The Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, Oxford, England was founded in 1983 by a network of senior mission theologians from Africa, Asia and Latin America with their partners in the West (The International Fellowship of Evangelical Mission Theologians) and works as their study and research centre. OCMS offers the M.Phil. and Ph.D. research degrees in mission-related subjects validated by Open University, University of Wales, or University of Leeds. Research students can be admitted and commence their studies at any time during the year. Most of the research is done in the country where the student is normally resident. An annual period of residence in the UK is a requirement for all students enrolled with OCMS, in order to have access to libraries and received adequate guidance from supervisors and mentors in the UK. The minimum requirement is 6 weeks, although students coming for the first time are expected to stay for 3 months.