School of Anthropology & Museum Ethnography
COURSE HANDBOOK
for students taking RESEARCH DEGREES
in ANTHROPOLOGY and MIGRATION STUDIES
(D.Phil., M.Litt.)
at the University of Oxford
Academic Year 2019-2020
CONTENTS
Usual routes to the status of D.Phil. student .............................................................. 4
The M.Litt. degree ..................................................................................................... 5
Fieldwork ................................................................................................................... 5
Travel Insurance ......................................................................................................... 6
Safety issues ............................................................................................................... 6
Residence requirements ............................................................................................. 7
Supervisors ................................................................................................................. 7
PRACTICAL TRAINING ............................................................................................. 8
I. The PRS class ......................................................................................................... 8
II. Methods Modules .................................................................................................. 8
III. Training Needs Analysis ...................................................................................... 9
External skills training and expenses ....................................................................... 12
Funding for conference attendance .......................................................................... 12
Gaining Teaching Experience .................................................................................. 13
DEGREE PATHWAYS ............................................................................................... 14
‘Transfer’ or ‘Upgrading’ from PRS to D.Phil. Status ............................................ 14
Confirmation of Status ............................................................................................. 16
The Integrated Thesis format ................................................................................... 18
Deferrals, extensions, suspensions ........................................................................... 20
Research Student Progress record ............................................................................ 23
Census points and student monitoring ..................................................................... 23
Final examination (the viva) .................................................................................... 24
Plagiarism ................................................................................................................ 28
Policies and regulations ........................................................................................... 29
APPENDIX 1: LIST OF APPLICABLE UNIVERSITY FORMS ............................. 30
APPENDIX 2: WRITING GUIDELINES ................................................................... 31
Editorial .................................................................................................................... 31
Bibliographical ......................................................................................................... 32
APPENDIX 3. THE ALTERNATIVE PRS PATHWAY ........................................... 34
APPENDIX 4. DOCUMENT ISSUED BY THE SOCIAL SCIENCES DIVISION
REGARDING TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS ....................................................... 36
APPENDIX 5: FURTHER GUIDANCE PERTAINING TO THE PART-TIME
D.PHIL. ........................................................................................................................ 40
APPENDIX 6:
MEMORANDUM ON SUPERVISION AND FIELDWORK .......... 43
APPENDIX 7:
SECONDARY SUPERVISION FOR ESRC-FUNDED STUDENTS
...................................................................................................................................... 44
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This handbook applies to students starting the D.Phil. and M.Litt. degrees in
Anthropology and Migration Studies in the 2019-20 academic year. The information
in this handbook may be different for students starting in other years. If you need to
refer to information found in this handbook, please specify the version you read. This
is version 5.3 (29th January 2020).
Disclaimer
The Examination Regulations relating to research degrees in anthropology are at
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/2019-20/rdegrinanth/ and in migration studies
at http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/2019-20/rdinmigrstud/. General Examination
Regulations governing the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Letters are
available at http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/2019-20/grftdodoctofphil/ and
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/2019-20/grftdomastoflett/ respectively. General
Examination Regulations governing research degrees in the university are at
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/2019-20/grgoveresedegr/. If there is a conflict
between information in this handbook and the Examination Regulations then you
should follow the Examination Regulations. If you have any concerns please contact
(Doctoral Admissions and Research Convenor)
.
The information in this handbook is accurate as at 29th January 2020; however, it
may be necessary for changes to be made in certain circumstances, as explained at
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-anthropology
and
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-migration-studies. If such
changes are made the department will publish a new version of this handbook
together with a list of the changes and students will be informed.
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INTRODUCTION
This handbook summarises essential information for those studying for research degrees in
the School of Anthropology & Museum Ethnography (henceforward ‘the School’ or SAME),
i.e. the doctorate or D.Phil. (equivalent to the Ph.D. of most other universities), and the
shorter Master of Letters or M.Litt.; important information which applies equally to all
members of the School is to be found in the SAME Graduate Handbook, which should be
read in conjunction with this course handbook.
Most of the information in this handbook applies to the D.Phil. in Anthropology and the
D.Phil. in Migration Studies (both full-time and part-time) in the School of Anthropology &
Museum Ethnography (SAME), including the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology
(ISCA), the Institute of Cognitive & Evolutionary Anthropology (ICEA), the Institute for
Science, Innovation and Society (InSIS) , and the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society
(COMPAS). However, amongst these units of the School there are certain differences in
terms of, for example, research methods training. For exact information regarding the
requirements for ICEA- and InSIS-related doctorates, ask academic staff within these units.
Except where otherwise noted the information in this handbook applies equally to the part-
time D.Phil. programme; where differences exist these are noted, and some specific
observations relating to the part-time D.Phil. are included in
Appendix 5.
Both the D.Phil. and M.Litt. degrees are examined by thesis and oral examination (viva) only:
apart from the alternative PRS pathway described in
Appendix 3, there are no coursework
elements or sat exams, but students must pass at least one and more usually two interim
assessments before the final viva (i.e. Confirmation of Status and Transfer of Status,
depending on degree and pathway to a doctorate; see below). The final viva, but not these
assessments, is a formal examination for which
sub fusc (academic dress) is worn.
Usual routes to the status of D.Phil. student
There are two principal routes from a master’s degree to a doctorate in the School of
Anthropology & Museum Ethnography:
1) Students entering the D.Phil. programme from outside the School, and former SAME
M.Sc. students, spend the first year1 of doctoral studies as probationer research
students (PRS), during which period they have to write what is essentially an
elaborate research project or transfer text of up to 20,000 words. Any submission
substantially over this limit may be returned to the student to have the text reduced to
the 20,000-word limit. Students will be expected to attend, and present a paper to, the
PRS writing class, normally held every week during Hilary Term until all current
PRS students have presented2. When completed, the transfer text itself is assessed
internally with a view to transferring (often called ‘upgrading’) the student to full
D.Phil. student status, at which point the student can normally go to the field or
otherwise conduct the substantive research for the thesis. The internal assessment
1 The first two years in the case of part-time D.Phil. students
2 Part-time students are expected to attend PRS classes in alternate weeks over both their first and
second years, and to present to the PRS class in Hilary Term of their second year.
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usually includes an interview with two assessors, usually in Trinity Term. Later, i.e.
after fieldwork and during writing up, this status has to be ‘confirmed’, based on an
internal assessment of sample chapters, before the final viva can be held. There is no
formal requirement for the D.Phil. project to be linked to or based on the student’s
previous graduate thesis, though clearly this can be advantageous.
2) Former
Oxford M.Phil. students in anthropology
who are admitted to the D.Phil.
programme to pursue research in the area of their MPhil dissertation may be
admitted direct to full D.Phil. student status (either full-time or part-time): in this case
they do not become probationer research students and therefore do not need to
transfer status (in effect, their second year as M.Phil. students was their ‘probation’),
though they do have to pass ‘Confirmation of Status’ later on. Such former M.Phil.
students are technically free to go to the field as soon as they transfer to the D.Phil.,
though it is not unusual for them to spend some more time in Oxford beforehand
preparing for fieldwork. The M.Phil. thesis is formally required to form the basis,
‘broadly speaking’, of the D.Phil. topic, for which it provides a similar platform to the
transfer text produced by probationer research students. An M.Phil. student who
wishes to pursue D.Phil. research on a topic unrelated to their M.Phil. research will be
required to follow the PRS-D.Phil. path described under (1), above.
In either case, the student may or may not change supervisor on going from master’s degree
to doctorate.
There is an alternative PRS pathway for doctoral students in anthropology involving a
coursework element as well as the transfer text mentioned above, intended for exceptional
students coming from an allied discipline with some anthropology but not a whole degree in
the subject. See
Appendix 3.
The M.Litt. degree
Although the M.Litt. is a stand-alone degree, with a shorter thesis, it is rare for a student to
choose it in preference to the D.Phil. One of its chief roles within the University is to act as an
alternative degree to be offered to D.Phil. candidates whose work is not considered by
examiners to be of doctoral standard. Similarly, if a doctoral student fails to pass either
Transfer of Status or Confirmation of Status at the second attempt, he or she may be allowed
to continue only as an M.Litt. student. M.Litt. students will usually have to transfer to full
status as a research student anyway, but they do not have to apply for Confirmation of Status
subsequently (see below). The M.Litt. thesis may or may not be based on fieldwork.
There is no formal word limit for the M.Litt. thesis, though around 50,000 words is a
reasonable length. A D.Phil. student taking the M.Litt. in place of the D.Phil. at final
examination will normally have written a longer thesis. However, in such cases there is no
requirement to reduce the length of the thesis in order to supplicate for the M.Litt. degree.
Fieldwork
This is not a formal requirement of either the D.Phil. or M.Litt. degrees, but the
overwhelming majority of students will wish to conduct some form of fieldwork or other
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forms of data collection (such as museum studies or internet ethnography, for example),
especially for the D.Phil. If any field trips or other travel is undertaken in connection with
either degree, the online Travel Insurance and Registration (TIRS) application
(https://travelinsurance.admin.ox.ac.uk), Full Risk Assessment form and one or more CUREC
forms (for ethical review)
must be filled in. Ethics approval is made necessary by the fact that
fieldwork typically involves research with human subjects. See details on the anthropology
website: http://www.anthro.ox.ac.uk/safety-fieldwork-and-ethics. SAME’s memorandum on
supervision and fieldwork (
Appendix 6) details expectations and norms regarding
supervision, including the essential procedures required in preparation for fieldwork and in
relation to supervision while preparing for and conducting fieldwork.
Travel Insurance
Standard university insurance cover (as defined on the insurance website, above) is available
free of charge to students. However, the School will not pay any insurance premiums
specifically levied in connection with travel to areas with a higher level of risk and/or for
longer than 12 months. Students should therefore be prepared to accept responsibility for such
payments themselves, however inflated, and factor this in to their fieldwork planning at the
outset.
Safety issues
Attention is specifically drawn here to the potential dangers of doing fieldwork in relation to
one’s personal safety and well-being. Many areas in which anthropologists do fieldwork are
reasonably or very safe, but others may pose problems in this regard, some of which may not
have been anticipated. One potential problem for female anthropologists specifically is sexual
harassment in the field. Make sure you consider these potential problems carefully, in
consultation with your supervisor, and also work out plans and responses for the most obvious
problems that might arise. Note that the University expects students travelling to any part of
the world for research to have taken note of and conformed with Foreign and Commonwealth
Office travel advisories.
During post-fieldwork writing up, students will meet their supervisors on a fairly ad hoc basis,
depending on progress, though regular monthly3 contact should always be maintained. As a
condition of passing Confirmation of Status, students writing up their final doctorate will also
be expected to attend, and present a paper to, the Work in Progress seminar, normally held
once a week in term throughout the year for as long as there are students available to present.
For a student progressing to the D.Phil. via route 2), completing the doctorate can be expected
to take approximately a further two to three years: 12 to 18 months in the field, followed by a
similar amount of time writing up4. For those using route 1), the PRS year should be added.
3 Bi-monthly in the case of part-time students.
4 In the case of part-time students these expected durations are doubled. It is not obligatory that part-
time students undertake fieldwork in twice the time, however – there is nothing in principle to prevent
them from doing so full-time. The most appropriate strategy should be discussed and agreed with the
supervisor. Note that although part-time students should ordinarily expect supervisory contact to be
spread over twice the time of full-time students (i.e. half as often) during fieldwork at least monthly
6
Each research student has a so-called ‘candidature date’ by which the thesis should be
submitted (NB: not necessarily examined), which can be deferred to a limited extent by
applying for extensions etc. (see below for details).
Residence requirements5
Normally doctoral and M.Litt. students have to spend six terms resident in or within 25 miles
of Carfax (the centre of Oxford) pursuing their studies to qualify for their degrees (meaning
that there is effectively a two-year minimum for completing a doctorate). However, three
terms can be ‘dispensed with’ for permitted study elsewhere intrinsic to the degree, including
fieldwork. While there is a form applying for such dispensation (GSO 8), normally
anthropology students do not have to fill it in, as fieldwork is a routine aspect of their studies
(NB: this is a special concession to the School of Anthropology, which might be withdrawn at
any time). This means that, ordinarily, students returning from fieldwork are deemed to have
satisfied their residence requirements. However, they are strongly urged to return to Oxford to
write up their theses, in order to be in close contact with their supervisors and, just as
important, their fellow students, and to have an appropriate academic environment in which to
work. A GSO 8 form should nonetheless be filled in if 1) the student is working outside
Oxford without doing fieldwork or similar research with human participants; 2) the student’s
college requires the form to be submitted or 3) it is otherwise duly required (see the university
Graduate Forms page).
