Degrees of the University of Oxford

Last updated

The system of academic degrees at the University of Oxford originates in the Middle Ages and has evolved since the university's founding in 1096.

Contents

Almost all undergraduate bachelor's degrees at Oxford are titled Bachelor of Arts (BA), apart from the Bachelor of Theology (BTh) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). At the same time, the university offers two bachelor's degrees as postgraduate courses – the Bachelor of Civil Law (equivalent to a Master of Laws) and the Bachelor of Philosophy (equivalent to a masters degree in philosophy). Previously, other postgraduate courses awarded bachelor's degrees, such as the Bachelor of Divinity, but the majority of such courses have since renamed their awards to master's degrees.

Seven years after matriculation, BA and BFA graduates may apply to the title of Master of Arts, which is an academic rank at the university and not a postgraduate degree. Integrated masters programs, comprising three years of undergraduate study and one year of postgraduate study, confer a single award (for example, the Master of Mathematics (MMath)). The university offers a number of postgraduate master's degrees – chiefly the Master of Philosophy, Master of Science, and Master of Studies. Professional programs such as the Master of Business Administration, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Public Policy, and Master of Theology are also awarded at Oxford.

Doctor of Philosophy programs at the University are typically abbreviated "DPhil" rather than PhD. Oxford also awards a Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych) and Doctor of Medicine (DM), in addition to higher doctorates such as the Doctor of Civil Law. In postnominals, "University of Oxford" is normally abbreviated "Oxon.", which is short for (Academia) Oxoniensis, or Oxf. [1]

Undergraduate awards

The bachelor's degree is awarded soon after the end of the degree course (three or four years after matriculation). Contrary to common UK practice, [2] Oxford does not award bachelor's degrees with honours. However, a student whose degree is classified third class or higher is considered "to have achieved honours status". [3]

Until recently, all undergraduates studied for the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The BFA was introduced in 1978. Holders of the degrees of BA and BFA both proceed in time to the degree of Master of Arts (MA). The BA is awarded even for science courses, such as the three-year Physics degree. The degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc) has never been awarded as an undergraduate degree at Oxford. It used to be awarded as a graduate qualification, however.

The BTh is awarded primarily to students of the various theological colleges and halls, such as Wycliffe Hall, Regent's Park College, Blackfriars, St Stephen's House, Ripon College Cuddesdon, [4] Harris Manchester College and the former Westminster College, Oxford. Usually, these students are candidates for the ordained ministry of one of the mainstream Christian denominations, but may be drawn from any faith background (Unitarian ordinands study at HMC) or none at the discretion of the College or Hall. It should not be confused with the degree of bachelor of divinity (BD), which is a postgraduate degree.

The BEd was formerly awarded to students residing at Westminster College, Culham College of Education, the Lady Spencer Churchill College of Education, and Milton Keynes College of Education (formerly the North Buckinghamshire College of Education) who read concurrently at the university.

The UGAdvDip is a FHEQ Level 6 award which is equivalent to the third year of undergraduate study and it is generally accepted as equivalent to a second bachelor's degree or a Graduate Diploma. [5] [6] [7] [8] Undergraduate Advanced Diplomas are only offered at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford.

Undergraduate master's degrees

Beginning in the 1990s, the following degrees were introduced to increase public recognition of the four-year undergraduate science programmes in these subjects:

The holders of these degrees have the academic precedence and standing of BAs until the twenty-first term from matriculation, when they rank as MAs. From 2014 graduates with these degrees wear the same academic gown as a Master of Studies, with a black silk hood lined with sand fabric. [9] Previously the academic dress was simply the BA gown and hood.

In contrast, science undergraduates at Cambridge may be granted the degree of Master of Natural Sciences (MSci) in addition to the BA (and the subsequent MA).

Degree of Master of Arts

The degree of Master of Arts is awarded to BAs and BFAs seven years after matriculation, without further examination, upon the payment of a nominal fee. Recipients of undergraduate master's degrees are not eligible to incept as MA, but are afforded the same privileges after the statutory twenty-one terms. This system dates from the Middle Ages, when the study of the liberal arts took seven years.

Postgraduate degrees

Bachelors' degrees

At Oxford, the BM BCh degree is only awarded after the completion of another bachelor's degree. Undergraduate medicine students will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Medical Sciences degree at the end of the third year of the six-year programme. Graduates with an existing bachelor's degree may apply to a four-year version of the medicine course, which confers only the BM BCh.

In medieval times a student could not study some subjects until study in the liberal arts was completed. These subjects were known as the higher faculties. The Bachelors of Science and Letters were added in the 19th century, and the Bachelors of Philosophy was added in 1914. The higher bachelor's degree programme is generally a taught programme of one or two years for graduates.

