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Academics in discussion
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DPhil in Evidence-Based Health Care

About the course

The DPhil in Evidence-Based Health Care accepts applications from those who have already been awarded the MSc in Evidence-Based Health Care, MSc in Systematic Reviews, MSc in Medical Statistics, or a master's in a related subject. 

The DPhil follows on from the taught MSc in Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC) and is overseen by the University's Continuing Education Board. Admission is through the Department for Continuing Education.

This part-time course is part of the Evidence-Based Health Care Programme, which is jointly run with the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine in the Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences. Student work covers a range of topics in applied healthcare sciences.

You can visit the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine's website to learn more about topics and about current student research.

The University's DPhil regulations normally require a minimum of four years' part-time study, equivalent to two years' full- time, up to a maximum of eight years part-time study. Studying part-time for a DPhil is demanding and students should normally expect to devote on average at least 20 hours per week to their research. Students should also ensure their employer understands the importance of full participation in the course.

You may be required to undertake appropriate research training provided within the department. In addition, you will be strongly encouraged to participate in seminars and informal meetings with staff and other researchers. Students independently drive forward their programme of research, and the major commitment of your time will be to individual study and research, supported by supervisory meetings.

Attendance

The course is part-time. Part-time students are required to attend course-related activities in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year.

There will be flexibility in the dates and pattern of attendance, which will be determined by mutual agreement with your supervisor(s). You will have the opportunity to tailor your part-time study and training in liaison with your supervisor(s) and agree your pattern of attendance. 

It is vital that you discuss this with your supervisor as part of your application process. Attendance will be required year-round, details to be determined by mutual agreement with your supervisor. Please note that in-house training sessions organised by the department may take place on any day of the week and both inside and outside full-term time.

Resources to support your study

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of world-class resources including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.

The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK. It includes the main Bodleian Library and libraries across Oxford, including major research libraries and faculty, department and institute libraries. Together, the Libraries hold more than 13 million printed items, provide access to e-journals, and contain outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, art and printed ephemera.

The University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities. IT Services also offers a range of IT learning courses for students, to support with learning and research.

The Rewley House Continuing Education Library, one of the Bodleian Libraries, is situated in Rewley House. The department aims to support the wide variety of subjects covered by departmental courses at many academic levels. The department also has a collection of around 73,000 books together with periodicals. 

PCs in the library give access to the internet and the full range of electronic resources subscribed to by the University of Oxford. Wi-Fi is also available. The Jessop Reading Room adjoining the library is available for study.

The department provides various IT facilities various IT facilities, including the Student Computing Facility which provides individual PCs for your use.

As well as access to all of the resources at Rewley House, you will also be affiliated with Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and/or the Department for Continuing Education and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and/or the Department for Continuing Education. It may also be possible to appoint supervisors external to Oxford as additional co-supervisors with permission from the programme.

Supervision is arranged to suit your DPhil topic and usually involves staff attached to the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. It may also involve other staff from within the Medical Sciences Division as well as co-supervision with members of the Evidence-Based network. Students are strongly encouraged to reach out to potential supervisors before applying, and to name one or more supervisors in their application, though this is not mandatory.

Most students have the opportunity to meet with their supervisor once a term.

Assessment

You will be admitted initially as a Probationary Research Student (PRS), in line with University regulations on doctorates. During the probationary period, you will develop and begin work on the thesis topic. You will develop research skills through a range of training and skills development primarily offered via the Department for Continuing Education Graduate School, as well as across the University.

Students must apply for a Transfer of Status from PRS to DPhil status between the sixth and the eighth academic term after admission, each academic year at Oxford having three terms. This involves the submission of a piece of written work that is examined by two assessors, neither of whom will be your supervisors. This process is to ensure that your 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, you would usually undertake a period of primary fieldwork/data collection over one to two years.

You will also be required to apply for a Confirmation of Status as DPhil sometime between the 12th and 18th term after admission. This will also involve the submission of a piece of written work that is assessed by two assessors, neither of whom will be your supervisors. The Confirmation of Status assessment is different to the Transfer of Status assessment as the assessors will be focusing on how the research is progressing, the quality of the draft chapters/papers, and on the plan for completion. The assessors will be looking to ensure that you are making the appropriate amount of progress in the development of your thesis, so that thesis submission will be achieved within the time limit.

You will be expected to submit a substantive academic thesis of around 50,000 words after six or, at most, eight years from the date of admission. To be successfully awarded a DPhil in Evidence Based Health Care you will need to defend your thesis orally (viva voce) in front of two appointed examiners.

Graduate destinations

Most students commencing this programme are already in employment and continue their professional work alongside their doctoral research. You can see a range of backgrounds and research projects represented in the DPhil student profiles on the Continuing Education website.

Completing a DPhil in Evidence-Based Health Care enhances professional life and enables graduates to further their careers. Those who complete the doctoral programme will:

  • gain an evidence-based approach to their professional practice
  • have undertaken research training which will enable them to become independent researchers.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made if a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency occurs. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

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