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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
Select a an exam type
About the course
The Oxford DPhil in Materials is a doctoral research degree programme, typically of three to four years in duration and known as a PhD at other universities. Doctoral research projects in this leading materials department are available in most branches of materials science, as well as some aspects of solid state physics and chemistry.
As a student on the DPhil in Materials programme you will be part of one of the top-ranked materials departments in the world. This vibrant research school consists of around 30 academic staff, 16 Senior Research Fellows, and around 230 research students and 87 postdoctoral researchers. Research students are of many nationalities and come to the department from diverse scientific backgrounds. They are graduates in the traditional subjects of materials science, physics, chemistry and engineering and also mathematics, earth sciences and biology.
The DPhil in Materials is normally carried out in three and a half to four years of full-time study under the supervision of an experienced member of staff. A wide range of exciting DPhil projects is available, including a number on Materials for Nuclear Fusion Reactors. Details of the DPhil programme, including training opportunities (academic courses, research-specific skills and generic transferable career skills) and progression requirements, can be found in the current version of the Materials graduate course handbook.
Assessment
In common with other UK universities, the first year is a probationary year, soon after which, subject to satisfactory progress, you will normally transfer to full DPhil status. A second formal assessment of progress takes place later in the programme, normally in the middle of the third year.
Examination for the DPhil takes place at the end of the programme by means of a written thesis and an oral examination.
Graduate destinations
Graduates of the DPhil and MSc by Research in Materials are highly regarded by a wide range of employers, including universities, high-tech start-up companies, engineering consultancies, industry (including aerospace, electronics, automotive, steel manufacture, medical and household products sectors), world-famous technology companies, schools and colleges, and the financial and business sectors.
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 a suitable science subject. The qualification above should normally be achieved in one of the following subject areas: materials science; chemistry; physics and mathematics. However, other subjects may be acceptable depending on the area of research chosen. For candidates offering a UK bachelor's degree or UK integrated undergraduate master's degree normally an overall grade of at least 65% is required. As examples of international equivalents to this requirement: for the US system a GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 on a four-year bachelor's programme is normally regarded as equivalent and for the Chinese system an overall degree mark of 85% on a four-year bachelor's degree programme from a Double First Class University is normally regarded as equivalent.
Students living in
Domestic
£10,070 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)
£33,370 per year
Students from EU
The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.
£33,370 per year
Students from International
The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.