Overview

This theme covers all training and resources to help you move from where you are now, to the next stage on your journey. Our expert contributors prepare you to navigate and get the most from these transitional phases.

As a DPhil student, the institutional milestones on your journey are the Transfer of Status (or 'Qualifying Test'), Confirmation of Status, and Viva - see below for more details. As you approach the end of your DPhil, you may be considering staying in academia, in which case our regular panel discussion From DPhil to Post-Doc? explores some of the standard post-doc models, and existing postdocs discuss their experiences of this move.

Resources and related websites

Forms for Transfer and Confirmation

DPhil submission and examination process and forms

Key timings for DPhil students: Transfer and Confirmation

At a Glance...

The purpose of the transfer process is to ensure that you have a convincing research proposal, that you are making satisfactory progress in its development, and to satisfy the assessors that the work is potentially of DPhil quality. The General Regulations for admission to DPhil status are set out in the Examination Regulations, along with information on Special Regulations for particular subjects. Course handbooks also provide information on the process.

The purpose of confirmation is to confirm that you are continuing to work at the appropriate doctoral level and to provide assurance that if the work on the thesis continues to develop satisfactorily, then consideration of submission within the course of three further terms would appear to be reasonable. The General Regulations for confirmation of status are set out in the Examination Regulations, along with information on Special Regulations for particular subjectsCourse handbooks also provide information on the process.

Divisional training...

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Call for Research Posters

08 October
Blavatnik School of Government

Social Sciences Division Induction Event 2026

08 October
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Using Open Practices in your Research

28 October
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Overseas Fieldwork Safety - In-person course

28 October
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The Research Funding Landscape - DPhils

02 November
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Preparing for your DPhil Viva

02 November
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Introduction to Research Ethics at Oxford

05 November
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Advanced R for Social Science Researchers

06 November
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Vicarious [Secondary] Trauma Workshop

10 November
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Academic Writing in Practice: a roundtable with researchers

11 November