Postgraduate Research Degrees

The application process

Full details of the application procedures relating to all (taught and research) degrees administered by the School of Archaeology, including access to the online application form, can be found on the University admissions pages. Questions about their detail should be directed in the first instance to the Graduate Admissions Office. What follows is a summary outline of the procedures followed and the steps that you need to take.

Funding

Details of the possible funding mechanisms for new students is given on our Funding for Graduates page.  Most funding is specific to the student rather than being allocated to specific projects.

Deadlines for receipt of applications

The University has a number of application deadlines allowing applications to be assessed against each other at a series of dates throughout the academic year. You can apply to study archaeology at Oxford in time for any of the deadlines.

Many programmes are able to consider applications submitted after the last relevant deadline if places are still available but be aware that courses and college places do fill up and so you should apply as soon as possible.

Deadlines for candidates applying for grants

If you are applying for a grant from a UK Research Council, or for Clarendon or other awards, you must apply by the January deadline. You should also indicate on your application that you are applying for a specific award.

The exception to this is the Rhodes Scholarships which have their own deadline typically a year before starting as a student.

Graduate Admissions criteria

Please see https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/social-sciences/archaeology

Submitting your application

Your application can only be assessed once all relevant information has been supplied. Please therefore make sure to complete all appropriate sections of the application form and arrange for references and written work to be submitted on time. You will need to provide:

• evidence of previous academic study, including final degree result (or predicted result if you have not yet completed your studies) and academic transcript (where available);
• information on how you will pay fees and support yourself while a graduate student, including information on any scholarships or awards for which you may be applying;
• personal statement, and a research proposal for a DPhil (<1500 words);
• three academic references;
• two pieces of written work.

Existing students

If you are currently studying for a taught course at Oxford and wish to apply to continue onto a research degree with no break in your study you can apply using the Re-admission form. You will need to meet all of the same deadlines and requirements as other applicants except that you will not need to pay a fee to apply. Please see information in the Application guide at https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/applying-to-oxford/application-guide#readmission

Choosing a College

Please see https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/social-sciences/archaeology

Assessment of your application

All applications are assessed by two members of the School of Archaeology with relevant experience and expertise, chosen by the Director of Graduate Studies. If need be, additional advice is also taken. Assessments are made solely on academic grounds, and in the majority of cases interviews are not held. We strongly encourage you to email or visit academic or senior research staff that are likely to supervise your project discuss your research plans before making your application as they can help and advise on the project proposal. The assessment is based on the material submitted with your application after consideration of your previous qualifications, references, personal statement or research proposal and the submitted written work, as outlined above.  

Funding status considerations

Whether you have yet secured funding is not taken into consideration in the decision to make an initial offer a place, but please note that the initial offer of a place will not be confirmed until the college which gives you an initial offer of a place is satisfied that you have sufficient funding to cover your fees and living costs for the standard period of fee liability for your course.

Disability, health conditions and specific learning difficulties.

Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background. Decisions on admission are based solely on the individual academic merits of each candidate and the application of the selection criteria appropriate to the programme of study. Further information on how these matters are supported during the admissions process is available at www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/disabilities