Making an Application
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Identify a supervisor
Contact with the prospective supervisor is a key part of the admissions process, in order to ensure there is a good fit between the student and the lab. Before you make an application, you need to identify an academic member of staff who is willing to supervise you and has the resources to support the proposed research project. Once you have identified them, please consult our People pages to find their contact details.
Some supervisors receive many enquiries from prospective students, so please contact them as soon as possible, allow time for a response and keep your message brief and to the point.
A supervisor will either let you know that they cannot support your application or contact you to discuss the project further. After this discussion, they will let you know whether they can support your application. Please note that conversations with potential supervisors are not part of the final selection process.
If you do not manage to contact your prospective supervisor, you can still submit an application and, if shortlisted, you will be able to make contact with them prior to the interview.
Please download and complete this form, and send it to your preferred supervisors with a covering email.
Part-time option
If you wish to study part-time, you must contact your potential supervisor to ask if they are able to accommodate part-time study. Projects will indicate if they are not suitable for part-time study.
Make an application
Before starting your application, please read the University of Oxford Graduate Application Guide.
All applications must be made using the University's online application form.
Please note that there is a cap on the number of applications that can be made to Oxford. For further information, please refer to the University's Application Guide.
You are advised to submit your application form and all your supporting documents at least a week before the deadline to avoid any last-minute problems with the submission process. An application will show as complete once only two of the three required references have been uploaded. However, we will still require the third reference before we consider the application to be fully complete and ready for assessment.
Specific details required in the application form
- Programme description - DPhil in Medical Sciences
- Course Code - RD_MD1 (full-time option), RD_MD9P1 (part-time option)
- Proposed Field and Title of Research: Insert 'Not applicable'
- Supervisor: List up to three supervisors from DPhil Research Opportunities
- CV: You should complete the standard CV included in the online application form. If you have contributed to any publications or journals, please include the full reference.
- Research Proposal: A research proposal is not required.
- Statement of Purpose: All applicants must submit a personal statement with their application (500 words max; any statements exceeding this limit will not be considered).
- Make sure that you upload a copy of your undergraduate degree transcript as well as those for further degrees.
- Please refer to the DPhil in Medical Sciences course page.
IMPORTANT: WIMM Prize Studentship - if you are also applying for the RDM Scholars Programme you need only make one application. Do not make a separate application for each scholarship /studentship. Applications for the DPhil in Medical Sciences received by the December deadline will automatically be considered for funding if the applicant meets the eligibility criteria.
References
Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.
One of your referees should be from your undergraduate degree and one should be from your most recent or current masters degree. Although your references should generally be academic, you may provide up to one relevant professional reference – for example, a reference from an industrial placement.
Your references should support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation, and ability to work in a group.
Application fee
For information about the application fee and fee waivers please refer to the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions application guide and the How to Apply section on the DPhil in Medical Sciences course page.