Residency Requirements

The University of Oxford requires full time students to live within a certain distance of the University for at least a certain number of terms throughout your studies.

What are the rules for Postgraduate Research Students?

Postgraduate research students must live within 25 miles of Carfax Tower unless your department have given you special permission to work away from Oxford for a period of time (for example to conduct research).

Generally, you must live here for at least six weeks for a number of non-consecutive terms:

• Successfully completed Masters at Oxford: Three Terms
• No prior Oxford study: Six terms
• MSc by Research: Discuss with your department

DPhil student's boards are able to approve your residence outside of Oxford for educational reasons whilst studying for the duration of your studies. Generally, Probationer Research Students are generally expected to be physically studying in Oxford.

If you need to live outside of your residency requirements, then you must apply to the Proctor's Office for permission. This can only be made for one term at a time, but you can apply more than once.

Application Process

Step one: Discuss with your Supervisor/DGS

We'd recommend reaching out to either your Supervisor or Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) to discuss your request. In this discussion you should explain:

• Why you are wanting to reside outside of Oxford
• Why remaining in Oxford will be detrimental to you
• How residing outside of Oxford will mitigate the difficulties you've been experienced
• Any thoughts you've had over how you will be able to continue engaging with your course (such as attending tutorials, supervison and teaching)

It might be that your department recommend you consider suspension or extension rather than moving out of Oxford if you are experiencing challenges which are impacting your studies. Therefore, plan to give an explanation as to why you feel moving out of Oxford rather than suspending your studies would best meet the challenges you are experiencing.

Step two: Discuss with your College

You will also need your college's approval. Once you've gotten your departments's approval, discuss with them whether they'd prefer to discuss with your college themselves or would like you to.

Step three: Fill in paperwork

You are responsible for filling in section one of the form found at the bottom of this webpage 'Individual Dispensation Application Form'. Once you've filled it in, you should send it to your college for them to fill out section two and send to the Proctors.

Step four: Proctor's consideration

The Proctor's will consider your application and any evidence you have submitted.

Step five: Approval or Appeal

If you are unhappy with the decision, then you should discuss this with your college (or department, if non-matriculated) as they will be able to make an appeal on your behalf to the Chair of the Education Committee. There is no set form for this, and the appeal should be made within 14 days of the date of the decision. Your appeal should cover:

• Why the decision was unreasonable
• Any evidence you have as to why the decision was unreasonable
• An explanation of the desired outcome

If you have a question not answered by the above or would like support in discussing your request with your college, then read our Advice Agreement then Contact Us and we'd be happy to help.