The only two remaining postgraduate-level courses awarded by the university are the Bachelor of Civil Law and the Bachelor of Philosophy, which are equivalent to master's degrees in law and philosophy respectively.

Masters' degrees

The BLitt, BSc, and BPhil (in degrees other than philosophy) were re-titled master's degrees.

The MJur and MBA are awarded after taught courses, the MJur being the equivalent of the BCL for students from non-common-law backgrounds. The MSt is a one-year hybrid research/taught course which is the equivalent of the taught master's degree in most other UK universities. The MTh is an applied theology course for those intending to enter holy orders.

The degree of Master of Education was formerly awarded to students at Westminster College, when that course was validated by the university.

Diplomas

Historically at Oxford and Cambridge, a Diploma was a postgraduate qualification for instance, the Cambridge Diploma in Computer Science). The title of Diploma has nonetheless mostly been replaced by the more common master's degree.

To distinguish postgraduate diplomas from graduate or undergraduate diplomas at other institutions, Oxford uses the term "postgraduate diploma". The Centre of Continuing Education offers part time diplomas in a number of specialised areas, [10] and other faculties also offer postgraduate diploma courses [11] such as the "Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice" offered by the law faculty. [12]

Doctorates

Graduates in subjects other than Medicine can proceed to a doctorate without further examination on presentation of evidence of an important contribution to their subject, such as a series of influential published works.

Higher doctorates s may also be awarded honoris causa, or as honorary degrees. It is traditional for the chancellor to be made a DCL jure officio (by virtue of his office). Until the 19th century all bishops who had studied at Oxford were made DDs jure officio.

The DPhil is a research degree, modelled on the German and American PhD, that was introduced in 1914. Oxford was the first university in the UK to accept this innovation.

The degree of DClinPsychol is the only professional doctorate at Oxford.

Order of academic standing

Members of the University of Oxford are ranked according to their degree. The order is as follows: [13] [14]

Within each degree the holders are ranked by the date on which they proceeded to their degree. In the case of people who graduated on the same day they are ranked by alphabetical order.

If the Degree of Master of Biochemistry, or Chemistry, or Computer Science, or Earth Sciences, or Engineering, or Mathematics, or Mathematics and Computer Science, or Mathematics and Philosophy, or Physics, or Physics and Philosophy, is held together with a higher degree, the holder will rank in precedence equally with a person who holds the same higher degree together with the Degree of Master of Arts.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Postgraduate education</span> Phase of higher education

Postgraduate education, graduate education, or graduate school consists of academic or professional degrees, certificates, diplomas, or other qualifications usually pursued by post-secondary students who have earned an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree.

An academic degree is a qualification awarded to a student upon successful completion of a course of study in higher education, usually at a college or university. These institutions often offer degrees at various levels, usually divided into undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The most common undergraduate degree is the bachelor's degree, although some educational systems offer lower-level undergraduate degrees such as associate and foundation degrees. Common postgraduate degrees include engineer's degrees, master's degrees and doctorates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master's degree</span> Postgraduate educational qualification

A master's degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice. A master's degree normally requires previous study at the bachelor's level, either as a separate degree or as part of an integrated course. Within the area studied, master's graduates are expected to possess advanced knowledge of a specialized body of theoretical and applied topics; high order skills in analysis, critical evaluation, or professional application; and the ability to solve complex problems and think rigorously and independently.

A bachelor's degree or baccalaureate is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years. The two most common bachelor's degrees are the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science. In some institutions and educational systems, certain bachelor's degrees can only be taken as graduate or postgraduate educations after a first degree has been completed, although more commonly the successful completion of a bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for further courses such as a master's or a doctorate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Undergraduate education</span> Academic programs up to the level of a bachelors degree

Undergraduate education is education conducted after secondary education and before postgraduate education, usually in a college or university. It typically includes all postsecondary programs up to the level of a bachelor's degree. For example, in the United States, a student pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree is known as an undergraduate student while a student pursuing a master's or doctoral degree is a graduate student. Upon completion of courses and other requirements of an undergraduate program, the student would earn the corresponding degree. In some other educational systems, undergraduate education is postsecondary education up to and including the level of a master's degree; this is the case for some science courses in Britain and some medicine courses in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master of Science</span> Type of postgraduate qualification

A Master of Science is a master's degree. In contrast to the Master of Arts degree, the Master of Science degree is typically granted for studies in sciences, engineering and medicine and is usually for programs that are more focused on scientific and mathematical subjects; however, different universities have different conventions and may also offer the degree for fields typically considered within the humanities and social sciences. While it ultimately depends upon the specific program, earning a Master of Science degree typically includes writing a thesis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Academic dress of Durham University</span>

The academic dress of Durham University has many similarities with that of other older British universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. Most colleges of Durham University insist on gowns being worn on formal occasions, including matriculation and formal halls (dinners); exceptions are Van Mildert, St Cuthbert's Society, Collingwood, Stephenson, St Aidans, and The College of St Hild and St Bede. Some colleges also insist on their being worn to Junior Common Room meetings, and they are often seen in college chapels. At formal halls, only gowns are worn and doctors normally wear their undress gowns; for more ceremonial occasions full-dress gowns and hoods are worn by graduates. Until 1990, the General Regulations of university 'recommended' the wearing of gowns by members of the university when attending divine service at the Cathedral – but this is now left to individual choice apart from at certain services. Gowns are also customarily worn to meetings of the university Senate by members of that body.

