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PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy
University of Oxford
Full Time
OCT-25
3 years
Select a course option
PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy
University of Oxford
Full Time
OCT-25
3 years
PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy
University of Oxford
Part Time
OCT-25
6 years
Select a an exam type
About this course
The DPhil in Fine Art is designed to support research in contemporary art making (through the practice-led DPhil) and contemporary art history and theory (through the DPhil by written thesis only).
The Ruskin School of Art provides an exceptional research environment that enables artists, art historians and art theorists to work closely together in a world-leading, research-intensive university. Its intimate size and its dedication to contemporary art practice and theory within a stimulating and dynamic cross-disciplinary structure allows it to sustain close relations with other academic departments and faculties, distinguishing it from other, larger art schools, and allowing for a wide range of interdisciplinary and collaborative work at DPhil level.
The Ruskin DPhil programme includes two strands. the contemporary art history and theory DPhil (by written thesis only) and the practice-led DPhil (which also includes a substantial written component).
In the case of the contemporary art history and theory DPhil, the Ruskin can offer supervision across a wide range of research projects. These may include aspects of exhibition curating and organisation, as well as the historiography of twentieth-century art and the theorisation of contemporary artistic practices. In the case of the practice-led DPhil, art work will be undertaken as the central component of the registered research programme, and will be presented in relation to written work that engages with the relevant theoretical, historical, technical, or critical context. The department can offer supervision in most areas of contemporary art practice including moving-image, painting, performance, sculpture, installation and writing. The two strands of the programme are brought into a productive dialogue, both in a structured way at the regular DPhil research seminars and informally in the studios.
For an indication of the range of practical, historical and theoretical topics that are addressed in the Ruskin School of Art, please see the Ruskin website.
Assessment
There are three stages in obtaining the degree of DPhil. Probationer Research Student (PRS) status, DPhil status, and confirmed DPhil status. Transfer (ToS) and Confirmation (CoS) of Status are formal assessment procedures.
Full time PRS students are expected to transfer to full DPhil status in the third or fourth term of their degree. In the case of part-time students, applications for transfer should normally be made by the end of the sixth term. Following transfer to DPhil status, CoS should normally take place in the eight term of full-time study.
Graduate destinations
Many alumni from the Ruskin have pursued careers in the fine arts as practising artists, teachers, curators and gallery professionals in both public and private galleries. Others have gone on to pursue careers in diverse areas such as education, finance, architecture and the film industry.
As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the equivalent of the following UK qualifications or their equivalent: a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in fine art, art history or a related subject, depending on the DPhil stream applied to. However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a master's degree in fine art, art history or a related subject. For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA generally sought is 3.75 out of 4.0.
Students living in
Domestic
£13,380 per year
Students from Domestic
This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
£34,980 per year
Students from EU
The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.
£34,980 per year
Students from International
The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.