Supervisors
SAME policy requires that D.Phil. students receive primary supervision from a member of the
University or other competent person (i.e. a person with appropriate academic and
supervisory expertise) selected by the Board [Teaching Committee] who is ordinarily an
established member of the School staff6 and who is expected to be in post sufficiently long
into the future to be able to supervise the entire D.Phil. project. Exceptionally primary
supervision may be provided by a member of School staff or other competent person who
does not hold a permanent appointment as long as they are expected to be in post sufficiently
long into the future to be able to supervise the entire D.Phil. project and where this
arrangement is approved in advance by the Board or its chairperson, the Director of Graduate
Studies. Those in the DPhil in Migration Studies could also be supervised by equivalent staff
in the Oxford Department of International Development (ODID). Supervision by anyone who
does not fulfil these requirements may only be provided jointly with someone who does. All
decisions regarding supervision and progression are ultimately taken by the School’s
Teaching Committee [‘the Board’] or its chairperson, the Director of Graduate Studies. As
noted above, SAME’s memorandum on supervision and fieldwork (
Appendix 6) details
expectations and norms regarding supervision, including the essential procedures required in
preparation for fieldwork and in relation to supervision while preparing for and conducting
fieldwork.
contact is required for the purposes of monitoring safety (bi-weekly contact in the case of students
carrying out fieldwork in FCO-flagged countries).
5 Part-time students are not bound by these residency requirements, but are required to attend Oxford
University for a certain number of days and specific events each year; see Appendix 6.
6 Exceptions are permitted in the case of a small number of recognized members of academic staff in
other departments who have a longstanding association with the School.
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PRACTICAL TRAINING
Methods Modules and Practical Training provided by SAME in 2019-20 for PRS and
2nd year MPhil students
PRS and 2nd year MPhil students are required to attend the introductory PRS dissertation
classes in MT, in weeks 1-5 (detailed below; PRS students must continue to attend these
classes for the remainder of the year as detailed). This requirement applies to both full-time
and part-time PRS.
In addition, each student is required to attend a minimum of two methods modules, totalling
no less than 12 classes7. These modules are held in MT and HT (except for ethnobiology and
urban anthropology, in TT). Most methods modules are 90 mins long and held throughout six
weeks. Students in ICEA (the Institute of Cognitive & Evolutionary Anthropology) are
exempted from this rule but strongly encouraged to attend at least the first four-five PRS
dissertation classes in Michaelmas Term. Students in the DPhil in Migration Studies are also
required to attend the COMPAS Work-in-Progress series during their PRS period.
Note that many additional potentially useful training courses are available free of charge on
Lynda.com though the University’s subscription (for courses and access see
https://help.it.ox.ac.uk/courses/lynda/index).
I. The PRS class
The PRS class is convened weekly across the academic year. During Michaelmas Term the
first five weeks feature essential introductions to a range of procedural and skill acquisition
matters that will form a foundation for engagement with fieldwork and/or other forms of data
collection. Sessions include topics such as: doctoral training approaches and resources;
fieldwork and data collection; library and research resources; ethical research practice in the
field; and fieldwork health and safety. In the latter three weeks of Michaelmas Term, students
will be expected to make a short ‘project pitch’ on their research idea. During Hilary Term,
each student will present their project more formally, with a focus on the research idea, and
where and how the research will be undertaken8. During Trinity Term, the emphasis will be
on the Transfer of Status document, which should be submitted by noon, Friday of 4th Week
of Trinity Term.
II. Methods Modules
As noted, PRS and 2nd year MPhil students choose two of the methods modules on offer in
the School this year. All methods modules will be presented in the dissertation class in
Michaelmas Term, Week 1, by
, the School’s Research Methods
Training Convenor for 2019-20.
can be contacted if any questions arise on
. Some methods modules convenors may have to cap the
7 Part-time students may spread this requirement over their two PRS years (i.e. taking one methods
module per year), though are not obliged to do so and may take two methods modules in their first or
their second PRS year. Note that the requirement to take two modules is a minimum, and students may
take a total of more than two.
8 Students in the DPhil in Migration Studies are also expected to present their research idea in the
COMPAS Work-in-Progress series during Hillary term of their PRS year (in addition to the PRS class
presentation).
8
numbers of the participants they can accept, hence students are requested to sign up for and
rank three modules they wish to attend in the order of their preference.
Assessment: at the end of each module, each participant is asked to write up a practical task
(minimum length: one A4 page) and/or submit a 2,500 word essay, following the instructions
of the module convenor. This writing will be assessed but not marked (except for Medical
Anthropology 2nd year MPhils). In the case of PRS students these assignments must be
submitted as part of their Transfer of Status portfolio (Transfer of Status Assessors will note
whether they have been submitted). Feedback will be provided verbally directly to students in
class by the module convenors.
Ethics and CUREC: any methods module which has a practical element involving encounters
with people outside the Department requires the methods module convenor to list the projects
and name the participants conducting the fieldwork for the methods module. This list must be
sent to
for approval by the CUREC team
before any fieldwork for the respective methods module is carried out outside the Department.
If a participant wishes to publish or use the data gathered during these classes for publication,
a full CUREC procedure has to be initiated by the module convenor. PRS students are also
encouraged to attend methods training provided by the Doctoral Training Partnership of the
Social Sciences Division. Those who wish to take, as one of their two courses, another course
from within the university that is appropriate to their needs in place of one of the courses
offered in SAME, should first seek endorsement from their supervisor and then approach
for approval.
III. Training Needs Analysis
This is a University-wide scheme intended to identify and monitor the training needs of its
research students and is an essential part of D.Phil. supervision. The training needs pathway
envisaged by the Social Sciences Division is set out in
Appendix 4.Training Needs Analysis
is carried out by students and their supervisors using the dedicated form within the Graduate
Supervision Reporting (GSR) system. This allows students to record their training needs and
their progress in meeting them over time, so provides a record of the training needs pathway
they are personally following. Supervisors should ensure that training needs are adequately
discussed, though students are responsible for the completion of the forms themselves and
should initiate their use. A record of any training undergone and/or required should also be
entered on forms to apply for transfer and Confirmation of Status.
As noted above, many potentially useful training courses are available free of charge on
Lynda.com though the University’s subscription (for courses and access see
https://help.it.ox.ac.uk/courses/lynda/index).
The standard list of training categories used by the scheme is given below, followed by details
of how the School ordinarily addresses them in each case:
Research Methods
Needs. This category includes the skills that an anthropologist would need to obtain to
complete the research project. This would include core subject-specific training, qualitative
and quantitative research methods, theoretical training, principles of research design, data
analysis, data collection, and management of data.
9
Provision. Standard supervision throughout the course of the student’s project, reinforced by
subject-specific methods classes for anthropology, general classes and practice regarding both
qualitative and quantitative methods, and relevant lectures and classes on theory and area
specialisms. The Tylor Library in the School is well stocked with works on anthropological
and other social science methods.
Bibliographic and Computing Skills
Needs. This category covers the skills that are needed to complete the research, tools to
complete the thesis and skills that will prove transferable in future employment.
Provision. Standard supervision throughout the course of the student’s project, reinforced by
advice on the scholarly preparation of theses in the departmental handbook and the current
handbook for research students in anthropology. Students will typically already have adequate
word-processing and internet skills; anything needed in addition that is specific to specific
projects can be discussed on a case-by-case basis (see below).
Research and Leadership Management
Needs. This category includes the skills that a student will need to complete the thesis on
time, to meet the various milestones of the doctorate (e.g. confirmation and, where
appropriate, Transfer of Status), manage a project, manage the supervisor relationship and
manage resources.
Provision. Standard supervision throughout the course of the student’s project.
Communication and Networking
Needs. This category covers the range of skills that the student will need to communicate and
disseminate his or her research (including writing the thesis) to the academic community as
well as being able communicate to wider audiences. This includes written and oral
communication techniques and an understanding of communication tools and developing
academic networking skills.
Provision. At an early stage of the project, either the PRS class or the second-year M.Phil.
writing-up class; at a later stage (post-fieldwork and writing up), the Work in Progress
seminar. All these forums provide experience in presenting one’s work to one’s student peers
and members of academic staff, in dealing with questions and feedback, and in receiving
advice on the structure and content of one’s work. In addition, supervisors advise students to
attend relevant conferences and workshops and support them in doing so.
Teaching and Academic Practice
Needs. This category covers the preparation for academic practice that students are currently
engaging with. Activities could include teaching experience, conference attendance and
publishing experience.
Provision. On conference attendance, see previous entry. Teaching experience cannot be
guaranteed to all students, but workshops and teaching portfolio development are possible
under a special departmental scheme for post-fieldwork students who are writing up. The
School is associated with an online journal, the
Journal of the Anthropological Society of
Oxford, which welcomes student contributions.
10
Language learning
This is not specifically listed under the TNA rubric, but language learning forms a significant
part of the typical research project in anthropology. Courses are available in the major
languages in Oxford or elsewhere in the UK, but many languages have to be learned in the
field, i.e. at the start of actual fieldwork and thus be combined with it. Such training is
typically conducted outside the School, though the School does have some discretionary
funds to support such activities (see section on ‘External skills training and expenses’ below
for details of how to apply).
Experience has shown that, for many research students in anthropology, such training needs
and their provision suffice, though this does not rule out their reinforcement through the
student taking specific courses elsewhere in the University if required. Other training needs
specific to individual students may also be required from time to time, e.g. in the use of
specific computer programmes, of audio or video or similar equipment, etc. Any such needs
that fall outside the above list should be discussed with the supervisor. In any case, all
students should discuss their training needs with their supervisor at the start of their projects
(usually at the start of the first Michaelmas term) and on a regular basis thereafter.
In general in anthropology, training needs become relevant to consider at two stages in
particular: 1) at the start of a project (i.e. pre-fieldwork, whether for Probationer Research
Students or D.Phil. students who have entered via the School’s M.Phil. route); and 2) when
writing up the thesis (post-fieldwork). Once the student goes to the field, he or she should
have received sufficient training already through the School’s courses put on for that purpose
(with the possible exception of acquiring the appropriate language), and in any case the
student’s absence will usually make further training in Oxford unfeasible, unless
electronically. Note also that the Training Needs Analysis form only provides for three years
of recording training needs (six in the case of part-time students), though that does not, of
course, rule out the student seeking further training after that time if appropriate.
Unless it is desired to give more details, the words ‘standard internal departmental training’
can be entered on the form to record the sorts of internal training listed above. The ‘approval’
part of the form should be used to show other departments that any of the School’s students
who are seeking training there have the School’s approval to do so, as required by the online
enrolment system. Any training undertaken should be appropriate and support the research
project, but not be so extensive that it interferes with its progress or completion.
Attention is also drawn to the wide range of methods, training etc. courses offered under the
umbrella of the
Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) of the Social Sciences Division
(SSD); see http://researchtraining.socsci.ox.ac.uk/. These are not solely for anthropologists
but for social sciences students generally, may therefore take place outside the School, and
may consist of anything from a full term or year course to a one-day or half-day workshop.
Your supervisor’s permission is normally required (obtained electronically) for you to take
part in any of these courses. They may cover not only methods of research in the narrow sense
but also, e.g., presenting and networking at conferences, obtaining transferable skills, facing
dangers in fieldwork, managing post-doctoral career development, etc.
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External skills training and expenses
The School offers small grants to contribute to the costs of certain skills training for SAME-
registered research students preparing to do major fieldwork (i.e. PRS/D.Phil, M.Litt. students
and Year 2 MPhil students, but not undergraduates, MSc students or Year 1 MPhil students).
Examples of eligible training include language-training at the University Language Centre (at
12 Woodstock Road) or (with good reason) elsewhere, and specialized training in the use of
specific equipment.
