Program Overview

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MSc in Comparative Social Policy

The MSc in Comparative Social Policy is a taught course analyzing welfare systems across OECD countries, with emphasis on health, education, labor, and family policy, supported by training in comparative and analytical research methods.

About the Course

The central aim of the course is to provide high-quality graduate-level research training in social policy, taking a comparative perspective, learning especially from the most highly-developed welfare states. More specific aims are to develop your capacity to:

• Analyze, 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.
• Analyze and compare specific areas of social policy (for example, income support, health, or labor market) in different countries, drawing on both empirical data and broader theoretical literature.
• Undertake quantitative and qualitative 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.

Course Structure

An overview of the course structure is provided below. Details of the compulsory and optional elements of the course are provided in the Course Components section.

• You will study a core paper in comparative social policy and social policy analysis.
• You will engage in detailed work on social policy analysis through lectures, seminars, and presentations.
• The research methods skills, covering quantitative and qualitative methods, 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.
• You will also have the opportunity to take two specialist courses from a list of options focusing on particular topics and sub-fields of social policy.

Attendance

The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements.

Resources to Support Your Study

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources, including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources, and IT services.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for the course is the responsibility of the Department of Social Policy and Intervention, and it is not always possible to accommodate the precise preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff.

Assessment

Your performance will be assessed through formative and summative assignments/papers. Knowledge of the substantive areas of social policy is assessed by a combination of examinations and/or submitted coursework assignments throughout the year.

Graduate Destinations

Many graduates go on to pursue academic careers in world-leading research universities, while others hold influential positions in government, non-governmental, and international organizations.

Course Components

Compulsory Study

You will:

• Study a core paper in comparative social policy and social policy analysis.
• Engage in detailed work on social policy analysis through lectures, seminars, and presentations.
• Study the research methods skills, covering quantitative methods and qualitative methods.
• Study a course on the principles of comparative research design.
• Be required to provide a MSc thesis.

Options

You will also have the opportunity to take two specialist courses from a list of options focusing on particular topics and sub-fields of social policy. Recent options offered include:

• Comparative education policies
• Gender and family policies
• Healthcare and health inequality
• Labor market policies
• Housing
• Political economy of social policy
• Poverty

Entry Requirements

Proven and Potential Academic Excellence

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown.

• A first-class or strong upper-second-class undergraduate degree with honors in any discipline.
• There is no requirement on subject area, and students from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds are considered.

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 honors in any discipline.

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.

References

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course.

Supporting Documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application.

Funding

For entry in the academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.

Annual Course Fees

The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis.

• Home: ｣24,800
• Overseas: ｣38,430

Additional Costs

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs.

Living Costs

In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. The following colleges accept students on the MSc in Comparative Social Policy:

• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Green Templeton College
• Jesus College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Nuffield College
• Oriel College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Hilda's College
• Trinity College
• Wolfson College
• Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

Our guide to getting started provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application.

Application Fee Waivers

An application fee of ｣75 is payable for each application to this course. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria.

Completing Your Application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.

Referees

Three overall, all of which must be academic. Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, and motivation for the chosen area of study.

Official Transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date.

Personal Statement

A maximum of 1,000 words. Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialize in.

Written Work

One essay, a maximum of 2,500 words. An academic essay or other writing sample from your most recent qualification, written in English, is required.