Archaeology
Master
In Oxford
Description
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Type
Master
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Location
Oxford
About the course
The DPhil in Archaeology provides students with the opportunity to pursue substantial independent research on their own, over a wide range of periods and subjects, including British, European, African, and Asian archaeology, and in theoretical aspects of the discipline.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
Reviews
Subjects
- School
- Supervisor
- IT
- Archaeology
- Teaching
Course programme
The DPhil is examined only by thesis and there is no formal course of instruction. Students are encouraged to develop their own topic under their own research project under the guidance of their supervisors, who are experts in their field of research. Projects which cross disciplinary boundaries, for example in archaeological science or cultural heritage, are welcome.
While the degree of contact varies depending on individual circumstances, students generally develop a close relationship with their supervisors. You are also encouraged to attend lectures and participate in research seminars, particularly the numerous and wide-ranging weekly seminar series organised within the cutting-edge research groups; these also often provide opportunities for you to present your own work. You are strongly encouraged to undertake fieldwork, which, if appropriate, can often be in relation to one of the department's projects.
The DPhil is a full-time degree and you are expected to complete your thesis, which has a maximum word length of 80,000 words, within three or at the most four years. Students can apply to submit the thesis as a collection of publishable papers. To begin with, you are admitted as Probationer Research Students, transferring to full doctoral status within four terms of your arrival. Your progress is formally assessed through the submission of written work and an interview by a small assessment panel ('transfer of status'), while a further similar assessment ('confirmation of status') is held within seven terms of your arrival.
At each stage you will also make a short formal presentation of your research at one of the doctoral student symposia organised by the School of Archaeology, which will help you to develop your presentational skills at an early stage of your career.
Successful doctoral theses must, among other things, display evidence of substantial and original research, lucid and scholarly presentation and a sound knowledge of the general field within which the thesis falls.
SupervisionFor this course, the allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the School of Archaeology and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the School of Archaeology.
Graduate destinationsMany graduates from the DPhil in Archaeology are successful in obtaining academic posts at universities in the UK, USA and elsewhere, while others engage in postdoctoral research, or go on to positions within museums. Others find careers elsewhere in education, commercial archaeology, and the heritage industry.
Changes to this course and your supervision The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. 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. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study. Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment. For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.
Other courses you may wish to consider If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.
Courses suggested by the school
Archaeology (Part Time) DPhil offered by the Department for Continuing Education
All graduate courses offered by the School of Archaeology
Archaeological Science DPhil
Archaeological Science MSc
Archaeology DPhil
Archaeology MSc
Classical Archaeology MPhil
Classical Archaeology DPhil
Classical Archaeology MSt
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Entry requirements
Archaeology