Fieldwork skills awards are subject to the following conditions:
The training is essential for the degree and research they are pursuing.
The costs involved are reasonable, up to a maximum of £750 per application.
Only one application per student is permitted in any academic year (Aug-Jul).
Application should be by letter, endorsed by the student’s supervisor and setting out the costs
involved, to the Director of Graduate Studies, who will verify academic need. The financial
case will then be assessed by the Head of Administration before final approval is given or
withheld.
The scheme is subject to a budget maximum in any given year. It is concessionary, not
statutory, and therefore may be withdrawn at any time at the School’s sole discretion.
Students have no automatic entitlement to these funds and have to apply for them in each case
in the manner outlined above. See also https://www.anthro.ox.ac.uk/funding.
Funding for conference attendance
Additionally limited funds are available to support SAME-registered PRS/D.Phil research
students wishing to accept an invitation to present a poster or paper at a conference (i.e. not
just wishing to attend a conference). Conference attendance awards are subject to the
following conditions:
The applicant will be presenting a paper or poster at the conference.
A copy of the invitation to present is supplied.
Proof is presented that other funding options (e.g. college or conference funds) have
been explored and are unavailable or insufficient.
The costs involved are reasonable, up to a maximum of £250 per application.
Only one application per student is permitted in any financial year (Aug-Jul).
Application should be by letter, endorsed by the student’s supervisor and setting out the costs
involved, to the Director of Graduate Studies, who will verify academic need. The financial
case will then be assessed by the Head of Administration before final approval is given or
withheld.
The scheme is subject to a budget maximum in any given year. It is concessionary, not
statutory, and therefore may be withdrawn at any time at the School’s sole discretion.
Students have no automatic entitlement to these funds and have to apply for them in each case
in the manner outlined above. See also https://www.anthro.ox.ac.uk/funding.
12
Gaining Teaching Experience
Students of full D.Phil. student status (i.e. post-Transfer of Status or transfer from M.Phil.),
and who have ordinarily completed their fieldwork, are eligible to contribute to undergraduate
tutorial teaching (typically for the BA degrees in Human Sciences and Archaeology &
Anthropology). Such D.Phil. students who wish their names to be added to the list of potential
tutors for these degrees should contact
Undergraduate Administrator for
Human Sciences
and/or
, Undergraduate
Administrator for Archaeology & Anthropology
with details of
their areas of potential teaching contribution to the course. It is helpful to refer specifically to
the tutorial topics/subject matter of the courses that you would be able to offer by reference to
the course handbooks for those degrees (available on the appropriate websites). Appearance
on the list is not a guarantee of tutorial work; the appointment of tutors for the courses is
undertaken by the college Directors of Studies for those degrees, drawing upon the lists of
available tutors. Anyone commissioned to teach tutorials will be required to take the relevant
short university course (see below).
D.Phil. students meeting these criteria are also eligible to contribute to some elements of the
teaching of postgraduate taught courses (M.Sc. and M.Phil.) in the School of Anthropology &
Museum Ethnography, as follows:
1. Advanced (post-fieldwork) D.Phil. students may occasionally teach parts of
courses taken by postgraduate taught-course students (M.Sc., M.Phil.), e.g. one-
off lectures or classes in their special area, or assisting with methods classes,
where it is deemed appropriate by the course convenor.
2. They may not normally be involved in marking summative assessments or
convening courses.
In all cases the opportunity to teach (whether paid or not) is subject to visa provisions and
right-to-work.
Courses on Teaching and Learning at Oxford for Tutors
Regardless of their prior experience, new tutors are strongly encouraged – and required, in the
case of graduate students – to attend the “Preparation for Learning and Teaching at Oxford”
(PLTO)” course on tutorial teaching offered by the University of Oxford. Details are given at
http://www.learning.ox.ac.uk/teaching/, but departments offer their own versions of PLTO
courses tailored to their subject matter and teaching. SAME runs a version of this course once
or twice a year for research students who are (or will shortly be) eligible to teach.
The university also offers more advanced courses detailed at the link above:
“Developing learning and teaching” (DLT), which is more detailed.
“Post-Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning” (PGCert)
In addition Blackwell’s bookshop sells a useful short booklet introducing tutorials.
13
DEGREE PATHWAYS
‘Transfer’ or ‘Upgrading’ from PRS to D.Phil. Status9
Students in the status of PRS will spend their first academic year10, up to the end of Trinity
‘full term’ (i.e. the eight-week teaching term), on a review of literature relevant to their
proposed topic and preparing a substantial piece of work for transferring from PRS to full
D.Phil. or M.Litt. status. An application form (GSO 2) for the transfer should be completed,
and this will include a declaration of the thesis title (see the university Graduate Forms page).
The form should be submitted to the general office in 51 Banbury Road beforehand once all
the sections have been filled in apart from the Director of Graduate Studies’ signature (or that
of his delegate or substitute).
Although the University regulations require transfer not later than four terms after admission
as a research student (with two terms of extension allowed ‘for good cause’), the special
regulations for anthropology expect a student to transfer ‘not later than the end of Trinity
full
term after the Michaelmas Term in which they were admitted’. Under these special
regulations, deferral for one term (i.e. to the end of the following Michaelmas
full term) or for
a shorter period within the long vacation, may be considered in special cases using form GSO
2b (see the university Graduate Forms page), endorsed by the supervisor and sent to the
Director of Graduate Studies. In the case of part-time students all of these durations are
doubled, with submission of Transfer of Status documents ordinarily occurring before the end
of Trinity Term of the second PRS year. Different arrangements apply to the alternative PRS
pathway described in
Appendix 3 and to PRS students who exceptionally joined the
University in Hilary or Trinity term (consult the Director of Graduate Studies). PRS students
will be expected to present their work to the PRS class or a recognized equivalent before
being considered for Transfer of Status.
Note that the University expects deadlines to refer to the completion of the whole process of
Transfer of Status, not to the submission of materials. However, so long as the student keeps
to the special regulations for anthropology, and in particular the Trinity term deadline, this
provision should be observed automatically.
The transfer text (not more than 20,000 words, including notes, but excluding bibliography,
glossaries, appendixes etc.) should demonstrate that the student possesses the necessary skills
to write a doctoral thesis on the chosen topic. Normally it will fall roughly into two parts: a
critical literature survey of work done in the ethnographic region of choice (or intellectual
area of research in the case of some non-regional projects), and a critical literature survey of
the previous theoretical approaches that have been taken to the subject or topic the student
wishes to pursue. An outline of research plans and methods should also be included. Also
required within the portfolio is submission of work completed as part of the research methods
modules (see ‘Practical Training’, above) and a completed CUREC (research ethics
committee) form for the work to be undertaken (this need not have been approved in advance
by the CUREC).
9 The official term is ‘Transfer of Status’, but ‘upgrade’ is also often used colloquially.
10 Two years in the case of part-time students.
14
In particular:
The PRS document should introduce the project and explain the student’s research plans. In
facilitating the Transfer of Status and move to actively undertaking research, the PRS transfer
document should:
a) Introduce the theoretical background
b) Introduce the place(s) in which the research will occur
These (which should not be more than 50% of the document) serve to frame:
c) The research questions
d) The materials which must be collected to answer them
e) The methods used to collect these materials
f) How these methods will be used during the fieldwork period (i.e. a research timetable)
g) How the material will be analysed.
Materials submitted for Transfer of Status are assessed by two assessors, usually internal to
the department (sometimes an assessor is drawn from another department in the University,
but rarely from outside the latter), and appointed formally by the School’s Teaching
Committee. The supervisor may not be an assessor. Usually materials are submitted by e-mail
or, if an assessor prefers, in hard copy, or else via the School’s general office in 51 Banbury
Road. The student may consult with the assessors in respect of the place and timing of the
interview, but not for any other purpose before the interview itself.
The assessors will read the student’s work and conduct an interview before making a
recommendation to the Teaching Committee through the Director of Graduate Studies about
the student’s application to change to full D.Phil. or M.Litt. status. The interview is not an
official examination or viva, and sub fusc
is not worn. After the interview, the assessors issue
a report, which includes their recommendation. The student should not expect to be given the
recommendation by the assessors, as it is still subject to acceptance or rejection by the
Teaching Committee. Only when the student has received a letter from the Graduate Studies
Office does the decision become formal.
A student’s transfer or upgrade text may be referred back to him or her by the assessors for
further work or clarification. If transfer is not achieved at the first attempt, one further attempt
is permitted, and one term’s extension automatically granted to facilitate resubmission. A
student who has been referred is expected to transfer successfully at the second attempt,
otherwise his or her status as a PRS may lapse, or he or she may be required to transfer to the
lesser M.Litt. degree. As an alternative to referral, assessors may ask for more information to
be provided or part of the transfer text to be redrafted within a limited period. The interview is
an integral part of the assessment, and the student’s performance in it may compensate for a
weak text.
15
NB: the status of PRS is purely a temporary one, and such students are still registered for the
D.Phil. or M.Litt. degrees, as the case may be. Do not be concerned, therefore, if a university
record does not identify you as a PRS while you are in this status.
It is only after successfully transferring to full D.Phil.-student status that a student will
normally be permitted to go to the field or undertake other long-term research. Brief
reconnaissance trips during the PRS year may, however, be permitted, preferably out of term
time, upon consultation with the supervisor. Any research trip involving the questioning of
informants requires prior ethical approval through CUREC, and any trip even without this
aspect requires completion of the travel registration process (see p. 3 above).
Students who have been accepted for the D.Phil. or M.Litt. via the
internal Oxford M.Phil.
route do not have to write a text for purposes of Transfer of Status (for which their M.Phil.
thesis is an equivalent) or undergo an assessment of this kind, since they already have the
status of full research student under one of these degrees.
It is accepted that sometimes conditions encountered in the field may render some or all of the
project that was passed at Transfer of Status irrelevant or impossible. Some modifications to
the topic and/or its treatment are anyway to be expected as the research proceeds. However, if
it proves necessary to radically change either the topic or the field site or both, the
supervisor(s) and the DGS should be consulted. In such circumstances, it may be necessary to
ask the student to submit a brief outline of the revised research for approval. The student will
not have to redo the Transfer of Status exercise, but the supervisor(s) and DGS will need to be
satisfied that the new research is proper and feasible. (This is in addition to the normal
requirement to keep the supervisor(s) informed of the progress of any research.)
The Social Sciences Division has also issued its own notes of guidance regarding Transfer
(and Confirmation) of Status. This is reproduced, as amended in accordance with School of
Anthropology
practice,
on
the
anthropology
website
at
https://www.anthro.ox.ac.uk/course-handbooks, linked at ‘Transfer and Confirmation of
Status’.
Confirmation of Status
After students have completed the bulk of their original research (usually meaning they have
returned from the field), and normally once they have had time to work out the final form of
the thesis and have completed draft chapters amounting to something like a third or a half of
the thesis, they should apply for Confirmation of [D.Phil.] Status and complete the
appropriate form, GSO 14 (see the university Graduate Forms page); this should be submitted
in advance to the general office in 51 Banbury Road once all the sections have been filled in
apart from the Director of Graduate Studies’ signature or that of his delegate or substitute.
There is also an internal form to provide information about when the viva is being held, the
materials being submitted, etc.: go to https://www.anthro.ox.ac.uk/forms, then scroll down
to ‘SAME internal forms’. Note that the University expects deadlines to refer to completion
16
of the whole process, not just submission of materials11; though deadlines for this purpose
include the whole of the following vacation and not just the eight-week teaching term. Take
this into account in planning when to submit: for example, submitting at the end of the eight-
week teaching term should still leave time for the assessment to take place in the ensuing
vacation. This, of course, depends on the availability of your chosen assessors.
