Bachelor of Philosophy
The B.Phil.'s earliest form is as a University of Oxford graduate degree, first awarded in 1682. Originally, Oxford named its pre-doctoral graduate degrees the Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) (a two-year degree, partly taught and partly by research) and the Bachelor of Letters (B.Litt.) (a two-year research degree). After complaints, especially from overseas students, that this naming convention often meant that graduate degrees were not being recognised as such, the University renamed them Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and Master of Letters (M.Litt.). However, the Philosophy Faculty (then a Sub-Faculty) argued that its B.Phil. degree had become so well known and respected in the philosophical world that it would be confusing to change the name. In philosophy, therefore, the degree continues to be called the B.Phil. Those who pass the degree are given the choice of taking a B.Phil. or an M.Phil.; few if any choose the latter. (Note that Oxford also offers a number of other graduate degrees labeled as baccalaureate degrees: the law faculty's BCL; and the music faculty's B.Mus)
Professional Doctor of Diplomacy
Providing a part-time structure of rigorous, concentrated study, ongoing research practice and continual, practical assessment, the course combines distance learning with the advantages of face-to-face study. The Professional Doctor of Diplomacy is designed to fit into a busy schedule whilst ensuring that students have the support and guidance needed to help translate their knowledge and experience into proper academic thinking and writing.
The taught element of the programme consists of six face-to-face modules taken over two years when students get to meet, network and share ideas. In the third year, DDipl candidates will then specialise in areas such as cross-border and cyber security, diplomacy of the global economic system, failed states and civil conflicts, human security risks, during the project phase of the course. According to the European higher education standards set by the Bologna Process, it is stated that the normal duration of a doctorate should correspond to 3–4 years of full-time study. A highly experienced practitioner candidate should be able to complete this taught doctorate within that time-frame.