Academic Programs: DPhil

DPHIL PROGRAMME IN HISTORY 978

Independent research on an approved subject is required. The minimum period of enrolment is two years.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to the DPhil degree a candidate must:

• be in possession of an appropriate Masters degree in History or an equivalent qualification;
• arrange a personal interview with the head of the Department to discuss the candidate's research interest. The Department will appoint a promoter and can, if necessary, prescribe additional preparatory work before admission is granted;
• submit a detailed research proposal to the promoter for approval by the Department; the proposal shall be evaluated by an Admission Commission and recommended to Faculty. The proposal should include the following:
  • Title and Promotor
  • Problem statement and focus
  • Preliminary study
  • Goals, theoretical points of departure / premises and hypothesis / research questions
  • Methodology and approach
  • Plan of research and scheduling of time
  • Impact
  • Connection with the doctoral programme of the department
• enter into a formal contract with the Department outlining the mutual obligations and responsibilities of the promoter and the candidate.

Written applications, including a complete study record, must normally be submitted before November 30 of each year. Formal application for registration is only necessary once a student has been accepted for a programme.

Program content and composition

The programme consists of a dissertation and an oral examination based on the research. A doctoral dissertation must show proof of extensive independent primary research and must represent an original scholarly contribution to our historical knowledge.