Graduate Studies Prospectus - University of Oxford

How to applyUniversity of OxfordMaking an application to Oxford could be the first step towards yourexciting graduate study career! Careful and thorough preparation willhelp you to ensure that your application and supporting materials clearlyreflect your academic achievements and future potential.Taking a few moments now to consider the requirements and processes(• darker shaded boxes) outlined in this section and also to workthrough the checklists (indicated by the • lighter shaded boxes) shouldhelp you give yourself the best chance of success and to plan for andsubmit your application in good time.1. Your choice of programme of studyA good general source enabling you to search through a simple A–Zlist of all departments is available at: www.ox.ac.uk/departments/az/ or, if you prefer, you can browse by Division: www.ox.ac.uk/departments/Once you are ready to narrow your focus to particular subjects andprogrammes, then elsewhere in this prospectus you will find essentialinformation about specific departments and faculties and the coursesthat are available.The department pages also include both web and contact details ofacademic and administrative staff who can help you with any queriesthat you may have about particular programmes and about youracademic suitability. Many departments and faculties also producea graduate prospectus or guide to their courses and these are oftenaccessible online, or, of course, you may request a copy directly.Further information including Notes of Guidance is available at:www.admin.ox.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/forms/Deciding on a programme of studyIf you are offered a place on a course by a department or facultythen you will be guaranteed a place at a college or Hall. Some collegesoffer awards linked to the Clarendon Fund. If you apply for, and obtain,a Clarendon Scholarship, we may seek to secure an associated fundedcollege place for you. This may mean you are not placed in your first orsecond choice college. You can also indicate on the application form ifyou are happy for us to override your college choice to secure betterfunding for you where this is possible.There are also other circumstances in which the college or Hallyou nominated as first or second choice may be unable to take you(for example, if they are over-subscribed and have no further placesavailable) in which case you will be allocated a place elsewhere.In all instances, whether accepted by your first choice or allocateda place, you will be contacted by the College or Hall to advise youwhat financial conditions you will need to meet. Not all students canbe accommodated in college or college-owned accommodation, andthe offer of a college place does not necessarily mean that you will beguaranteed accommodation as well.Deciding on a college or hall choice|| Does the college or Hall accept students on my programme?|| I may want to study part time – does the college or Hall acceptstudents on both full-time and part-time programmes?|| Where is the college or Hall located?|| Does the college accept only graduates or undergraduates aswell?|| Browse the college web pages to find out more (includingpictures) or contact someone directly|| Find out about the areas of interest of the Fellows of the college|| Does the college or Hall offer funding support that is suitablefor me?|| How much accommodation is available and of what type?|| Am I interested in a one-year or two-year Master’s programmeor do I want to pursue doctoral research?|| How much time do I want to devote to graduate study?|| Browse the departmental web pages to find out more onparticular programmes or contact someone directly|| Do I want to study full time or part-time? Is part time studypossible for the course(s) I am interested in?|| Check the admissions criteria and the application deadlines|| Read the Notes of Guidance carefully2. Your choice of college orPermanent Private HallWith the exception of certain programmes offered by the OxfordUniversity Department for Continuing Education, all applicants forgraduate study at Oxford must be accepted by both the faculty board ordepartment concerned with your subject and by a college or PermanentPrivate Hall.All candidates are invited to nominate both a first and second choicecollege or Hall when they apply. There are details on all colleges and Hallsin this prospectus and you should consider your choice carefully, bearingin mind that each college and Hall may admit students in a broad range,but not necessarily, all subject areas.To find out more, go to: www.ox.ac.uk/colleges/ or you may wish torequest an individual college or Hall’s prospectus.3. Your qualificationsThe normal minimum qualification to be eligible for admission as agraduate student at Oxford is the completion of a Bachelor’s degreewith a first or upper second class honours or the international equivalent(see www.naric.org.uk for advice on how international degreescompare). However, previous academic excellence is key and studentswho are accepted for graduate study at Oxford tend to have been thosewho achieved the very highest results of their graduating class.Specific entry requirements for your programme are detailed in therelevant subject sections of the prospectus or, of course, you maycontact the department directly.Not all programmes will require a first degree in the same subjectarea and there are some courses, in particular some of those offeredby the Department for Continuing Education, which will take relevantexperience or alternative backgrounds into consideration.4. Knowledge of EnglishEnglish is the language of instruction for all courses at Oxford and thisalso applies to your thesis and examination papers. If English is not yourfirst language you must provide evidence of your linguistic competenceas part of your application. For further information about the standard ofEnglish that we require you to have reached before you can be acceptedon a programme please refer to the International Students section of thisprospectus beginning on p. 6 or visit:www.admin.ox.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/english.shtml.24