I just got accepted to start an IR DPhil at Oxford and I've kind of been out of pure academics since my MA a few years ago (doing thinktank work). What should I expect to do in my first year, and what could I do to prepare better between now and October when I start?
What to expect in Oxford (DPhil)
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^ Not true at all.
Expect the best time of your life (certainly intellectually) IF you have genuine interest in your topic and are highly motivated to do your research. (You will be on a long leash, with hardly anyone looking over your shoulder.) The DPIR is huge and first-rate, its members are not nearly as stunted by mainstream IR orthodoxy as in the States, the libraries around Oxford are a researcher's dream, and the town is simply beautiful - even if touristy and expensive.
Speaking from own experience - got my DPhil there a few years ago. (Now in a U.S.-based TT job, first book done.)
CONGRATULATIONS!
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Bring at least one good dark suit with you - you'll need it for matriculation, formal dinners, and vivas later on.
Don't ever convert the price in pounds to USD - you'll only be depressed.
Be selective about what lectures you go to.
Register at some point for the tutor training course at some point.
Resist rowing - it's an almighty bore to hear the erg cultists drone on and on about split times.
Have coffee at the Missing Bean or Zappi's - best in town.
It's pronounced "Gloster" not "Glou-chester" Green, and it's "Maudlin" not "Mag-dalen" college.
Be nice to the porters and college secretaries, for they are the gatekeepers.
Never email administrators when you can talk to them in person.
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OP here
Thanks for the info Melanie/Osbert. I've been to Oxford a few times so I kind of know the city. I'm comfortable with lack of supervision because I've basically been working on my research project for the last two years through various projects at my current institution. I'm more curious about the coursework/admin hoops I need to jump through in the first year. I heard with some British/Aussie universities you jump straight into the DPhil proper? Sounds too good to be true... I don't think I'm on probationer status (hasn't been mentioned yet) but wouldn't mind sitting in a few but would like to avoid too many exams if possible!
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OP,
Coursework requirements vary from faculty to faculty, and may differ again depending on whether you did an MPhil or not.
I'd call the course administrator (you could also email, but it's 9th week right now so everyone's a bit busy with exams/marking/other loose ends) to get a definitive answer.
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OP,
Sounds like you have what it takes to undertake the DPhil and succeed.
Assuming you have completed a MPhil or MSc, your initial status should be PRS (Probationary Research Student), with a formal Change of Status (to DPhil) expected to take place usually at the end of your first year; it involves submitting a few sample dissertation chapters and undergoing a viva with their readers, who will provide you with critical feedback in the form of a written report and either recommend or postpone your change of status.
Not too many other administrative hoops to jump through, as far as I recall.
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OP,
unless you have done your MPhil in IR at Oxford you will be a PRS, which means that in order to get full status you will have to submit a draft introduction and chapter by Christmas of your second year. UK programmes are not like US ones, so you will not have to do any comps (it is assumed that you have done enough coursework in your previous degrees). The only thing you will have to do is a methods exam after a few months (don't worry about it, they will give you plenty of training), and an IR theory course that will be catered to the topics of the people in your cohort (so what you get to see entirely depends on what people are working on in your year). Apart from that, you'll do as many methods courses as you want / need. -
The second one has some great articles, while the last has a cambridge UP book. We shouldn't be scoffing at Oxford.
Come to think of it, this pedigree stuff is crap. Last book I read was written by a Brandeis PhD, it was a Cambridge UP, and it was great. Maybe advisors there have more of an incentive to work closely with their best students to help them to do great things. I'm sure CHYMPS people don't really care if they let a few former students fall off the map because they'll always have their stars.