Public Policy

The main degree on the Public Policy Pathway at Oxford is the three-year DPhil in Public Policy. The course provides robust training for understanding the policy challenges that governments face around the world, and for evaluating, devising or implementing policy solutions. Rather than developing new theories or methods in a particular discipline, the DPhil in Public Policy allows you to undertake research that answers important policy questions, using concepts, theory and methods from multiple disciplines. At the end of your studies, you will be expertly qualified to conduct applied research as an academic, in government, or in other influential policy organisations, institutes and think tanks.

Also on the pathway is the one-year MSc in Public Policy Research for students who have already completed professional public policy training, usually through the Oxford MPP. 

https://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/study/dphil

Partnering with governments, international NGOs and other public policy organisations is core to the School’s approach to research. Recent research partners include UNICEF, USAID, the South African Presidency, and the UK Cabinet Office, among many others. Faculty proactively match DPhil students to data gathering and knowledge exchange opportunities in these and other organisations.  

In addition, the School’s World Leaders Circle is a global network of former heads of government, enabling the exchange of ideas and international collaboration at the very highest level. And our World Leaders Fellowship, for global leaders transitioning to the next stages of their public service careers, also offers opportunities for mentoring and engagement with research students.

Our DPhil graduates have gained postdoctoral positions at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Oxford and Bristol; or have taken up senior research positions in governments or NGOs, including in New Zealand, India, Dubai, Singapore, and at the World Bank and Cancer Research UK.