MPhil in Comparative Social Policy

at University of Oxford

The central aim of the MPhil in Comparative Social Policy at the Department of Social Policy and Intervention 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 quantitative, qualitative and systematic reviews as part of the research methods paper, to understand the major issues involved in research design and technical analysis in social policy related research.

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 quantitative methods, qualitative methods, and systematic reviews, 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.

The MPhil course is an extended version of the MSc in Comparative Social Policy. 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 assessed on one of these option courses. You then are assessed in a second option during your second year. Recent options offered include family policies, healthcare, labour market policies and the economics of social policy

Proven and potential academic excellence

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:
 

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any discipline.

There is no requirement on subject area and students from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds are considered.

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, a bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0, or 4.0 out of 5.0 is sought.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience 
 

• Publications are not expected.

• Doctoral study: We encourage all applicants to consider whether they would be potentially interested in continuing on to pursue a DPhil.

Further guidance

To continue to a research degree after the MPhil, candidates would normally be expected to gain a mark of at least 65% for both the written exams and the thesis. The department's Graduate Studies Committee will also consider the clarity and viability of the research proposal and the availability of appropriate supervision. 

English language proficiency

Minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level requirement

IELTS Academic

 7.5  

TOEFL iBT, including the 'Home Edition'

110

Home    
£19,210

Overseas    
£29,830

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.