The DPhil in Population Health at the University of Oxford is a doctoral research program designed to train students for careers in academia and high-level research. This program offers a unique opportunity to work alongside world-leading researchers at Oxford Population Health, engaging with diverse perspectives from medical practice, epidemiology, statistics, and other related fields. Students will develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of their chosen population health research project through rigorous research and training. The program emphasizes both academic and professional development, preparing students to contribute significantly to the field of population health. Full-time students typically complete their research within three years, while a part-time option is available over six years.
The DPhil program is structured around a research project, culminating in a thesis. Students progress through several key milestones designed to evaluate their understanding and research progress. These milestones provide independent feedback and ensure students are on track for successful completion.
Living costs do not include travel to and from Oxford, fieldwork expenses, or international student visa and immigration health surcharge costs. The immigration health surcharge for a DPhil student (up to 5 years) is paid upfront for the entire duration of the course.
The University of Oxford is a globally recognised institution, and its degrees are highly respected worldwide.
The full-time DPhil programme is typically completed within three years, with a maximum of 12 terms. A part-time option is available and can be completed over six years.
Estimated living costs for a single, full-time student in Oxford range from £17,100 to £24,420 per year for the 2025-26 academic year. These estimates include food, accommodation, personal items, social activities, and study costs.
You must apply online through the University of Oxford's graduate admissions portal. It is important to browse and select specific DPhil projects available for the intake year, as applications are linked to these projects.
Applications for entry in October 2026 open on 8 September 2025 and the deadline is 2 December 2025, at 12:00 PM (noon).
The New College Graduate Awards offer generous college scholarships. To be considered, you must specify New College as your first-choice college in your University application, and applications must be completed by the University's January deadline.
Admission requires a strong academic background, typically with a focus on areas such as medical practice, epidemiology, statistics, health services research, public health, economics, or ethics. Specific project opportunities are advertised annually, and your application will be considered in relation to these.