Degrees of Oxford University
Encyclopedia
The system of academic degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...

s in the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...

 can be confusing to those not familiar with it. This is not merely because many degree titles date from the Middle Ages, but also because many changes have been haphazardly introduced in recent years. For example, the (medieval) BD, BM, BCL, etc., are postgraduate degrees, while the (modern) MPhys, MEng, etc., are undergraduate degrees.

In postnominals, "University of Oxford" is normally abbreviated "Oxon.", which is short for (Academia) Oxoniensis: e.g. MA (Oxon.), although within the university itself the abbreviation "Oxf" is now officially preferred.

Undergraduate degrees

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA
    Bachelor of Arts
    A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...

    )
  • Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA
    Bachelor of Fine Arts
    In the United States and Canada, the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, usually abbreviated BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing arts. In some countries such a degree is called a Bachelor of Creative Arts or BCA...

    )


The Bachelor's degree is awarded soon after the end of the degree course (three or four years after matriculation
Matriculation
Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...

). 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). Note that the BA is still awarded even for some 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.
  • Bachelor of Theology (BTh
    Bachelor of Theology
    The Bachelor of Theology is a three to five year undergraduate degree in theological disciplines. Candidates for this degree typically must complete course work in Greek or Hebrew, as well as systematic theology, biblical theology, ethics, homiletics and Christian ministry...

    )
  • Bachelor of Education (BEd
    Bachelor of Education
    A Bachelor of Education is an undergraduate academic degree which qualifies the graduate as a teacher in schools.-North America:...

    )


The BTh is awarded primarily to students of the various Theological Colleges and Halls enjoying some sort of associate status with the University, such as Wycliffe Hall, St Stephen's House
St Stephen's House, Oxford
St Stephen’s House, Oxford , is an Anglican theological college and one of six religious Permanent Private Halls of the University of Oxford, England...

, Ripon College (Cuddesdon) and the former Westminster College, Oxford
Westminster College, Oxford
Westminster College was a college of higher education in England. The college was founded in London in 1851 as a training institute for teachers for Methodist schools, and moved to Oxford in 1959. Following the move, the college also began to offer degree courses in Theology and Education. In 2000,...

. Usually, these students are candidates for the ordained ministry of one of the mainstream Christian denominations, but may be drawn from any faith background 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, Oxford
Westminster College, Oxford
Westminster College was a college of higher education in England. The college was founded in London in 1851 as a training institute for teachers for Methodist schools, and moved to Oxford in 1959. Following the move, the college also began to offer degree courses in Theology and Education. In 2000,...

, Culham College of Education, and The Lady Spencer Churchill College of Education who read concurrently at the University.

Undergraduate Master's degrees

In the 1990s the degrees of Master of Engineering, etc., were introduced to increase public recognition of the four-year undergraduate science programmes in those subjects:
  • Master of Biochemistry
    Master of Biochemistry
    A Master in Biochemistry degree is a specific master's degree for courses in the field of Biochemistry.-United Kingdom:In the UK, the MBiochem degree is an undergraduate award, available after pursuing a four year course of study at a university...

     (MBiochem)
  • Master of Chemistry
    Master of Chemistry
    A Master in Chemistry degree is a specific master's degree for courses in the field of Chemistry.-United Kingdom:In the UK, the MChem degree is an undergraduate award, available after pursuing a four year course of study at a university...

     (MChem)
  • Master of Computer Science (MCompSci)
  • Master of Computer Science and Philosophy (MCompPhil), first entry 2012
  • Master of Earth Sciences (MEarthSc)
  • Master of Engineering
    Master of Engineering
    A Master of Engineering or Master of Technology or Master of Science in Engineering A Master of Engineering (Magister in Ingeniaria) (abbreviated M.Eng., ME or MEng) or Master of Technology (abbreviated M.Tech. or MTech) or Master of Science in Engineering A Master of Engineering (Magister in...

     (MEng)
  • Master of Mathematics
    Master of Mathematics
    A Master of Mathematics degree is a specific Integrated master's degree for courses in the field of mathematics.-United Kingdom:...

     (MMath)
  • Master of Mathematics and Computer Science (MMathCompSci)
  • Master of Mathematics and Philosophy (MMathPhil)
  • Master of Physics
    Master of Physics
    A Master of Physics honours degree is a specific master's degree for courses in the field of physics.-United Kingdom:...

