oxford university master in education

• FindAMasters
• Masters Courses
• Search Masters Degrees

  MSc in Education

University of oxford     department of education.

FindAMasters summary

Embark on a transformative academic journey with the prestigious MSc in Education programme at the renowned Oxford Department of Education. This dynamic course offers diverse pathways, including Comparative and International Education, Child Development and Education, Digital and Social Change, Higher Education, and Research Design and Methodology. Students delve into critical analyses of global educational systems, child development theories, digital inclusion, higher education challenges, and research methodologies. The programme boasts a stellar faculty of leading researchers, providing a stimulating learning environment for aspiring academics and professionals alike. To qualify, applicants should hold a first-class or upper second-class undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, with a preference for social sciences backgrounds. Proficiency in English is a must, ensuring students can fully engage with the rigorous curriculum. Stand out in the field of education with a master's degree from Oxford, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to drive positive change in the realm of education globally.

About the course

The MSc in Education comprises the following pathways.

Comparative and International Education

This full-time, one-year, course engages students in developing a critical understanding of theoretical approaches, methods, policies and practices in comparative and international education. The course aims to develop students’ understanding of the factors that shape educational systems in different parts of the world and the research skills to compare policy choices and critically evaluate major debates, policies, histories and practices of education globally.

Entry Requirements

The standard entry requirement is holding or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:: a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in a relevant subject, preferably in the social sciences. For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.6 out of 4.0. 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. Additional requirements for particular courses will be included in the programme description below.

Please see the university website for further information on fees for this course.

  Course Content

Register your interest for this course

The university will respond to you directly. You will have a FindAMasters account to view your sent enquiries and receive email alerts with new Masters opportunities and guidance to help you choose the right course.

It looks like you alredy have a FindAMasters Account

Log in to save time sending your enquiry and view previously sent enquiries

What would you like more information about? Optional

Which subjects are you interested in studying, which age group are you optional.

The information you submit to University of Oxford will only be used by them or their data partners to deal with your enquiry, according to their privacy notice . For more information on how we use and store your data, please read our privacy statement .

Please correct the errors indicated below to send your enquiry

Where is university of oxford.

Based on your current searches we recommend the following search filters

Check out our other Masters Courses in Oxford , United Kingdom

Check out our other Masters Courses in Education

Start a new search with our database of over 23,000 Masters Courses

Based on your current search criteria we thought you might be interested in these

Education Leadership (online) - MA UWE Bristol

Leadership and Management in Education - MSc/PGDip University of Salford

Master of Education (Flexible Learning) - MEd/PGDip/PGCert University of Leicester

FindAMasters. Copyright 2005-2024 All rights reserved.

Unknown    ( change )

Have you got time to answer some quick questions about Masters study?

Select your nearest city

• Aberystwyth
• Beaconsfield
• Bishop Burton
• Bournemouth
• Bridlington
• Chatham Maritime
• Cirencester
• East Malling
• Hemel Hempstead
• High Wycombe
• Huddersfield
• Isle of Man
• Jordanstown
• London Central
• London East
• London South
• London West
• Londonderry
• Loughborough
• Middlesbrough
• Milton Keynes
• Musselburgh
• Northampton
• Potters Bar
• Saffron Waldon
• Scarborough
• Southampton
• St Leonards on Sea
• Stoke on Trent
• Wolverhampton

You haven’t completed your profile yet. To get the most out of FindAMasters, finish your profile and receive these benefits:

• Monthly chance to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers ; winners will be notified every month.*
• Access to our £6,000 scholarship competition
• Weekly newsletter with funding opportunities, application tips and much more
• Early access to our physical and virtual postgraduate study fairs

Or begin browsing FindAMasters.com

or begin browsing FindAMasters.com

*Offer only available for the duration of your active subscription, and subject to change. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw.

Do you want hassle-free information and advice?

Create your FindAMasters account and sign up to our newsletter:

• Find out about funding opportunities and application tips
• Receive weekly advice, student stories and the latest Masters news
• Hear about our upcoming study fairs
• Save your favourite courses, track enquiries and get personalised subject updates

Create your account

Looking to list your Masters courses? Log in here .

Let us help you find a Masters

Never miss a course

Enter our ambassador competition

Get funding news, tips and advice

Hear about upcoming events

Sign up to our newsletter today

We've been helping students find the right postgraduate course for over a decade.

Login to your account

Enter your username below to login to your account.

Master of Studies programmes

Oxford's Department for Continuing Education offers part-time MSt programmes in the following disciplines:

• Creative Writing
• Historical Studies
• History of Design
• Literature and Arts
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
• Practical Ethics
• Psychodynamic Practice​

We also offer a full-time MSt in Diplomatic Studies . 

What is an MSt?

The term 'MSt' stands for 'Master of Studies', a postgraduate degree awarded in disciplines including art, history and social sciences.

Level and demands

It is likely you will have a first degree, or equivalent, although in some cases other evidence of suitability may be acceptable. More information about entry requirements can be found on each individual programme page.

MSt students are not required to be resident in Oxford, but will normally be required to attend short residencies. 

