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Transfer of Status Application

All research students are admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS), in the first instance.

It is not possible to hold Probationer Research Student status for more than 4 terms. Your status with the University will lapse if you fail to transfer before the end of your 4th term. In exceptional circumstances, students can apply for an extension of one or two terms to their Probationer Research Student status via a Deferral of Transfer of Status request (this form is filled in via the My Student Record section of Student Self-Service).

DPhil Students: At an appropriate time before the end of the 4th term from admission, as advised by your supervisors, it will be necessary to apply for transfer to DPhil status. 

MSc by Research Students: At an appropriate time before the end of the 4th term from admission, as advised by your department, it will be necessary to decide whether to apply for transfer to MSc status or to DPhil status. It is possible to transfer to MSc status initially and thereafter to DPhil status, if appropriate.

Application Process (GSO.2)

The GSO.2 application (Transfer of Status) is an online form which can be accessed via Student Self Service.

Full details of the Transfer of Status application processes for DPhil & MSc by Research students, including Transfer Report guidance, can be found on the Graduate School Canvas site.

We strongly recommend that you submit your GSO.2 application around three to four weeks before your Transfer meeting to allow sufficient time for approvals.

Your application should be finalised, with all completed supporting documents uploaded, ready for release to assessors, at least two weeks before your Transfer Meeting.

Please follow the steps below:

  • Discuss the meeting with your supervisor who should nominate two assessors and ensure that they are willing to act (see information below regarding assessors).
  • Arrange a time with your assessors for your Transfer meeting. Let the Graduate Studies Team know the date of your viva by emailing graduate.studies@rdm.ox.ac.uk.
  • Complete your GSO.2 application (with attached TNA) online via the My Student Record tab in Student Self Service or the GSO forms webpage - your supervisor, college and DGS will be prompted to sign the relevant sections in that order.
  • Complete and upload your transfer report.
  • Once signed by the DGS, the assessors will be given access to the paperwork and you will no longer be able to make any changes to the documents. 
  • DPhil Students: You are not required to give a presentation for Transfer but some Divisions, such as the WIMM, encourage you to do so. If this is the case the presentation should be no more than 10 - 15 minutes. Please discuss this with your supervisor, who will be able to tell you if your Division prefers you to give a presentation and also confirm that your assessors are happy with this arrangement. MSc by Research Students: You are required to give a presentation and should discuss this with your supervisor. 
  • The assessors will submit their report, using this online system (eVision), for approval by the MSD Board. 
  • MSD will send out confirmation of the result to the student, supervisors, college, and department.

GSO Guidelines for Selection of Assessors

  • Two assessors are required 
  • Neither assessor should have acted in a supervisory capacity to the student. This includes use of the student’s college advisor, DGS, or Graduate Advisor. 
  • Both assessors should be internal to Oxford, although an honorary contract (for NHS employees) would be sufficient. Likewise, a contract research (post-doctoral) staff member who is employed by Oxford University would be acceptable. 
  • It may be desirable for one of the assessors to be external to the student’s department, where this can be achieved. 
  • If you have had a Thesis Committee (TC), one member of the TC may act as an assessor provided their involvement remains purely advisory and does not move into the supervisory or collaborative realm
  • At least one assessor must have supervised a student in Oxford to completion. 

Transfer assessors may subsequently be invited as the internal degree examiners for the student, provided they have not given further help/assistance to the student between Transfer of Status and final submission of DPhil thesis. 

Deferral 

If you think you will need to defer your Transfer meeting you can do so via the online self-service using the GSO.2b Application. This will allow you a further term but will not affect any of your other deadlines which will remain as they are.

Transfer Report Guidance

Transfer Report guidance for DPhil students can be found on the Graduate School Canvas Site. 

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