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FAQs
What are the supporting materials required?
Can I submit a piece/pieces of written work which are longer than the stated 2,000/4,000 words?
What scores do you require in GREs and GMATs?
What if I haven't finished my degree yet?
How many references are needed? Can I submit character references instead of academic references?
What grade point average (GPA) score do I need to be considered?
Can I register as a D.Phil. candidate straight from my BA?
Can you advise me on my choice of college?
Do I need to personally contact potential supervisors prior to application?
What are the supporting materials required?
• 3 academic references
• Relevant transcripts
• Either two pieces of work of 2,000 words apiece, or a single piece of 4,000 words (please note that it is stated in the Graduate Admissions application guide that you should submit 2 pieces of 2,000 words but the Faculty of English DO accept a single piece of 4,000 words and the Admissions Office are aware of this).
• CV
• Research Proposal (For DPhil applicants) or Statement of Purpose (for MSt applicants)
Can I submit a piece/pieces of written work which are longer than the stated 2,000/4,000 words?
No. You should cut your written work down as far as possible to the required length. You can submit a sample of a longer piece of work if you wish and indicate that the whole essay is not included due to the word length restriction.
What scores do I need in English Language tests? Will my application be considered incomplete without them? Do you run English Language courses?
See the Guidance for International Students webpage for results required. We will not consider applications incomplete if they are without language test scores – these can be forwarded on to us when they reach you. The English Faculty does not run English Language courses. The Department of Continuing Education , however, does so.
What scores do you require in GREs and GMATs?
These tests are not required and there is no need to have your scores sent to us.
A transcript is a detailed record of higher education including programmes of study taken and standards achieved. These are required from all relevant degrees. For example, if a candidate had a BA and an MA in English Literature then transcripts of both would be needed. If a candidate had a first degree in an unrelated subject (such as science, mathematics or a ‘hard' social science) and an MA degree in English, then a transcript would only be required from the MA.
What if I haven't finished my degree yet?
Completion of a previous degree (often to a specified standard) is a common condition of acceptance. Your educational institution should be able to provide an interim transcript.
How many references are needed? Can I submit character references instead of academic references?
You are asked to provide three academic references. If only two people can meaningfully comment on your academic career, a character reference may be submitted in place of a third.
What grade point average (GPA) score do I need to be considered?
For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA we seek is 3.75 with at least 3.85 in the Major.
Can I register as a D.Phil. candidate straight from my BA?
No. Candidates with a BA need to complete a Master's degree before they can be considered for entry to the D.Phil. programme. All successful candidates are initially admitted as a PRS (Probationer Research Student). They then have to transfer to D.Phil. status through an assessment of their work, usually at the end of the second term of the first year.
I'm applying for the M.St. and intending to do a D.Phil. – do I need to submit a research proposal with my M.St. application?
A research proposal is not necessary. However, a statement of your intended research interests in your personal statement is very useful.
Can you advise me on my choice of college?
The English Faculty cannot advise applicants on their choice of college. All teaching is organised by the Faculty so it does not make any difference academically. Candidates must take into account their own priorities and preferences in terms of location, ethos, facilities, accommodation etc; and whether they would prefer a mixed or graduate-only college. It is not essential to be in the same college as your supervisor, although you may wish to choose a college with fellows with similar research interests to you. A list of faculty members with their research interests and college membership is available here. Information on colleges can be found here.
Do I need to personally contact potential supervisors prior to application?
No, this is not necessary. However, if you feel that your proposed subject area is somewhat obscure, it may be worth looking up faculty members' research and teaching interests to check that a suitable supervisor is available. The Director of Graduate Studies or the Graduate Studies Officer can provide advice on these points.