We also offer  postgraduate certificates ,  postgraduate diplomas ,  Master of Science degrees (MSc)  and  DPhil  programmes.

College affiliation

All students studying for a degree (including a master's degree) must be a member of a college. There is single application process to the MSt programme within which you can specify a college choice. Your choice of college is up to you, and does not affect the academic viability of your application to the MSt itself.  A number of Oxford colleges accept applications from part-time postgraduates, whereas others do not: please consult the graduate prospectus or enquire with  individual colleges . (Even if you are accepted onto the degree, please note that you are not guaranteed a place at your first choice of college).

Applicants may wish to note that the majority of students on part-time degree programmes are members of Kellogg College and most of the tutors and lecturers are Fellows of the College. Kellogg is dedicated to graduate part-time students and has developed a unique expertise in attending to the intellectual, social, IT and welfare needs of part-time, mature graduate students. The College is based a short distance from the Department on the Banbury Road.

Libraries and computing facilities

Registered students receive an Oxford University card, valid for one year at a time, which acts as a library card for the Departmental Library at Rewley House and provides access to the unrivalled facilities of the Bodleian Libraries which include the central Bodleian, major research libraries such as the Sackler Library, Taylorian Institution Library, Bodleian Social Science Library, and faculty libraries such as English and History. Students also have access to a wide range of electronic resources including electronic journals, many of which can be accessed from home. Students on the course are entitled to use the Library at Rewley House for reference and private study and to borrow books. More information about the Continuing Education Library can be found at the  Bodleian website . 

The University card also provides access to facilities at Oxford University Computing Service (OUCS), 13 Banbury Road, Oxford. Computing facilities are available to students in the Students' Computing Facility in Rewley House and at Ewert House.

Student spotlights

Discover how former students have used their Oxford MSt for further study, career progression or personal enrichment. 

Katie Treggiden

Sharon o’connor, patrick toland, further information.

• All Articles
• Before You Start
• How To Get In
• Being a Student
• Good To Know

How to apply for an Oxford Masters Program

Why Oxford?

The University of Oxford is one of the most prestigious, preeminent, and oldest universities in the world. It is estimated that teaching started in Oxford in 1096, and since then has been a hub for academic, political, scientific and literary advancement. Times Higher Education has rated the University of Oxford as the top university in the world . The academic staff comes from over 100 countries, and has more than 50 Nobel Laureates who have worked there at some point in their careers.

The faculty is unmatched in terms of their groundbreaking research and eminence in their respected fields, ensuring that Master’s students will be taught and mentored by the very best. Master’s students will also be immersed in an intellectual, dynamic and energetic culture of learning, and set the foundations for meaningful and successful professional relationships. You will be hard-pressed to find a more employable institution to complete your Master’s degree. This article – written by one who was accepted into Oxford Master Program - will provide a comprehensive guide to make your application as seamless and effective as possible. To begin your application, set up an account on the Oxford University Application System

Choosing a Course

The University of Oxford’s graduate courses are renowned as some of the most rigorous and rewarding courses in the world. Oxford Master’s courses are shorter than most, with the majority taking place over the course of 9 months, as opposed to US graduate schools, which take place over 2 years. The length of these courses fast tracks graduates to a smooth shift into their chosen careers.

The University of Oxford offers almost 400 graduate courses over a vast range of specialities and departments. Oxford has five academic divisions; Humanities; Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences; Medical Sciences; Social Sciences; and the Department for Continuing Education.

Individual departments and faculties are divided within these divisions. For example, the ‘History of Art’ department is located under Humanities, and the ‘Law’ department is found in the Social Sciences division. A range of courses, qualifications, and certificates are offered within these departments. For example, in the ‘History of Art’ department, there are 3 course options; ‘History of Art DPhil’ (Full Time), ‘History of Art DPhil’ (Part Time), and ‘History of Art and Visual Culture MSt’.

Similarly, in the ‘Law’ department, there are over ten courses, from specific subjects such as ‘Intellectual Property Law and Practice’ PGDip, to the more broad ‘Law’ DPhil. To choose the perfect course for you, you can either search through the department in the website, or do a specific search on MastersAvenue .

If you know for sure you want to study for a Master’s but are unsure which degree to choose, MastersAvenue has created the ideal service for you. Our team has analysed the careers of over 7.5 million graduates, and produced a simple, easy way to see the most popular career paths of graduates. The ‘Global Degree and Career Survey’ will tell you the percentage of professionals who hold the Master’s degree and the ten most popular occupations of graduates. It then has a comprehensive list of where these Master’s courses are offered, including course rating, university rating, and value for money. Have a look at the Global Degree and Career Survey for further information.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are very important when applying to Master’s courses at Oxford. They will show the university that you are intellectually capable, motivated, and can thrive in an academically demanding environment. Oxford will need three letters, usually from academic sources. In some cases, the university will accept a letter from a professional source; if for example, you did not complete an undergraduate degree and have been working for several years.

The three referees you decide upon should generally be professors that knew you well during your undergraduate studies. Prospective students should email their choices well in advance to the deadline, usually about two to three months before. This is because professors may be on sabbatical or under a heavy workload. Be sure to be polite, professional and grateful in your request, as letters are completely voluntary and they are doing you a massive favour. If they agree, send them a hand-written thank you note as well! You will be able to track whether your references have been sent on the Graduate Applicant Self Service website.

