DPhil in Social Policy
University of Oxford
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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Location

University of Oxford

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

OCT-25

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Duration

3 years

Course info

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

University of Oxford

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

OCT-25

Duration

3 years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

University of Oxford

Study mode

Part Time

Start date

OCT-25

Duration

6 years

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Course info

About the courseThe Department of Social Policy and Intervention offers a DPhil in Social Policy and welcomes students from across the world. Research students are an important part of the department’s community, and you will be fully involved and immersed in the life of the department.The department welcomes DPhil candidates who are interested in a wide range of areas of social policy research, such as welfare systems in developed and developing countries, family and family policies, ...Read more

About the course

The Department of Social Policy and Intervention offers a DPhil in Social Policy and welcomes students from across the world. Research students are an important part of the department’s community, and you will be fully involved and immersed in the life of the department.

The department welcomes DPhil candidates who are interested in a wide range of areas of social policy research, such as welfare systems in developed and developing 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.

The department's approach to graduate study emphasises your ability to work independently to explore a new line of research under an academic supervisor. Each member of academic staff has expertise in a particular area of social policy and you will only be accepted for a DPhil if there is an appropriate supervisor available.

As a doctoral student, you will be offered a unique graduate programme tailored to your individual needs. In addition to individual supervision, the department offers a large and diverse range of seminars, workshops and advanced training opportunities in order to further enhance graduate research experience.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Social Policy and Intervention and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Department of Social Policy and Intervention.

Students should normally expect to meet with their supervisor around three to four times a term.

Assessment

The sequence of milestones for a DPhil student are as follows.

  • Admission as a Probationer Research Student (PRS)
  • Transfer to DPhil status (‘Transfer of Status’)
  • Confirmation of DPhil status for DPhil students (‘Confirmation of Status’)
  • Submission of thesis

All students will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). Within a maximum of four terms as a full-time PRS student or eight as a full-time PRS student, you will be expected to apply for transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status. This application is normally made by the third term for full-time students and by the sixth term for part-time students.

Graduate destinations

Many graduates of the DPhil 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.

Key stats

CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
2nd

Entry requirements

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

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£16,330 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

£29,350 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

£29,350 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

IDP Connect

Uni info

University of Oxford
University Offices Wellington Square Oxford Oxfordshire OX1 2JD United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Oxford  0.2 miles away

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