Degrees of the University of Oxford

The system of academic degrees at the University of Oxford originates in the Middle Ages and has evolved since the university's founding at an uncertain date, probably in the 11th century.

Almost all undergraduate courses at Oxford lead to the degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA), the exceptions being the degrees of Bachelor of Theology (BTh) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). The university also has two postgraduate bachelor degrees – its Bachelor of Civil Law is equivalent to a Master of Laws elsewhere, and its Bachelor of Philosophy is equivalent to a Master of Philosophy. In the past, other postgraduate courses led to bachelor's degrees, as with Bachelor of Divinity, but in most cases these degrees have since been renamed to master's degrees.

Seven years after matriculation, Bachelors of Arts and of Fine Arts may apply to be promoted to Masters of Arts, by seniority, but this is an academic rank at the university and not a postgraduate degree. Integrated master's programmes, comprising four years of undergraduate study, lead to a single degree, such as that of Master of Mathematics (MMath). The university offers a number of postgraduate master's degrees – chiefly those of Master of Philosophy, Master of Science, and Master of Studies. The professional degrees of Master of Business Administration, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Public Policy, and Master of Theology are also awarded at Oxford.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree at the University is abbreviated to "DPhil" rather than "PhD".

Oxford also awards the degrees of Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych) and Doctor of Medicine (DM), in addition to higher doctorates such as that of Doctor of Civil Law.

In postnominals, "University of Oxford" is normally abbreviated "Oxon.", which is short for Oxoniensis, or "Oxf.".