Statement of Academic Purpose

The statement of academic purpose is perhaps the most important element to your Oxford application. It will persuade the admission department that you are a prospective student who will not only thrive at the University of Oxford, but will also be a pleasure to teach.

Your statement should discuss your incentives and motivations for applying for further study in general, and more specifically at Oxford. While other universities may ask for a broader overview of what you intend to study, Oxford requires you to be more specific about your planned research field. For example, it is not enough to say you are interested in ‘English Literature’, but what particular elements spark your academic curiosity? It could be mid-20th century postcolonial literature, or Victorian supernatural novels. Explain why these topics appeal to you, and how a Master’s degree at Oxford will enable you to further explore these subjects, and contribute to fields of theory and research.

This is not to say, though, that you cannot express a broad array of interests-- this is perhaps even more beneficial. Ideally, you will be able to weave in and out of particular elements of a subject that you find particularly fascinating, and be able to connect these to one another in unusual and interesting ways. Say, for example, you are applying for an ‘English Literature’ course at Oxford and are captivated by Homer’s epics from Ancient Greece, as well as feminist writing of the late twentieth century. A sure-fire way to grab the attention of the admissions office would find a way to connect these two, maybe by discussing how female characters have changed over time.

A Master’s statement should be formal; try not to make any jokes, or use colloquial language. But, you are also not writing a university essay—the person reading this statement wants to get to know you and the moments in your academic career that have driven you to apply for Oxford. You should also discuss what you intend to do after you graduate with your Master’s degree; do you hope to continue your research and do a PhD, or get a job? Your statement should be about one to two pages. Check out these statement of purpose templates to give you a good idea.

Oxford will require an official transcript from your undergraduate institution. It should list individual grades from every module you took. Your previous university may take a few months to produce your transcript, so be sure to request one well in advance of the deadline. Official transcripts should have signatures or stamps by the university to certify their validity. If they do not, you have accessed an unofficial copy and should email your undergraduate university’s Student System, or department supervisor. Files cannot be submitted in Word documents, so make sure you convert the file to a PDF, JPG or PNG format. 

Transcripts may also be sent through electronic sharing systems, such as Digitary. Upon your undergraduate graduation, you will be sent a username and password for this service, and will be able to access your transcript through logging in and requesting it.

If you are still in the middle of your undergraduate degree, you may request a provisional transcript with your completed grades, and predicted grades for incomplete modules. If you are accepted to the University of Oxford, you will need to send your official transcript by 31st of August.

If you completed your undergraduate degree in a non-English speaking country, and your transcript is not in English, you must submit both the official transcript in the original language, and a translation of the transcript into English, by an authorised translator.

Writing Sample

The University of Oxford requires writing samples from your most recent degree. These are usually either 4,000 or 2,000 words. You may choose excerpts from longer academic essays, but if you do so you should include a note at the beginning that contextualises the extract. This writing sample needs to evidence that you are capable of academic work at the highest standard, so should be your most accomplished work. Oxford asks for a sample that will be assessed for ‘analytical and critical acumen, ability to construct and defend an argument, and powers of expression’.

A good tip would be to ask for advice from your referees. They have analysed your essays from a critical standpoint, and will give you good guidance on which essays to use.

International Students

International students are very likely to need a visa to be allowed to study at Oxford (or other British universities ). We have written a special article on how to apply for a UK student visa .

Share with friends:

You might like to know more about.

Education (Leadership and Management)

Find a course, start dates.

September 2023 / September 2024

Harcourt Hill

Distance learning

Course length

Full time: 12 months, Harcourt Hill Campus

Part time: Two / three years depending on your chosen trajectory - part-time on campus or distance learning

School of Education, Humanities and Languages

Attend an open day or webinar

Ask a question

Order a prospectus

Progress your career in education, and step into a leadership role.

Are you ready to take on school leadership? Do you want to make the leap into your first role as a leader? This course will shape your identity and approach as a leader. 

You’ll analyse the latest research and techniques in educational leadership - in the context of your own career. You’ll learn about areas like:

• Managing change
• Leadership styles
• Motivating individuals
• Handling conflict
• And leading a team

You’ll reflect closely on your own experiences in leadership as you learn. You’ll get to know your strengths, and you’ll understand past challenges. And you’ll have the freedom to focus your learning on the areas that matter most to you.

You’ll join a vibrant and supportive cohort of future school leaders. And you’ll build a lasting professional network- who you’ll learn from as you study. 

You’ll graduate with the self-awareness central to strong leadership - along with the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead.

How to apply

Entry requirements, specific entry requirements.

This MA course attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities, normally graduates with a recognised teaching qualification, or other educational professional experience.

Applicants should have:

• a good honours degree
• relevant professional experience (e.g. a supervisory or management role within education.)

Entry with credit

Credit can be made up of appropriate work completed outside the course, for example, M level credit from PGCE awards, Postgraduate Certificates or Postgraduate Diplomas in relevant educational courses. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Please also see the University's general entry requirements .

