FACULTY OF THEOLOGY. Handbook for Graduate Studies in Theology

Transcription

1 FACULTY OF THEOLOGY Handbook for Graduate Studies in Theology

2 INDEX 1. PEOPLE, PLACES AND INSTITUTIONS IN OXFORD REGISTRATION Registration and Student Self Service 4 University Card 4 5 PEOPLE Your supervisor 5 Your college tutor for graduates 6 The Faculty Director of Graduate Studies 6 The Graduate Studies Assistant 6 The Graduate Studies Administrator and Faculty Librarian 6 PLACES 6 INSTITUTIONS 7 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE FACULTY OF THEOLOGY 8 KEEPING IN TOUCH 8 2. GRADUATE COURSES UNDER THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF THEOLOGY GENERAL INFORMATION ONE AND TWO YEAR TAUGHT GRADUATE COURSES Master of Studies 11 Master of Philosophy 13 Postgraduate Diploma in Theology 14 Master of Theology and Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Theology 15 Change of programmes of study 15 Application for readmission to M.Litt. or D.Phil. status RESEARCH DEGREES Aims and expectations 18 Progression via entry as a Probationer Research Student 19 Research supervision: a brief guide for students 20 Graduate Supervision System (GSS) 22 Confirmation of D.Phil. Status 23 Transfer from M.Litt. to D.Phil. Status 24 Residency requirements 25 Extension and suspension of time 25 Appointment of examiners 27 Oxford Research Archive (ORA) and the electronic publication of theses: arrangements for humanities students 29 1

3 PART TIME D.PHIL. Attendance requirements 34 Transfer of Status (part time) 34 Confirmation of Status (part time) WRITING A SUBMITTED ESSAY, DISSERTATION OR THESIS General considerations 36 Choice of subject 36 Submitting an essay/thesis proposal to the Graduate Studies Assistant 36 The thesis itself 37 The presentation of a dissertation or thesis 38 Change of title 40 Plagiarism 40 SUBMITTED WORK DECLARATION SAMPLE 41 SUMBITTED WRITTEN WORK COVERSHEET SAMPLE EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCE Paid employment 43 Teaching by graduates 43 Financial sources 44 FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES Language tuition 46 Travel grants 46 Oxford Theological Monographs TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Training and professional development for graduate students in the Humanities Division general information 48 Personal and professional development: framework for Humanities graduate students 49 Joint Skills Statement (JSS) of the UK Research Council s training requirements for research students 50 A model for graduate researcher development in Humanities APPENDICES Graduate forms 54 Memorandum for supervisors and research students 56 Proctors memorandum on complaints in relation to higher degrees 60 Equal Opportunities Statement: Students 61 2

4 WELCOME Welcome to graduate studies in Theology at Oxford. Graduate work is stimulating and rewarding, both for students and for those involved in teaching and supervision; we hope that you will soon feel part of the graduate community in the Faculty, and settle into your programme of study. This handbook is intended to help orient you to graduate life in the Faculty, and to point you to some of the resources in the Faculty, your college and the wider university which you can draw upon in order to make best use of your time as a graduate student. Alongside this handbook you should also consult the relevant Taught Graduate Course pamphlet, which will be included in your pack if you are studying for a taught academic Theology course (Postgraduate Diploma, M.St. or M.Phil. completed under the auspices of the Faculty), and the current Examination Regulations, which contains full and authoritative details of syllabi and other requirements for your degree programme. If you have problems or questions, please do not hesitate to ask for help from those involved in graduate studies in Theology. You can find details of who to contact in the pages which follow. With best wishes for your studies. Ms Naomi King Graduate Studies Administrator Theology Faculty Centre 34 St Giles Oxford OX1 3LD 3

5 PEOPLE, PLACES AND INSTITUTIONS IN OXFORD Oxford is a large, complex and diverse university, and although you will soon find your way around, it can be a little daunting at first. Here are some of the key people and locations with which you should familiarise yourself, as well as a very brief account of the institutional arrangements which support graduate work. REGISTRATION Registration and Student Self Service All new students are sent a college freshers' pack containing details of how to activate their Oxford Single Sign-on account. The Oxford Single Sign-on is used to access Student Self Service to register online, as well as to access other central IT services such as free University , Weblearn and the Graduate Supervision System. In order to complete your registration as an Oxford University student, navigate to and log on using your Single Sign-on username and password. New students must complete their registration by the end of the first week of term in order to confirm their status as members of the University. Ideally, students should complete registration before they arrive. Continuing students must register at the anniversary of the term in which they first started their programme of study. Once students have completed their University registration, an enrolment certificate is available from Student Self Service to download and print. This certificate may be used to obtain council tax exemption. In addition to enabling students to register online, Student Self Service provides web access to important course and other information needed by students throughout their academic career. Students can amend their address and contact details via Student Self Service, and they can use the Service to access detailed exam results, see their full academic record print transcripts. University Card The University Card provides students with access to facilities and services such as libraries, computing services and the Language Teaching Centre. In some colleges and faculties students also need the card as a payment card or to enter buildings, which have swipe-card access control. The University Card also acts as a form of identity when students are on college or University premises. Cards are issued to students by their college on arrival in Oxford once registration has been completed. 4

