The Doctor of Philosophy in Oriental Studies (D.Phil. for short) is the Faculty’s main research degree. Supervision can be offered in the full-range of areas in which the Faculty has expertise:

• Chinese Studies (Course / Faculty)
• Egyptology and the Ancient Near East (Courses / Faculty)
• Eastern Christianity (Courses / Faculty)
• Hebrew and Jewish Studies (Courses / Faculty)
• Japanese Studies (Courses / Faculty)
• Korean Studies (Courses / Faculty)
• South and Inner Asia (Courses / Faculty)
• The Islamic World (Courses / Faculty)

You can also find profiles of current D.Phil. research projects on the Student Research page. All topics fall under the general degree title of D.Phil. in Oriental Studies, i.e. there are not separate D.Phil. programmes in Islamic Studies or Chinese History, although we are able to offer supervision in these areas.

In the last Research Assessment Exercise (2008), the research of 40% of our academics was rated as ‘world-leading’, more than any other UK university. In Asian Studies the research of 55% of our academics was rated ‘world-leading or internationally excellent’. Applicants for the D.Phil. are strongly encouraged to contact a prospective supervisor prior to application to discuss the viability of their proposed research and whether the proposed supervisor is able to supervise the project. You can find details of current Faculty members, including contact details, here.

Applicants for the D.Phil. are normally expected to have a good Master’s degree in a subject closely related to the topic of their research. It is also expected that applicants for the D.Phil. will have significant competence in one or more relevant Oriental languages. A D.Phil. project normally takes between three and four years to complete. More information about the structure of the D.Phil. can be found in the Graduate Handbook, although you should be aware that the Handbook is intended primarily for current students and that it changes from year to year.

If you do not meet the criteria for direct entry to the D.Phil. it may be a better option for you to apply either for entry to one of the specialised M.St. or M.Phil. degrees offered by the Faculty or for entry to the M.St. in Oriental Studies as a route to the D.Phil. The M.St. in Oriental Studies offers students the possibility of taking a one-year taught course as preparation for doctoral research. Progression from an M.St. or M.Phil. to the D.Phil. is subject to a further application process and performance in the Master's course.