Description
The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Sustainable Urban Development is a part-time doctoral programme that provides outstanding students an opportunity to pursue in-depth and rigorous research about the pressing challenges of urban sustainability and the processes of environmental, economic, and social development in urban environments around the world.
Students admitted to the programme are usually motivated to undertake detailed research in preparation for an academic career and other research-intensive occupations; to have a substantial impact on future policy-making processes; or to pursue and/or advance their professional career at organizations and institutions operating in the field of sustainable urban development. The course provides the student with support and an intellectual environment by leading scholars in the field to pursue independent research.
The part-time DPhil Programme welcomes applications from those with a Master’s in a related subject, as well as applications from those already awarded the MSc in Sustainable Urban Development from this University.
Supervision is available from a range of specialists across the University of Oxford.
The DPhil in Sustainable Urban Development is a research doctorate, which culminates in a substantive academic thesis of around 100,000 words. As such, successful applicants will have a very strong academic record, as well as showing great aptitude through their academic proposal, and a display of future potential. Although we are keen to attract individuals for whom there is a strong overlap between academic and career interests, DPhil candidates will be examined solely on the intellectual quality of the final thesis and performance in a viva voce. Intellectual drive, ambition and vision are therefore crucial attributes.
There is an expectation that candidates will read widely and in depth throughout their time on the programme, and show the ability to think about and critique current theoretical thinking in their chosen area of study. It is hoped that the final thesis might substantially advance theoretical thinking (in addition to broadening the empirical base) within a number of interdisciplinary areas.
Programme details
This part-time DPhil programme is taken over a minimum of four years (12 terms) and a maximum of eight years (24 terms). Students are required to attend a minimum of 30 days of university-based work each year for the duration of the studies, to be arranged with the agreement of the supervisor. As part of the minimum 30 days per year requirement, students are expected to take part in three termly Doctoral Weeks (see below).
Students admitted to this degree conduct their own research under the guidance of a University supervisor, who will advise on all aspects of training, development and academic progress. Students must be prepared to work independently a good deal, and will need considerable personal motivation. Students are required to have a good general knowledge of the field within which research falls and of the methods appropriate to the study of this field. Throughout the period of study, students are part of a thriving international graduate community of peers engaged with sustainable urban development, including students in our part-time MSc in Sustainable Urban Development.
Students are admitted initially as a Probationary Research Student (PRS), in line with University regulations on doctorates. During the probationary period, students develop and begin work on the thesis topic. They will develop research skills through a range of training and skills development offered during the termly Doctoral Week, as well as via the Department’s Graduate School and other units across the University.
The termly Doctoral Week brings together students from all cohorts on the programme to discuss relevant topics in sustainable urban development, as well as to develop research skills and engage it additional research training and development.
Students must apply for a Transfer of Status from PRS to DPhil status between the 6th and the 8th terms after admission (each academic year at Oxford has three terms). This involves the submission of a piece of written work that is examined by two assessors (neither of whom will be supervisors). This process is to ensure that the student’s work is of potential DPhil quality and that the methodology of the research is appropriate and feasible. Upon successful completion of the Transfer of Status, students usually undertake a period of fieldwork over one to two years.
Students will also be required to apply for a Confirmation of Status as DPhil sometime between the 12th and 18th terms after admission. This will also involve the submission of a piece of written work that is assessed by two assessors (neither of whom are supervisors). The Confirmation assessment is different to the Transfer assessment as the assessors will be focusing on how the research is progressing, the quality of the draft thesis chapters, and on the plan for completion. The assessors will be looking to ensure that the student is making the appropriate amount of progress in the development of the thesis, so that thesis submission will be achieved within the time limit.
How to apply
You are not expected to make contact with an academic member of staff before you apply.
The set of documents you should send with your application to this course comprises the following:
Official transcript(s)
Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.
CV/résumé
A CV/résumé is compulsory for all applications. Most applicants choose to submit a document of one to two pages highlighting their academic achievements and any relevant professional experience.
Research proposal:
Around 3,000 words
You should provide a succinct overview of the research project you plan to undertake for your DPhil, written in English.
A suggested structure for your research proposal would include:
- an introduction stating your research question as succinctly as possible and a justification for why this is a significant and interesting question to address;
- a literature review providing a brief overview of the existing literature, both theoretical and topic specific, stating how your research fits within that literature, and showing the contribution your research will make to existing knowledge;
- a research methodology outlining how you will answer the research question, which should make reference to overall methodological approach, case selection (where a case is used), data to be collected, and methods of data collection and analysis;
- a schedule of work outlining a preliminary timeline leading to the completion of the research project; and
- a bibliography of the works cited in the research proposal.
The bibliography and any footnotes should be included in your word count.
This will be assessed for:
- the coherence of the proposal
- the originality of the project
- evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study
- the ability to present a reasoned case
- the feasibility of successfully completing the project in the time available for the course
- preliminary knowledge of research techniques
- capacity for sustained and intense work.
It will be normal for your ideas subsequently to change in some ways as you investigate the evidence and develop your project. You should nevertheless make the best effort you can to demonstrate the extent of your research question, sources and methods at this moment.
Written work:
One essay of up to 4,000 words
Your written work can be either an essay, a chapter of a thesis, a published scholarly paper, or work written specifically to support your the application. Extracts from longer pieces of work are acceptable, but should not come from the same piece of work; and should be prefaced by a note putting it in context. It is not necessary for this piece of written work to relate closely to the chosen area of study.
Your work should be written in English and the word count does not need to include any bibliography or brief footnotes. Please note that multi-authored works are not acceptable.
This will be assessed for:
- a comprehensive understanding of the subject area
- the ability to construct and defend an argument
- powers of analysis
- powers of expression
- familiarity with the literature on the subject area.
References/letters of recommendation:
Three overall, of which at least two must be academic
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.
Whilst it is recommended that all references be from experienced scholars and teachers of graduate students, one professional reference is acceptable.
Your references will support your intellectual ability, academic achievement, and personal motivation.
For more information click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/dphil-in-sustainable-urban-development?utm_campaign=dsud&utm_medium=email&utm_source=jisc