D. SOCIAL SCIENCES DIVISION

1. [2] 1. Transfer from M.Phil. status to D.Phil. status [3] A student who has obtained an M.Phil. may only be admitted direct to D.Phil. status on condition that the research topic is a development of the research contained in the M.Phil. thesis or if the student can otherwise demonstrate his or her competence to undertake the proposed research, and that appropriate supervision can be provided.
2. [4] 2. Transfer from Probationer Research Student status to M.Litt. or D.Phil. status [5] For transfer of status, the student should submit two copies in typescript of a substantial piece of written work relevant to the proposed thesis. The work should not exceed 20,000 words excluding bibliography and any appendixes, but including notes, and should consist of, or incorporate, a detailed research proposal. The student will be required to show that the research already undertaken shows promise of the ability to produce a satisfactory M.Litt. or D.Phil. thesis, as the case may be, on the intended topic. Students should submit their work to the Departmental Office, Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, not later than the end of Trinity full term after the Michaelmas Term in which they were admitted. An extension of one term (i.e. to the end of the Michaelmas full term in the year after the student was admitted) may be granted in exceptional circumstances. In the case of students admitted in other terms, submission should take place by the end of the third term (i.e. full term) after admission, with the possibility of an extension for a further one term (i.e. to the end of full term) in exceptional circumstances. (NB: alternative provisions apply to probationer research students with coursework, as described in paragraph 3, below). The student’s submission will be assessed by two assessors appointed by the Graduate Studies Committee of the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, to which they will submit a written report. In exceptional cases one assessor, but in the case of joint supervision not both, may be the applicant’s supervisor. A student whose first application is unsuccessful may be given one further opportunity to apply for transfer of status, for which an extension of one term is automatically granted. [6] All probationer research students must give presentations on their proposed research projects to the class designated for that purpose or an agreed equivalent to qualify for transfer of status. They will also be expected to attend relevant courses on training and methods, as agreed with, and directed by, their supervisor(s).
3. [7] 3. Probationer research students with coursework [8] Probationer research students entering the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology should normally have a prior, full taught-course degree in social or cultural anthropology at either the graduate or undergraduate levels before being admitted to this status. Exceptionally, however, students who have earned a distinction in either (1) a degree in a closely related subject that includes some social or cultural anthropology, or (2) a mixed degree in social or cultural anthropology and another closely related subject may be admitted directly to the status of probationer research student in anthropology. In addition to the standard requirements for probationer research students in anthropology (and except as varied below), students entering the above Institute via this route should satisfy the following conditions:
   1. [9] (1) they enter the Institute as research students in the Michaelmas term of their first academic year and not in any other term;
   2. [10] (2) the topic of their proposed research lies in the general thematic or geographical area covered by their prior degree;
   3. [11] (3) they undertake a full course of eight tutorials in general anthropology, with essays, in the first Michaelmas term of their admission as probationer research students. Three of the essays produced for these tutorials are to be submitted for assessment as described below;
   4. [12] (4) they follow a course in an option (area or topic) offered to master’s students in the above Institute in the first Hilary and, where provided for, Trinity terms after their admission as research students. The option must be relevant to their proposed research if one is available (area or topic), except that they may not repeat an option in which they have been examined as part of a prior degree in the University of Oxford. If the student cannot take such an option for either of these reasons, a free choice may be allowed with the agreement of the Director of Graduate Studies for Anthropology or his or her delegate. The student shall write one essay of tutorial standard on the option for assessment as described below;
   5. [13] (5) the proposed supervisor has given his or her approval of this course of action in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies for anthropology or, in case the latter is the proposed supervisor, to the Director of the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology.
   6. [14] Note: the work specified in (3) and (4) above shall constitute Part I of the assessment for transfer from probationer research student to full D.Phil student, and the text for transfer that the student will be required to prepare on the basis of his or her proposed research (in the same manner as for ordinary probationer research students in anthropology) shall constitute Part II of the said assessment. [15] Students following these arrangements must pass an assessment of the work they have carried out under (3) and (4) above (Part I), which shall normally involve scrutiny of three tutorial essays and the option essay. This assessment shall be carried out at the same time as the standard assessment of the text on the proposed research (Part II). An extra assessor or assessors, one of whom in special cases may be the student’s supervisor, may but need not be appointed to scrutinise the work carried out for Part I. The extra assessor(s), if any, need not be present at the assessment interview with the student, but should advise the assessors conducting the interview in writing beforehand of the standard of work achieved by the student in Part I. [16] Both parts of the assessment, i.e. Parts I and II as specified above, must be passed by the student, though not necessarily on the same occasion. If the student fails in either Part I or Part II, or both, he or she will be required to resubmit materials for, and pass, the relevant part(s) within one term of the original submission. Both elements in Part I, as described under (3) and (4) above, must be passed by the student. [17] The deadline for a student following this path to submit materials for assessment for upgrade to full status as a doctoral student shall normally be the fourth term after admission as a research student (i.e. the Michaelmas Term of the second year in the status of probationer research student). Such students are expected to start work on their text for upgrade during the Hilary term after their admission as probationer research students at the latest.
4. [18] 4. Confirmation of D.Phil. status by all students, regardless of whether they hold an M.Phil. or not [19] Application for confirmation of D.Phil. status shall normally be made not earlier than the third term from admission as a research student in the case of a student transferring from an M.Phil. degree within the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, and not earlier than the sixth term from admission as a research student in the case of a student transferring from the status of Probationer Research Student. Such application shall normally be made not later than the ninth term from admission as a research student in either case. The student will be required to give evidence confirming that the research already carried out gives promise of the ability to produce a satisfactory D.Phil. thesis on the intended topic. For this purpose the applicant must submit: (a) a detailed outline of the whole of the proposed thesis, including an indication of the topics, theories, arguments etc. to be covered in individual chapters (as applicable); and (b) at least one and not more than two sample chapters. In the latter case, the student is advised to submit one chapter that is basically ethnographic in type (if applicable), the other concerning the more general comparative and/or theoretical issues with which the thesis deals, though this advice may be varied in consultation with the supervisor(s). The outline should not exceed 4,000 words, and the submitted chapters should not exceed 20,000 words in total. If these materials do exceed these limits, the assessors are under no obligation to read beyond them, though they are permitted to require the student to submit extra materials to help them in reaching a recommendation. The materials should be submitted, in two copies, to the Departmental Office, Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology. [20] On receiving the application the Graduate Studies Committee of the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography shall appoint two assessors. In exceptional cases, one assessor may be the applicant's supervisor. The assessors shall read the script and interview the candidate before submitting to the Graduate Studies Committee of the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnology a reasoned written report supporting their recommendation. A student whose first application is unsuccessful may be given one further opportunity to apply, following the procedures laid down, normally within one term of the original application, and may apply for an extension of time for one term if necessary for the purpose of making the application. [21] All D.Phil. students must give presentations on their research projects to the class designated for that purpose or an agreed equivalent to qualify for confirmation of status.
