduate degree, allowing you to fit your studies around work, family or other commitments.
Our part-time courses are designed with the needs of students at different life and career stages in mind. You may be looking to study for a further qualification and enhance your career prospects while in employment, or to develop your knowledge and skills while balancing home-based commitments.
Part-time study at Oxford is intensive, challenging and rewarding. Students enjoy all the benefits of an Oxford higher degree, including excellent tuition, supervision and study resources, and are valued members of our graduate community.
Teaching formats and patterns of study vary. Read the information on the course page carefully, and if you'd like to discuss the requirements for a specific course, please contact the academic department directly.
Part-time students are exempt from the University's residence requirements, but most part-time courses require students to attend face-to-face teaching in Oxford. If you require a visa to study in the UK, please read the information about visa eligibility for part-time courses.
Visiting Student status
If you are a student from overseas and wish to spend a period of up to three terms (ie one academic year) in Oxford on a course related to the degree you are studying in your own country, you can apply to a college for a place as a Visiting Student. However, it is not possible to join the activities of Oxford's taught graduate courses, so as a Visiting Student you would follow the curriculum from Oxford's undergraduate courses.
Application process
For further details about Visiting Students and how to apply, please see the information on the undergraduate Visiting Students page.
If you are an applicant and have received a copy of the data entry form, please see our guidance on how to complete the form.
Recognised Student status
If you are a graduate student currently engaged in research at another university, you may be able to apply for Recognised Student status.
The status of Recognised Student is intended primarily for graduates of some years’ standing engaged in research elsewhere who wish to work in Oxford on a specific topic under the guidance of an academic familiar with the chosen area of study.
You spend a period of up to three terms (ie one academic year) at Oxford, associated with an academic department and an academic advisor to offer general guidance on your area of research. You may use University libraries and attend lectures, seminars and classes (subject to permission from the lecturer), although Recognised Students status does not provide a formal association with an Oxford college and will not be awarded a formal qualification or accreditation by Oxford.
Application process
For further details about Recognised Students and how to apply, please see the information on the Recognised Students page.
Payment of fees
Information is available on the payment of recognised student fees on the recognised students webpage.