Confirmation of Status is the final milestone before submission and applies equally to those
who have transferred via the M.Phil. degree and those who have transferred from PRS; it does
not apply to students already at this stage registered for the M.Litt., as they do not undergo the
process of being granted D.Phil. status. For PRS-route students, application should be made
not earlier than the sixth term after admission as a doctoral student, nor later than the ninth
term12. In the case of Oxford M.Phil.-D.Phil. transferees, confirmation should be sought not
earlier than the third term after admission as a doctoral student, nor later than the sixth term13
14. However, the Teaching Committee or Director of Graduate Studies can allow any student
to defer submission for up to three terms in exceptional cases (usually a term at a time) using
form GSO 14b (NB: extensions are not appropriate for this purpose, but only to extend the so-
called ‘candidature date’, i.e. the date by which the student should submit the final thesis; use
form GSO 15 for this. Sometimes both an extension and a deferral of confirmation must be
applied for simultaneously). For both forms see the university Graduate Forms page. D.Phil.
students will be expected to present their work to the Work in Progress class15 before being
considered for Confirmation of Status.
The purpose of the Confirmation of Status exercise is to gauge whether the student is on
course for a successful examination of the whole thesis,
though passing the former is no
guarantee of success in the latter. As with Transfer of Status, it takes the form of an
assessment by two, normally internal members of the academic staff chosen on the basis of
consultations between the student and supervisor. The supervisor may not be an assessor, but
sometimes an assessor is drawn from another department in the University, though rarely
from outside it. The student may consult with the assessors to set a place and time for the
assessment interview, but should not approach them for any other reason connected with the
confirmation process. As with Transfer of Status, assessment involves an interview rather
than a formal viva, and sub fusc is not worn.
The assessors receive materials for assessment from the candidate and subsequently conduct
an interview with him or her. They then draw up a report making a recommendation to the
Graduate Studies Committee through the Director of Graduate Studies. As with Transfer of
Status, materials may be submitted directly to assessors (by e-mail or in hard copy, as the
latter prefer) or through the general office in 51 Banbury Road. And as with Transfer of
11 The deadlines referred to on official forms are typically those that apply to full-time research
students. Unless otherwise noted in guidance for part-time students, these are doubled when applied to
part-time study.
12 In the case of part-time students not earlier than the 12th term after admission as a doctoral student
nor later than the 18th term.
13 The reason for this difference is that for M.Phil.-route students the second year of their M.Phil.
degree is their preparatory year, whereas for M.Sc. students it is the PRS year, a year when, unlike
second-year M.Phil. students, they already have doctoral-student status, though it is provisional.
14 For those students transferring from the M.Phil. to part-time D.Phil. study application should be
made not earlier than the sixth term after admission as a doctoral student, nor later than the 12th term.
15 Or an agreed equivalent, e.g. in the case of ICEA students.
17
Status also, the assessors merely give a recommendation to the Teaching Committee (which
may reject or vary it) and are under no obligation to give it to the student. Formally this is
only done by letter from the Graduate Studies Office.
The
Examination Regulations for Anthropology specify the following to be submitted for
assessment: ‘a) a detailed outline of the whole of the proposed thesis, including an indication
of the topics, theories, arguments etc. to be covered in individual chapters (as applicable); and
b) at least one and not more than two sample chapters. In the case of b), ‘the student is
advised to submit one chapter that is basically ethnographic in type (if applicable), the other
concerning the more general comparative and/or theoretical issues with which the thesis
deals’. The supervisor(s) should in any case be consulted in deciding what to submit. The
word limit for the outline is 4,000 words and for the chapter(s) together 20,000 words (i.e.
20% of the permitted word limit for the whole thesis). However, as students are not expected
to divide chapters arbitrarily for this purpose, the rule is more to the effect that assessors are
not obliged to read beyond this limit. On the other hand, they are entitled to call for additional
materials from the student before making their decision.
As well as recommending a pass, assessors may refer the texts submitted for assessment back
to the student for further work or clarification. Students whose first attempt to achieve
confirmation is unsuccessful may make a second attempt, but if that too is unsuccessful, they
may be required to transfer to the M.Litt. degree, depending on a decision by the Teaching
Committee. This would mean that they will no longer be eligible for the degree of D.Phil.
Once students have been confirmed in their D.Phil. status, they may, according to university
regulations, proceed to submission of their theses.
The Social Sciences Division has also issued its own notes of guidance regarding
Confirmation (and Transfer) of Status. This is reproduced, as amended in accordance with
School
of
Anthropology
practice,
on
the
anthropology
website
at
https://www.anthro.ox.ac.uk/graduate-course-information under the ‘Handbooks’ tab, then
‘Transfer and Confirmation of Status’.
The Integrated Thesis format
1 Format
As an alternative to producing a thesis in the monograph format, candidates for a D.Phil. in
Anthropology and D.Phil in Migration Studies may present their work in the integrated
format. In this format, the doctoral thesis comprises a series of chapters, each of which is
broadly equivalent to a paper of publishable standard suitable for submission to a refereed
journal or edited volume in the relevant field of research.
One or more of the papers thus submitted may, but need not, have already been published or
accepted for publication, or be under consideration for publication. Any such collection of
papers may, but need not, include or be accompanied by additional text not published,
accepted for publication, or under consideration for publication, covering other aspects of the
work. For example, the thesis chapter may be longer than the published paper, due to journal
article formatting or length restrictions. Alternatively, a chapter may be included in the thesis
18
to present work that is integral to the doctoral research project, but which is not suitable for
publication
per se (e.g. comprising only preliminary results). In any case, the scope of the
work presented in the thesis overall must be equivalent to what would normally be acceptable
for a doctoral thesis in the monograph format.
The thesis must include an introduction and a conclusion to the entire work, together with a
literature survey and a statement outlining how the chapters are integrated as a complete text.
The work thus presented must constitute a thematically coherent whole of the sort normally
expected of a doctoral thesis in the monograph format. Chapters can be cross-referenced as
appropriate to obviate excessive repetition. Any papers already published or accepted for
publication, or under consideration for publication, must be included in their most recent
version as an appendix to the thesis (e.g. the typeset version prepared by the journal for a
paper published or in press), subject to resolution of issues of copyright.
The thesis must be bound together as a single document, following the formatting guidelines
specified in the examination regulations for the monograph format. A statement listing any
papers published or accepted for publication, or under consideration for publication, linked to
the work presented in the thesis is to be included as front matter, outlining the candidate’s
contributions to collaborative efforts. The standard total word limit of 100K applies, subject
to the usual procedures whereby this requirement may be waived.
2 Procedures
All the work submitted must have been produced during, and based on research in connection
with, the D.Phil. programme, including, if applicable, work produced as an M.Phil. or M.Sc.
(by Research) student in the University of Oxford which is directly connected to the subject
matter of the D.Phil. research. Papers produced prior to or subsequent to this period are not
admissible for this purpose.
Candidates for a doctorate in anthropology or migration studies who wish to proceed by this
route should elect to do so before Confirmation of Status is attempted. They must make their
decision in consultation with their supervisor(s) in the first instance. In exceptional
circumstances, and not without cause, the supervisor(s) may veto a student’s decision to
proceed by this route, subject to approval by the Director of Graduate Studies. Ultimately, it is
the responsibility of the supervisor(s) to ensure that the student present work in the format
best suited to the doctoral research project and in line with disciplinary standards.
Students should be aware that the acceptance of a paper for publication does not of itself
mean that the paper is of sufficient quality or appropriate content to include in the thesis.
Where the candidate proceeds by this route, the assessors for purposes of Confirmation of
Status will be expected to satisfy themselves that the proposed scope and structure of the
work is likely to attain the level of thematic organization, coherence, and consistency that is
expected of a doctoral thesis. They need not be shown all the chapters, but must be shown at
the minimum one sample chapter, together with the introduction to the entire work and the
statements mentioned in Section 1, above outlining (i) how the chapters are integrated as a
complete text and (ii) the extent of the candidate’s contributions to collaborative efforts.
These materials will substitute for the outline of the whole thesis otherwise required for
19
purposes of Confirmation of Status.
If the thesis is to include collaborative work (Section 3, below), the candidate must provide a
statement of permission from collaborators to include the work in the thesis, with each
collaborator confirming the extent of the candidate’s contribution. This statement is to be
submitted as a separate document, together with other materials required for Confirmation of
Status.
If, having elected to pursue the integrated thesis format, the student wishes to revert to the
monograph format, he or she may apply to do so, with his or her supervisor’s approval, by
direct application to the Director of Graduate Studies, giving his or her reasons.
3 Collaborative work
In the case of work presented in the thesis that is the product of collaborative effort,
Confirmation assessors and final examiners will need to satisfy themselves that the candidate
is responsible for the majority contribution to the work, in terms of intellectual development,
practical implementation, and writing up.
To this end:
as mentioned in Section 1, above, a statement must be included as front matter to the
Confirmation of Status document and to the thesis, listing any papers published or
accepted for publication, or under consideration for publication, linked to the work (to
be) presented in the thesis, outlining the candidate’s contributions to collaborative
efforts;
as mentioned in Section 2, above, a statement of permission from collaborators to
include the work must be submitted as a separate document at Confirmation of Status.
Any papers published or accepted for publication, or under consideration for publication,
linked to the work presented in the thesis, but to which the candidate did not make the
majority contribution in terms of intellectual development, practical implementation, and
writing up, may, but need not, be listed in the statement and presented as an appendix to the
thesis. However, such work will not be considered as the candidate’s own, nor assessed in
these terms, for the purpose of award of the doctorate.
4 Copyrighted materials
Issues of copyright must be addressed by the student prior to submission of the thesis. In
particular, where the appendix to the thesis is to include papers already published or accepted
for publication, or under consideration for publication, as specified in Sections 1 and 3, above,
the student must obtain permission from the publisher(s); any such statements are to be
submitted as separate documents to the thesis.
If such permission(s) is (are) not granted, the student will need to obtain dispensation from
consultation for the relevant sections of the thesis in hard and/or electronic copy.
Deferrals, extensions, suspensions
20
While the School does not encourage students to defer transferring or confirming status, to
extend their studies generally beyond the initial deadline, or to suspend their status
temporarily without good reason, such actions are permitted. The School recognises that they
may have to be taken for a variety of circumstances, especially given the specific conditions
of anthropological research. Such actions require forms to be filled in and signed by the
appropriate authorities, including finally the Director of Graduate Studies or his or her
delegate or substitute in the capacity of Chair of the Teaching Committee. While such
requests will always be considered sympathetically, there is no automatic right to have them
approved. University regulations apply in all cases.
Summary of regulations applicable to research students (D.Phil., M.Litt.)16
1. To complete a D.Phil. thesis, the initial upper limit is 12 terms (M.Litt. 9 terms).
There is no need to apply for an extension until this limit (your ‘candidature date’ or
date of submission) becomes imminent without your completing the thesis.
Extensions of up to a further 6 terms (M.Litt. also 6 terms) are possible, usually a
term at a time, and with no more than a year (i.e. 3 terms) being granted at any one
time under University regulations. Extensions of more than 6 terms require the
approval of the Education Committee. Use form GSO 15 for extensions.
2. Transfer of Status from Probationer Research Student to D.Phil. Student should take
place normally not later than the 3rd
full term (i.e. normally Trinity full term, by
which is meant the eight teaching weeks) after admission as a research student.
Deferral for one term (i.e. normally to the end of Michaelmas full term in the second
year or some shorter period) is possible using form GSO 2b, endorsed by the
supervisor and submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies. Transfer of Status
applies to both D.Phil. and M.Litt. students, except for those who transferred
internally within Oxford to one of these degrees via the M.Phil. route. Special
arrangements apply to students following the alternative PRS pathway (see
Appendix
3, below) or entering the university in Hilary or Trinity term (consult with the
Director of Graduate Studies).
3. If a Probationer Research Student fails to transfer at the first attempt, one further
attempt is permitted. One term’s extension is automatically allowed to give the
student time to resubmit. A second failure will normally mean a student no longer
being permitted to continue on the course or being permitted to continue only as an
M.Litt. student (subject to qualification in exceptional circumstances).
4. Confirmation of [D.Phil.] status should be achieved between 3 and 6 terms (Oxford
M.Phil. route) or between 6 and 9 terms (PRS route) after admission as a research
student via form GSO 14. Under University regulations, deferral is possible for a
maximum of a further 3 terms via form GSO 14B. However, University policy is to
grant only a term at a time unless there are very compelling reasons to grant more.