     (MPhys)
  • Master of Physics and Philosophy (MPhysPhil)


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. However, from 2009 onwards, they wear the academic dress
Academic dress of the University of Oxford
The University of Oxford has a long tradition of academic dress, and a visitor to Oxford during term will see academic dress worn on a regular basis.- When academic dress is worn :...

 of BAs even after they gain MA rank. In contrast, science undergraduates at Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...

 may be granted the additional degree of Master of Natural Sciences (MSci) while continuing to be awarded the BA (and the subsequent MA). Note that biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...

 and physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...

 undergraduates are still awarded the BA/MA, as these are currently three-year courses. All other undergraduates, whether their degree courses last three years or four years, are awarded the BA/MA

The 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 masters' 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
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...

, when the study of the liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...

 took seven years.

Bachelors' degrees

  • Bachelor of Divinity
    Bachelor of Divinity
    In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....

     (BD)
  • Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (BM, BCh)
  • Bachelor of Civil Law
    Bachelor of Civil Law
    Bachelor of Civil Law is the name of various degrees in law conferred by English-language universities. Historically, it originated as a postgraduate degree in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, but many universities now offer the BCL as an undergraduate degree...

     (BCL)
  • Bachelor of Letters (BLitt) (no longer awarded)
  • Bachelor of Science
    Bachelor of Science
    A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...

     (BSc) (no longer awarded)
  • Bachelor of Music
    Bachelor of Music
    Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...

     (BMus)
  • Bachelor of Philosophy
    Bachelor of Philosophy
    Bachelor of Philosophy is the title of an academic degree. The degree usually involves considerable research, either through a thesis or supervised research projects...

     (BPhil) (only now awarded in Philosophy)


In medieval times a student could not study some subjects until he had completed his study in the liberal arts. These were known as the higher faculties. The degrees in Science and Letters were added in the 19th century, and the degree in Philosophy was added in 1914 (although the DPhil is not considered a "higher doctorate"). The higher bachelor's degree programme is generally a taught programme of one or two years for graduates. In Medicine and Surgery this corresponds to the clinical phase of training, after which they are accorded the courtesy title "Doctor". The BD and BMus are open only to Oxford graduates who have done well in the BA examinations in divinity and music respectively. The BPhil/MPhil is a part-taught, part-research degree which is often a stepping stone to the DPhil.

Masters' degrees

  • Master of Surgery
    Master of Surgery
    The Master of Surgery is an advanced qualification in surgery. It is most commonly abbreviated Ch.M. or M.S., as well as M.Ch. and M.Chir. from its Latin name, Magister Chirurgiae or the English form of Master of Surgery....

     (MCh)


The MCh is the higher degree in surgery, and is awarded on similar conditions to higher doctorates such as the DM, e.g., ten years must have passed since the lower degree in the faculty. In medieval times the distinction between a master and doctor was not significant, and both words signified the higher degree in a faculty. The title "master" is used instead of "doctor", as surgeons in England are traditionally known as "Mr" rather than "Dr".
  • Master of Philosophy
    Master of Philosophy
    The Master of Philosophy is a postgraduate research degree.An M.Phil. is a lesser degree than a Doctor of Philosophy , but in many cases it is considered to be a more senior degree than a taught Master's degree, as it is often a thesis-only degree. In some instances, an M.Phil...

     (MPhil)
  • Master of Letters
    Master of Letters
    The Master of Letters is a postgraduate degree.- United Kingdom :The MLitt is a postgraduate degree awarded by a select few British and Irish universities, predominantly within the ancient English and Scottish universities.- England :Within the English University system MLitts are not universally...

     (MLitt)
  • Master of Science
    Master of Science
    A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...

     (MSc) (awarded by examination or by research)


Due to pressure from employers and overseas applicants to conform with United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 practice, which is also that of most other UK universities, the BLitt, BSc, and BPhil (in degrees other than philosophy) were re-titled masters' degrees.
  • Magister Juris
    Magister Juris
    Magister Juris is an academic degree in law awarded by some universities.- The Magister Juris at the University of Oxford :...

     (MJur)
  • Master of Studies
    Master of Studies
    The Master of Studies is a postgraduate degree at the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, The Australian National University and University of Dublin which typically requires both classroom study and the completion of a thesis...

     (MSt)
  • Master of Theology
    Master of Theology
    A Master of Theology is an advanced theological research degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries.-North America:In North America, the Master of Theology is considered by the Association of Theological Schools to be the minimum educational credential for teaching...

     (MTh)
  • Master of Business Administration
    Master of Business Administration
    The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...

     (MBA)
  • Master of Education
    Master of Education
    The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...

     (MEd)
  • Master of Fine Arts
    Master of Fine Arts
    A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...