5. [22] 5. Submission of theses [23] D.Phil. theses submitted by the students in Anthropology must not exceed 100,000 words, including notes (but excluding bibliography, glossary, and appendices containing ethnographic material and archaeological evidence), unless for exceptional reasons and on the recommendation of the candidate's supervisor the Graduate Studies Committee of the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography otherwise determines.

1. [25] 1. General regulations [26] These regulations shall apply to all students registered for the D.Phil. in Archaeology, the D.Phil. in Archaeological Science, and the D.Phil. in Classical Archaeology.
2. [27] 2. Transfer from Probationer Research Student status to D.Phil. status [28] This transfer shall normally take place not later than the fourth term after admission as a research student. The student will be required to show that the research already accomplished shows promise of the ability to produce a satisfactory D.Phil. thesis on the intended topic. For this purpose, the candidate must make an oral presentation of their work, and submit to the committee two copies in typescript of a substantial piece of written work (of between 10,000 and 15,000 words) relevant to the proposed thesis, together with a research proposal. These should normally be submitted to the Graduate Studies Assistant at the Department of Archaeology, by the Monday of the fifth week in the term in which the application is made. On receiving the application the Archaeology Graduate Studies Committee shall appoint two assessors, of whom neither shall normally be the student's supervisor. The assessors shall read the scripts and interview the candidate before submitting to the committee a reasoned written report supporting their recommendation. A student whose first application is unsuccessful may be given one further opportunity to apply for transfer, following the procedures laid down, and may apply for an extension of time for one term if necessary for the purpose of making the application.
3. [29] 3. Confirmation of D.Phil. status [30] The status of student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall be confirmed by the committee under the provisions of Sect. viii, § 4, cl. 1. Candidates should normally apply for confirmation of status by week five of their seventh term after admission as a research student. Candidates must make an oral presentation of their work, and submit a research outline, of approximately 1,000 words, a table of contents indicating how much work has been done on each section of the thesis to date, and a draft chapter or chapters of the thesis of no more than 10,000 words. The committee will appoint two assessors who will consider the applications and will normally interview candidates. A student whose first application is unsuccessful may be given one further opportunity to apply, following the procedures laid down, normally within one term of the original application, and may apply for an extension of time for one term if this is necessary for the purpose of making the application.
4. [31] 4. Length of D.Phil. theses [32] Theses submitted for the Degrees of D.Phil. in Archaeology, Archaeological Science and Classical Archaeology should not normally exceed 80,000 words, excluding bibliography and descriptive catalogue or similar factual matter.

1. [34] 1. Admission [35] All students (whether studying on a full or part-time basis) are normally admitted as Probationer Research Students. A student admitted to study on a full-time basis is not permitted to change the basis of his or her study from full-time to part-time at any stage of his or her registration as a graduate student. [36] In assessing applications from candidates seeking to undertake a research degree through part-time study, the Graduate Studies Committee shall have regard to evidence that:
   1. [37] (i) the candidate has a minimum of three years' experience as a professional educator and is currently employed in an established post within an educational institution;
   2. [38] (ii) the candidate can meet the attendance requirements relating to part-time study and lives locally to the University;
   3. [39] (iii) the candidate has the written support of their present employer for their proposed course of study and its obligations;
   4. [40] (iv) the candidate's proposed topic of research is related to their present or intended professional work.
   Attendance requirements (for part-time students) [41] Part-time research students are required to attend for a minimum of thirty days of university-based work each year, to be arranged with the agreement of their supervisor, for the period that their names remain on the Register of Graduate Students unless individually dispensed by the Department's Departmental Board.
2. [42] 2. Candidates with Probationer Research Student status, unless or until they have entered upon another status, or have been otherwise dispensed from some or all of the following requirements by the Graduate Studies Committee, are required to undertake the work set out below during the first year. [43] A first year student shall:
   1. [44] i. satisfactorily complete a course of lectures, seminars and classes, as determined in the Handbook for DPhil students and supervisors and supplemented by his or her supervisor;
   2. [45] ii. satisfactorily complete the First Year portfolio of work completed during the first year of PRS status.
3. [46] 3. Transfer from Probationer Research Student status to D.Phil status [47] This transfer shall normally take place not later than the fourth term after admission as either an M.Sc. in Educational Research Methodology student or Probationer Research Student. The student will be required to show that the research already accomplished shows promise of the ability to produce a satisfactory D.Phil thesis on the intended topic. For this purpose the student must submit to the Graduate Studies Committee of the Department of Education two copies in typescript of a substantial piece of written work as follows:
4. [48] The submission should be about 10,000 words in length and must include:
   1. [49] (i) a working title for the research
   2. [50] (ii) an outline description/draft abstract of the research (one side of A4 paper)
   3. [51] (iii) an introductory section which provides a rationale, conceptual framework and background for the research, drawing on relevant literature and theoretical perspectives
   4. [52] (iv) a section which includes key research questions, the overall methodological approach and specific strategies and methods, ethical issues, and a brief preliminary description of planned data analysis, demonstrating evidence of a well thought out and well-argued research design; this may include a pilot study.
5. [53] The following are also required, thought they are not included in the 10,000 word limit
   1. [54] (v) CUREC form(s) as required and clear evidence of how commitment to responsible (ethical) conduct of research will be realised
   2. [55] (vi) Risk assessment form including evidence that the student has considered carefully issues of safety in fieldwork
   3. [56] (vii) A clear timetable for the research which demonstrates that the project is feasible and practicable and can be completed within the timeframe
   4. [57] (viii) A list of references
   5. [58] (ix) Evidence of presentation of work at a seminar (e.g. PPRS, Work in Progress, Research Group Seminar, etc.)
   6. [59] (x) A supporting commentary which introduces the thesis and guides the readers specifically to aspects of the work which provide evidence of meeting the criteria listed (500-1000 words).