After the period of three terms has been used up, further deferrals can only be
obtained by petition to the Education Committee. M.Litt. students do not have to
apply for Confirmation of Status. NB: you
defer Confirmation of Status, but
extend your candidature or submission date; different forms apply (respectively GSO 14b,
GSO 15).
5. If a D.Phil. student fails to achieve confirmation at the first attempt, one further
16 Deadlines and durations quoted below are doubled in the case of part-time students.
21
attempt is permitted. One term’s extension is automatically allowed to give the
student time to resubmit. Failure to achieve confirmation at the second attempt may
lead to relegation to M.Litt. student status by the School’s Graduate Teaching
Committee.
6. Suspension of status may be permitted for 1 to 3 terms at a time, up to a maximum of
6 terms. Use form GSO 17 to suspend, and form GSO 17a to confirm your return
from suspension (NB: the latter is also mandatory; you won’t be reregistered
automatically at the end of your period of suspension). The student’s college should
always be involved in any decision to suspend, as well as the School. Voluntary
suspension is primarily intended for students who, temporarily, cannot work on their
theses, not as a way of circumventing deadlines; it is assumed that, while suspended,
you will not be able to work on your thesis. Suspensions can be made retrospectively,
if, for example, the student has not been able to work for a long period because of
illness.
7. Students who fail to submit work by any of the above deadlines will ultimately be
deemed to have lapsed, or be removed from, the Register of Students, though they
can normally expect to receive a warning letter from the Graduate Studies Office. Use
form GSO 23 to petition to be reinstated to the Register after lapsing. The School
cannot reinstate students who have lapsed having used up all the time allowed (i.e.
including all possible extensions and deferrals) in their current status. In these cases,
the Education Committee must be petitioned first for special permission to extend
(usually through the college or Graduate Studies Office rather than the School).
8. Students who have lapsed or otherwise been removed from the register of students are
not entitled to any university facilities, including especially supervision, libraries, e-
mail and university cards, though suspended students keep their University cards. If
supervisors nonetheless agree to continue supervising a student under these
circumstances, it will be considered a private matter. NB: there may also be
consequences of loss of student status in the wider world, e.g. loss of council tax
exemption or immigration and visa rights.
9. Reinstatement following unauthorized lapsing is not automatic and will depend on a
number of factors, primarily the availability of suitable supervision for the future and
an assessment of the likelihood of work being resumed and successfully completed,
but also college agreement. In principle, this also applies where illness or other
personal problems have played a part in the suspension or lapsing: while such factors
are always taken into account as sympathetically as possible, in these cases too, the
School will want to satisfy itself concerning the feasibility of further work towards
successful completion of the thesis. Similar considerations may apply to return from
pre-agreed voluntary suspension, even though this does not formally require
permission (only notification via form GSO 17a).
10. At its discretion, the School may allow the reinstatement of a lapsed student for one
further term only (subject to Education Committee approval of a special extension
where necessary) for the purposes of fulfilling the remaining requirements (e.g.
Confirmation of Status, followed, if successful, by final submission within the same
term, including the ensuing vacation). If the circumstances seem to warrant it, the
above conditions may be varied at the School’s sole discretion.
11. This does not apply where a suspension has been agreed with a student for a specific
reason, such as preparatory studies (e.g. a year off for language training), unavoidable
delays in entering a field site or personal crises. Such agreement should not be taken
22
for granted and has to be negotiated between the student and the School’s
representatives in each case. There is a specific University policy regarding
maternity,
paternity
and
adoption
leave
(see
www.ox.ac.uk/.../documents/University_Policy_on_Student_Maternity_Paternity_an
d_Adoption_Leave.pdf), which counts as a special type of suspension of status.
12. Students whose work is persistently unsatisfactory, who are absent from Oxford
without proper authority or who are undertaking unauthorised activities while on
authorised leave may be suspended temporarily by the School at any time, following
consultation with the supervisor and college. The suspension may be for a specific
period and be subject to review. Reinstatement in such cases will be subject to the
conditions in # 9 and # 10 above. In extreme cases the School may seek removal from
the Register of Students entirely, this being the most drastic form of action.
Other forms exist for changes of title and changed or additional supervisors. For a complete
list of forms, see
Appendix 1.
Research Student Progress record
A record of Research Student Progress (‘Report of applications approved by the Director of
Graduate Studies’) is maintained by the Social Sciences Division (of which the School is a
component part), which records all applications received and granted for Transfer of Status,
Confirmation of Status, appointment of examiners, submission, deferrals, extensions,
suspensions etc.. This record is presented to the termly meeting of the Division’s Quality
Audit Committee for discussion and possible action, and is likewise presented to the School’s
Teaching Committee (the Board for research degrees). It is in any case the practice of the
Graduate Studies Office to issue students with reminders and warning letters before taking
any action. The School of Anthropology, through the Director of Graduate Studies, will
nonetheless be expected to investigate cases where appropriate progress is not being made,
and report on them prior to any decision being taken. One possible outcome of ongoing lack
of progression is that a student’s status may eventually be deemed to have lapsed. In most
cases, however, a plan of action is more likely to be agreed with the Director of Graduate
Studies, supervisor(s) and student enabling the latter to catch up. Students who have applied
for, and received, deferrals, extensions or suspensions of status in the proper manner will not
be placed on the Register for those reasons alone.
Census points and student monitoring
The University has introduced a system of so-called ‘census points’ to fulfil its obligations to
the UK Home Office for its monitoring of students and to ensure that they are working on
their degrees in accordance with the UK’s immigration regulations for non-EEA students.
There are now ten monthly census points covering the academic year from October to July.
Supervisors are asked to report contacts with all their students in accordance with each census
point, such contacts preferably being in person, or if not by e-mail, especially for research
students. The only exception is initial registration or re-registration at the start of each
academic year for the first census point. Universities are subject to audit, meaning that the
census information collected may from time to time have to be released to the immigration
authorities.
23
The University has decided to apply this policy to all students, not just non-EEA ones, in the
interests of equity. Its main aim is to satisfy immigration reporting requirements for non-EEA
students to ensure that student visas are not being abused for other purposes. These
requirements also apply to non-EEA students who are conducting fieldwork or writing up
outside the UK while they are in possession of such a visa, as the latter gives them leave to
enter the UK at any time.
In practice, to prevent action being taken under this heading, all students should make sure
they contact their supervisors at least once a month, and at least by e-mail if face-to-face
contact is impracticable, to give an account of their recent and current activities and to satisfy
their supervisors that they are continuing to work on their projects. If such work is not
possible for any reason, they should inform their supervisors promptly so the situation can be
properly discussed. It is accepted that some students in the field will be in remote areas
without the possibility of such communication, at least for certain periods, and account will be
taken of such circumstances. The key point to remember is to keep your supervisor informed
of what you are doing and where you are doing it on a regular basis. This still applies if things
are not going smoothly and you are encountering problems. In the long run it is always better
to discuss problems with the supervisor (or DGS or Head of School) than to hide them and
pretend they don’t exist: if they are genuine, they will not lead to punitive action on the part
of the School or University. In any case, the School has extensive experience of dealing with
problems that occur on a regular basis, such as funding, illness, etc.
Final examination (the viva)
Full details of research degree examinations appear on the university’s dedicated page at
https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/research. NOTE that from Monday Wk 1
MT2019 onwards (regardless of the date of the start of study), theses may only be submitted
electronically; there will be no printing and binding required. The process is detailed on the
above page and briefly outlined below.
Supervisors are required to discuss with the student the names of possible examiners for the
thesis. The student then submits the appropriate form (GSO 3), which is submitted
electronically to the Graduate Studies Office (see the university Graduate Forms page). This
form sets in motion the formal appointment of examiners, normally one internal, one external
to the University (occasionally two external examiners are appointed, in which case an
internal moderator may be appointed to monitor the examination process but not take part in
it). Reserve examiners should be named on the form if possible, as well as those who are
actually expected to act. The form also has a section declaring any change of title that is
required and that has not already been made via form GSO 6. The length of the thesis in
words and the exact latest submission date also have to be declared on the form. The thesis
does not have to be submitted with the form, but a declaration has to be made on the form as
to when it was submitted or will be submitted.
Doctoral and M.Litt. vivas should be held in Oxford. Permission may also be given for a
remote viva to be held, the absent party being the external examiner only, not the student.
Students should not submit theses for either initial or subsequent examination direct to
examiners in any form, but only through the Examination Schools. Theses may be returned
directly to the internal examiner for checking if only minor corrections have been required
24
(and have been made).
For a successful D.Phil. or M.Litt., the central requirement is that the student presents a
significant and substantial piece of research of a kind which might reasonably be expected of
a diligent and competent student after three, or at most four years of full-time study, or six to
eight years of part-time study.
The statutory requirements that the examiners have to consider, and confirm in their report,
in deciding whether or not to award the degree of D.Phil. are that:
1. The student possesses a good general knowledge of the particular field of learning
within which the subject of the thesis falls
2. The student has made a significant and substantial contribution in the particular field
of learning within which the subject of the thesis falls
3. The thesis is presented in a lucid and scholarly manner
4. The thesis merits the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
5. The student has presented a satisfactory abstract of the thesis.
For the M.Litt. the requirements are that:
1. The candidate possesses a good general knowledge of the field of learning within
which the subject of the thesis falls
2. The candidate has shown competence in investigating the chosen topic
3. The candidate has made a worthwhile contribution to knowledge or understanding in
the field of learning within which the subject of the thesis falls
4. The thesis is presented in a lucid and scholarly manner
5. The thesis merits the Degree of Master of Letters.
For the D.Phil. the thesis, of a maximum of 100,000 words (not including abstract,
bibliography or any preface or appendices), must be submitted for examination, together with
an abstract of the thesis that normally should not exceed 300 words. For the M.Litt. no word
limit is specified for the thesis, but around 50,000 words is a reasonable figure. Examiners are
entitled to refer a doctoral thesis back to the candidate if it is found to be over the word limit
without specific permission having been granted.
Submission
From Michaelmas Term 2019, research students will be required to submit a digital
copy of their thesis via Research Thesis Digital Submission (RTDS) for their
examination instead of 2 soft-bound copies.
Summary of the agreed changes to the Rules and Regulations:
From Michaelmas term 2019 onwards, you will be required to submit the official
copy of your thesis for examination digitally via RTDS. The typewritten part(s) of
any thesis must be saved in pdf format.
Examiners may still request a hard copy of the thesis from the Examination Schools
and this will be arranged and paid for centrally by the Submissions and Research
Degrees Team. The minimum time between both examiners receiving the official
copy of the thesis via RTDS and a viva date remains at 4 weeks (as referred to under
‘the oral examination or viva’ section of the Research examinations web page).
25
Candidates who have already submitted the hard copies of their thesis for
examination but are still awaiting their viva or the outcome of their examination, or
are part way through the examination process (i.e. have been given major corrections
or have been referenced back) by the start of Michaelmas term 2019 will continue to
be examined under the old regulations.
Candidates with a maximum submission date of Friday 0Wk MT2019 (i.e. last day of
TT2019) will not be permitted to submit under the new regulations. Any candidate
who has a later maximum submission date and wishes to submit under the new
regulations may do so from Monday 1Wk MT2019 but this will count as an MT2019
submission and cannot be backdated to TT2019.
Any material which cannot be digitised (e.g. sculptures, artefacts, 3D components) can still be
physically submitted as necessary.
Further
details
are
available
on
the
Research
Examinations
page
at
https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/research.
For information relating to third party copyright items (e.g. images) in digital theses see
https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/digitaltheses/third_party_copyright; queries for further
clarification can be directed to the Tylor Anthropology Librarian). After the submission of the
theses and abstracts, the examiners notify the student of the date of the oral examination; all
other communications between candidates and examiners must be conducted through
supervisors. Candidates may in certain circumstances (if, for example, they are about to take
up full-time employment overseas) ask to be given an early examination via form GSO 16
(see the university Graduate Forms page); whether such requests can be met will, of course,
depend upon the commitments of examiners and the amount of warning they are given. If the
latter agree, the viva should be held within one month of their formally agreeing to examine.
If the thesis is not ready at the time the application for appointment of examiners is made, a
proposed submission date should be indicated on the appointment of examiners’ form, which
should be as soon as possible after the date of application, but in no case later than the last day
of the vacation immediately following the term in which the application has been made (i.e.