English language requirements

IELTS level 6.5 or above with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing and 5.5 in speaking and listening.

Please also see the University's  standard English language requirements .

International qualifications and equivalences

Choose country Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei Canada China Cyprus Egypt Estonia France Ghana Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kuwait Laos Latvia Lebanon Lithuania Malaysia Morocco Nigeria Norway Oman Pakistan Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore South Africa South Korea Sri Lanka Taiwan Thailand Turkey Uganda United Arab Emirates United States of America Vietnam Zimbabwe Other countries Go

English requirements for visas

If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements.  Find out more about English language requirements .

International applications

International students hold a conditional offer until payment of a deposit of £3,000 is received.

Pathways courses for international and EU students

We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.

Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.

If you need to improve your English language, we offer  pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the  Terms and Conditions of Enrolment . You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Application process

Tuition fees, questions about fees.

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

[email protected]

Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.

The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

• For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
• For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy  page

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Optional costs

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships.

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

There are  International Student Scholarships available for 2022 and other scholarships and funding options for postgraduate international students.

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

Learning and assessment

The course follows a flexible structure within the MA Education modular programme. This structure enables you to design your course according to your particular areas of interest.

You will take five compulsory modules, including the dissertation. And you can choose two modules from the optional modules listed below.

We also offer a wide range of Postgraduate Certificates , specifically designed for part time students who work full time. Sessions typically run in the evenings, with some online discussions.

Once you have your Postgraduate Certificate, you can continue your studies for the MA Education by successfully completing:

• a further three modules
• a dissertation.

Study modules

Taught modules, final project, compulsory modules.

Research Methods (20 credits)

You’ll develop your knowledge of research approaches, methods and techniques for the study of children and childhood, education and language. You’ll explore the interdisciplinary nature of work in and across these areas. After taking this module, you’ll be well prepared for the methodological aspects of your dissertation.

Leading and Managing People in Education (20 credits)

You’ll examine a range of themes and concerns in the leadership and management of staff in a range of educational contexts. You’ll cover theoretical perspectives and practical concerns about staff leadership, management and development. We’ll look at such topics as:

• leadership and management in education 
• leading teams
• inspiring motivation and improving morale
• staff development and performance management 
• social justice and managing diversity 
• managing conflict.  

Leading Change in Education (20 credits)

You’ll bring your own experience to this module, which examines the leadership of change in a range of educational contexts. You’ll engage with theoretical perspectives and practical concerns about organisational transformation in education. You’ll encounter topics like:

• leading and managing change
• effectiveness, improvement and accountability
• organisational culture and structures in education
• the influence of policy developments in transforming education
• dealing with resistance: managing people in times of change
• strategic planning and management of change.  

Mentoring in Education (20 credits)

You’ll explore mentoring roles in education. This includes initial teacher education as well as professional development in schools and FE and HE settings. You’ll look at models of mentoring in a professional context, and draw on work in related areas such as nursing. You’ll examine the experiences of both the mentee and mentor and how the relationship affects both parties. You’ll have the chance to share experiences with your peers, and to deepen your knowledge by focusing on the research evidence in this field.

Optional modules

Developing ma literacies (20 credits).

You’ll develop the skills you need to be successful in your MA, in two key areas: 

• the skills you need to operate confidently within your academic community as a researcher-practitioner
• academic writing and critical reading skills for MA-level study.

Engaging with the academic community

The module will help you:

• engage with the underlying beliefs and approaches to knowledge in your field of study/practice
• become familiar with relevant journals, research articles and professional networks.

Engaging with MA-level study

• develop critical thinking and reflection in your academic reading and writing 
• understand the strategies and conventions of writing in different academic genres.

Diversity and Achievement (20 credits)

How are children’s and young people’s achievements affected by factors like class, gender, disability and ethnicity? In this module, you’ll analyse the factors that predict educational success and failure for children and young people. You’ll then explore the implications for school policy and practice. 

You’ll look at data from case study material, which may draw on your own working context, or your peers’. Using these data, you’ll consider issues at the level of the individual child, the family, the school and the neighbourhood. You’ll go on to compare the analysis at the level of an individual in a particular place to educational outcomes from national and international data sources.

The Inclusive Curriculum (20 credits)

You’ll explore key aspects of curriculum design and delivery, in relation to access, equality of learning opportunity and inclusion. You’ll look at how cultural values influence curriculum content and organisation, and explore theories of decolonising the curriculum. The module content is relevant whether you’re a primary, secondary, FE or HE practitioner.

Mind and Brain (20 credits)

You’ll explore fascinating developments in educational neuroscience, beginning with developmental changes that occur throughout our lifespan. We’ll discuss pre- and post-natal development, followed by the changes that occur in childhood, adolescence and beyond. 

You’ll explore current insights from cognitive neuroscience that have implications for education, in areas like creativity, and gaming and ICT in learning. You’ll also think about the relationships between mind, brain, self and body using philosophical perspectives. And you’ll investigate case studies, opening up discussion and debate about this complex and controversial field.

