Archaeology (Part-Time) (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 Archaeology is a research-based, part-time course focused on landscape and professional archaeology, mainly in Britain and Europe, with a thesis developed through independent research and academic supervision.

The course caters for students specialising mainly in landscape and professional archaeology topics, largely concentrated on Britain and Europe. Occasionally, other topics are accepted but admission in these cases is strictly dependent on the availability of appropriate supervision elsewhere in the university. Even candidates with an academically strong background, may not be admitted if appropriate supervision is not available for your proposed research topic.

The DPhil programme is overseen by the University’s Continuing Education Board, and admission is through Oxford Lifelong Learning. The part-time DPhil regulations normally require a minimum of six years’ part-time study (equivalent to three years full-time).

As a research student you may be required to undertake appropriate research training provided within the department. In addition, you will be strongly encouraged to participate in seminars and informal meetings with staff and other researchers. The major commitment of time will be to individual study and research, involving wide and intense reading, data collection and analysis, and writing.

You are encouraged to participate as fully as possible in the wider research environment for archaeology at Oxford, including attending seminars, discussion groups and lectures advertised by the School of Archaeology, Oxford University Archaeological Society and Graduate Archaeology Oxford and elsewhere in the University.