Friday of 0th week of the following term). A final title should also be declared on the form if
it represents a change from an earlier title.
In the oral examination, apart from asking you about specific points in the thesis, as already
noted the examiners are required to ascertain that you have a good general knowledge of the
particular field of learning in which the subject of your thesis lies and satisfy the other
conditions listed above. You are entitled to be given sufficient opportunity to reply to the
points they raise. You are strongly advised to bring a copy of your thesis with you to the oral
examination. As for all formal examinations, candidates must wear sub fusc, as does the
internal examiner. It is the SAME Teaching Committee (‘the Board’), whether acting or not
through the Director of Graduate Studies as its delegate or a substitute, not the examiners
(who only recommend), that makes the final decision on the outcome of the examination.
Formal notification is by letter from the Graduate Studies Office. Examiners are not supposed
to convey their recommendation to a student in the viva itself, nor, if a thesis is referred, to
give guidance in the viva itself regarding what needs to be done to bring it up to the required
standard. Such guidance and information should only be given to the student in the
examiners’ subsequent report and/or a specific document appended to it, though both should
26
be provided promptly to the student. Lists of ‘minor corrections’ may, however, be given in
the viva itself.
The three most common recommendations examiners make are either:
i) the award of the D.Phil. (with or without ‘minor corrections’)
ii) major corrections (see further below)
iii) a referral of some sort, usually referral back for the D.Phil., though occasionally for
the M.Litt. only, if the examiners are satisfied that the thesis cannot be revised to
D.Phil. standard under any circumstances.
‘Referral’ here means a requirement for further work or revision, followed by re-
examination. Other possible recommendations (progressively less favourable) are:
iv) a choice between
award of the M.Litt. as the thesis stands or
referral back for
resubmission for the D.Phil. as the student chooses, if the examiners think the thesis is
of the former standard but not yet of the latter, though it might become of D.Phil.
standard if revised
v) a referral back for revision for either degree as the student chooses, if the examiners
do not think the thesis as it stands is of sufficient standard for either, but may become
so after revision
vi) fail (not permitted without an initial referral, i.e. not at the first viva).
Clearly a thesis submitted for the M.Litt. degree cannot be awarded a D.Phil. (though the
reverse is possible), but it may be referred back to the student for further work, as well as
passed with or without minor corrections. A thesis originally submitted for the D.Phil. which
is subsequently used to supplicate for the M.Litt. degree need not be reduced in its word
count.
Any minor corrections the examiners require should be made within one month of the viva17,
it being possible to apply for a further month via form GSO 18. Minor corrections are those
that do not require the consideration of the examiners on intellectual grounds (they are rather
of the nature of typographical and other minor errors), and the internal examiner checks them
alone without having to meet the student or consult the external examiner.
The option of ‘major corrections’, also available to examiners, is intermediate between minor
corrections and a full referral. Major corrections should obviously be more substantial than
the correction of simple errors that constitutes minor corrections, but should not be sufficient
to justify a referral; they should also be 1) capable of completion within six months18, there
being no extension allowed; and 2) signed off by both examiners, with or without the
imposition of minor corrections at this stage in addition. A further viva may or may not be
required, depending chiefly on whether or not the examiners feel another batch of major
corrections is needed. The School’s Teaching Committee, in reviewing any recommendation
of major corrections, may accept or reject the recommendation, in the latter case asking the
examiners to review it.
17 Within two months in the case of part-time students
18 Within 12 months in the case of part-time students.
27
If the thesis is referred for resubmission, the candidate will be given two years to revise and
re-submit it. A fee is payable on resubmission. A detailed list of requirements for revision
should be provided by the examiners as soon as possible after the examination. Upon
resubmission the student should submit a report of no more than 1000 words outlining the
changes that have been made to the thesis in response to the examiners’ original report. The
examiners need not hold another viva, provided they are satisfied that the resubmitted thesis
deserves the award of the D.Phil. without one, otherwise they must do so before making their
final recommendation, including to fail the thesis outright. Further details concerning the
D.Phil. examination procedure and duties of the examiners may be found in the
Examination
Regulations.
If a thesis is referred, for the subsequent examination the candidate may choose alternative
examiners, who would normally, however, receive a copy of the first examiners’ report
(though the candidate may appeal to the Proctors against this last provision). The first
examiners are under no obligation to act in any subsequent examination. The academic
judgement of examiners and assessors is considered sacrosanct. Claims against their
decisions can only be made on procedural grounds, normally to the proctors through the
student’s college. Careful consideration should be given to changing examiners, as a fresh
team may well uncover fresh problems.
Although a copy of all theses is required to be deposited in the Bodleian library, a student
may elect to restrict access to a thesis for a period, normally of up to five years (e.g. if it
contains sensitive information), though after that time an application may be made that this
be prolonged (NB: no reminder will be sent that the period of restriction is coming to an end,
so students should keep account of this themselves). Students should especially keep the
possibility of restricting access in mind in light of the requirement to submit an electronic
copy of all theses to the Oxford Research Archive (ORA), which has made access to theses
easier than formerly. The Social Sciences Division in any case imposes a default embargo of
three years on ORA submissions, though the student may apply for this to be waived, e.g. to
satisfy research council conditions on the rapid dissemination of results. See
http://www.ouls.ox.ac.uk/ora for further guidance on this matter.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own, with or without their
consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. All published and
unpublished material, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, is covered under this
definition. Plagiarism may be intentional or reckless, or unintentional. Under the regulations
for examinations, intentional or reckless plagiarism is a disciplinary offence. For guidance on
correct citation formatting please see SAME Graduate Studies Handbook, Appendix 3.
For good referencing practice, see
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/edc/policiesandguidance/pgexaminers/annexef .
There is clear information and advice on how to avoid plagiarism in the Study Skills section
of the University website:
http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills/plagiarism
28
All ideas and words quoted must be properly referenced to avoid plagiarism.
The University offers two online self-study courses that will help you in understanding what
constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it.
You are
strongly advised to take these courses early in your time here.
https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/skills/generic
For guidance on correct citation formatting please see SAME Graduate Studies Handbook,
Appendix 3.
Policies and regulations
The University has a wide range of policies and regulations that apply to students. These are
easily accessible through the A-Z of University regulations, codes of conduct and policies
available on the Oxford Students website
http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/regulations/a-z.
29
APPENDIX 1: LIST OF APPLICABLE UNIVERSITY FORMS
GSO [Graduate Studies Office] numbers can normally be found in the top right-hand corner
of the first page of the form. Forms can be downloaded (or in some cases completed and
submitted online) from the university Graduate Forms page.
M.Sc. to M.Phil. or vice versa; D.Phil. to D.Phil (i.e. between departments):
GSO 28 (‘Change of programme of study’). This form is for transfers between different
taught courses or different research degrees (including between departments).
M.Sc. to PRS or M.Phil. to D.Phil.:
University’s standard admissions procedures (q.v.), administered and decided by the School.
M.Litt. or PRS to D.Phil.:
GSO 2 (‘Application to transfer status’). This is the form to use for upgrading research
students.
GSO 2B (‘Application for deferral of Transfer of Status’)
Confirmation of D.Phil. student status:
GSO 14 (‘Application to confirm D.Phil. status’).
GSO 14b (‘Application
for deferral of confirmation of D.Phil. status’)
Other
GSO 3 appointment of examiners (for doctoral and M.Litt. vivas)
GSO 6 change of title (also possible via GSO 3 if final title)
GSO 8 dispensation from statutory residence (not ordinarily used in anthropology)
GSO 15 extension of time
GSO 16 early examination (for doctoral and M.Litt. vivas)
GSO 17 suspension of status
GSO 17a confirmation of return from suspension of status
GSO 18 extension of time to complete minor corrections (post-viva, 3 months only)
GSO 23 reinstatement to the register of graduate students (e.g. after lapsing)
GSO 25 change of supervisor or appointment of further supervisor(s)
GSO 29 notification of withdrawal from programme of study
NB: the ‘student number’ (OSS number) on these forms is not the University card
number (always a seven-figure number beginning with ‘2’) but a special number
usually of four to six figures, which may start with any number. If in doubt, ask in the
SAME general office or leave blank.
The student is primarily responsible for filling in these forms at the appropriate times and in
the appropriate circumstances, as well as making sure that they are signed by the whole range
of individuals or authorities indicated on them (usually oneself, as well as the current or any
new supervisor, the college, the director of graduate studies, and possibly others). Once the
form is complete, it should be returned to the Departmental Office for copying and
processing. The copies will be filed in SAME and the originals sent by SAME staff to the
Divisional Graduate Studies Office.
30
APPENDIX 2: WRITING GUIDELINES
In writing theses and coursework, the following conventions and guidelines may be adopted
as standard in anthropology today:
Editorial
1) The
Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors and
Hart’s Rules give appropriate
guidance on spellings and other detailed aspects of the editing and preparation of
manuscripts in UK English. American spellings and punctuation are acceptable,
provided consistency is observed throughout (for American English, see the
Chicago
Manual of Style).
2) The rule for doctoral theses (in the
Examination Regulations) is double-spacing for
the main text, though single-spacing or 1.5 spacing may be used for footnotes and set-
off quotes. Double-sided printing is preferred. Footnotes are preferred to endnotes; if
endnotes are chosen, a separate printout of them should be given to examiners. An
abstract should be supplied of no more than a single page (side). Theses should be
paginated throughout.
3) Times New Roman or similar is a good choice for the main typeface. There is rarely
any need to mix typefaces. The main text and bibliography should be 12 point in size,
set-off quotes 11 point, footnotes or endnotes 10 point. Your word-processing
program will probably automatically set footnotes or endnotes in a smaller type size
than the main text.
4) Single quotation marks should be used for quotations, double quotation marks
reserved for quotations within quotations. This applies whether the quoted material is
from published sources or from field notes, and whether a single word or phrase, or
one or more complete sentences. The convention that has grown up of using double
quote marks for quoted words and single quote marks for glosses etc. is best avoided,
especially as publishers still tend to prefer the former system.
5) Longer quotations of more than about five lines should be set off from the main text
in 11 point type size and indented. They should not be preceded or followed by quote
marks, though these should be used within the set-off quote if required (e.g. for a
quote within the set-off quote). If a set-off quotation has a reference, it should be
placed in brackets
after the final full stop, and not have a full stop of its own.
6) Quotations should normally be in ordinary type, not italics, except for original
emphasis or your own special emphasis. The origin of any emphases in quoted
passages should be indicated (e.g. ‘emphasis in the original’, versus ‘my emphasis’).
7) The omission of words from a quotation should be indicated by three points (four at
the end of a sentence). Matter you yourself have added to a quotation should be
placed in square brackets.
8) Italics should be used for foreign words cited singly or in small groups, but not for
longer quotations that consist of continuous text (which should be treated like
ordinary quotations in English). Italics should also be used for book or journal titles
cited in the text, but article titles should be in ordinary type within single quote
marks.
9) Exceptions to 8) include names of rituals and organisations, and personal names: even
if in a foreign language, these tend to be treated as proper nouns in English, i.e. put in
ordinary type with an initial capital letter. In general, any foreign word which would,
if in English, be considered a proper noun should treated as if it were English.
31
10) Footnotes are preferable to endnotes, the latter being subject to restrictions on their
use under the
Examination Regulations (q.v.). Footnotes should be kept to a
minimum and should normally consist of supplementary text, not of references alone,
though references belonging to the text of the footnote itself should, of course, be
inserted.
11) Footnotes should be in 10-point type size (NB: your word-processing program may
well automatically set a smaller type size than the main text).
12) Footnote or endnote numbers
in the text should be in superscript: this is usually done
automatically by word-processing programs. They should come
after any nearby
punctuation (full stops, commas, etc.).
13) All pages of the main text should be numbered using arabic numerals. Roman
numbers may (but need not) be used for front matter (generally up to and including
the contents page).
14) Section headings should be carefully and consistently distinguished from one another
according to their position in what is basically a hierarchical schema (of sections, sub-
sections etc.) by differential numbering and/or lettering, different type sizes or type
styles (bold, underlining, italics etc.), though not normally different typefaces. The
device ‘1., 1.1., 1.1.1.’, etc., is sometimes useful (see, e.g.,
JASO 1986, pp. 87 ff.).
