Study MSc in Public Policy Research at University of Oxford in the UK, University of Oxford

About this course

About this course
- Overview
- Department
Study options
Entry requirements
- International

What will I learn?

About the course: The MSc in Public Policy Research is a one-year taught degree course that offers an outstanding education on how to conduct robust, applied and impactful research that informs and influences public policy. The MSc will give you a keen understanding of the relationship between research evidence and other major influences on the public policy process, such as ideologies and institutions you will be able to design and undertake a range of policy-relevant research methods to the highest standards and you will be skilled in effectively communicating research findings to a wide range of audiences including policymakers and the general public. The curriculum for the course is delivered in-person via a series of lectures, seminars and workshops across three terms. The current curriculum includes the following elements:•Theories and Approaches in Public Policy Research•Research in a Public Policy Context•Research Design•Statistics for Public Policy•Qualitative Methods for Public Policy Research•Thesis Development Seminars•Option module•Thesis. In the first term, a foundational module in Theories and Approaches in Public Policy Research will enable you to learn how concepts and theories help researchers to identify and define public policy problems, construct explanations about causes and effects, and generate applied research questions and hypotheses that can be tested empirically to tackle real-world problems. You will begin working on your thesis, initially focusing on the development of a research proposal, on an applied public policy problem. In the second term, you will take an innovative foundational module on Research in a Public Policy Context aimed at providing you with an understanding of the constraints and opportunities that exist in research in government, as distinct from research in academia. You will also learn how research evidence sits alongside other types of influence on the public policy process and be provided with the skills necessary to conduct and communicate robust research that informs policy design and implementation.

Which department am I in?

University of Oxford

Study options

Full Time (12 Months)

Tuition fees

£3,448.33 (US$ 4,453) Month

This is a fixed fee

Start date

October 2026

Venue

University of Oxford

University Offices,

Wellington Square,

Oxford,

Oxfordshire,

OX1 2JD, Southern England, United Kingdom

Entry requirements

For international students

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the equivalent of the following UK qualifications or their equivalent: a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any discipline; and a master's degree in public policy, normally with distinction (70%+) or merit (65% to 69%). This may be either Oxford's Master of Public Policy (MPP) with its professional, leadership and academic components, or a master's degree from another institution that is equivalent in all elements. If you are applying for the Public Policy 1+1 programme, you may apply for this course without having completed or enrolled on the Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree course (or equivalent). Applicants should have an outstanding academic record with exceptionally high academic results throughout, or should show an impressive upward trajectory in performance. This may be further evidenced by scholarships or prizes awarded because of academic abilities/achievements or glowing academic references ranking you at the very top of your peer group. 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 3.6 out of 4.0.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.