6 Once a student s registration details have been processed, the student will be able to find out their address from OUCS Self Service ( and have access to either by the Nexus service ( or via an client such as Thunderbird, Outlook Express, Netscape Mail or Eudora - for client configuration information see the web pages at The system is controlled by the Oxford University Computing Services ( and problems should be referred to them. PEOPLE Your supervisor All students are assigned a supervisor by the Faculty Board. In the case of a research degree, the supervisor will be your primary tutor. If you are on one of our other graduate programmes, the supervisor may arrange for some or all of the teaching to be undertaken by others, but will still retain overall responsibility for your progress. Appendix B outlines some of the university s expectations for the supervisory relationship in the case of those studying for research degrees. All graduate students should, however, bear the following points in mind: You should take responsibility for keeping in regular contact with the supervisor. If you are studying for a research degree, you can expect to see your supervisor at least twice each term. It is usually helpful to meet at the beginning of the term to plan that term s work, and to meet at the end of term to review progress, in preparation for the supervisor writing your termly report. If you are studying for a taught graduate course, you can expect to meet your supervisor at least once each term, in addition to any teaching which may be offered by the supervisor. The supervisor is required to provide a written report on your progress, which is made available to your college, the Graduate Studies Committee and the Faculty Board. See page 22 of this handbook for further information about the Graduate Supervision System (GSS). The supervisor is responsible for advising on all aspects of academic work, including attendance at lectures and classes. On rare occasions, students and supervisors find it difficult to work together, and you may wish to change supervisor. Such difficulties should, if at all possible, be raised with the supervisor in the first instance, but you may also approach the Faculty s Director of Graduate Studies directly, who is always happy to help. 5

7 When a supervisor is on sabbatical leave, the Faculty Board may arrange alternative supervision, unless the supervisor has agreed to continue to be available to graduate students. Your college tutor for graduates Your college will assign you to a tutor for graduates (sometimes the Senior Tutor) who has overall responsibility for graduate members of the college. Some colleges also assign you to a college adviser (not to be confused with the Faculty supervisor ). Colleges review the progress of each student through the termly report submitted by the supervisor, and through termly or yearly collections (interviews with a college official, often the Head of House). Colleges take responsibility for general welfare, social facilities and support services such as computing and study facilities. They may also offer help with housing and finance. Colleges are also responsible for collecting fees. The Faculty Director of Graduate Studies The Faculty s Director of Graduate Studies has overall responsibility for graduate students in Theology, and is happy to help wherever possible. The Director of Graduate Studies for is Dr Mark Edwards, at Christ Church (mark.edwards@theology.ox.ac.uk) (tel: [2]76216). To make an appointment, you should contact him directly. The Graduate Studies Assistant The Theology Faculty Graduate Studies Assistant is Mr Martin Cameron. The Graduate Studies Assistant deals with most on-course graduate studies matters including transfers, confirmation, thesis title changes, supervisor changes, extensions and suspensions. Mr Cameron is based at the Humanities Division Graduate Office, 37a St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LD (martin.cameron@humanities.ox.ac.uk)(tel: [2]70048). All Graduate Studies application forms are available online at and should be returned to Mr Cameron. The Graduate Studies Administrator and Faculty Librarian Ms Naomi King is the Faculty s Graduate Studies Administrator, with responsibility for graduate admissions and graduate examination administration. She is based at the Theology Faculty Centre, 34 St Giles. Dr Hilla Wait is the Faculty s Librarian and is based at the Faculty Library at 41 St. Giles. PLACES As part of finding your way around Oxford, you will need to locate: 6