Although there is an increasing tendency among publishers not to number sections,
sub-sections, etc.
within a chapter, numbering does make cross-referencing easier.
Bibliographical
1) The ‘Harvard’ system of listing full references in the bibliography and placing only
short references in the text, usually in parentheses [e.g. (Smith 2000: 10), where 2000
is the date of publication and 10 the page number], is now standard in anthropology.
If no date is given, put ‘n.d.’
2) Short references should not have commas within them, and the page number is best
preceded by a colon rather than a comma: thus ‘Smith 2000: 10’ is clearer than
‘Smith, 2000, 10’.
3) A number of short references may, however, be separated by commas if without page
numbers (e.g. Smith 2000, Jones 2005, Brown 2007); if page numbers are given, then
it is clearer to separate such references with semi-colons (e.g. Smith 2000: 10; Jones
2005: 20; Brown 2007: 50).
4) In the text, the abbreviation ‘et al.’ (note position of full stop!) is used for multi-
author references with more than two authors, the first author’s name coming
beforehand: e.g. ‘Smith, Jones and Brown 2000’ can be cited as ‘Smith et al. 2000’
(no commas needed, NB). Do not use in the bibliography at the end, but give all
names, however many. Do not use for only two authors, but give both names in such
cases: e.g. ‘Smith and Jones 2000’.
5) ‘Ibid.’ (= ibidem, ‘the same’) may be used in textual references to indicate a repeat
reference (with or without a fresh page number), but should be used with care, as it
may confuse the reader. For example, if a completely different reference is introduced
in the intervening passage in a subsequent draft, the ‘ibid.’ will automatically be read
as referring to it and not the previous reference. ‘Op. cit.’ (= ‘in the place cited’) is
now virtually redundant in anthropology to indicate a repeated reference to a
previously cited work. In general, publishers now prefer to avoid both abbreviations.
32
6) With page numbers, ‘ff.’ = ‘pages following’, ‘f.’ = ‘page following’. However, it is
generally clearer to give the full page span in all cases. The equivalent ‘et seq.’ for
‘ff.’ is now virtually redundant in anthropology.
7) Page numbers should always be given for direct quotations from another work. Their
omission in other cases is often justified (e.g. to cite a work in general terms), but it
may also be taken to reflect laziness on the part of the author.
8) References alone should not normally be put in footnotes, unless there are many that
have to be listed together. References should, however, be included in footnotes if
they are integral to the text of the footnote.
9) The full form of all references should be listed at the end of the text in a bibliography
in alphabetical order of author’s surname or equivalent identifier (e.g. issuing
organization or title of work if no author is given).
10) Normally in the bibliography the author’s surname is given first, in full, followed by
initials or first names, then the publication date with a full stop. After that comes the
title, and, in the case of an article, the title of the book (with editors’ names) or
journal in which the article appears.
11) For articles in journals alone, give the volume number, issue or part number (if any)
and page numbers for the article (insert all these at the end, after journal title). Page
numbers are not normally required for articles in edited books.
12) Titles should be in italics in the case of self-standing published items (books, journal
titles); but in ordinary type, with or without quotation marks (the latter increasingly
being preferred), in the case of articles in journals or in edited volumes. Unpublished
theses are best given in ordinary type without quotation marks.
13) Titles need no longer have initial capital letters for all words, only for the first word
of a title (not of a sub-title if preceded by a colon) and wherever they would be
required in normal text. The older convention of having initial capitals for all the
important words of a title is still valid – indeed, it remains obligatory for journal titles
– though it is becoming less popular for titles of books, book chapters and articles.
Whichever method is used, it should be used consistently.
14) Archival references (as distinct from published ones) have their own conventions; see
the standard guides mentioned above for detailed advice. You don’t normally need to
list your own field notes as references, nor to put ‘personal communication’ to
reference informants’ statements, though the latter should be used to cite unpublished
information imparted informally by a colleague.
15) Web sources should consist of the full URL, author and title if known or appropriate,
and date accessed (to take account of web updates). These are best placed in
footnotes. If there are many, a separate bibliographical list may be provided.
16) The above is a reasonable and relatively economical method of dealing with
presentational issues, but variations may be encountered that are equally valid.
Whichever method you choose, be consistent over details and do not deviate
markedly from accepted conventions without good reason (such reasons may need
specific justification).
33
APPENDIX 3. THE ALTERNATIVE PRS PATHWAY
Probationer research students entering the School of Anthropology & Museum Ethnography
should normally have a prior, full taught-course degree in the area of anthropology relevant to
their proposed studies at either the graduate or undergraduate levels before being admitted to
this status. Exceptionally, however, students who have earned a Distinction in either 1) a
degree in a closely related subject that includes some relevant anthropology, or 2) a combined
degree in anthropology and another closely related subject may be admitted directly to the
status of probationer research student in anthropology. In addition to the standard
requirements for probationer research students in anthropology (and except as varied below),
students entering the School via this route should satisfy the following conditions, subject to
variation (except 5)) at the discretion of the supervisor in consultation with the Doctoral
Admissions and Research Convenor:
1) they enter the School as research students in the Michaelmas term of their first
academic year and not in any other term.
2) the topic of their proposed research lies in the general thematic or geographical area
covered by their prior degree.
3) they undertake a course of up to eight tutorials in the relevant area of anthropology,
with essays submitted as directed by their supervisor in agreement with an
appropriate tutor, in the first Michaelmas term of their admission as probationer
research students. Three of the essays produced for these tutorials are to be submitted
for assessment as described below.
4) they follow a course in an option (area or topic) offered to master’s students in the
School in the first Hilary term after their admission as research students (or one of the
core courses of the MSc in Cognitive & Evolutionary Anthropology in the case of
PRS students undertaking research in those areas). The course taken must be relevant
to their proposed research if one is available (area or topic), except that they may not
repeat an option in which they have been examined as part of a prior degree in the
University of Oxford. If the student cannot take such a course for either of these
reasons, a free choice may be allowed with the agreement of the Doctoral Admissions
and Research Convenor or his or her delegate. The student shall write one essay of
tutorial standard on the option for assessment as described below.
5) the proposed supervisor has given his or her approval of this course of action in
writing to the Doctoral Admissions and Research Convenor or, in case the latter is the
proposed supervisor, to the Director of Graduate Studies for anthropology.
NB: the work specified in 3) and 4) above shall constitute Part I of the assessment for transfer
from probationer research student to full D.Phil. student, and the text for transfer that the
student will be required to prepare on the basis of his or her proposed research (in the same
manner as for ordinary probationer research students in anthropology) shall constitute Part II
of the said assessment.
Students following these arrangements must pass an assessment of the work they have carried
out under 3) and 4) above (Part I), which shall normally involve scrutiny of three tutorial
34
essays and the option essay. This assessment shall be carried out at the same time as the
standard assessment of the text on the proposed research (Part II). An extra assessor or
assessors, one of whom in special cases may be the student’s supervisor, may but need not be
appointed to scrutinize the work carried out for Part I. The extra assessor(s), if any, need not
be present at the assessment interview with the student, but should advise the assessors
conducting the interview in writing beforehand of the standard of work achieved by the
student in Part I.
Both parts of the assessment, i.e. Parts I and II as specified above, must be passed by the
student, though not necessarily on the same occasion. If the student fails in either Part I or
Part II, or both, he or she will be required to resubmit materials for, and pass, the relevant
part(s) within one term of the original submission. Both elements in Part I, as described under
3) and 4) above, must be passed by the student.
The deadline for a student following this path to submit materials for assessment for upgrade
to full status as a doctoral student shall normally be the fourth term after admission as a
research student (i.e. the Michaelmas term of the second year in the status of probationer
research student). Such students are expected to start work on their text for upgrade during the
Hilary term after their admission as probationer research students at the latest.
35
APPENDIX 4. DOCUMENT ISSUED BY THE SOCIAL SCIENCES DIVISION
REGARDING TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS
(REVISED AND AMENDED FOR DEPARTMENTAL USE)
1. Skills Review and Training Needs Analysis
What is Skills Review and Training Needs Analysis?
During your doctoral studies at the University of Oxford you will complete an annual skills
review with your Supervisor. The skills review is a process of reviewing your own level of
skills and competence across a broad range of research and other skills that will help to
support your research. During your doctoral studies you will be encouraged also to think
about your own professional development and future career.
There will be opportunities for you to develop a range of skills during your studies. Your
Department will offer training and development opportunities that are specific to your
research, and you will also have the opportunity to attend training activities beyond your
department. Information about the training opportunities available to you within the Social
Sciences
Division
and
across
the
University
is
available
online
at:
https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/socsci/dtcssd
Completing the Training Needs Analysis Framework The skills categories listed in the TNA framework will help you to complete your research
and also enhance your professional development. The TNA will be individual to you and it is
designed to evolve as you progress to completion. Practice in the School of Anthropology is
set out in the preceding handbook.
The TNA framework allows you to see where you are with the skills listed, and where you
need to be; the gap representing your training needs. There are a number of ways that you can
address any training gaps, including attending a training course/workshop, attending a
lecture/seminar, completing an online training course or perhaps attending a conference. Your
supervisor will be best placed to provide guidance about how to address any skills training
gaps. The University’s online termly reporting system through GSR provides a good
opportunity for you to review and plan your development at the end of each term.
Using the TNA, you can develop a ‘plan of action’ with your Supervisor to address your
training needs, taking into account:
The skills and knowledge that you already possess
The particular requirements of your proposed research
The need to be aware of a wide range of research methods
Your own professional development and career aspirations
You can also agree with your Supervisor the training activities that you will undertake.
36
The Skills Review Process
The SR and TNA process is an annual cycle and can be summarised as follows:
Step 1
Self Evaluation
Student completes or reviews the TNA
Step 4
Step 2
The plan of action and progress will be discussed at
Skills Review Meeting (Michaelmas Term)
Skil
ls Review meetings in Hilary and Trinity term
Discussion of skills and training gaps can be
The
outcomes of the meetings are recorded in GSR
addressed
Supervisor and Student agree a plan of action.
Step 3
Outcomes of the Skills review meeting are recorded in the
GSR reporting system
Student undertakes the training activities that have been
agreed with the Supervisor
Student Enrolment System (SES)
The Student Enrolment System brings together the training available across the departments
in social sciences and from other training providers within the University. This means that
you have access to a range of teaching and training across the University. This includes
academic courses, research methods training and transferable skills and career development
training. With access to all of these courses, you and your supervisor are able to tailor a
training programme to suit your individual needs and interests.
2. Social Sciences Induction and Welcome Event
A welcome event and induction for all new doctoral students to the Social Sciences at Oxford
will take place (details to be announced separately). The event will provide the opportunity
for you learn about the social sciences at Oxford and to meet fellow researchers at a Poster
and Networking session. Doctoral students from across the Social Sciences will showcase the
research that they are currently undertaking. This will provide a valuable opportunity to for
you to make connections with the wider social sciences research student community at
Oxford.
3. Academic and Professional Development Programme (APDP)
The Social Sciences Division will be coordinate an Academic and Professional Development
Programme (known as APDP) for doctoral students across the Social Sciences at Oxford. The
APDP will complement the valuable research skills and methods training that is delivered
within your department. The APDP will provide an intellectually stimulating programme of
activities that will foster inter-disciplinarity, and provide an opportunity for doctoral students
to network with fellow students from across the social science community.
There are four streams of training that address the training needs for doctoral students as
outlined in the UK Research Council’s Researcher Development Statement. The programme
will also help you to prepare for academic and non-academic career pathways. The sessions
will consist of a mixture of seminars, lectures and workshops that will be run by experienced
academics and skilled facilitators from inside and outside of Oxford. Sessions will include:
37
Knowledge and intellectual abilities
Social Sciences Induction and Welcome Event
Research Skills Toolkit
Social Sciences Library: Resources for Research
Personal Effectiveness
Your D.Phil. Part 1: Introduction to the D.Phil.
