Studying at DSPI

We are a small, friendly department, based in Wellington Square.

Students are an important part of the community and come from all over the world and from a variety of backgrounds. Some study to develop academic research and skills for future use in practice and policy settings. But we also have experienced practitioners (for example in social intervention and social care, psychology, health care, education, law, mental health) wanting to become more skilled in the use of high quality research methods to inform decisions about practice, policy and funding.

Browse this section to find out more about studying at DSPI.

Barnett House

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As well as joining the department, students become members of a college. College life is a key part of the Oxford experience, and provides students with a base in which to meet and network with other scholars with similar interests.

We have a multi-disciplinary, international body of academic staff teaching in the Department, who are experts in their field. During your time at Oxford, you will access their expertise through lectures and classes. Small teaching groups give students the opportunity to learn a great deal from staff as well as from each other. Every student has an academic supervisor, an important relationship, as your supervisor will guide you through your intellectual development.

The University of Oxford is the lead research organisation in the Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), one of a network of parnterships accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). As well as awarding more than 35 studentships a year to outstanding students, the DTP enhances the doctoral experience of more than 1200 postgraduate researchers (MPhil and DPhil) studying on 19 different accredited pathways across the social sciences in Oxford. Through the DTP, research students have access to the highest quality research training and professional development opportunities. For more information visit the Grand Union website. This programme was formerly known as the Doctoral Training Centre.

We hold all our information for current students on weblearn - access using your Single Sign On credentials.