6. [60] The Graduate Studies Committee of the Department of Education shall appoint two assessors who will interview the student and make a recommendation to the committee in an agreed written report. Candidates seeking to transfer to D.Phil Status will be expected during the interview to show evidence of research training through successful completion of the requirements of the Department’s educational research methods course, unless specifically exempted from all or part of it. A candidate whose first application for transfer to D.Phil status is unsuccessful shall be permitted to make one further application to apply for transfer within one term. Those students who fail at the second attempt may be approved for transfer to M.Litt. status, or transfer to M.Sc. by Research status.
7. [61] 4. Confirmation of Status [62] Confirmation of Status shall normally take place not later than the seventh term after admission as either an M.Sc. in Educational Research Methodology student or a Probationer Research Student. It is intended to be a comprehensive monitoring of progress towards the final thesis. [63] Students’ application for Confirmation of Status will be examined by two assessors appointed by the Graduate Studies Committee for this purpose. For this purpose the student must submit to the Graduate Studies Committee of the Department of Education two copies in typescript of a substantial piece of written work of about 30,000 words as follows:
8. 1. [64] (i) an abstract of the thesis (one side of A4 paper)
   2. [65] (ii) an outline structure of the thesis, including chapter headings, a brief statement of the contents of each chapter (about 300-500 words for each chapter), which show how the chapters link together and develop the thesis
   3. [66] (iii) the equivalent of two well-developed but draft chapters from the thesis in progress (one of the chapters should be a chapter presenting findings)
   4. [67] (iv) a list of references (of work cited in the text submitted) and a bibliography of literature relevant to the study as a whole
   5. [68] (v) a clear outline timetable detailing the work which has already been carried out, and the activities planned for the remaining stages, including a detailed timetable of the future work leading to submission
9. [69] Candidates whose first application for confirmation of status is not approved shall be permitted to make one further application within one term.
10. [70] 5. Thesis [71] Theses submitted for the degree of D.Phil. should build on and develop the material submitted for Transfer of Status and Confirmation of Status. [72] A thesis for the Degree of M.Sc. by Research which exceeds 30,000 words, or a thesis for the Degree of M.Litt. which exceeds 50,000 words, or a thesis for the Degree of D.Phil. which exceeds 100,000 words, in each case including footnotes/endnotes but excluding appendices and references or bibliography, is liable to be rejected by the board unless the candidate has, with the support of his or her supervisor, secured the leave of the Department's Departmental Board to exceed this limit.

1. [74] 1. Transfer to M.Litt. (or M.Sc. by Research) or D.Phil. status [75] Students in these subject areas will normally be expected to transfer out of Probationer Research status in their third or fourth term after admission. Applications should be submitted to the departmental Graduate Studies Committee and will comprise the following:
   1. [76] (a) a transfer of status form, obtainable from the relevant Graduate Studies Assistant, signed by the candidate's supervisor and an appropriate college officer. The candidate should indicate clearly on the form the status to which he or she wishes to transfer; and
   2. [77] (b) a provisional thesis title and a short outline statement of the proposed research topic, which should include sources and methods to be used; and
   3. [78] (c) a piece of written work relevant to the thesis of between 5,000 and 7,000 words.
   [79] The Graduate Studies Committee will appoint two assessors, one of whom will normally be a member of the committee, except in cases where neither of the two most appropriate assessors is a member of the committee, who will read the work, examine the candidate orally, and submit a written report to the committee. [80] The committee will then decide whether transfer to the status applied for will be approved. In the case of applications to transfer to D.Phil. status where the committee is not satisfied that the candidate should be allowed to make the transfer it may approve admission to M.Litt. status, (or exceptionally to M.Sc. by Research Status) or approve an extension of time in order to allow the candidate to resubmit at a later date (but before the end of the sixth term after admission to Probationer Research status). The committee may request additional written work or other evidence, or appoint an additional assessor, whenever it is considered necessary. [81] Individual Graduate Studies Committees may require additional tests or forms of assessment to be completed. Candidates are advised to consult the Notes of Guidance for Graduate Students issued by each Graduate Studies Committee. [82] Any candidate who is admitted to M.Litt. status (or M.Sc. by Research Status) may subsequently apply for transfer to D.Phil. status before the end of the sixth term after admission to Probationer Research status. The committee will expect to see evidence of substantial developments in the progress of the research since the transfer to M.Litt status (or M.Sc. by Research Status) before this further transfer is approved. Additional regulations for the Department of Economics [83] Probationer Research Students in Economics are required to take a qualifying examination, unless exempted from all or part of the examination by the appropriate Graduate Studies Committee, on the grounds of an appropriate previous graduate degree or substantial professional experience since graduation. The examination consists of the equivalent of five second year papers in the M.Phil. examination, where one first year M.Phil. paper is the equivalent of two second year papers, taken at the times set for that examination in Trinity Term. A student who does not achieve the required mark on a paper is automatically granted a two term extension to Probationer Research Student status and is allowed to resit that paper once in the following Trinity Term examination, unless a special dispensation is obtained from the Graduate Studies Committee. [84] Probationer Research Students are required to achieve a mark of 64 on each of the papers they sit in order to pass the Qualifying Examination. In exceptional circumstances the Graduate Studies Committee may exempt a student from having to pass the examination is he/she receives marks of 50 or above on each paper. All requests for exemption will require the strong support of the supervisor. Additional regulations for International Development [85] Probationer Research Students in International Development who have been admitted to this status but who have not received appropriate postgraduate training in a relevant aspect of development studies or of research techniques for the social sciences may, with the formal approval of the Director of Graduate Studies, the Course Director of the course concerned, and the Graduate Studies Committee for the Department of International Development, be required to attend and pass successfully any course listed for the M.Phil. in Development Studies or appropriate course from another postgraduate degree at Oxford University. [86] This condition shall be conveyed to the student when the offer of a place is made and in such cases transfer to D.Phil. status shall not normally be permitted until this condition has been fulfilled.
2. [87] 2. Confirmation of D.Phil. status [88] Students who have been admitted to D.Phil. status must, not later than the ninth term or normally earlier than the sixth term after that in which he or she was initially admitted to the status of a Probationer Research Student or to the status of a student for another higher degree of the University, apply for confirmation of that status. Students would normally be expected to apply for confirmation of D.Phil. status before the end of their ninth term after admission to Probationer Research status. [89] Requirements for confirmation of status are:
   1. [90] (a) completion of the appropriate form, obtainable from the relevant Graduate Studies Assistant, signed by the supervisor and an appropriate college officer.
