Students can opt to pursue their DPhil studies in one of two ways: either by thesis alone or by practice. In the latter case, when your own creative work forms, as a point of origin or reference, a significant part of the intellectual inquiry, that work will be undertaken as part of the registered research programme, and will be presented in relation to the argument of a written thesis setting it in its relevant theoretical, historical, or critical context. The Ruskin is, first and foremost, an art school, and in saying this we would stress that the prime focus of the department is on sustaining a broadly inclusive and inquisitive space in which to practise, and to test attitudes towards, contemporary art. Those applying to spend time here may therefore come from a wide variety of backgrounds and have experience of a number of different avenues within the contemporary art world. As well as artists, they might, for example, include those wishing to study aspects of exhibition curating and organisation, art theory and criticism, problems of conservation in a field that now includes much that is either easily reproducible or - whether by design or otherwise - highly perishable, and the implications of new technologies for art. Through formal and informal arrangements, and through furthering the projects of many individual staff and students over the years, the School has made connections with departments throughout the University. Links of this kind suggest that interdisciplinary and collaborative work at DPhil level could well be a feature of research for some students.
Part-time study
It is possible to undertake a research degree on a part-time basis. Further information on this can be obtained by contacting the School.
Application
Full details of the course can be downloaded as a PDF file here.
Applicants would normally be expected to have completed, or to be about to complete, a Master's course, and this would usually, though not necessarily, be in Fine Art. The School may offer a Studentship to an exceptional candidate.
If you are thinking of applying, and would like an informal conversation about your plans and the possibilities The Ruskin might offer for realising them, please contact Dr Katerina Reed-Tsocha, Director of Graduate Studies, at katerina.reed-tsocha@ruskin-sch.ox.ac.ukApplication is made through the University's Graduate Studies Office. This takes place in three cycles, the closing dates for which are towards the end of November, the end of January and mid March. Details of this procedure, exact submission dates, and the importance of choosing the most appropriate one, can be found at www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gsp/ and an application form can be downloaded from www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gsp/apply/
The next application deadlines are 21 November 2008, 23 January 2009 and 13 March 2009.