Degree abbreviations are used as an alternative way to specify an academic degree instead of spelling out the title in full, such as in reference books such as Who's Who and on business cards. Many degree titles have more than one possible abbreviation, with the abbreviation used varying between different universities. In the UK it is normal not to punctuate abbreviations for degrees with full stops, although this is done at some universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Licentiate (degree)</span> Academic degree similar to masters degree

A licentiate is an academic degree present in many countries, representing different educational levels. It may be similar to a master's degree when issued by pontifical universities and other universities in Europe, Latin America, and Syria.

In the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Dublin, Bachelors of Arts (BAs) are promoted to the rank of Master of Arts (MA), typically upon application after three or four years after graduation. No further examination or study is required for this promotion, which is a mark of seniority rather than an additional postgraduate qualification.

Bachelor of Philosophy is the title of a postgraduate academic degree in philosophy that usually involves considerable research, either through a thesis or supervised research projects. Unlike many other bachelor's degrees, the BPhil is typically awarded to individuals who have already completed a traditional undergraduate degree.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gomal University</span> Public University in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan

Gomal University, is a public research university located in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Founded and established in 1974, the university is one of the oldest institutions in the country and occupies one of the largest campuses in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master of Arts</span> Type of postgraduate qualification

A Master of Arts is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Those admitted to the degree have typically studied subjects within the scope of the humanities and social sciences, such as history, literature, languages, linguistics, public administration, political science, communication studies, law or diplomacy; however, different universities have different conventions and may also offer the degree for fields typically considered within the natural sciences and mathematics. The degree can be conferred in respect of completing courses and passing examinations, research, or a combination of the two.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Eswatini</span> Public university in Eswatini

The University of Eswatini is the national university of Eswatini.

A magister degree is an academic degree used in various systems of higher education.

Master's degrees in Europe are the second cycle of the Bologna process, following on from undergraduate bachelor's degrees and preceding third cycle doctorates. Master's degrees typically take two years to complete, although the number of years varies between countries, and correspond to 60 – 120 ECTS credits. Within the European Higher Education Area, representing almost all countries in Europe, master's degrees are referenced to the Framework of Qualifications for the European Higher Education Area and national qualifications frameworks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Busitema University</span> Public university in Uganda

Busitema University (BU) is a university in Uganda. It is one of the public universities and degree-awarding institutions in the country. It has six different campuses around the country; all situated in the Eastern Region of Uganda. The university also has a study center in the town of Tororo, focusing on short and skill-based training courses.

The University of Leeds, like other universities in the United Kingdom and many other countries throughout the world, has its own unique system of academic and ceremonial dress for undergraduates, graduates and senior officials. As at most other universities, graduands will wear the gown, hood and hat appropriate to the degree they are about to receive. All of the graduates' hoods incorporate one or more shades of green, and the Doctors of Philosophy, Education and Clinical Psychology are unique in the UK in having a green full-dress gown.

master's degree in the United Kingdom is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges in most cases upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.

References

  1. "Oxford University Calendar: Notes on Style (12 March 2010)" (PDF). Archived from the original on 5 July 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. "UK Quality Code for Higher Education" (PDF). October 2014. p. 26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 December 2016. Bachelor's degrees with honours form the largest group of higher education qualifications.
  3. "Verifying qualifications | University of Oxford". www.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  4. Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford. oxford.anglican.org
  5. "Advanced Diploma in Economics". Faculty of Economics. University of Cambridge. Archived from the original on 18 December 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  6. Oxford, University of. "Undergraduate Advanced Diplomas". Oxford University Department for Continuing Education. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  7. "A to Zs" (PDF).
  8. "Advanced Diploma in Economics". 19 August 2016.
  9. "Notices, Oxford University Gazette". Ox.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  10. Department for Continuing Education "Postgraduate Diplomas"
  11. University of Oxford, "PGDip in Statistical Science"
  12. Faculty of Law "Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice"
  13. Statutes and Regulations: Regulations for Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates Archived 22 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine . Admin.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved on 2012-07-05.
  14. University Gazette Archived 30 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine . 23 June 2011, No. 4958. Ox.ac.uk. Retrieved on 2012-07-05.