DPhil in Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2026-10-05 | - |
| 2027-10-05 | - |
Program Overview
Introduction to the DPhil in Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation
The DPhil in Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation is a research-based course focused on evaluating interventions and policies addressing issues like poverty, mental health, violence, inequality, and child development. The department welcomes DPhil candidates who are interested in a wide range of areas of social intervention and policy evaluation research.
About the Course
The department's approach to graduate study emphasizes the ability to work independently to explore an original line of research under an academic supervisor. Each member of academic staff has expertise in a particular area of social intervention and policy evaluation, and students should contact their potential supervisor prior to applying. As a doctoral student, you will be offered a unique graduate program tailored to your individual needs. In addition to individual supervision, the department offers a large and diverse range of research groups, seminars, workshops, and advanced training opportunities to further enhance your graduate research experience.
Attendance
The course can be studied full-time or part-time, with both modes requiring attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements. Part-time students are required to attend course-related activities in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year. The full-time course is studied over three to four years, while the part-time course has the same requirements but is studied over six to eight years.
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. The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK, holding more than 13 million printed items and providing access to e-journals. The University's IT Services is available to all students to support core university IT systems and tools, as well as many other services and facilities.
Supervision
The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Social Policy and Intervention. Typically, students pursuing a DPhil in Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation are supervised by faculty who are affiliated with the department's Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation programs. 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 includes:
- 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 part-time PRS student, you will be expected to apply for, and achieve, transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status.
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 organizations.
Changes to This Course
The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration.
Research Areas
You will have the opportunity to undertake research within the specialized themes of this course, which include:
- Evaluation methodology
- Policy and intervention research in areas such as violence and injury prevention
- Neighbourhood and urban health
- Reduction of poverty and social inequality
- Alcohol and drug misuse
- Mental health and antisocial behavior in children and youth
- Parenting and family interventions, including those delivered across the perinatal period
- School-based interventions
- HIV prevention
- AIDS-affected children
- The Sustainable Development goals
- Violence against children and cross-cultural adaptation of interventions
Entry Requirements
The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use the guidance to help you evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive.
- A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honors
- A relevant master's or honors degree with sufficient methods training
For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.5 out of 4.0.
The qualification(s) above should be achieved in one of the following subject areas or disciplines:
- Public health and epidemiology
- Economics
- Political science, public policy, and public administration
- Psychology
- Social policy
- Social work
- Sociology
- Closely related fields
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. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below. | Test | Minimum overall score | Minimum score per component | | --- | --- | --- | | IELTS Academic | 7.5 | 7.0 | | TOEFL iBT | 110 | Listening: 22, Reading: 24, Speaking: 25, Writing: 24 | | C1 Advanced | 191 | 185 | | C2 Proficiency | 191 | 185 | | Oxford Test of English Advanced | 165 | 155 |
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. If you apply by the January deadline shown on this page and receive a course offer, your application will then be considered for Oxford scholarships.
Costs
Annual Course Fees
The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis.
Full-time Study
| Fee status | Annual Course fees |
|---|---|
| Home | Ł17,310 |
| Overseas | Ł31,110 |
Part-time Study
| Fee status | Annual Course fees |
|---|---|
| Home | Ł8,655 |
| Overseas | Ł15,555 |
Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies.
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.
- For the academic year, the range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between Ł1,405 and Ł2,105 for each month spent in Oxford.
- Your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances, but you will still need to cover your cost of living on a full-time basis for the duration of your course, even if you will not be based in Oxford throughout your studies.
College Preference
Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. The following colleges accept students for full-time study on this course:
- Blackfriars
- Campion Hall
- Green Templeton College
- Harris Manchester College
- Hertford College
- Jesus College
- Kellogg College
- Lady Margaret Hall
- Linacre College
- Nuffield College
- Regent's Park College
- Reuben College
- St Antony's College
- St Catherine's College
- St Cross College
- St Hilda's 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. If it is important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline, we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance.
- Proposed field and title of research project: Please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known.
- Proposed supervisor: Enter the name of the academic(s) whom you would like to supervise your research.
- Referees: Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete.
- Official transcript(s): Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date.
- Personal statement and research proposal: Your statement of purpose/personal statement and research proposal should be submitted as a single, combined document with clear subheadings.
- Personal statement: Your personal statement should explain your motivation for applying for the course and its specific focus on evidence-based social intervention and policy evaluation at Oxford.
- Research proposal: Your research proposal should comprise a detailed outline of your proposed research, including a clear research question, a research design and methods section, and a discussion of the background, existing literature, and significance of the topic.
- Written work: A research paper or academic essay from your previous work or education, written in English, is required.