8 Your college, which will have a college office for routine business; mail will normally be sent to you at your college address; Your supervisor s office (whether in college or in one of the Faculty Centres); The Faculty Annexe and Library at 41 St Giles, which has a Common Room specifically for graduate use; The Faculty Centre at 34 St Giles; The Bodleian Library, and any other specialist libraries you may require; The Language Centre, 12 Woodstock Road, which provides courses and selfteaching facilities in major European languages, most of which are free to members of the University; The Computing Services (OUCS), 13 Banbury Road, which provides a great range of courses and self-teaching facilities, as well as a shop. Further information can be found on the OUCS website ( or obtained from Dr Michael Fraser (mike.fraser@oucs.ox.ac.uk), who liaises between the Theology Faculty and OUCS. INSTITUTIONS Like every other student of the University, a graduate student is a member of both a college and a faculty. Colleges are responsible for the general welfare of graduate students, and may provide other services (as outlined above); the Faculty is responsible for matters to do with your university degree. The Faculty of Theology consists of all those who hold University posts (professors, readers and lecturers), fellows and lecturers of colleges and permanent private halls, and others, including staff of other institutions and members of other faculties who play a role in teaching or research in theology. The Board of the Faculty is the Faculty s executive body, and consists of a number of the holders of professorial chairs, elected ordinary members and co-opted members. The Faculty Board Chair for is Dr Paul Joyce and the Secretary is at present Mrs Frances Jenkins. The Board meets twice per term, and decides on most matters of policy within the Faculty, including curricular matters. It has several committees, the most important of which, the Academic Planning Committee, includes a representative of the Graduate Joint Consultative Committee (the role of this committee is explained in more detail later on in this handbook). The Board is also responsible for approval of admissions and of examiners reports. The Theology Graduate Studies Committee (Theology GSC) is a standing committee of the Theology Faculty Board. It is chaired by the Director of Graduate Studies, who is also the Deputy Chair of the Faculty Board. It meets on the Monday of weeks 1 and 6, as well as occasionally during vacations. Its function is to advise the Board on all matters concerning graduate studies, and especially: 7

9 applications for admission appointment of supervisors applications for transfer of status applications for confirmation of status appointment of examiners for research degrees reports from supervisors, and other matters concerning student progress reports from examiners Your business goes to the Faculty Board through the Graduate Studies Committee. To ensure that it is on the agenda, it should reach Mr Martin Cameron at the Humanities Division by the Friday ten days before the Committee s meeting, i.e. Friday of weeks -1 and 4. Your supervisor and your college will help you with any official applications that you need to make. Most pieces of routine business (applications for transfer of status, confirmation of D.Phil. status, re-admission to the D.Phil. after the M.St., dispensation from residence, suspension of status, change of title, extension of time, appointment of examiners, early viva voce examination) are handled by filling out forms, which can be downloaded from the following website: The Graduate Joint Consultative Committee consists of elected representatives of the graduate student body, the Faculty Board Chairman, the Director of Graduate Studies and one other Faculty member. It meets once each term, and is intended to keep graduate students informed of developments that affect them, as well as to offer an opportunity for addressing their concerns. It suggests representatives on key Faculty Board committees. The Proctors are the University officers whose remit includes the maintenance of discipline and the conduct of examinations. Appendix C explains where to find the procedures for complaints and appeals in examination matters. Approaches to the Proctors should be made through your college. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE FACULTY OF THEOLOGY The Faculty of Theology shares the University s general aims as found in its Corporate Plan,which can be found at: KEEPING IN TOUCH Graduate students occasionally experience a measure of isolation in a large institution, and it is important to build in opportunities for regular contacts: 8

10 with fellow students, whether in the Faculty or your college; with your supervisor; with those responsible for teaching you; with your college adviser; by participating in graduate seminars, attending lectures and other events organized by the Faculty and colleges. You must find out which graduate seminars you are required to attend in your area of study. Towards the end of each year, the Director of Graduate Studies will ask you to submit a confidential self-report to him, outlining your progress, and inviting you to discuss any problems you may have encountered. Please see page 22 of this handbook for more information about the Graduate Supervision System (GSS). 9

11 GRADUATE COURSES UNDER THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF THEOLOGY GENERAL INFORMATION The graduate courses for which the Board of the Faculty of Theology has responsibility are: 1. Postgraduate Courses: the Master of Studies (M.St.) and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degrees. These exist in the following subjects: Eastern Christian Studies, Judaism & Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World (both M.Phil. only), Philosophical Theology, The Study of Religion (M.St. only), Theology - which is further divided into sections: Old Testament, New Testament, Christian Doctrine (further divided into several sections), Ecclesiastical History (further divided into several sections), Christian Ethics, Science and Religion (M.St. only) and Biblical Interpretation (M.St. only). 2. Research Degrees: the Master of Letters (M.Litt.) and Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil.) degrees, which are done wholly by thesis. 10

12 ONE AND TWO YEAR TAUGHT GRADUATE COURSES (Postgraduate Diploma in Theology, M.St., M.Phil.) Past examination papers in these courses are available for consultation in the Theology Faculty Library. They are also available online at: It is important that you should be acquainted with the regulations for the course on which you are registered. The authoritative source for the regulations is the grey Examination Regulations book (usually referred to as The Grey Book ). Syllabuses are also laid out for easy reference in the course pamphlets for taught graduate courses produced by the Faculty. You should receive a copy of the relevant pamphlet with this handbook. If not, they are available as downloadable documents on the Faculty website. General remarks on the courses follow. Master of Studies courses (M.St.) The purpose of the Master of Studies degree is to offer specialist postgraduate education in Theology and the Study of Religions for able students, possibly including an element of scholarly research and writing, which may constitute an introduction to a future research degree. The standard for the award of the degree is defined as what may reasonably be expected of a student who achieved at least a high 2-1 in the Final or Joint Honour School of Theology or Philosophy & Theology or a GPA of 3.7 with a major in religion or theology at a good college or university after one further year of full-time work. Each student is assigned a general supervisor, whose duty it is to advise concerning the choice of subjects and on any questions relating to academic work; to direct you to the appropriate classes and to appoint special supervisors, as necessary, to direct work on particular topics. Students are not expected to find their own special supervisors. If you wish to work with a particular member of the Faculty, you may propose it to your supervisor although the final decision rests with the supervisor. The general supervisor is responsible for receiving reports each term from special supervisors and arranging for their payment, as well as for reporting to the Graduate Studies Assistant on your general progress. 11

