The department welcomes DPhil candidates who are interested in a wide range of areas of social policy research, such as welfare systems within and across countries, family and family policies, educational inequalities and educational policies, economic and social inequalities, social mobility and inequality of opportunity, labour market institutions and policies, retirement age policies, transition from work to retirement and public attitudes on welfare state issues. This varied research portfolio is organised within the Oxford Institute of Social Policy.
PhD Program Requirements
A master’s degree; and a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours.
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.
The qualification(s) above should be achieved in one of the following subject areas or disciplines:
- demography
- economics
- political science
- psychology
- social policy
- social work
- sociology; or
- closely-related fields.
Preference may be given to those who have previously studied in demography, economics, political science, psychology, social policy and social work and sociology, or closely-related fields.
Publications are not expected, but they would advantage an application.
PhD Funding Coverage
The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25.
You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline.
Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.
Application Requirement
1. Online Application
2. Official transcript(s): Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.
3. Personal statement: Your personal statement should outline how your planned project fits with, or emerged out of your career or studies to date and also how it fits with your future intentions.
4. Research proposal: You should submit a detailed outline of your proposed research, written in English, covering areas such as the background to the research, methodology, expected results and the contribution to the field of learning.
5. Written work: Academic essays or other writing samples from your most recent qualification, written in English, are required. Extracts of the requisite length from longer work are also permissible.
6. GRE General Test scores: No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
7. English language proficiency: This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement.
Application Deadline
1 March 2024
Application Fee
An application fee of £75 is payable per course application.
