Overview

The central aim of the MPhil in Comparative Social Policy at the Department of Social Policy and Intervention at University of Oxford is to provide high quality graduate level research training in social policy, taking a comparative perspective, concentrating primarily on the most highly-developed welfare states. More specific aims are to develop your capacity to:

analyse, interpret and review the major concepts, theoretical approaches and historical and contemporary issues in social policy and welfare state development in a range of OECD countries or systems;
analyse and compare specific areas of social policy (eg health, education) in different countries or systems, drawing on both empirical data and broader theoretical literature; and

undertake both quantitative and qualitative research studies, and to understand the major issues involved in research design and technical analysis in social policy related research.

Graduate destinations

Recent graduates from the MPhil in Comparative Social Policy have gone on to study for doctorates in a range of high quality universities. Many of 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.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

In the first year you will study together with the MSc group and in the second year you will primarily focus on your research project, under individually-tailored supervision.

The MPhil particularly suits students who want to conduct research in a world-class environment, with strong potential to pursue a doctorate afterwards.

In your first year, you will have the opportunity to take at least one specialist course from a list of options focusing on a particular social policy area. You are examined on one of these option courses.

You then are examined in a second option during your second year. Recent options offered include education policies, family policies, healthcare, labour market policies and poverty.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 21 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

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IELTS

7.5

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Oxford, United Kingdom

Disciplines

International Development Social Policy View 213 other Masters in International Development 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

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98 accuracy using real exam data
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Other requirements

General requirements

Official transcript(s)

CV/résumé

Statement of purpose/personal statement: A maximum of 1,000 words

Written work: Two essays of a maximum of 2,000 words each or one essay of a maximum of 4,000 words

References/letters of recommendation: Three overall, generally 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

33100 GBP / year

≈ 33100 GBP / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

21320 GBP / year

≈ 21320 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

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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