   2. [91] (b) a comprehensive outline of the treatment of the thesis topic including details of progress made and an indication of the anticipated timetable for submission.
   3. [92] (c) two draft chapters intended to form part of the final thesis.
   [93] The application must be submitted to the relevant Graduate Studies Committee, who will appoint assessors as appropriate. A written report on the application will be made to the committee before confirmation of D.Phil. status is approved. [94] If the committee does not consider that the candidate's progress warrants confirmation of status it may either (a) recommend resubmission of the application at a later date within the normal timetable (not later than six terms after admission to D.Phil. status) or (b) approve an extension of D.Phil. status in order to allow time for resubmission of the application or (c) approve transfer to M.Litt. status, or (d) reject the application. [95] Individual departments may require candidates to complete other tests or assessments before confirmation is approved. Candidates are advised to consult the Notes of Guidance for Graduate Students issued by each Graduate Studies Committee. [96] Additional regulations for International Development [97] Probationer Research Student entrants must confirm status by the end of the ninth term after arrival in Oxford, and entrants from the M.Phil in Development Studies must do so by the end of their eleventh term after arrival in Oxford. The comprehensive outline should be up to 3,000 words. The main submission should be between 15,000 and 20,000 words of the main thesis, which can be one chapter or parts of two or more chapters. It should be core material based on the writing up of fieldwork or other research. Additional regulations for the sub-faculty of Economics [98] Those applying for confirmation of D.Phil. status in Economics shall present the preliminary results of their research at a departmental seminar or workshop as part of the confirmation process, under arrangements to be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. [99] D.Phil students coming from the M.Phil in Economics must confirm status by the end of their eleventh term as a graduate student in Economics at the University of Oxford, inclusive of the time spent on the M.Phil.
3. [100] 3. Theses M.Sc. by Research [101] Where, exceptionally, transfer has been allowed to M.Sc. by Research status, candidates are required to submit either a thesis or two written papers not exceeding in total 25,000 words in length. [102] Theses for the Degree of M.Litt. which exceed 50,000 words, theses or written papers for the M.Sc. by Research which exceed in total 25,000 words, and those for the Degree of D.Phil. which exceed 100,000 words, excluding the bibliography, are liable to be rejected unless candidates have, with the support of their supervisors, secured the leave of the appropriate Academic Studies Committee to exceed this limit. These figures are strictly maxima. It is not the board's intention that they should be construed as norms, and candidates are advised that many successful theses have been significantly shorter.
4. [103] Additional regulations for the Department of Social Policy and Intervention
5. [104] Social Policy DPhil Pathway: [105] A D.Phil. thesis may be accepted for examination if it consists of a minimum of four academic papers of publishable quality, framed by an introduction and a conclusion. Only one of the four academic papers may be a co-authored piece of work, with the candidate having contributed at least 70 percent of the work [to be confirmed by the co-author(s)]. Such a body of work shall be deemed acceptable provided it represents a coherent and focused body of research, addressing one overarching research question. Current overall word limits and conditions are detailed in the D.Phil. Notes for Guidance. Candidates wishing to proceed in this manner must be approved at the time of confirmation of D.Phil. status.
6. [106] Social Intervention DPhil Pathway: [107] A D.Phil. thesis may be accepted for examination if it consists of a minimum of three academic papers of publishable quality. Such a body of work shall be deemed acceptable provided it represents a coherent and focused body of research. It should include an Introduction, a Survey of Literature, and a Conclusion. Current word limits and conditions are detailed in the D.Phil. Notes for Guidance. A D.Phil. Thesis submitted under this rubric may include joint publications. Where joint publications are included, all co-authors must certify in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies that the majority of that work represents the work of the candidate. Candidates wishing to proceed in this manner must obtain permission from their supervisor, from the Director of Graduate Studies, and must be approved at the time of confirmation for D.Phil. status. Evidence must be submitted at the time permission is sought that at least one of the three academic papers has been submitted to an identified journal, if not yet accepted or published. If, after a petition is accepted, a candidate wishes to revert to a standard D.Phil. thesis format, the candidate must lodge a petition with his or her supervisor to be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies, showing good cause for the change.

1. [109] 1. Transfer from Probationer Research Student status to M.Litt, M.Sc, or D.Phil status [110] The transfer of status normally takes place not later than the third term after admission as a research student. Students are required to demonstrate that the research already accomplished shows promise of the ability to produce a satisfactory M.Litt, M.Sc, or D.Phil thesis on the intended topic. Students are required to submit to the director of Graduate Studies a report title and abstract (of no more than 300 words/one side of A4) by Friday of eighth week Michaelmas Term. Each student will also give a Transfer of Status Presentation of fifteen minutes (plus ten minutes of questions) during noughth week of Hilary Term. Students should submit two copies (and one electronic copy) of a research proposal of no more than 7,500 words, including an outline of research plans, a preliminary review of the literature, methodology progress to date, bibliography and a timetable for completion to the Director of Graduate studies by Friday of eighth week Hilary Term. On receiving the application, the Director of Graduate studies will, on behalf of the Graduate studies Committee, appoint two assessors (normally two members of the academic staff) neither of whom will normally be the student’s supervisor. The interviewers will read the script before submitting to the board their reports and a joint summary statement supporting their recommendation. Students will be required to attend a Transfer of Status Assessment Meeting with their supervisor(s) and transfer of status assessors to discuss their report. These meetings will be held during 1st week of Trinity Term. A student whose first application is unsuccessful may be given one further opportunity to apply for transfer, following the procedures laid down, and may apply for an extension of time for one term if this is necessary for the purpose of making the application.
