Information for applicants

Graduate Open Days 2025

Our Graduate Open Days will take place between 20-23 October this year with some events taking place online and others taking place in person in the Chemistry Department here in Oxford. The general programme of events is:

To register for any of these events please complete the registration form here . Upon completion of the form you will be sent a link to our dedicated Graduate Open Day webpages with details of the full programme and links to useful resources for participants, including a list of eligible research supervisors as well as research posters, video clips and links to research group websites.

Should you have any questions about our Graduate Open Day arrangements, please email: graduate.admissions@chem.ox.ac.uk and include the text "Open Day" in the subject line of the email.

Application deadlines

The application deadlines for 2026 postgraduate entry are 12:00 noon (UK time) on:

• Friday 14 November 2025
• Thursday 8 January 2026
• Tuesday 3 March 2026

Note that you must apply by the January deadline if you wish to be considered for most of the University's funding opportunities.

Later applications may be considered if places are still available.  Please note that we do not offer the November deadline for the MSc(Res) in Chemistry programme and the Inorganic Materials for Advanced Manufacturing (IMAT) EPSRC CDT.

Before you apply to a research degree

If you are considering applying to one of our research degrees, i.e. a DPhil or an MSc(Res), you are strongly encouraged to make informal contact with potential research supervisors before submitting a formal application. This will help you to decide whether the course is the right choice for you, and it will provide an opportunity to discuss potential research projects. The potential supervisor(s) may also be able to offer advice on completing the formal application, and they may suggest possible sources of funding or scholarships.

Submitting your application

The University provides extensive guidance on submitting your application. You are advised to read this carefully before submitting your application. Course-specific information is available for each of our programmes of study.

Please note the following in particular:

• When applying for a research degree in Chemistry, you are strongly advised to list potential supervisors. Assessment of your application may be delayed if no proposed supervisors are listed.
• A detailed research proposal is not required for application to our research degrees; instead, you should submit a Statement of Purpose, which explains your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you.
• If English is not your first language, you will be required to fulfill the University's English language requirement before your place on the degree programme is confirmed. However, it is not required to submit language test results at the time of application.

Application fee waivers

Application fee waivers are available for applicants from certain low-income countries, refugees and displaced persons, and for UK applicants from low-income backgrounds. For more information, see the 'Application Fee Waivers' section of the University's Declaration and Payment page. 

Any questions?

Applicants should contact the Graduate Studies Team (graduate.admissions@chem.ox.ac.uk) with any queries regarding the application process.