     (MFA)
  • Master of Public Policy
    Master of Public Policy
    The Master of Public Policy , one of several public policy degrees, is a master's level professional degree that provides training in policy analysis and program evaluation at public policy schools. The MPP program places a focus on the systematic analysis of issues related to public policy and the...

     (MPP)


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
Master of Education
The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...

 was formerly awarded to students at Westminster College
Westminster College, Oxford
Westminster College was a college of higher education in England. The college was founded in London in 1851 as a training institute for teachers for Methodist schools, and moved to Oxford in 1959. Following the move, the college also began to offer degree courses in Theology and Education. In 2000,...

, when that course was validated by the University.

Doctorates

  • Doctor of Divinity
    Doctor of Divinity
    Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....

     (DD)
  • Doctor of Civil Law
    Doctor of Civil Law
    Doctor of Civil Law is a degree offered by some universities, such as the University of Oxford, instead of the more common Doctor of Laws degrees....

     (DCL)
  • Doctor of Medicine
    Doctor of Medicine
    Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...

     (DM)
  • Doctor of Letters
    Doctor of Letters
    Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...

     (DLitt)
  • Doctor of Science
    Doctor of Science
    Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...

     (DSc)
  • Doctor of Music
    Doctor of Music
    The Doctor of Music degree , like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music...

     (DMus)


Bachelors in the higher faculties other than Medicine can proceed to a doctorate in the same faculty without further examination, on presentation of evidence of an important contribution to their subject, e.g., published work, research, etc. Doctorates in the higher faculties may also be awarded honoris causa, i.e., 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.
  • Doctor of Philosophy
    Doctor of Philosophy
    Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...

     (DPhil)


The DPhil is a research degree, modelled on the German and American PhD, which was introduced in 1914. Rather atypically, Oxford was the first university in the UK to accept this innovation.
  • Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    The degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology is a professional doctorate in clinical psychology, awarded mainly in the United Kingdom. The degree has both clinical and research components, and qualifies the holder to practice as a clinical psychologist in Britain's National Health Service and other...

     (DClinPsychol)
  • Doctor of Engineering
    Doctor of Engineering
    The Doctor of Engineering is an academic degree awarded on the basis of advanced study and research in engineering or applied sciences...

     (EngD)

The new degrees of DClinPsychol and EngD are professional degrees in the American model. The EngD is the only Oxford degree to use the Cambridge abbreviation format.

Order of academic standing

Members of the University of Oxford are ranked according to their degree. The order is as follows :
  • Doctor of Divinity
  • Doctor of Civil Law
  • Doctor of Medicine if also a Master of Arts
  • Doctor of Letters if also a Master of Arts
  • Doctor of Science if also a Master of Arts
  • Doctor of Music if also a Master of Arts
  • Doctor of Philosophy if also a Master of Arts
  • Doctor of Clinical Psychology if also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Surgery if also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Science if also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Letters if also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Philosophy if also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Studies if also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Theology if also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Education if also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Business Administration if also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Fine Art if also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Public Policy if also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Arts, or 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 with effect from the twenty-first term from matriculation
  • Doctor of Medicine if not also a Master of Arts
  • Doctor of Letters if not also a Master of Arts
  • Doctor of Science if not also a Master of Arts
  • Doctor of Music if not also a Master of Arts
  • Doctor of Philosophy if not also a Master of Arts
  • Doctor of Clinical Psychology if not also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Surgery if not also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Science if not also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Letters if not also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Philosophy if not also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Studies if not also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Theology if not also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Education if not also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Business Administration if not also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Fine Art if not also a Master of Arts
  • Master of Public Policy if not also a Master of Arts
  • Bachelor of Divinity
  • Bachelor of Civil Law
  • Magister Juris
  • Bachelor of Medicine
  • Bachelor of Surgery
  • Bachelor of Letters
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Bachelor of Music
  • Bachelor of Philosophy
  • Bachelor of Arts, or 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 until the twenty-first term from matriculation
  • Bachelor of Fine Art
  • Bachelor of Theology
  • Bachelor of Education


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

  • Academic degree
    Academic degree
    An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...

  • Bachelor's degree
    Bachelor's degree
    A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...

  • Master's degree
    Master's degree
    A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...

  • Doctorate
    Doctorate
    A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...

  • University of Oxford
    University of Oxford
    The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...

  • Academic dress of the University of Oxford
    Academic dress of the University of Oxford
    The University of Oxford has a long tradition of academic dress, and a visitor to Oxford during term will see academic dress worn on a regular basis.- When academic dress is worn :...

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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