2. [111] 2. Confirmation of D.Phil status [112] Application for Confirmation of D.Phil status should normally be made not earlier than the sixth term from admission as a research student and not later than the ninth term. The department expects that, in most cases, the conformation will be made immediately after return from field-work and no later than eighth week Trinity Term of the student’s third year. No candidate may submit a thesis for the doctoral degree without having first obtained confirmed doctoral status. Any student who does not confirm by the end of their ninth term, will be required to apply for deferral of confirmation of status and may be allowed up to three terms for this purpose. Any student who does not confirm by the end of their ninth term, will be required to apply for a deferral of confirmation of status and may be allowed up to three terms for this purpose. Any student who fails to confirm status within twelve terms of registering as a PRS will have their student status lapsed. Students who have taken an MPhil first and were admitted directly to D.Phil status, should confirm status within three terms of starting the D.Phil Any student who fails to confirm within twelve terms of starting the M.Phil will have their status lapsed. The purpose of the submission for confirmed status is to ensure that the candidate is working to a doctoral standard. [113] The confirmation report should show evidence that the research already accomplished gives promise of the ability to produce a satisfactory D.Phil thesis on the intended topic. For this purpose the candidate must submit to the Director of Graduate Studies two copies (together with an electronic version) of a report describing in approximately 3,000 words the aims and methods of the projected thesis. The student will also be required to include with the written work an outline of the proposed thesis, including the topics to be covered in individual chapters, and a timetable for completion. In addition, two substantive chapters of no more than 10,000 words each must also be submitted. Candidates wishing to undertake the D.Phil via scientific papers should substitute the chapters of the thesis with two papers. [114] On receiving the application the Director of Graduate studies will appoint two assessors (normally two academic members of staff) neither of whom will normally be the student’s supervisor. The assessors will read the script before submitting to the board their written reports and a joint summary statement supporting their recommendation. Students will be required to meet with their assessors and supervisor at an assessment interview to discuss their report. A student whose first application is unsuccessful may be given one further opportunity to apply for confirmation, following the procedures laid down, normally within one term if necessary for the purpose of making the application. Students will be notified of the outcome and they should receive advice from their supervisor(s) on their confirmation assessment.
3. [115] 3. Submission of theses [116] Candidates for the Degrees of M.Sc, M.Litt, and D.Phil are required to submit at least two sets of all maps, diagrams, and other illustrations, one of which should be a reproduction of the original set. The copy of the thesis deposited in the Bodleian should be one of those with a complete set of maps and illustrations. [117] Applications for leave to present only one set of maps, diagrams and other illustrations may be granted in exceptional circumstances, but such concessions will be granted only very sparingly. [118] M.Sc theses should be approximately 40,000 words, inclusive of appendices but exclusive of tables, figures, and references. [119] M.Litt theses should not exceed 50,000 words, exclusive of the bibliography, unless for exceptional reasons and on the recommendation of the candidate’s supervisor the board otherwise determines. [120] D.Phil theses submitted by students in Geography must not exceed 100,000 words, exclusive of the bibliography but including notes, glossary, appendices, etc., unless for exceptional reasons and on the recommendation of the candidate’s supervisor the board otherwise determines. [121] A D.Phil thesis may be accepted for examination if comprised of a minimum of four scientific papers submitted for publication if not yet accepted or published. Such a body of work will be deemed acceptable provided it represents a coherent and focused body or research. It should include an Introduction, a Survey of Literature, and a Conclusion. Current word limits and conditions remain in place. [122] A D.Phil thesis submitted under this rubric may include joint publications. In that case, all co-authors must certify in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies of the School that the majority of the work represents that of the candidate. [123] Candidates wishing to proceed in this manner must obtain permission from his/her supervisor, the School, and the Divisional Board and must be approved at the time of confirmation for D.Phil status. Evidence must be submitted at the time permission is sought that the scientific papers have been submitted to identified journals. [124] If, after a petition is accepted, a candidate wishes to revert to a standard D.Phil thesis format, the candidate must lodge a petition with his/her supervisor, the School, the Divisional Board showing good cause for the change.

1. [126] 1. The First Research Year
   1. [127] (i) All those admitted to a research degree in the Faculty of Law must in the first year follow a course of instruction in Legal Research Method approved by the Law Board (or, for students registered for the D.Phil in Criminology, a course of instruction in Criminal Research Methods), and must satisfy the examiners that they have completed to the required standard such tests or exercises as may be prescribed by the Law Board as part of such a course of instruction. Where the Law Board judges that it has sufficient evidence of a candidate's proficiency in research methods, it may in exceptional circumstances dispense a candidate from this requirement.
   2. [128] (ii) Candidates admitted in the first instance as Probationer Research Students may, with the consent of the Faculty Board, transfer to the status of a student for the M.St. in Legal Research.
2. [129] 2. Transfer to the D.Phil. or M.Litt.
   1. [130] (i) Candidates wishing to transfer to the status of student for the degree of D.Phil. or M.Litt. must, subject to sub-paragraphs (ii) and (iii) below, undertake both parts of the Qualifying Test (paragraph 3 below).
   2. [131] (ii) It is not possible to transfer to M.Litt. status, having successfully completed the M.Phil. or M.St. in Legal Research, unless the candidate proposes to write an entirely new thesis. A candidate transferring to D.Phil. status is entitled to incorporate the thesis presented for the M.Phil. or M.St. in Legal Research within the D.Phil. thesis.
   3. [132] (iii) Candidates who at the time of the transfer will have successfully completed the M.Phil. in Law or the M.Phil. in Criminology and Criminal Justice or the M.St. in Legal Research shall submit for Part B of the Qualifying Test their successful M.Phil. or M.St. thesis. In such a case the word limits for Part B in sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph 3 below do not apply.
   4. [133] (iv) Students who have previously been registered for the M.St. in Legal Research or for the M.Phil. in Law or M.Phil. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and have been granted leave to supplicate for either of these degrees, but have been referred on their application to transfer to D.Phil. status, may conditionally hold the status of Probationer Research Student, provided that the Faculty Board is satisfied that the student fulfils the conditions set out in the appropriate regulation. Probationer Research Student status in this instance may not be held for more than six terms beyond the date at which they first held the status of a student for the M.St. in Legal Research or for the M.Phil. in Law or M.Phil. in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
3. [134] 3. The Qualifying Test
   1. [135] (i) Part A of the Qualifying Test requires that the candidate shall submit to the The Faculty of Law Graduate Studies Office (or, for students registered for the D.Phil. in Criminology, to the Graduate Studies Administrator within the Centre for Criminology) two typescript or printed copies of a statement of the subject of the proposed thesis and details of the manner in which the candidate proposes to treat it. This statement shall not exceed 2,000 words.
