DPhil and MSc by Research

The DPhil at Oxford has few taught courses, and starts from the outset with expecting a high degree of independence from its graduate students. The DPhil in Psychiatry offers you the opportunity to gain a wide range of transferable research skills alongside in-depth knowledge and expertise in one of an extensive range of research fields ranging from molecular biology to brain imaging and from behavioural research to epidemiology.

The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) and Master of Science by Research (MSc Res) offer students the opportunity to develop research skills in their chosen field.  They have few taught courses, and students are expected to be able to study independently from the outset.  Our entry requirements do not specify degree subjects because of the broad range of research areas available but most research degrees require a background in medicine, psychology or a biological science. 

The DPhil is participating in Black Academic Futures via the Medical Sciences Division's guarantee of at least 10 places per year across its doctoral programmes for the next four years' intakes of DPhil students.

We are only able to offer places to students for whom we provide appropriate supervision.  Before completing an online application, therefore, we recommend that you identify a potential supervisor in your area of interest and then contact them directly to discuss possible topics for research. They will be happy to discuss your research ideas and indicate whether they are likely to be taking on graduate students next year, as well as giving details of any funds that are available to support you.  Please have a look at some examples of possible research projects.