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MPP and DPhil admissions 2019: what to do before deadline

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Former students at graduation celebration

Admissions to Oxford’s Master of Public Policy and DPhil in Public Policy are due to close in a month’s time – Friday 10 January 2020 at 12:00 GMT.

The checklist below is valid for both MPP and DPhil, unless specified otherwise. Please remember that the deadline to submit applications for 2020 entry is Friday 10 January 2020 at 12:00 (midday UK time).

CURRICULUM VITAE OR CV (FOR BOTH MPP AND DPHIL APPLICANTS)




FULL ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS (FOR BOTH MPP AND DPHIL
APPLICANTS)




  • Undergraduate degree must be included.
  • Postgraduate degree (if applicable)
    must be submitted in addition to the above.
  • If your final GPA, and or conferral
    degree date is not given on your transcript, the accompanying certificate must
    be included.
  • Where your transcript has not been
    issued in English, you must include the original documents in a foreign
    language and official English translations.
  • Interim transcripts for all incomplete
    degrees are essential.



PERSONAL STATEMENT (ONLY FOR MPP APPLICANTS)




  • 800 words (maximum).
  • Outlines your relevant academic and
    professional experience.
  • States your motivations for applying to
    the MPP (for some guidance on personal statement see this blog on what makes a good personal statement).



STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND RESEARCH PROPOSAL (ONLY
FOR DPHIL APPLICANTS)




  • 1000 words (maximum) for your Statement
    of Purpose.
  • 2,500 words (maximum) for your Research
    Proposal.
  • Submit both pieces together as one
    document.



WRITTEN WORK (FOR BOTH MPP AND DPHIL APPLICANTS)




  • May be an excerpt from a longer piece.
  • May be a piece which has been
    previously assessed or published.
  • Must be a piece which is entirely your own
    work (not co-authored).
  • Referencing should be used where
    appropriate.
  • For MPP applicants:
    • Two pieces.
    • 1,500 words (maximum). Policy brief or
      policy analysis essay.
    • 400 words (maximum). Short essay
      relating to public service.
  • For DPhil applicants:
    • 2,000 words (maximum) per piece.
    • Does not need to relate closely to the
      proposed area of study, but should permit the Admissions Committee to assess
      your analytic ability.



REFERENCES (FOR BOTH MPP AND DPHIL APPLICANTS)




  • Three references
    must be submitted.
  • References must be submitted from an
    institutional email address or on institutional letterhead.
  • Professional referees must be able to
    comment on your academic and analytical ability as well as your general
    suitability for the course.
  • All three references must be received
    by the application deadline of 10 January 2020.
  • For MPP applicants:
    • At least one academic reference.
    • If you have completed, or are currently
      undertaking, master’s-level study, you must supply us with an academic
      reference from this degree (either instead of, or in addition to, an
      undergraduate academic reference).
  • For DPhil applicants:
    • Academic references strongly preferred.
    • At least one reference should be from
      your current or most recent academic institution.



ENGLISH TEST (WHERE APPLICABLE)




  • Include a copy of your test report
    form.
  • Tests taken prior to 30 September 2018
    are invalid.
  • Full information on the requirements
    can be viewed here.



GRE/GMAT/LSAT (OPTIONAL)




  • If you have taken a standardised test,
    you can add your scores to your application.
  • Include a copy of your test report form
    as a supporting document.



Finally, some questions to help you ensure you’ve
covered everything:




  • Will you require an English test? How
    long will it take to book, take, and receive results from a test in your
    region?
  • Do you wish to upload scores and a
    report form for a GRE, GMAT or LSAT test you have taken?
  • Have you thought about how you will fund your studies if you are offered a place?
    This blog has some funding ideas.
  • Have you contacted your nominated
    referees to ensure they are willing and able to provide your reference by 10
    January? Are they aware they must provide this on institutional/organisational
    letterhead?
  • Is your listed contact email address
    one which you check regularly?
  • Will you require a Tier 4 student visa
    to study in the UK? Is your passport valid for the duration of the
    programme? If you are a European national, you can find the most
    up-to-date Oxford University guidance here.
  • Do you have a college preference, or
    would you prefer to make an open application?
  • If you are in employment, are you able
    to secure leave for the duration of the programme?



For a summary of the application requirements, please view the Graduate Admissions MPP pages and DPhil pages, and of course, the Blavatnik School’s website. If you cannot find the answer to your question online, please email the admissions team.




We wish you the best of luck, and we look forward to reading all your applications!


The School