   2. [136] (ii) Subject to sub-paragraph (iii) of paragraph 2 above, Part B of the Qualifying Test requires that the candidate shall submit to the Faculty of Law Graduate Studies Office (or, for students registered for the D.Phil. in Criminology, to the Graduate Studies Administrator within the Centre for Criminology) two typescript or printed copies of a substantial piece of written work which may or may not be intended to form part of the proposed thesis but must be relevant to its subject. For transfer to the D.Phil., this Part B submission must not exceed 10,000 words, for the M.Litt., 6,000 words. In each case the candidate must state the number of words used. The required format for this submission is the common format prescribed for all law theses which is printed in the Faculty of Law's Graduate Students' Handbook.
   3. [137] (iii) Supervisors of candidates offering Part B are required to discuss with the candidate the names of possible assessors, and to provide the Board (or, for students registered for the D.Phil in Criminology, the Director of Graduate Studies (Research)) with the names of three suitable persons who have indicated their willingness to act as assessors if called upon to do so. This notification may be made before the submission of the material, but must be made, at the latest, on the day the material is submitted. (For students registered for the D.Phil in Criminology, two assessors will be appointed by the Director of Graduate Studies (Research) in consultation with the supervisor).
   4. [138] (iv) Subject to sub-paragraph (v) below, candidates admitted as Probationer Research Students to the doctoral or M.Litt. programmes, must submit all materials for the Qualifying Test by the end of the fourth week of Full Term in the third term after the candidate's admission.
   5. [139] (v) Subject to the general time-limit in sub-paragraph (vi) below, the Graduate Studies Committee, having consulted with the supervisor, may, for good cause, allow the Qualifying Test to be deferred. [140] Applications for deferral must be made through the Faculty of Law Graduate Studies Office (or, for students registered for the D.Phil. in Criminology, to the Graduate Studies Administrator within the Centre for Criminology) in time to allow the Graduate Studies Committee to consider the matter in the second week of the candidate's third term.
   6. [141] (vi) In no case may the materials for the Qualifying Test be submitted or resubmitted after the end of the fourth term from the admission of the student to the doctoral or M.Litt. programmes. A student will in any case cease to hold PRS status if he or she does not gain admission to another status within four terms of admission as a full-time student.
4. [142] 4. Assessing the Qualifying Test
   1. [143] (i) The Director of Graduate Studies shall appoint two assessors and shall report their appointments to the Board.
   2. [144] (ii) The assessors shall interview the candidate.
   3. [145] (iii) The assessors shall report in writing as to (a) the suitability of the candidate's subject for the kind of thesis in question and (b) the competence of the candidate to handle it at the required level; and, in accordance with their report, the assessors shall make a recommendation.
   4. [146] (iv) On the original submission for the Qualifying Test, the assessors may recommend (a) that the candidate be granted the transfer which has been applied for, or (b) that the candidate be permitted to resubmit Part A or, in the case in which the candidate is a Probationary Research Student, Part B or both Part A and Part B; in the case in which the candidate offers a successful M.Phil. or M.St. thesis for Part B within sub-paragraph (iii) of paragraph 2 above, there can be no reference back except in relation to Part A. Hence in a case in which, despite having earned the degree for which it was submitted, the thesis fails to satisfy the assessors of Part B of the Qualifying Test, the permission to transfer must be refused.
   5. [147] (v) Unless, for good cause shown, the Director of Graduate Studies, after consultation with the supervisor, agrees to an extension of time, the assessors must lodge their report and recommendation with the Faculty of Law Graduate Studies Office (or, for students registered for the D.Phil. in Criminology, to the Graduate Studies Administrator, the Centre for Criminology) within one calendar month of the date on which the materials are sent out to them.
   6. [148] (vi) The Faculty of Law Graduate Studies Office (or, for students registered for the D.Phil. in Criminology, to the Graduate Studies Administrator, the Centre for Criminology) shall pass the report and recommendation to the Director of Graduate Studies (or, for students registered for the D.Phil in Criminology, the Director of Graduate Studies (Research)), who has the authority of the Board to inform the candidate without further delay of the nature of the recommendation and to inform the supervisor of the contents of the report.
   7. [149] (vii) Where the assessors have recommended resubmission, the candidate should normally resubmit at any time before the end of the subsequent term following the original submission. On resubmission the assessors may recommend (a) that the candidate be granted the transfer requested or (b) that the candidate be refused permission to transfer. In the case of a Probationary Research Student the effect of the latter recommendation is to entitle the candidate to apply for transfer to the M.St. in Legal Research under the appropriate regulation, with effect retrospective to the original registration as a Probationary Research Student. Such applications will be considered by the Graduate Studies Committee.
   8. [150] (viii) The Director of Graduate Studies shall place the report of the assessors before the meeting of the Graduate Studies Committee next following its receipt by the The Faculty of Law Graduate Studies Office (or, for students registered for the D.Phil. in Criminology, to the Graduate Studies Administrator at the Centre for Criminology).
5. [151] 5. Confirmation of D.Phil status
   1. [152] (i) Applications for confirmation of status shall normally be made not earlier than the sixth term, and confirmation of status must normally be completed no later than three terms after the Qualifying Test.
   2. [153] (ii) Application for confirmation of D.Phil status shall be accompanied by (a) a statement giving the title of the thesis, and summarising each component chapter in approximately 100 words per chapter, (b) an overview of the intended thesis, of approximately 1,000 words, stating how much of the thesis is complete and how much remains to be done (with an estimate of the probable date of completion), and (c) a piece of written work, which shall normally be of 20,000-30,000 words in length and intended to form part of the thesis.
   3. [154] (iii) The candidate’s supervisor shall provide a report on the candidate’s application upon the form provided for this purpose or in a separate communication sent directly to the Graduate Studies Administrator. The report shall comment upon the accuracy of the account and feasibility of the timetable, and upon the candidate’s progress, together with an estimate of the probable date of completion.
   4. [155] (iv) The documents described above under (ii) and (iii) shall be considered by two assessors, appointed by the Graduate Studies Committee, one of whom shall, wherever practicable, be one of those who acted at the time of the candidate’s transfer to D.Phil status. The assessors shall interview the candidate and submit a joint written report to the Graduate Studies Committee, normally within one month of receiving the application. The report shall include a recommendation as to whether the application should be approved. The faculty may grant the application or refer it back for resubmission. Only one resubmission for confirmation may be submitted, and no such resubmission will normally be permitted after the end of the candidate’s ninth term.
6. [156] 6. All theses and dissertations in law must conform to the statement which appears in the Law Faculty's Graduate Students' Handbook under the title ‘Format of Theses in the Faculty of Law’.

