The Social Sciences Division comprises the largest grouping of social sciences in the UK, home to a number of outstanding departments and to the internationally ranked Law Faculty. All Oxford's departments in the Social Sciences are committed to research to develop a greater understanding of all aspects of our complex society, from the impact of political, legal and economic systems on social and economic welfare to human rights and security, disseminating this research through innovative graduate courses.
A wide range of courses is offered, many of which have research council
recognition. Many are a preparation for doctoral work, as well as
discrete programmes of advanced study in their own right; others provide a professional
qualification. All are rooted in research of international standing and
students have access to a well-resourced, active research environment.
The purpose-built Centre for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences, adjacent to the Law Faculty houses the Departments of Economics, Politics and International Relations, and Sociology and the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies. This new building also houses the Bodleian Social Science Library and provides exceptional facilities for Master’s courses and research students.
As one of the major providers of social science research in the UK, the University is one of twenty-one centres of postgraduate excellence accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as a Doctoral Training Centre. ESRC DTC studentships are available in a wide variety of training pathways in the social sciences, for both DPhil and Masters-to-DPhil programmes.
