Overview

For the purposes of comparison the course focuses especially on the most highly-developed countries, broadly those in the OECD area.

The central aim of the Comparative Social Policy programme at the University of Oxford is to provide high quality graduate level research training in social policy, taking a comparative perspective, concentrating primarily on industrialised/developed countries.

You will also have the opportunity to take at least one specialist course from a list of options focusing on a particular social policy. You are examined in one of these option courses. Recent options offered include education policies, family policies, healthcare and health inequality, labour market policies, poverty and ageing societies and retirement age policies.

Your performance will be assessed through formative and summative assignments/papers. Knowledge of the substantive areas of social policy is assessed by one three hour paper at the end of the third term, and one summative assignment during the second term. The exam will cover comparative social policy and social policy analysis in general; the summative assignment will focus on your chosen area of specialism as represented in the option paper in which you choose to be assessed.

Graduate destinations

Recent graduates from the master’s programme have gone on to study for doctorates in a range of high quality universities. Many graduates go on to pursue academic careers in world-leading research universities, while others hold influential positions in government, non-governmental and international organisations, such as the World Bank, the World Health Organisation and the UN.

Changes to this course and your supervision

However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

You will study a core paper in comparative social policy and social policy analysis. This paper covers the theories, principles, history and institutions of social policy, and is taught via a closely-linked package of lectures, seminars, small working seminars and individual tutorials.

You will also engage in detailed work on social policy analysis through lectures, seminars and presentations.

The research methods skills, covering both quantitative and qualitative methods, are taught in a mix of lectures, classes, workshops and ‘hands-on’ computer lab based weekly training sessions. In addition, there is a course on the principles of comparative research design.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-10-05 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-03-03 00:00:00

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

110

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Oxford, United Kingdom

Disciplines

Social Work Public Policy Social Policy View 163 other Masters in Social Work in United Kingdom

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Academic requirements

GPA

Upper Second Class

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

110

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

7.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Official transcript(s)

CV/résumé

Statement of purpose/personal statement: A maximum of 700 words

Written work: Two essays of a maximum of 2,000 words each

References/letters of recommendation: Three overall, all of which must be academic

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

36250 GBP / year

≈ 36250 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

23400 GBP / year

≈ 23400 GBP / year

Living costs

Oxford

United Kingdom

939 - 1530 GBP / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Comparative Social Policy.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Graduate destinations

Changes to this course and your supervision

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Living costs

Oxford

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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