English Local History DPhil

University of Oxford

Local history has for more than twenty years formed one of the largest programmes within the Department for Continuing Education. The subject has proved an interesting, rewarding and accessible area of historical studies that has enabled many mature students to become directly involved in individual research.

The DPhil in English Local History draws on the Department for Continuing Education’s knowledge and skills, which have been acquired over many years of providing specialist classes in local history, and profiting from close links with local, social and economic historians elsewhere in the University.

This course is overseen by the University’s Continuing Education Board, and admission is through the Department for Continuing Education. All graduate students on this course are members of the department’s graduate school. An impression of interests represented in the department’s teaching and research supervision can be seen in the advanced paper subjects offered as part of the master’s course:

• Power and patronage in the later medieval localities
• Kinship, culture and community: provincial elites in early modern England
• Poverty and the Poor Law in England 1660-1800
• Religion and community in England, 1830-1914

As a research student you may be required to undertake appropriate research training provided within the University. In addition, you will be strongly encouraged to participate in seminars and informal meetings with staff and other researchers. The major commitment of time will be to individual study and research, involving wide and intense reading, data collection and analysis, and writing. Support in making decisions about research is provided by the course team.

It is only possible to study for a DPhil (doctorate) in English Local History by part-time research. The part-time DPhil regulations require a minimum period of four years’ part-time study (equivalent to two years’ full-time). However, except where students are building on research and research skills developed by taking the MSc in English Local History the average time taken is approximately six years (equivalent to three years’ full-time).

As a part-time student you will be required to attend course activities and related obligations in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year.

There will be flexibility in the dates of attendance, which will be determined by mutual agreement with your supervisor. You will have the opportunity to tailor your part-time study and pattern of in-person attendance in liaison with your supervisor. It is expected that you will join all online course activities during your period of study.