Literature and Arts (Research)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

The DPhil in Literature and Arts is a research-based, part-time course exploring British cultural history c.1450–1914 through independent, interdisciplinary research in areas such as literature, art, history, and the history of ideas.

The DPhil in Literature and Arts is an advanced research degree by part-time research. To date most students who have been admitted to the course have previously completed the MSt in Literature and Arts. However, the course is open to all suitably qualified students who have completed a master’s degree in the humanities.

The DPhil degree shares the same historical and multi-disciplinary scope as the MSt. It encompasses the disciplines of literature, art and architectural history, history, and history of ideas, and students are expected to engage with at least one of these disciplines in their research.

Unlike on the MSt, however, you will work independently towards completing your own deeply researched 100,000 word thesis, building on sustained independent research over a number of years, and focusing on a specific subject in depth.

Admission is through the Department for Continuing Education. All graduate students on this course will be members of the department’s Graduate School.

You will be strongly encouraged to participate in seminars and meetings with staff and other researchers in the University of Oxford. The major commitment of your time will be to individual study and research, involving wide and intense reading, collection of primary evidence, analysis and writing. You will be expected to attend and to contribute to the wide range of research seminars, conferences and workshops organised in the University. You will also have access to specialist training courses offered by the Bodleian Libraries and IT services.