Investigating Professional Practice (40 credits)

You’ll undertake an action research project of your choice, with the ultimate aim of improving your own practice. First, you’ll learn about a range of action research approaches and methods. You’ll be supported throughout the project, from establishing a viable focus to planning, designing and carrying out your action research, and writing up your report. You’ll strengthen your research skills, and also make a contribution in your practice area – as we intend your research results to feed into a wider network of good practice.

Independent Study: Investigating Practice (20 credits)

This is a chance to carry out an independent study/practice investigation. You’ll choose your own topic, with approval from your module leader / subject co-ordinator. The topic will be relevant to your own practice, but areas of investigation might include (for example):

• developing pedagogical approaches or curriculum materials 
• evaluating learners’ achievement levels
• reviewing the evidence base for changes to educational practice
• appraising learning environments and learning opportunities.

It’s also possible to carry out retrospective a evaluation of a project, provided the project took place within the last five years. This might be on:

• the impact of a professional development programme or initiative
• the experience of designing and delivering a new scheme of work 
• the process of implementing an educational change or project. 

Policy and purposes of Higher Education (20 credits)

Higher education (HE) is one of the great institutions of society. As well as providing places of learning and teaching, higher education is the subject of  much political debate. Why is this? We examine contemporary policy frameworks and their influences on HE.

This module is intended for:

• People working in senior administration and learning, teaching and research or support roles in HE – such as subject librarians, learning technologists, student support coordinators, quality assurance officers, admissions tutors, business development officers, academic and institution managers.
• People entering HE from business and the professions.
• People interested in the wider context of higher education in society, the impact that HE has on society and that society has on HE.

Through this module you can develop your knowledge and confidence in all areas of your HE activity, helping you to make informed decisions in the workplace.

The Dissertation (60 credits)

In your dissertation or project, you’ll carry out a sustained piece of educational research. You’ll analyse and report your findings at a high critical level, justifying and supporting them with detailed reference to relevant theories and concepts. This work will comprise one third of the work for your degree.  

If you’re writing a dissertation , you'll focus on a research problem of particular interest. If you’re enrolled on a named route of the MA Education, your topic will be relevant to your route (e.g. childhood and youth, L&M, SEND, TESOL, higher education). 

If you’re working on a project , you’ll undertake a shorter piece of independent investigative or literature-based research. You’ll also produce a creative piece or artefact.

Learning and teaching

If you choose the on-campus mode of study, you’ll learn at Harcourt Hill, our Education campus. You’ll learn via a mix of collaborative and independent methods - like:

• presentations
• peer evaluations
• project work
• directed reading

Classes are held mainly in the evenings, helping you balance study with work commitments. If you study full-time, Thursdays are key study days. And if you can’t make a class, you can access materials and discussions online.

If you choose to do the course via distance learning , you’ll learn via interactive and high quality online resources - with pre-recorded lectures, online readings and forums as well as online workshops at key points in the module. You’ll be able to learn at your own pace. Most students study by distance part-time over 3 years whilst working full time.

Assessment methods used on this course

Each coursework-based course module is assessed separately. Assessment methods include:

• individual essays
• seminar presentations
• investigative research
• group work.

The School of Education, Humanities and Languages is a thriving centre for educational research and teacher professional development. Students on master's level programmes therefore join a large research community comprising researchers at all levels of higher education study.

We hold two major research conferences each year - the School of Education Research Conference and the EdD Colloquium. All students are invited to attend our annual Research Seminar Series (which attracts both internal and external speakers). We also organise a number of conferences, lectures, seminars and debates, some of which have an international reach.

The School’s six research groups exist to encourage engagement in research, publication, conference presentations, seminars and workshops:

• Inclusion and Wellbeing
• Policy, Partnership and Leadership
• STEAM pedagogy and learning
• Humanistic Perspectives on Education
• Early Years
• Applied Linguistics

View all staff profiles for School of Education, Humanities and Languages

After you graduate

Career prospects.

Completion of the course shows a commitment to professional development and should lead to improved prospects for career progression.

Related courses

Programme changes : On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.

Back to top

Cookie statement

Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, M.Ed.

2023 program update.

501 E. High Street Oxford, OH 45056

• Online: Miami Online
• Main Operator 513-529-1809
• Office of Admission 513-529-2531
• Vine Hotline 513-529-6400
• Emergency Info https://miamioh.edu/emergency

1601 University Blvd. Hamilton, OH 45011

• Online: E-Campus
• Main Operator 513-785-3000
• Office of Admission 513-785-3111
• Campus Status Line 513-785-3077
• Emergency Info https://miamioh.edu/regionals/emergency

4200 N. University Blvd. Middletown, OH 45042

• Main Operator 513-727-3200
• Office of Admission 513-727-3216
• Campus Status 513-727-3477

7847 VOA Park Dr. (Corner of VOA Park Dr. and Cox Rd.) West Chester, OH 45069

• Main Operator 513-895-8862
• From Middletown 513-217-8862

Chateau de Differdange 1, Impasse du Chateau, L-4524 Differdange Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

• Main Operator 011-352-582222-1
• Email [email protected]
• Website https://miamioh.edu/luxembourg

217-222 MacMillan Hall 501 E. Spring St. Oxford, OH 45056, USA

• Main Operator 513-529-8600

Initiatives

• Miami THRIVE Strategic Plan
• Miami Rise Strategic Plan
• Boldly Creative
• Annual Report
• Moon Shot for Equity
• Miami and Ohio
• Majors, Minors, and Programs
• Inclusive Excellence
• Employment Opportunities
• University Safety and Security
• Parking, Directions, and Maps
• Equal Opportunity
• Consumer Information
• Land Acknowledgement
• Privacy Statement
• Title IX Statement
• Report an Accessibility Issue
• Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
• Report a Problem with this Website
• Policy Library

Department of

Department of Education

Msc in medical education, scholarships.