Your D.Phil. Part 2: Management Skills for Researchers
Your D.Phil. Part 3: Managing your Thesis
Finishing Your D.Phil.
D.Phil. Milestones
Time Management for Researchers
Project Management for Researchers
Career Planning for Social Scientists
Careers in Social Sciences Seminar Series
Finishing the D.Phil.
CV’s and Interview Skills
Career Confidence
Maximise Your Potential (GradSchool)
Research Governance and Organisation
Ethics Training
Research Data Management
E-Thesis and ORA
Safety in Fieldwork
Engagement, Influence and Impact
Presentation Skills
Presenting to an Academic Audience
Communicating Research to a Wider Audience
Writing Abstracts
Teaching Skills Seminars
Networking Skills
Producing Posters
Using Online Tools and Resources
Getting Published in the Social Sciences
Media Training
Writing for a Non-academic Audience
Maximise Your Potential (GradSchool)
Communication and Collaboration: Keeping it Real
Further details about the Academic and Professional Development Programme can be found
on the Social Sciences Doctoral Training site in WebLearn,
https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/socsci/dtcssd
38
To enrol for the APDP sessions and for information about other training opportunities
available
to
you,
please
use
the
Student
Enrolment
System,
https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/socsci/ses
4. Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership
The University of Oxford is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
as a member of one of the 14 new Doctoral Training Partnerships accredited for six years
from October 2017. In total around 500 studentships nationwide will be available per year
through the DTP Network. The ‘Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership’ clusters Oxford,
the Open University and Brunel University London, securing 31 ESRC doctoral studentships
per year.
A key priority of the Social Sciences Division is to seek to enhance the experience of its
students through a range of initiatives available to all social science research students,
whether or not they are funded by the ESRC. Your home department will provide you with a
thorough grounding in the intellectual and methodological skills you need to pursue research
within your own discipline or subject, and your supervisor will work with you to identify the
support and training you need as an individual to be successful in your chosen research topic.
You also have access to the many opportunities the wider social sciences and University
community can offer, including:
an introductory event and poster conference for new doctoral students; and a series of
lectures by leading academics and practitioners on broad social science themes
opportunities for students across the social sciences to access specialist research
training offered by a range of providers, including the provision of on-line
information and enrolment, and the continuing development of new courses;
a social sciences wide Academic and Professional Development Programme (APDP)
of research and professional skills training to help you prepare for your future career;
a wealth of events within and outside your department – lectures, conferences,
seminars, workshops – that will bring you into contact with a rich interdisciplinary
mix of scholars, students and leading academics and practitioners from around the
world;
a wealth of world-class resources, including: libraries, museums and collections,
research facilities, training in languages, IT, teaching and a wide range of relevant
skills training, both face-to-face and on-line.
builds on Oxford’s strong and diverse knowledge exchange and collaborative
relationships with national and international government, business and third sector
organizations to offer a range of collaborative studentship opportunities, including co-
funding, internships and placements
offers, through the ESRC’s Advanced Training Network, opportunities for Oxford
students to access advanced and specialist research training programmes offered by
other DTCs.
For more information about activities and resources for doctoral students in the social
sciences please visit, http://dtc.socsci.ox.ac.uk
39
APPENDIX 5: FURTHER GUIDANCE PERTAINING TO THE PART-TIME D.PHIL.
The provision of a part-time mode of study for a DPhil in anthropology was
introduced from 2018-19 entry. It essentially spreads the research degree over 6-8
years instead of 3-4.
It should be noted that part-time study is not in practice the same as half-time; during
their period of registration as a part-time research student, registered students are
required to attend Oxford for a minimum of 30 days of university-based work each
year, normally coinciding with specific days in the full terms of the academic
year, arranged through agreement with their supervisor. Part-time students are equally
a part of the academic community in the School from the outset and their attendance
of elements of School academic life remains an essential part of their degree (the
same will apply to certain aspects of college life). In practice this includes certain
specific classes on particular dates, especially in the first year, which correspond to
introductory teaching and induction sessions received by all new Doctoral students
(e.g. Induction, PRS classes and Methods Modules), as well as occasional class
presentations on specific dates, and face-to-face meetings with their supervisor
(though the latter need be only half as frequent as is the case for full-time students).
While part-time students are not required by regulation to be resident in Oxford, they
need to be within commutable distance of Oxford when required.
With regard to specific timetabled commitments these are:
Michaelmas Term (autumn) *First Year only*
PRS (D.Phil.) classes: one morning per week for at least the first five weeks of term
from the start of October to mid-November. In addition you should expect to meet
your supervisor at the start of term and on at least one further occasion before the end
of term.
Hilary Term (spring) *First Year and Second Year only*
At least one D.Phil. Research Methods Module: one morning or afternoon per week
for the eight weeks from mid-January to mid-March (the course chosen determines
the times of these). You do one course in Michaelmas (exceptionally), Hilary or
Trinity Term of the first year and one course in Michaelmas, Hilary or Trinity Term
of the second year. [A few of the Methods Modules that you can choose from are run
in Michaelmas Term or in Trinity Term but the overwhelming majority are in Hilary
Term].
Plus attendance of at least four of the eight PRS research presentation seminars – part-
time students will be required to present their own research plans in these classes in
their second year.
40
In addition students should expect to meet their supervisor at least twice before the
start of the next (Trinity) term.
Trinity Term (summer) *First Year and Second Year only*
There are few if any strictly timetabled classes so from mid-March to the start of the
following October so the part-time DPhil timetable is largely by arrangement with the
supervisor.
In addition students should expect to meet their supervisor at least twice before the
start of the next (Michaelmas) term.
Post-fieldwork study years (typically year 5 onwards)
Following fieldwork research students are expected to attend – and contribute to – the
D.Phil. ‘Work in Progress’ seminar series, at which students present to their peers and
staff their research to date. Part-time students are expected to attend half of the
seminars offered in a given year, over the course of their writing-up period. While a
full-time student would be expected to present to the class within a year of completion
of fieldwork, a part-time student would be expected to do so within two years.
Transfer of Status, Fieldwork and Confirmation of Status
As detailed in the foregoing handbook, in general the work obligations for part-time
students are spread over twice the time of the full-time version of the degree, and this
includes the time allowed for progress assessment and for fieldwork. So, while full-
time students undertake their Transfer of Status assessment (required prior to
undertaking fieldwork) before the end of their first year, part-time students will do so
by the end of their second year. While full-time students expect to undertake 12-18
months of fieldwork, part-time students might expect to spread this over 24-36
months. In practice, a part-time student may be able to do so more quickly if they
decide to do their fieldwork more than half-time.
It is important that part-time D.Phil. students and their supervisors consider the
practical issues associated with undertaking fieldwork part-time. This might be
straightforward for a literature or data-based research project, or for a data-gathering
based project that is close to home (e.g. clinical trial-type, interview-type), but more
complicated for one that involves overseas travel and/or immersion in another cultural
context. There would be nothing in practice to prevent a registered part-time student
from doing fieldwork full-time if desired.
As with Transfer of Status the time allowed for Confirmation of Status is twice that of
full-time students.
The main Graduate Admissions page(s) for the DPhil in Anthropology at
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-anthropology?wssl=1
41
include details of the part-time version of the DPhil degree and aspects of the
expected timeline for stages of the study process.
Funding
The DPhil in Anthropology is eligible for ESRC scholarships (Home/EU students)
(see https://www.granduniondtp.ac.uk/anthropology) and this includes the part-time
version, for which the scholarship value would be spread over 6 or 8 years instead of
3 or 4 (depending upon the award). The same applies to AHRC scholarships
(Home/EU students). The Clarendon Scholarships (open to all nationalities and all
graduate
degrees)
are
also
open
to
part-time
DPhil applicants (see
https://www.ox.ac.uk/clarendon/information-for-applicants/eligibility?wssl=1). Part-
time students are, of course, eligible for the School’s own funding on equal terms with
full-time students (differing only in as much as any timing for eligibility is altered
according to the duration of part-time study).
Transferring between full-time and part-time status
In the course of their studies a student may transfer up to once between part-time and
full-time status (either full-time to part-time or
vice versa) if approved by their
supervisor, the School, and their college. Note that some colleges that do admit
students to the full-time D.Phil. do not ordinarily admit students for the part-time
version, which is a separate course, so may be unable to accommodate such a transfer
(this issue would not arise in transfer from part-time to full-time status). This process
requires completion of Form GSO.4: Change of Mode of Study (see the university
Graduate Forms page), which includes guidance and details on the limitations of its use.
Note that such a transfer is considered to be something that occurs under exceptional
circumstances, hence the limitations on its use. It cannot be presumed that an
application to do so will routinely be approved.
42
APPENDIX 6: MEMORANDUM ON SUPERVISION AND FIELDWORK
Supervisory contact with Research Students
For reasons of monitoring the safety, welfare and progress of students, and fulfilment of visa
monitoring requirements, the University expects that research students’ supervisors maintain
contact with each research student
at least once per month during term time and during
students’ fieldwork19. When there are two supervisors, best practice is to copy both/all in all
correspondence.
1 During term time when not undertaking fieldwork:
The Divisional and SAME
Code of Practice on Supervision states that supervisors should
meet with each student regularly (typically for one hour, two to three times per term) – i.e.
at least once per month. In the case of part-time students this equates to at least once every
two months, being at least twice between the start of one term and the beginning of the next.
2 During fieldwork:
Supervisors should have
written contact with students
at least once per month. In the case
of destinations that are
FCO-flagged (http://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) it is advised
that contact should be made
at least twice per month. For reasons of safety these durations
apply whether the student is full-time or part-time.
The student is expected to make contact with their supervisor at least once per month (twice
per month in the case of FCO-flagged destinations). If a supervisor does not receive contact
from a student
within a month from the previous contact the supervisor should
email or
telephone the student immediately using the emergency details given on the fieldwork form
(please refer to the travel forms the student gave you to authorise their travel; copies are held
by the SAME office), keeping the School Fieldwork Officer and Gil Middleton informed.
If
no contact is made/received within a subsequent month (
two weeks in the case of FCO-
flagged destinations) then the situation must be
escalated to the DGS and via the DGS to the
Divisional Safety Officer
.
Thus no more than two months in total (one month in the case of FCO-flagged destinations)
may elapse without contact between supervisor and student during fieldwork without
escalation to the DGS and Divisional Safety Officer.
3 Reporting
For each reporting period of the Graduate Supervision Reporting system (GSR) supervisors
should record on the GSR form for each student the amount of contact with that student
during that reporting period, whether the student is in Oxford or on fieldwork. Students are
equally expected to report using the GSR system whether on fieldwork or not.
The Fieldwork Safety Officer and Director of Graduate Studies will have access to GSR
reports so that they can be aware in good time of instances where regular contact has not been
reported.
19 In the case of part-time students once every two months during term time but once a month during
fieldwork.
43
APPENDIX 7: SECONDARY SUPERVISION FOR ESRC-FUNDED STUDENTS
In order to fulfil the ESRC’s requirements, the DTP Management Board agreed that all new
ESRC funded DPhil students who did not have formal co-supervision must have a
Departmental Advisor appointed who would offer secondary supervision. The Departmental
Advisor should normally be appointed by the end of the student’s first term, (possibly as an
outcome of the student’s skills review/training needs analysis with their primary supervisor),
and will perform the following roles:
(i) Act as a second point of contact for academic advice for the student (after the supervisor);
(ii) Meet at least once per term with the student, and also meet at least annually with the both
the primary supervisor and the student to review overall progress;
(iii) Make him/herself available to read work and discuss progress as reasonably agreed with
the supervisor and student;
(iv) Be considered for potential supervisory cover in the absence of the principal supervisor;
(v) The Advisor may participate in the formal milestone assessments for the student but
would not normally be appointed the internal examiner for the student’s thesis.
The Advisor would not normally be expected to provide regular formal supervision, write
supervision reports or provide pastoral support for the student or supervisor, or act as a go
between, although he or she may offer advice to either party if asked to do so. They have
read-only access to supervision reports however through Graduate Supervision Reporting
(GSR).
All students with a Departmental Advisor will receive formal notification of the appointment,
explaining briefly the role of the Advisor.
, Assistant Registrar (Education), Social Sciences Division. November 2019.
44