13 A course leading to the M.St. is usually expected to last twelve months. The examination takes place in Trinity term, and the dissertation is normally submitted in September (unless specified otherwise in the Examination Regulations). The viva voce examination will normally take place in late September or early October (unless specified otherwise in the Examination Regulations). The degree is usually awarded on the basis of three shorter (up to 5,000 word) essays and a dissertation of up to 15,000 words. In some cases a written examination paper may or must be substituted for one of the shorter essays, although this format may vary for Masters courses other than the M.St. in Theology. Check the Examination Regulations for details. There will also be a viva voce examination. The M.St. in Philosophical Theology is awarded on the basis of a written examination in two of the prescribed papers, plus a dissertation of up to 15,000 words, and a viva voce examination. Details of the marking conventions can be found in the accompanying pamphlets Course Regulations for the Degree Master of Studies in Theology; Course Regulations for the Degree Master of Studies in Philosophical Theology; and Course Regulations for the Degree Master of Studies in the Study of Religion. The dissertation (two copies) must be submitted to the Chair of Examiners at the Examination Schools in the autumn following the examination, twenty eight days before the first day of Michaelmas Full Term, or as specified in the Examination Regulations. Course delivery is by means of a mixture of individual tuition, and occasional classes and seminars, according to circumstances and at the discretion of the organisers of the course concerned. Arrangements vary from one M.St. to another. Graduates often find that the lectures specified for undergraduate courses are of help for their own needs also, especially in background preparation. An entry form for the examination must be submitted through your college office. You should contact your college secretary if you are unsure about who initiates this process. The titles of dissertations and all shorter essays must be approved by the Chair of Examiners not later than the second meeting of Hilary Term. This means you must submit them, with a short statement of how the subject will be treated, and the signature of your supervisor, not later than noon on Monday of Fifth 12

14 Week of Hilary Term to The Chair of M.St. Examiners, c/o The Graduate Studies Assistant, Humanities Division, 37a St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LD. The shorter essays must be submitted to the Examination Schools not later than noon, Friday of Fifth week of Trinity Term, or as specified in the Examination Regulations. Master of Philosophy courses (M.Phil.) The purpose of the Master of Philosophy degree is to offer extensive postgraduate education in Theology for very able students, including a significant element of scholarly research and writing which may contribute towards a future research degree. The standard for the award of the degree is defined as what may reasonably be expected of a student who achieved at least a high 2-1 in the Final or Joint Honour School of Theology or Philosophy & Theology or a GPA of 3.7 with a major in religion or theology at a good college or university after two further years of full-time work. A course leading to the M.Phil. is expected to last twenty one months. The examination takes place in the summer term of the second year. Deferral is strictly exceptional and requires strong grounds (e.g. medical). The degree is normally awarded on three components: (a) a written examination, consisting of three or four papers; (b) a thesis of not more than 30,000 words (20,000 in certain subjects); (c) a viva voce examination. Check the Examination Regulations for full information. In some courses, essays may be substituted for some examination papers. Details of marking conventions can be found in the course pamphlet. Course delivery is by means a mixture of individual tuition, classes and seminars, according to circumstances and at the discretion of the organisers of the course concerned. Arrangements vary from one M.Phil. course to another. It is usual for coursework towards the examination to be done in the first of the two years, the second being devoted to writing the thesis, but this arrangement is variable. Each student is assigned a general supervisor, whose duty it is to advise concerning the choice of subjects and on any questions relating to the academic work, to direct 13

15 you to the appropriate classes and to appoint special supervisors, as necessary, to direct work on particular topics. Students are not expected to find their own supervisors. If you wish to work with a particular member of the faculty, you may propose it to your supervisor though the decision rests with the supervisor. The general supervisor is responsible for receiving reports each term from special supervisors and arranging for their payment, as well as for reporting, via the Graduate Supervision System, on your general progress. The topic of your thesis has to be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee not later than its meeting in the first week of Michaelmas Term in your second year. You should hand your proposed title, with a short statement of how the subject will be treated, approved and signed by your supervisor to Mr Martin Cameron, 37a St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LD at the latest by the Monday of the week before Full Term i.e. Monday of 0 th week. Full Term dates can be found online at An entry form for the examination must be submitted. This will usually be done through your college office. You should contact your college secretary if you are unsure about who initiates this process. Two copies of the thesis must be submitted to the Chair of Examiners at the Examination Schools at least fourteen days before the beginning of the examination. Unsuccessful candidates for the M.Phil. are permitted to sit the examination again on one occasion only. If the thesis has been successful, it may be re-submitted for the new examination. If the papers have been successful, you may be exempted from re-sitting them on the second occasion. The examiners may offer an unsuccessful candidate the option of being awarded the M.St. degree as an alternative to re-sitting for the M.Phil. Postgraduate Diploma in Theology The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Theology is to provide graduates from other disciplines with the central elements of the undergraduate course in theology, enabling some to proceed to a postgraduate level of study. The level for the award of the Diploma is what may reasonably be expected of a good honours graduate from another discipline after one year of theological study. 14

