The Department of Oncology offers a four-year combined taught and research programme in radiation oncology comprised of the MSc in Radiation Biology in the first year followed by the DPhil in Oncology in the second to fourth years. The MSc is a full-time, taught course in radiation biology. It consists of a five-month core theoretical programme (October to February) that covers emerging areas of radiation biology and radiation oncology, followed by a six-month period (March to August) to pursue a high-quality basic or clinically-applied research project. The research project is supervised by a senior academic member of the CRUK/MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology. On successful completion of the MSc taught programme, students progress to the full-time DPhil in Oncology. Their doctoral research is conducted under the supervision of same academic that oversaw the student’s MSc project. Students begin the three-year DPhil in Oncology programme as a probationary research student (PRS). Towards the end of the first year, students are required to write a report prior to transfer to DPhil (PhD) status. Progress is evaluated by two academic assessors, who are not directly involved in the student’s supervision. Continuation on the DPhil programme is subject to passing the Transfer of Status assessment. Students must confirm their DPhil status and are encouraged to do so during their eighth term and by no later than the end of the ninth term. Students are expected to submit their thesis between the ninth and twelfth terms from being admitted as a PRS. Research students are expected to leave the DPhil in Oncology equipped with the scientific knowledge and cutting-edge technical skills that enable them to become the scholars, teachers and researchers of the next generation, both in the UK and globally.