Applications for the Master of Public Policy (MPP), MSc in Public Policy Research and Doctorate (DPhil) in Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government are open from today for entry in 2023.

Have you been considering graduate study in public administration, public management or public policy? The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is an intensive one-year graduate degree that offers a fully interactive and immersive approach to learning about public policy. The course brings together a class of international future leaders who are committed to public service to learn how policy is made, implemented and evaluated. Students will sharpen their analytical and decision-making skills while gaining both an academic grounding and the practical skills required to effect real change in policymaking.

The School is also accepting applications to our Public Policy 1+1 and MSc in Public Policy Research. Our Public Policy 1+1 is a two-year graduate programme on which successful applicants will first take the MPP and then the MSc. Together, the Public Policy 1+1 will enable you to become a more effective leader and changemaker and to develop your research skills for working in public policy organisations.

The MSc in Public Policy Research is a stand-alone one-year programme for those who have already completed our MPP with its professional, leadership and academic components, or a master’s degree from another institution that is equivalent in all elements. The MSc will train current and future public policy leaders on how to conduct robust, applied and impactful research that can inform and improve policymaking. 

The DPhil – the Oxford equivalent of a PhD – provides students with the tools to carry out in-depth, question-driven research, with a focus on solving the world’s most pressing public policy problems. Students benefit from drawing on concepts, theories and methodologies from across many disciplines within the University.

We believe that access to finance should never be a barrier to studying with us, and we have worked hard to open the door to the best and brightest applicants. In 2021, 82% of MPP students received full or partial funding. Although the School cannot guarantee funding for every incoming student, we are committed to ensuring that the costs associated with studying the MPP, Public Policy 1+1 or DPhil do not deter outstanding candidates from applying.

There are extensive funding opportunities for both the MPP and DPhil, from our flagship Public Service Scholarships to more specific opportunities such as the Political Leadership Scholarship and Roma Education Fund Scholarship, to external opportunities such as the Chevening Scholarship. This support is made available thanks to a combination of generous donations and external funding, enabling a diverse range of international students to join us every year. You can read some of their stories on our ‘Student experiences’ pages, which also offer varied insights into our programmes and life at the School.

There will also be some funding opportunities available for our new MSc, although as with our other programmes, we strongly encourage candidates to look for external funding.

We encourage applicants to explore all funding opportunities available, including through their own governments, private sponsorship, and scholarship or bursary opportunities. You should investigate all possible funding routes as early as possible, as some scholarship applications close before the MPP deadline.  

The University offers a number of resources that are a good place to start looking: you can search from among over 1,000 University of Oxford scholarships, or find guidance on applying for external funding, including opportunities categorised by region and advice on gaining funding from charities and the voluntary sector.

The deadline for applications is Friday 6 January 2023. Due to the University closing over the winter break, we strongly recommend you submit your application before 17 December. This will enable the School’s admissions team to provide assistance in the event of any problems or questions arising during the application process.

Visit our ‘Study with us’ pages for all the information on how to apply and an initial list of scholarships available.

The MPP, MSc and DPhil class of 2022 will join us in a few weeks, and their profiles will be published on our website. These profiles demonstrate the diverse backgrounds and experiences that can be found on all our graduate programmes, and we hope they serve as encouragement for potential applicants to apply, regardless of background or financial situation.

For a taste of what it’s like to be a student at the School keep an eye on our Instagram where we hold regular student takeovers during term time. You can also check our website, blog, Twitter and Facebook as we post useful suggestions for applicants, in addition to general updates on the School and our activities.