16 The Diploma course lasts nine months; the examinations take place in early July. The Diploma is awarded on the basis of at least three, and no more than five, examination papers. Entry forms for examinations must be submitted; this is done through the college office. You should contact your college secretary if you are unsure about who initiates this process. Diploma candidates are assigned to a supervisor. The supervisor will oversee your course of studies, arrange for tutorial teaching and advise on lectures and classes to be attended. The supervisor will receive reports from tutors, and also report to the Graduate Studies Office concerning student progress. Course delivery is by tutorials, for which you customarily prepare written work for discussion with the tutor. In addition, you must attend relevant classes and lectures whose primary focus will be for undergraduates. Full details of teaching arrangements for each examination paper can be found in the pamphlet Course Regulations for the Degree of Postgraduate Diploma in Theology. Although Diploma candidates make use of undergraduate lectures and classes, they are full members of the postgraduate community, and are entitled to draw on all the graduate resources of the Faculty and the University. Master of Theology and Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Theology These courses are administered on behalf of the theological colleges and Permanent Private Halls by a Supervisory Committee directly responsible to the Board of the Faculty of Theology. They are designed to provide theological study at postgraduate level for those engaged in professional ministry and can be done part-time as well as full-time. Details of these courses are not included in this handbook; reference should be made to the handbooks prepared by the administering institutions. Change of programmes of study The expectation is that you will complete the course for which you were admitted, unless formal application for a change of programme of study is made to the Graduate Studies Committee. A request to change in mid-stream, either from one type of course to another (e.g. M.St. to M.Phil.) or from one subject-area to another (e.g. New Testament to Doctrine) will be subject to the discretion of the Graduate Studies Committee. There can be no expectation on the student s part that a student will be allowed to do something other than 15

17 the subject, degree or diploma for which he/she was originally admitted; such transfers are subject to a rigorous process of assessment. Nevertheless, changes in personal circumstances (e.g. funding) or experience of the course itself can sometimes make a change appropriate. An application for such a change can be made using the GSO28 change of programme of study form. When asked to approve such a change, the Committee will consider:- (a) whether the applicant can demonstrate the capacity to succeed in the work required for the course for which he/she is applying. In assessing this, the supervisor s judgement will always be important; written work will also be requested, assessors appointed and an interview held. (b) whether there are good reasons for the change. The Graduate Studies Committee will not consider apprehension at the prospect of sitting examinations a good reason. Genuine difficulties with the circumstances of examinations (e.g. of a medical kind) should be brought to the attention of the Proctors through college authorities. Application for readmission to M.Litt. or D.Phil. Status How to apply for re-admission as a continuing student at Oxford If you are currently studying for a Master s degree at Oxford and wish to continue on to a doctoral programme without a break in your study, you must complete a re-admission form. Re-admission forms will be available via OSS Student Self Service ( and will be pre-populated with details that the University currently has on record for you, such as your personal details and your previous qualifications. You must enter details of the programme you intend to study and any changes to the data we hold in your record. Note: in previous years, Master s students wishing to continue to a D.Phil. degree at Oxford (without a break in study) were required to complete a GSO4 form. Supporting materials You will be required to provide the supporting materials for your programme of study when submitting your application form.. For guidance on supporting materials please refer to the Notes of Guidance for Applicants to Graduate Study : Standard list of supporting materials: (i) Research proposal (ii) Academic record: transcript 16

18 (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) Current curriculum vitae Two pieces of written work Three references English Proficiency score Test Certificate if English is not your fist language Re-using materials from your Master s application If you wish to re-use materials from your Master s application, you must specifically request these items from the Graduate Admissions Office (graduate.admissions@admin.ox.ac.uk). Deadline You should ensure that your re-admission form and all supporting materials, including your references, are submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office in time to meet the application deadline for your chosen programme. The Theology Faculty uses the late January Application Deadline and the March Application Deadline. Late or incomplete re-admission applications will not be considered. IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FUNDING: If you wish to apply for an AHRC award (UK and other EU students) or a Clarendon award (international students), you must apply by the January deadline. Application fee You will be exempt from paying the graduate application fee of 25. Break in study between Master s degree and D.Phil. If there is any break in your study (even if it is only for a term), you will not be able to use a re-admission form; you must complete a graduate application form (available at and you will be required to pay the application fee. 17

