MPP and DPhil admissions 2019: what to do before deadline

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)

• Recommended length 2 pages.
• For more detailed guidance see
  our blog post on how to write a great Oxford-style
  CV.

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!