This is a professional development course for medical education professionals, spanning all medical specialties. It focuses on the history, contemporary issues and development of the field, as well as research methods and design and evaluation of research in medical education.

This part-time course is aimed at medical professionals and health science practitioners who are involved, or intend to be involved, in educating future health professionals. These medical professionals may include not only postgraduate physicians but also a range of graduate allied health science practitioners involved in the care of patients and in the education of the future healthcare workforce.

The part-time MSc in Medical Education will be offered jointly by the Department of Education in the Social Sciences Division and the Medical School in the Medical Sciences Division, with formal responsibility for the programme resting with the Department of Education. Interdisciplinarity is endemic in education and medicine and team-teaching capitalises upon the distinctive knowledge and skills of academics within the two departments.

The course combines teaching sessions within the Department and online support through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (Canvas).  In the second year of the course you will receive supervision of your dissertation project from a University supervisor with expertise in a particular subject.

WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE MSC IN MEDICAL EDUCATION?

Watch Course Director, Dr Debbie Aitken, introduce the course:

Watch MSc student Gbemi David-West give a student perspective on the course:

Watch MSc student Chris Sparling give a student perspective on the course:

The MSc will consist of six taught modules in the first year, assessed by written assignments.  Teaching will cover the following topics:

• Patients, learners and teachers
• Curriculum and pedagogy
• Assessment issues and practices
• Educational theory and philosophy
• Work-based learning and skill development
• Educational research methods
• Equity, diversity and belonging

In the first year, you will attend six intensive teaching weekends at the Department of Education in Oxford over a Friday afternoon and Saturday. The Friday afternoon and Saturday morning sessions will consist of interactive lectures and workshops. Additional teaching and online support will be provided through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (Canvas).

In the second year, you will undertake a research and development project under the supervision of a member of academic staff culminating in a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation.

The Department of Education is committed to attracting and retaining the very best candidates irrespective of background or ability to pay. Therefore, the Department seeks to award up to 2 scholarships to support qualified candidates to undertake the department’s MSc in Medical Education.

The Denis O’Leary scholarship is in memory of the late Dr Denis O’Leary, a highly respected Oxford educator and clinician. Dr O’Leary was a clinical psychologist, passionate about medical education – it was through his vision that the MSc in Medical Education has been developed.

Find out more about the scholarship on our dedicated webpage .

Please see the  Fees, funding and scholarship search  on the University’s web site for information about general scholarships.

Who is the course for?

This professional development course is aimed at researchers and professionals in the field of medical education.

How much time will I be expected to spend on study?

This will vary but on average you should expect to be studying for the equivalent of 10 to 15 hours per week during the eight week terms.  However, some of the work can be spread out to take place between terms, and some of your task and assignment research work will take place during your normal teaching.

How will my work on the course be supported?

Each student will be appointed a general supervisor for the duration of their studies. This person may go on to be the dissertation supervisor depending on the chosen research topic. In cases where a different dissertation supervisor is appointed they would also take on the general supervision. Modes of supervision include individual online communication via telephone, e-mail and Teams/Zoom meetings. For their dissertation project students will be allocated a dissertation supervisor by the beginning of Michaelmas Term of the second academic year. Together with the course director, the main teaching staff on specific modules will contribute to the tutoring for their respective papers. Modes of tutoring include participation in the virtual learning community and through telephone, e-mail and/or Teams/Zoom meetings with tutors. During residential periods, face-to-face meetings between tutors and students will be arranged. Pastoral support is also provided by a tutor in the College.

How often will I need to come to the Department for meetings?

The six modules are delivered in residential weekends, when you must attend in Oxford.  After that, meetings with your supervisor may be face to face or conducted electronically.

Do I have to apply to a college?

College affiliation is an important part of being a student at Oxford.  Please note that there is no guarantee that you will be placed at any given College, and a place will be found for you where possible.   Find out more about the colleges and making an open application here.

What should I include in the statement of purpose on the application form?

The statement of purpose really just tells us why you are interested in doing this course. You should include:

• your reasons for applying
• evidence of understanding of the proposed area of study
• professional experience of medical education
• your ability to present a coherent case in proficient English
• your commitment to the subject, beyond the requirements of the degree course
• your preliminary knowledge of the subject area and research techniques
• your capacity for sustained and intense work
• reasoning ability
• ability to absorb new ideas, often presented abstractly, at a rapid pace
• evidence of your ability to undertake part-time study

If your ideas are less focused, it is fine simply to explain in more general terms what you are hoping to get out of the course and why you would have the support of your employer in undertaking it now.

Your statement should be no longer than two A4 pages in length.