19 RESEARCH DEGREES (M.Litt, D.Phil.) Aims and expectations The aim of the M.Litt. degree is to assist you in completing a shorter piece of research in Theology, and to demonstrate suitable academic attainments for appointment to positions which may include responsibilities in teaching or research. The aim of the D.Phil. degree is to assist you in completing a first major piece of research in Theology and to demonstrate suitable academic attainments for appointment to a University-level teaching or research post. The standards for the award of the degrees are stated in the Examination Regulations in terms of the certificate that the examiners must sign a) In the case of the D.Phil.:- i. That the student possesses a good general knowledge of the particular field of learning within which the subject of the thesis falls; ii. That the student has made a significant and substantial contribution in the particular field of learning within which the subject of the thesis falls; iii. That the thesis is presented in a lucid and scholarly manner; iv. That in their opinion the thesis merits the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy; v. That the student has presented a satisfactory abstract of the thesis. Examiners shall bear in mind that their judgement of the substantial significance of the work should take into account what may reasonably be expected of a capable and diligent student after three or at most four years of full-time study in the case of a full-time student, or eight years in the case of a part-time student. b) In the case of the M.Litt.:- i. That the student possesses a good general knowledge of the field of learning within which the subject of the thesis falls; ii. That the student has shown competence in investigating the chosen topic; iii. That the student has made a worthwhile contribution to knowledge or understanding in the field of learning within which the subject of the thesis falls; 18

20 iv. That the thesis is presented in a lucid and scholarly manner; v. That it merits the award of the Degree of Master of Letters. Examiners shall bear in mind that their judgement of the extent of the candidate s contribution to knowledge or understanding of the relevant field of learning shall take into account what may reasonably be expected of a capable and diligent student after two years of full-time study in the case of a full-time student, or twelve terms in the case of a part-time student. When the Graduate Studies Committee considers any proposal of a topic for a research degree it will seek to be assured:- a) That the subject falls within the fields of learning proper to the Faculty of Theology, and that adequate supervision is available; b) That the subject is such, in its scope and nature, as to give the student a proper opportunity to fulfil the statutory requirements for the award of the degree in question, and in particular, in the case of the D.Phil., the requirement of a significant and substantial contribution in the particular field of learning. This may include, for example: discovery of new knowledge, the relating of previously unrelated facts; the development of new theory or the revision of older views; the opening up of debates with new literature; c) That the subject is a valid one, satisfactorily defined, of feasible scope for completion in two (M.Litt.) or three (D.Phil.) years, and can profitably be studied at Oxford; d) That the student s abilities and qualifications are such as to equip him or her for the successful completion of the proposed research; e) That the university can appoint a suitably qualified supervisor or cosupervisors in the proposed area of study. Progression via entry as a Probationer Research Student If you have not completed one of the Faculty s Masters courses, but have been admitted to the D.Phil. on the basis of your previous qualifications, you will initially be registered as a Probationer Research Student (PRS). A Probationer Research Student is normally expected to apply for transfer within three terms (or six terms in the case of part-time students). A Probationer Research Student who has not successfully transferred by the end of the six terms for which such status may be held in total (twelve terms in the case of part-time students) shall lapse from the register of Graduate Students. 19

21 To apply for Transfer to D.Phil. or M.Litt. status you must submit a completed transfer of status form (GSO2), accompanied by duplicate copies of: A typewritten copy of a piece of original written work of about 5000 words generally relevant to the theme of the proposed thesis, paying proper scholarly attention to primary sources, secondary discussions etc. and demonstrating scholarly competence in the organisation of the arguments. A description of the proposed research topic, including a provisional title and a statement in approximately 1,000 words of how it will be approached, together with a brief bibliography. The Graduate Studies Committee will appoint two assessors to read your written work, interview you and submit a report back to the Committee. You must attend this interview in person and be present in Oxford for it. The research supervisor may attend this interview. If you fail to satisfy the assessor, the Faculty Board may set a date by which ONE further oral examination must be held, with such conditions as it sees fit and grant an extension of Probationer Research Status up to the limit of 6 terms. An applicant who fails to satisfy the assessor after their second oral examination WILL NOT be allowed to proceed to the M.Litt. or D.Phil. This is a rigorous process and should not be regarded as a formality by any means. The Graduate Studies Committee may, at its discretion, grant someone who has applied for transfer to D.Phil Student status transfer to M.Litt Student status only. This does not prejudice the student s right to apply for an M.Litt to D.Phil. transfer at a later stage. Please note that assessors are asked not to inform you of the result of a transfer interview. They make a recommendation to the Graduate Studies Committee which considers the reports and makes its decision. You should not read anything into their silence on the outcome, as they are only acting in keeping with Faculty policy. Research supervision: a brief guide for students The role of the supervisor is to: Advise, guide and support you in all aspects of your research, providing clear intellectual leadership and giving precise guidance about academic expectations. Agree with you a clear plan of research, identify milestones and provide information on the availability of research resources Agree with you a timetable for: 20