[158] (See also the general notice at the commencement of these regulations. The current edition of the relevant ‘Notes of Guidance for Graduate Students and Supervisors’ contains an elaborated version of these regulations.)

[159] Candidates with Probationer Research Student status, unless or until they have entered upon another status, or have been otherwise dispensed from some or all of the following requirements by the relevant Graduate Studies Committee, are required to undertake the work set out below during the first year.

1. [160] 1. A first-year student shall:
   1. [161] (i) satisfactorily complete a course of lectures, seminars, and classes, as determined in the relevant ‘Notes of Guidance for Graduate Students and Supervisors’ and supplemented by his or her supervisor;
   2. [162] (ii) satisfactorily complete a course of research methods training, as determined in the relevant ‘Notes of Guidance for Graduate Students and Supervisors’ and supplemented by his or her supervisor and/or by the relevant Director of Research Training.
2. [163] 2. Applications for transfer from Probationer Research Student status to D.Phil. or M.Litt. status must be submitted in accordance with the requirements in the relevant ‘Notes of Guidance'. Applicants in their fourth and final term of Probationer Status must submit their completed application not later than 5 p.m. on the Friday of fifth week of that term. In addition to satisfying the above requirements (i) and (ii), the transfer of status application must include two copies of an outline of the proposed research topic and two copies of the written work-all as specified in the relevant ‘Notes of Guidance for Graduate Students and Supervisors’. The relevant Graduate Studies Committee will appoint two assessors, one of whom will normally be a member of the committee, except in cases where neither of the two most appropriate assessors is a member of that committee. The committee will then decide whether to approve the transfer. In the case of applications to transfer to D.Phil. status where the committee does not so approve, it may authorise an extension of time in order to allow the candidate to resubmit at a later date (but before the end of the sixth term after admission to Probationer Research Student status), or alternatively approve a transfer to M.Litt. status.
3. [164] 3. Candidates whose applications for transfer of status are not successful may, with the approval of the relevant Graduate Studies Committee, submit revised proposals within their first six terms of Probationer Research Student status.
4. [165] 4. Though not in itself sufficient qualification for students wishing to advance to M. Litt. or D.Phil. status, the successful completion of the M.Sc. in Politics Research or the M.Sc. in Political Theory Research may serve in place of 1. (i) and (ii) above, and material submitted as part of the requirements for the M.Sc. may also be used in the transfer application. Probationer Research Students who have already completed the M.Sc. in Politics Research or the M.Sc. in Political Theory Research should normally apply for transfer of status by the end of the Trinity Full Term of their first year of study as a Probationer Research Student.

1. [167] 1. Admissions [168] Applicants shall be required to satisfy to the University Admitting Body (UAB) of the Saïd Business School that they have:
   1. [169] (a) a 2:1 (or equivalent) undergraduate degree (this is the minimum qualification level that will be considered);
   2. [170] (b) a GRE or GMAT score: as a guide, a score in excess of 630 (GRE quantative and verbal sections average) or 610 (GMATn total score);
   3. [171] (c) a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Test Scheme (IELTS) in excess of 630 (if TOEFL paper) or 109 (if TOEFL internet) or 7.5 for IELTS if English is not their native language or if they have not studied their full degree in an English-speaking country;
   4. [172] (d) their University academic transcripts;
   5. [173] (e) three references (a minimum of two must be academic);
   6. [174] (f) one piece of written work for assessment of approximately 2,000 words. This should be an essay or section of longer work on a topic appropriate to the degree for which they are applying. They must include a signed declaration that the piece is their own work without the assistance of others;
   7. [175] (g) a research proposal to help the UAB identify a potential supervisor;
   8. [176] (h) the above and any additional criteria which the UAB may from time to time determine.
2. [177] 2. Probationer Research Students [178] All students are normally admitted as Probationer Research Students (PRS). [179] Unless granted a dispensation by the D.Phil. Committee of the Saïd Business School, during their first year, Probationer Research Students shall:
   1. [180] (a) attend such lectures, seminars and classes as his or her supervisor and/or the committee shall determine;
   2. [181] (b) satisfactorily complete such courses and coursework as the supervisor and/or the committee shall determine, dependant upon which course the student has already taken prior to commencing the D.Phil.;
   3. [182] (c) applications to D.Phil. Committee for exemption from the above will be considered.
3. [183] 3. Transfer of status [184] Students who have taken the M.Sc. in Management Research or MFE prior to commencing their D.Phil. study as a PRS are normally expected to transfer status in their third term. All students must transfer status by the end of their fourth term. [185] Applications for transfer of status must be submitted to the D.Phil. Committee and should be comprised of the following:
   1. [186] (a) a transfer of status form (GSO.2), signed by the student's supervisor and an appropriate college officer. The candidate should indicate clearly on the form the status to which he or she wishes to transfer;
   2. [187] (b) a good pass in all of the courses and coursework as stated in 2.(b) above, approved by the student’s supervisor;
   3. [188] (c) a satisfactory research proposal or research outline;
   4. [189] (d) where appropriate, one draft chapter of the thesis.
4. [190] Further details of these requirements are set out in the D.Phil Notes for Guidance. [191] Two assessors nominated by the student and his/her supervisor and appointed by the D.Phil. Committee will examine the student by viva voce and submit a written transfer report to the D.Phil. Committee with recommendations as to whether or not the student should be allowed to transfer to D.Phil status. [192] The D.Phil. Committee will consider the application and the recommendations of the assessors and in light of this will decide whether to approve the transfer of status, or approve admission to M.Litt status (in the case that the Committee is not satisfied that the candidate should be allowed to transfer), or approve an extension of time in order to allow the candidate to carry out further research and make revisions to his/her proposal and to resubmit at a later date (but before the PRS status period expires). The committee may request additional written work (such as a revised research proposal) or other evidence, and/or appoint an additional assessor, and/or state that the student should be re-examined.
5. [193] 4. Confirmation of D.Phil status [194] Students will normally be expected to apply for their Confirmation of Status by the end of their sixth term after admission. They must apply for their Confirmation of Status by the end of their ninth term. [195] Applications for confirmation of status as a Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall comprise the following:
   1. [196] (a) a confirmation of status application form (GSO14) signed by the candidate’s supervisor and an appropriate officer of the candidate’s college;
   2. [197] (b) a comprehensive outline of the treatment of the thesis topic including details of progress made and an indication, where possible, of the anticipated timetable for submission;
   3. [198] (c) two draft chapters totalling no more than 25,000 words which include material particularly central to the thesis.