Who should I choose as my referees?

We would expect to see at least one academic reference and two professional references.  You should choose those referees who you think will provide us with enough information to make a judgement in your ability to follow the course.

We reserve the right to request a further reference if necessary.

Will I be able to pay my course fees in instalments?

Course fees are collected by the colleges. Colleges operate their own fees schedule and this arrangement is dependent on the college.

Couldn’t find your answers under our FAQ section?

Please direct all enquiries to the administrative team and they will be happy to assist you.

Phone: +44 (0)1865 274021 Email: [email protected]

• Entry Requirements
• Fees and funding

MSc in Education (Research Design and Methodology)

• Entry requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

The MSc Education (Research Design and Methodology) introduces you to the range of tools and concepts that are necessary in educational research. The course aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills to undertake your own research and to evaluate the research of others.

The course covers a range of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and data analysis, and introduces you to the challenges of carrying out social research in the field of education. 

Students will normally complete six taught modules:

Five core modules:

• Foundations of Educational Research 1: Concepts and Design
• Foundations of Educational Research 2: Strategies and Methods
• Philosophy of Educational Research
• Introduction to Quantitative Research
• One of the following modules:
• Intermediate Quantitative Research
• Perspectives and Debates in Qualitative Research

One elective module:

This will normally either be Intermediate Quantitative Research or Perspectives and Debates in Qualitative Research, but may include an alternative module.

The following list provides an indication of alternative elective modules usually available (please note, this is not a guarantee of availability for any particular elective in a given year):

• Core Principles of Child Assessment
• Critical Digital Innovation
• Education, the Internet and Society
• Global Higher Education
• Researching with the South: Decolonizing communication practices in education research
• The Implementation of the Rights of Children

The teaching methods include lectures, small group work, student presentations, seminars, workshops, one-to-one dissertation supervision, and individual research projects. You will participate in classes on research design, and on the quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques used to yield research findings. Supervision sessions will support you in identifying research questions towards dissertation research, selecting areas for literature review, carrying out field work, and reviewing drafts of the dissertation. Supported ICT sessions on literature access skills (including electronic searches) will be provided by the department's library staff.

All students on this course may take part in an optional ‘internship’ in which they work with an academic/research team on an ongoing research project for a short period. During this time, they gain experience by working on the variety of activities that constitute an everyday part of doing educational research.

The MSc programme is offered on both a full time (one year) and part time (two year) basis (note: prospective students must apply specifically to either the full time course or the part time course). The degree and expectations for both modes of study are equally rigorous: part time students attend classes with full time students, but these are spread over two years to balance with work and personal circumstances. Part time students attend classes one day per week during term time and are encouraged to spend at least one further day a week working in Oxford libraries and participating in relevant research seminars and research events or taking non-assessed courses.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Department of Education. This will be done on the basis of the topic of research and the availability of individual supervisors. 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 Education. Students may expect 10 hours of contact time with their supervisors over the course of one academic year. The specific timing and number of meetings may vary somewhat according to the nature and requirements of a student’s dissertation project.

Students will complete six modules. Each module includes formative coursework (typically an essay) part-way through the term, and a summative submitted assignment at the end of the module, with marks for each module based entirely on the summative assignment. Students will also complete a dissertation on a topic selected by the student and approved by the supervisor. There are no formal milestones for the dissertation except final submission in August, but each student’s supervisor will monitor progress and advise on appropriate timelines/checkpoints based on the nature and requirements of the student’s individual project.

Graduate destinations

The most recent Oxford University Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey made contact with 182 MSc Education students who graduated from the Department of Education between 2012 and 2017. Over 71% of alumni were in work and 20% in further study with only 6% looking for work.

Many past students who successfully completed the MSc Education (Research Design & Methodology) course have gone on to doctoral study, and several have proceeded to take up academic posts in leading UK universities (including associate professorships in the Department of Education). 

Changes to this course and your supervision

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. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

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. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

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 honours in a relevant subject, preferably in the social sciences.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.6 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• Part-time applicants will also be expected to show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and, if applicable, an employer's commitment to make time available to study, to complete coursework, and attend course and University events and modules. Where appropriate, evidence should also be provided of permission to use employers’ data in the proposed research project.
• Publications are not expected.

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.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process.

Candidates will be shortlisted based on academic ability, potential and fit of interests with the course content. Interviews for shortlisted candidates are normally held two to six weeks after the closing date of the admissions round. They are normally conducted by two interviewers, in person or using Teams video-conferencing, and will focus on your academic background. You may be asked to outline your research interests and how these might be developed during the dissertation element of the course, although students are not expected to already have a fully developed research plan, as this will be developed in discussions with your supervisors once you have started the course. You may also be asked why you want to study in this area and the reasons why this particular course is of interest to you.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Initiatives to improve access to graduate study

This course is taking part in a continuing pilot programme to improve the selection procedure for graduate applications, in order to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly.

For this course, socio-economic data (where it has been provided in the application form) will be used to contextualise applications at the different stages of the selection process.  Further information about how we use your socio-economic data  can be found in our page about initiatives to improve access to graduate study.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

The Oxford University Department of Education has been making a major contribution to the field of education for over 100 years and the department has a world class reputation for research, for teacher education and for its master's and doctoral programmes. The department combines international standing as a research-intensive department with the highest quality teaching.