22 o regular meetings (normally twice per term) for detailed discussion of your progress o the submission of written work, which the supervisor should return to you within a reasonable time Liaise with you to produce a detailed joint report on your progress at the end of each term. Ensure that you are aware of the formal requirements for transfer of status, confirmation of status and final submission, and that these are incorporated into your plan of work. Discuss with you subject-specific and general research skills required for your doctoral studies; work with you to identify areas where you require additional training to develop these and other skills; advise you on how these needs may be met, and assess your skills development and training requirements at least once a year. Assist and encourage you to participate in the wider academic community. Ensure that you are aware of relevant University guidelines and regulations, e.g. student handbook, Examination Regulations, guidance on plagiarism, and lecture lists. For more details, see the Code of Practice on Supervision of Graduate Research Students, available at: s The role of the student is to: Attend induction sessions arranged by the faculty, Library Services and Computing Services. Meet with your supervisor regularly and take note of his or her advice and guidance. Draw up a research plan and timetable of work in consultation with your supervisor, and to keep relevant records of all aspects of your work. Liaise with your supervisor to produce a detailed joint report on your progress at the end of each term. Work with your supervisor to draw up a programme for identifying and developing your subject-specific and general research skills, and personal and professional skills. Attend appropriate classes, lectures, and seminars. Be aware of relevant University guidelines and regulations, e.g. student handbook, Examination Regulations, guidance on plagiarism, and of any ethical or legal issues, health and safety requirements, or intellectual property issues arising from your research. Work with your supervisor to pursue opportunities to engage with the wider academic community at University, national and international level. 21

23 If you require further details or have any questions about the above, please ask your supervisor or the Director of Graduate Studies for your subject area. Graduate Supervision System (GSS) At the end of each term, your supervisor(s) will submit a report on your academic progress. To facilitate this reporting, the University operates an online Graduate Supervision System (GSS). Within this system, you have the opportunity to contribute to your termly supervision reports by reviewing and commenting on your own progress. You are strongly encouraged to take the opportunity to review and comment on your academic progress, any skills training you have undertaken or may need to undertake in the future, and on your engagement with the academic community (e.g. seminar/conference attendance or any teaching you have undertaken). Your supervisor(s) will review and comment on your academic progress and performance during the current term and assess skills and training needs to be addressed during the next term. Your supervisor should discuss the report with you, as it will form the basis for feedback on your progress, for identifying areas where further work is required, for reviewing your progress against an agreed timetable, and for agreeing plans for the term ahead. When reporting on academic progress, students on taught courses should review progress during the current term, and measure this progress against the timetable and requirements for their programme of study. Students on doctoral programmes should reflect on the progress made with their research project during the current term, including written work (e.g. drafts of chapters) and you should assess this against the plan of research that has been agreed with your supervisor(s). All students should briefly describe which subject-specific research skills and more general personal/professional skills they have acquired or developed during the current term. You should include attendance at relevant classes that form part of your programme of study and also include courses, seminars or workshops offered or arranged by your faculty or the Division. Students should also reflect on the skills required to undertake the work they intend to carry out. You should mention any skills you do not already have or you may wish to strengthen through undertaking training. 22

24 If you have any complaints about the supervision you are receiving, you should raise this with your Director of Graduate Studies. You should not use the supervision reporting system as a mechanism for complaints. Students are asked to report in weeks 6 and 7 of term. Once you have completed your sections of the online form, it will be released to your supervisor(s) for completion and will also be visible to your Director of Graduate Studies and to your College Advisor. When the supervisor s sections are completed, you will be able to view the report, as will the relevant Director of Graduate Studies and your college advisor. Directors of Graduate Studies are responsible for ensuring that appropriate supervision takes place, and this is one of the mechanisms they use to obtain information about supervision. College advisors are a source of support and advice to students, and it is therefore important that they are informed of your progress, including concerns (expressed by you and/or your supervisor). To access the GSS, please visit You will be able to log on to the site using your single sign-on details. Full details of how to use the site are provided at the on-line help centre, however, should you need additional support, please contact your Graduate Studies Assistant in the first instance. Confirmation of D.Phil. Status D.Phil. students are required to confirm their status, not later than the end of their ninth term as a full-time graduate student (e.g. If you have completed an M.Phil or MTh prior to the D.Phil. you are required to confirm your status at the end of your third term of D.Phil. status) or eighteenth term as a part-time graduate student. To apply for confirmation of status you must submit completed confirmation of status forms (GSO14 and 14a available at accompanied by duplicates of: A draft chapter Two abstracts You will have to write two abstracts when you submit your dissertation, one of about 300 words and one of 1,500-2,500 words. You should write drafts of both of these for the confirmation of status assessment. The abstracts must contain: the argument of the thesis, what you are trying to prove, and why (viz. what has already been done, why scholarship on your topic is inadequate and makes it 23

