The DPhil (doctoral) course in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences provides an opportunity for highly-qualified students to undertake innovative Internet-related research.
The Oxford Internet Institute’s (OII) students work on multidisciplinary research across the social sciences. Many projects fit within the following broad themes:
- digital knowledge and culture
- digital politics and government
- education, wellbeing and digital life
- ethics and philosophy of information
- information geography and inequality
- digital policy and online security
- economics of information and the internet
- online platforms and social networks.
PhD Program Requirements
A master’s degree with a mark of at least 67%; and
A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any subject.
It is expected that applicants will hold a taught master’s or other advanced degree, normally in one of the social sciences, including law, but candidates from other disciplines embracing the social study of technology will also be considered.
For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.
Strong analytical abilities in understanding the social aspects of the internet, World Wide Web and related technologies, as shown by the candidate’s writing sample and/or the reports of referees, is required.
Part-time applicants will also be expected to show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and, if applicable, an employer’s commitment to make time available to study, to complete coursework, and attend course and University events and modules. Where appropriate, evidence should also be provided of permission to use employers’ data in the proposed research project.
While prior publication is not required, evidence of successful academic publication will be taken into account and may provide the applicant with an advantage.
It would be expected that graduate applicants would be familiar with the recent published work of their proposed supervisor.
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 a convincing personal statement (statement of purpose) explaining your reasons for applying to the course and highlighting your relevant academic and professional experience. It should be written in English and should be a maximum of 500 words.
4. Written work: An academic essay or other writing sample from your most recent qualification, written in English, is required. An extract of the requisite length from longer work is also permissible.
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
5 January 2025
Application Fee
An application fee of £75 is payable per course application.
