The Earth sciences are the focus of scientific understanding about this and other planets, embracing a large range of fundamental topics including the evolution of life, how climate has changed in the past and will change in the future, the nature of planetary surfaces and interiors and the processes underlying natural hazards like earthquakes and volcanoes.
PhD Program Requirements
A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in science or mathematics.
However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a minimum of an upper-second or first-class degree or the equivalent.
Most candidates have a master’s degree or the equivalent.
For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.
PhD Funding Coverage
The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25.
You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline.
Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.
Application Requirement
1. Online Application
2. 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.
3. Research proposal: You should submit an outline of your proposed research, written in English. The overall word count should include any bibliography.
4. Written work: You should submit a piece of written work with the following title: “Discuss a research problem within the Earth sciences, briefly outline the information required to solve it, and suggest a line of research that – if conducted – could fill this knowledge gap.”
5. GRE General Test scores: No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
6. English language proficiency: This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement.
Application Deadline
1 March 2024
Application Fee
An application fee of £75 is payable per course application.
