Glossary

Term or Abbreviation Long Form Short description
BPhil Bachelor of Philosophy The BPhil is a taught course, consisting of a formal course of supervisions, classes and lectures, which are assessed by submitted essays and a thesis. In spite of its name, the BPhil is a Master’s degree (equivalent to an MPhil in other departments).
DPhil Doctor of Philosophy

The DPhil is a thesis-only degree with less specifically structured teaching. It involves supervised research on the individual's chosen topic.
FHS Final Honours School (Undergraduates only) The portion of an undergraduate course after the First Public Examinations (Mods or Prelims), culminating in the Final Exams (Second Public Examinations).
GJCC Graduate Joint Consultative Committee The GJCC is a Faculty committee which discusses issues that affect graduate students in Philosophy, such as fees, syllabuses, exams, classes, supervision, libraries, and the facilities available at the Philosophy Centre. The purpose of the committee is to provide graduates with representation on, and a voice in, the Faculty matters which concern them.
HT Hilary Term Spring Term.
MODS and PRELIMS Honour Moderations or Preliminary Examinations (Undergraduates only) Formal first year university examinations - undergraduates must pass these to go onto their second year.
MT Michaelmas Term Autumn Term.
PGSC Philosophy Graduate Studies Committee The PGSC is a Faculty committee which deals with the admission of graduate students; applications for transfer of status; the appointment of supervisors and DPhil examiners and all other matters involving graduate students.
PM Philosophy and Mathematics PM brings together two of the most fundamental and widely applicable intellectual skills. Mathematical knowledge, and the ability to use it, is the most important means of tackling quantifiable problems, while philosophical training encourages the crucial abilities to analyse issues, question received assumptions and articulate the results clearly.
PML Philosophy and Modern Languages PML brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding language, literature and ideas.
PP Philosophy and Physics PP is a demanding and rewarding course, combining as it does the most rigorous and fundamental subjects in the arts and the sciences. It seeks understanding of the nature of reality and of our knowledge of it.
PPE Philosophy, Politics and Economics PPE brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding the social and human world around us, developing skills useful for a whole range of future careers and activities.
PPL Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics PPL allows you to study thought and behaviour from the perspectives of psychology, linguistics and philosophy.
PRS Probationary Research Student If you do not have a BPhil but are to be admitted on the basis of other qualifications, your initial status will be that of Probationary Research Student (PRS). Students normally spend a year as a PRS before applying for Transfer to DPhil.
PT Philosophy and Theology PT brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding and assessing the intellectual claims of religion, and in particular of Christianity.
TT Trinity Term Summer Term.
UJCC Undergraduate Joint Consultative Committee The UJCC is a Faculty committee which discusses issues that affect current and prospective undergraduate students in Philosophy, such as admissions, teaching, syllabuses, examination regulations and library matters. The purpose of the committee is to provide undergraduates with representation on, and a voice in, the Faculty matters which concern them.