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MPhil in Comparative Social Policy

University of Oxford

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University of Oxford

Course options

  • Qualification

    MPhil - Master of Philosophy

  • Location

    University of Oxford

  • Study mode

    Full time

  • Start date

    06-OCT-25

  • Duration

    21 months

Course summary

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.

  • analyse, 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 or systems;
  • analyse and compare specific areas of social policy (eg health, education) in different countries or systems, drawing on both empirical data and broader theoretical literature; and
  • undertake both quantitative and qualitative research studies, and to understand the major issues involved in research design and technical analysis in social policy related research.

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.

Tuition fees

Students living in United States
(International fees)

£ 33,100per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

University of Oxford

University of Oxford

  • University League Table

    2nd

  • Campus address

    University of Oxford, University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2JD, England

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Subject rankings

  • Subject ranking

    Politics

    3rd out of 79 2

  • Entry standards

    / Max 215
    205 95%

    4th

  • Graduate prospects

    / Max 100
    90.0 90%

    3rd

    4

  • Student satisfaction

    / Max 4
    3.13 78%

    30th

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