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MPhil - Master of Philosophy
University of Oxford
Full Time
OCT-25
21 months
Select a course option
MPhil - Master of Philosophy
University of Oxford
Full Time
OCT-25
21 months
Select a an exam type
About the course
The MPhil in Comparative Social Policy explores welfare systems and policy developments across a range of countries with an OECD focus. The comparative element is a key part of the course, and is one feature that makes the course at Oxford unique.
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 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 industrialised/developed countries. More specific aims are to develop your capacity to.
Assessment
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 of your first year, a summative assignment based on your first option paper taken in the second term of your first year, and another summative assignment based on your second option paper taken in the second term of your second year. The paper covers comparative social policy and social policy analysis in general; the others focus on the student’s chosen area(s) of specialism. The research methods skills are assessed by means of formal course assignments and two ‘critical methods essays’ on published research papers. In addition, you will be required to provide a 30,000-word dissertation.
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.
As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the equivalent of 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.
Students living in
Domestic
£21,320 per year
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)
£33,100 per year
Students from EU
The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.
£33,100 per year
Students from International
The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.