The aim of the facultys DPhil in Philosophy is to prepare you for an academic career in philosophy. The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Philosophy is a three- to four-year research programme whereby you undertake a doctoral level research project under the guidance of your supervisor(s). The doctoral work culminates in a 75,000-word thesis that is defended in the form of an oral defence (viva voce). The Philosophy Graduate Studies Committee recommends progression from Oxford's BPhil in Philosophy to the DPhil course in view of the opportunity it offers to study a wide range of philosophical topics as well as to focus on a narrower field of research interest. The faculty provides a placement scheme to help students seeking jobs within philosophy. Users of the placement scheme may ask their referees to send reference letters directly to the faculty where they will be held on file and sent out to universities or other academic institutions at the student’s request. The placement scheme is available to alumni until they have secured a tenured post. The faculty's Placement Officer helps job applicants with the preparation of their CVs, provides advice about the presentation of material in an application dossier, and arranges practice interviews. The Placement Officer also holds a yearly placement seminar, compulsory to those wishing to make use of the placement scheme, where students give talks based on material they propose to use in their writing samples or job talks, with an opportunity for comment and discussion.