25 appropriate for you to be undertaking the research and its contribution to knowledge); how you are going to establish your conclusion; what each chapter contributes to the argument; and, the reasons why you have ordered the material in the way in which you have done. An outline of the thesis, indicating what has been completed to date and a timetable for completion. The GSO 14 and 14a forms will require detailed information about how the work is progressing, and will require you to state a projected date of completion, which you should not do without consulting your supervisor and coming to a common mind on what might reasonably be practical. This date is not legally binding on you, but it enables the Graduate Studies Committee to monitor your progress thereafter. If circumstances subsequently require a change in this projected date, you should inform the Graduate Studies Committee. On receipt of an application, the Graduate Studies Committee will appoint two assessors to consider your work and interview you, with or without your supervisor present, on the progress of your work and your plans for completion. You must be present in Oxford for the confirmation of status interview and attend it in person. Particular attention will be paid to the circumstances in which those who propose to leave Oxford intend to complete their work. The Graduate Studies Committee will not agree to the confirmation if it feels it lacks reasonable grounds for confidence that the work can be brought to a satisfactory conclusion in a reasonable time. You should regard the confirmation of status assessment as a helpful checking process, feedback from which will enable you to complete the doctorate successfully. It is therefore a serious assessment and one intended to aid you. Transfer from M.Litt. to D.Phil. Status An M.Litt. student may, with the supervisor s support, apply for transfer to D.Phil. student status. Normally such applications will not be considered later than a student s ninth term. To apply for the transfer you must submit the following: A GSO2 Application for transfer of status form. Submission of a draft chapter 24

26 An abstract An outline of the thesis, including how much has been completed to date. A timetable for completion Permission for this transfer counts as confirmation of D.Phil. status. Residency requirements Full-time D.Phil. students must be resident in Oxford for at least 6 terms. This includes any residency requirement already completed (for example PRS residency). Students who have completed a taught Master s course from Oxford University may count up to 3 terms completed towards their residency requirement. Extension and suspension of time Running out of time is the most serious single problem that faces students for a research degree. Some causes can be averted by anticipation and planning. They include: (a) unrealistic and unfocussed planning of the research topic; (b) undisciplined and disorganised work; (c) underestimating the time taken to write the thesis, and extending the research too long; (d) changes in personal circumstances, e.g. marriage, parenthood; (e) running out of money, and taking paid employment, part or full-time. This is the commonest cause of difficulties for those who have completed their residence requirements and left Oxford. Extension of time is required if, after nine terms (M.Litt.) or twelve terms (D.Phil.) the thesis has not been submitted. Application must be made before time runs out. Otherwise you will automatically lapse. The Graduate Studies Committee is allowed to grant up to nine terms (D.Phil.) or six terms (M.Litt.) extension in total, but will not normally grant more than one term at a time. 25

27 This grant of extension of time is made in exceptional circumstances, and is not a right. In applying you must give a full account of what has prevented completion of the thesis, and propose an efficient and practicable timetable for completion. The Graduate Studies Committee will not grant extension unless it is reasonably assured that the thesis is going to be completed in the time predicted. The supervisor and college are required to give his/her support for any application for extension. With sufficient reason it is possible to suspend status for a maximum of six terms. This procedure requires you not to work on your thesis for the specified period, and so does not gain you any more time in total, but allows you a period of grace to deal with specific problems. It is appropriate in the case of long illness or disruption of family circumstances which will effectively prevent progress. The Faculty Board considers it appropriate for those who take up employment. Those holding AHRC awards should note that this view is not shared by the AHRC, who will not allow suspension of status for this purpose. If time runs out, and a research student withdraws or lapses, it is possible in some circumstances to apply for reinstatement for one term. This has proved a useful measure to help doctoral students who have exhausted the time available to them. There are, however, risks associated with this way of proceeding: The Faculty Board alone is not permitted to reinstate a student whose name has been on the Register of Graduate Students for the maximum number of terms allowed. Permission to reinstate beyond the maximum number of terms must also be considered by the Educational Policy and Standards Committee. A student who withdraws before the end of his/her fee liability will be required on reinstatement to pay fees for the interim period. This is not, therefore, a way of coping with financial difficulties. Reinstatement is not an entitlement. Anyone contemplating this course of action, therefore, is advised to withdraw in an orderly fashion, informing the Graduate Studies Committee by letter and suggesting a timetable within which an application for reinstatement may be expected. This provides a framework of reasonable expectation within which future problems can be discussed. You must have the support of your supervisor and college and the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. In considering an application for reinstatement the Faculty Board is required to see a written statement from the former supervisor and one from your college. Before embarking on this course of action, therefore, you should be sure that both supervisor and college are prepared to support it. 26