In the 2021 evaluation of research quality in UK universities, the Research Excellence Framework (REF), Oxford University Department of Education had the highest overall percentage of research judged to be 4* (ie world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour) in Education in the UK. The department has ESRC recognition for its graduate training, and its teacher training was rated ‘outstanding’ by the Office for Standards in Education (OfSTED) in its most recent inspection in 2019.

Research in the department is organised around three major themes:

• Language, Cognition and Development
• Policy, Economy and Society
• Pedagogy, Learning and Knowledge.

Within each of these themes there are several research groups and centres. All staff and doctoral students belong to one or more of these research groups, each of which has its own seminar programme to which graduate students often contribute. In addition, the department as a whole sponsors regular seminars and public lectures which attract distinguished national and international speakers.

The Bodleian Education Library, located at the centre of the Department of Education, specialises in material on education and related fields. As well as a print collection of books, journals and statistics, the library provides access to a wide range of electronic resources. The library also houses a collection of teaching resources, primarily in support of subjects covered by the department's secondary PGCE course. The Social Sciences Library provides valuable additional resource for students pursuing programmes in the Department of Education.

Oxford has been a major contributor to the field of education for over 100 years and today the University’s Department of Education has a world class reputation for research, for teacher education and for its graduate courses.

The department offers one of the strongest graduate studies programmes in the UK with a range of full- and part-time MSc courses and a lively doctoral programme (DPhil) which is recognised for national funding by the ESRC.

The department's masters' courses are delivered by academics and research experts, the majority of whom are permanent staff engaged in their fields of research. The department's DPhil in Education has excellent facilities for the large number of full-time research students who are well integrated into the research of the department.

The department has an outstanding research profile. In the 2021 evaluation of research quality in UK universities, the Research Excellence Framework (REF), Oxford University Department of Education had the highest overall percentage of research judged to be 4* (ie world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour) in Education in the UK. A wide range of funded research projects are based in the department and many of these projects have had a major impact on national policy.

Oxford’s PGCE course has an international reputation for the quality of its work, undertaken in close collaboration with local Oxfordshire secondary schools. Over many years, it has consistently received the highest possible designation (Outstanding) from Ofsted in inspections.

View all courses   View taught courses View research courses

The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the department's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Full-time study.

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Part-time study

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

Please note that this course requires that you attend in Oxford for teaching, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. As part of your course requirements, you will need to choose a dissertation topic. Please note that, depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs yourself, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Please note that this course requires that you attend in Oxford for teaching, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. Further, as part of your course requirements, you may need to choose a dissertation, a project or a thesis topic. Depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

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

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

If you are studying part-time your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you must still ensure that you will have sufficient funding to meet these costs for the duration of your course.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students for full-time study on this course:

• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Green Templeton College
• Harris Manchester College
• Jesus College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Mansfield College
• New College
• Pembroke College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

The following colleges accept students for part-time study on this course:

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You do not need to make contact with the department before you apply but you are encouraged to visit the relevant departmental webpages to read any further information about your chosen course.

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 .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Referees: Three overall, academic preferred

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. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

One of your references should be from your most recent academic tutor. If you are currently in employment, you would be expected to provide a reference from your employer alongside academic references which comment on your academic suitability for the course.

Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation and ability to work in a group.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Personal statement: A maximum of 1000 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 specialise in.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

This will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying to this particular course
• the areas of study in the subject which interest you
• your relevant academic, research and/or practical experience
• what you want to achieve from the programme you are applying for
• your future aspirations, ie where you will take what you have learnt from the course
• the nature of the research project that you hope to undertake (if you have ideas about this).

Written work: Two essays, a maximum of 2,000 words each

Academic essays or other writing samples, written in English, are required. Extracts of the requisite length from longer work are also permissible.

You may submit written work previously completed for a prior course of study if the topic is relevant, ie an assignment or chapter of a dissertation etc, provided it meets the requirements.

If you do not have any existing material that fits this requirement, we would suggest that you may like to critique an article or write a book review based on the course subject.

The written work should be related to the course, and should be on two separate topics. The word count of each piece of written work should include any bibliography or brief footnotes.

This will be assessed for understanding of the subject area, an ability to construct and defend an argument, and proficiency in academic English.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply - Full time Apply - Part time

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 5 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships

Friday 1 March 2024 Applications may remain open after this deadline if places are still available - see below

A later deadline shown under 'Admission status' If places are still available,  applications may be accepted after 1 March . The 'Admissions status' (above) will provide notice of any later deadline.

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Department of Education

• Course page on the department's website
• Funding information from the department
• Academic and research staff
• Departmental research
• Social Sciences Division
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 274183

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Other courses to consider

You may also wish to consider applying to other courses that are similar or related to this course:

View related courses

Visa eligibility for part-time study

We are unable to sponsor student visas for part-time study on this course. Part-time students may be able to attend on a visitor visa for short blocks of time only (and leave after each visit) and will need to remain based outside the UK.