6. [199] Further details of these requirements are set out in the D.Phil. Notes for Guidance. [200] The application must be submitted to the D.Phil. Committee and will be considered by two assessors nominated by the student and supervisor and appointed by D.Phil. Committee. These may be the same assessors as were chosen for the transfer of status, but assessors selected at this stage may not be chosen for the final viva voce. The assessors will read the work, interview the candidate (examine viva voce) and make a recommendation to the committee in a written report. [201] If the committee does not consider that the candidate’s progress warrants confirmation of status it may either recommend resubmission of the application at a later date within the normal timetable, or approve an extension of D.Phil. status in order to allow time for resubmission of the application, or recommend transfer to M.Litt. status, or reject the application.
7. [202] 5. Three paper route [203] A D.Phil. thesis may be accepted for examination if comprised of a minimum of three academic papers of publishable quality. Such a body of work shall be deemed acceptable provided it represents a coherent and focused body of research. It should include an Introduction, a Survey of Literature, and a Conclusion. Current word limits and conditions are detailed in the D.Phil. Notes for Guidance. [204] A D.Phil. Thesis submitted under this rubric may include joint publications, providing that, aside from the candidate, none of the named co-authors is a student. Where a joint publication with another student is included, this must be in addition to the minimum of three academic papers required to be included in the D.Phil thesis. Where joint publications are included, all co-authors must certify in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies of the School that the majority of that work represents the work of the candidate. [205] Candidates wishing to proceed in this manner must obtain permission from his/her supervisor, the Director of Graduate Studies, and the D.Phil. Committee and must be approved at the time of confirmation for D.Phil. status. Evidence must be submitted at the time permission is sought that at least one of the three academic papers has been submitted to an identified journal, if not yet accepted or published. [206] If, after a petition is accepted, a candidate wishes to revert to a standard D.Phil. thesis format the candidate must lodge a petition with his/her supervisor, the School and D.Phil. Committee showing good cause for the change.
8. [207] 6. Thesis [208] Theses for the Degree of M.Litt. which exceed 50,000 words and those for the Degree of D.Phil. which exceed 100,000, excluding the bibliography, are liable to be rejected unless candidates have, with the support of their supervisors, secured the prior dispensation of the board of Graduate Studies to exceed this limit.

1. [210] 1. Admissions [211] Applicants shall be required to satisfy the Graduate Studies Committee of the Oxford Internet Institute that they have:
   1. [212] (a) a Master's degree or other advanced degree, normally in one of the social sciences, and normally passed with a mark of at least 67 per cent or an equivalent level of distinction;
   2. [213] (b) achieved at least a 2.1 (or its equivalent) at first degree level;
   3. [214] (c) for students whose first language is not English, have met the higher level of the University's English language requirements; and that they are;
   4. [215] (d) well-fitted to undertake research at doctoral level.
2. [216] 2. Probationer Research Students [217] All students are normally admitted as Probationer Research Students. [218] Unless granted a dispensation by the Graduate Studies Committee of the Oxford Internet Institute, Probationer Research Students during their first year shall:
   1. [219] (a) attend such lectures, seminars, and classes as his or her supervisor and/or the committee shall determine;
   2. [220] (b) attend and satisfactorily complete such courses or classes from the Institute's Research Methods Training Programme as directed by the committee;
   3. [221] (c) attend and satisfactorily complete the Institute’s Social Dynamics of the Internet course.
3. [222] 3. Transfer to D.Phil. status [223] Students will normally be expected to transfer to D.Phil. status in their third or fourth term as a Probationer Research Student at the Oxford Internet Institute. Applications should be submitted to the Graduate Studies Committee of the Oxford Internet Institute and will comprise the following:
   1. [224] (a) a transfer of status form, signed by the candidate's supervisor and an appropriate officer of the candidate's college;
   2. [225] (b) confirmation from the candidate's supervisor that such courses as the candidate has been required to undertake have been satisfactorily completed;
   3. [226] (c) an outline of their research (one side of A4 paper);
   4. [227] (d) a detailed research proposal of no more than 6,000 words. This should:
      1. [228] (i) draw upon relevant literature to discuss the background to the research, theoretical perspectives, and possible outcomes to the research;
      2. [229] (ii) state key research questions;
      3. [230] (iii) discuss the overall methodological approach, and specific strategies, to be employed in answering these research questions, paying particular attention to practical and ethical issues relevant to the research.
   5. [231] (e) a preliminary timetable for the research;
   6. [232] (f) a list of references;
   7. [233] (g) OII Training Needs Assessment Form.
   8. [234] The application will be considered by a specially constituted panel of two assessors appointed by the Graduate Studies Committee of the Oxford Internet Institute. The panel will read the work, interview the candidate and make a recommendation to the committee in a reasoned written report. [235] Candidates will be expected during the interview to show evidence of their understanding of general theory and research methods in the social sciences applicable to their proposed study and specific research methods appropriate to the study of social aspects of the Internet and related ICTs. [236] The committee will make a decision on the application in the light of the assessors' report and may request additional written work or other evidence, or appoint an additional assessor, whenever it considers necessary.
4. [237] 4. Confirmation of status [238] Applications for confirmation of status as a Student for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy submitted to the Graduate Studies Committee of the Oxford Internet Institute shall comprise the following:
   1. [239] (a) a confirmation of status application form signed by the candidate's supervisor and an appropriate officer of the candidate's college;
   2. [240] (b) an abstract of the thesis (one side of A4 paper);
   3. [241] (c) an outline structure of the thesis, consisting of chapter headings, and a brief statement of the intended content;
   4. [242] (d) an outline timetable detailing what work has already been carried out and what activities are planned for the remaining stages;
   5. [243] (e) two completed draft chapters intended to form part of the final thesis. [244] The application will be considered by a specially constituted panel of two assessors appointed by the Graduate Studies Committee of the Oxford Internet Institute. The panel will read the work, interview the candidate and make a recommendation to the committee in a written report.
   6. [245] (f) OII Training Needs Assessment Form.
5. [246] 5. Thesis [247] The thesis must not exceed 100,000 words, the limit to include abstract, all notes and appendices but not the bibliography. Any thesis exceeding this limit is liable to be rejected on that ground unless prior dispensation has been granted by the Graduate Studies Committee on the advice of the candidate's supervisor.