Admissions to our Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Doctorate (DPhil) in Public Policy for 2021 entry are open from today.

The MPP is a one-year intensive course that combines a thorough grounding in academic theory with real-world application, equipping current and future leaders with the skills to address complex policy challenges.

The DPhil – the Oxford equivalent of a PhD – focuses on using question-driven research to provide innovative solutions to policy challenges faced by governments around the world.

Around 80% of our MPP students receive funding and, while the School cannot guarantee funding for every incoming student, we are committed to ensuring that the costs associated with studying the MPP or DPhil do not deter outstanding candidates from applying.

Funding opportunities for both the MPP and DPhil are wide ranging – from our flagship Public Service Scholarships, to scholarships funded by partner organisations such as the Africa Initiative for Governance and the Lemann Foundation, to external funding opportunities. The extensive opportunities are made available thanks to a combination of generous donations and external funding, and they enable students from a diverse range of backgrounds 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.

We expect applicants to be proactive in exploring their funding options, and it is worth doing so as early as possible. 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 8 January 2021. Due to the winter break, we strongly recommend that all applications are submitted before 18 December; this enables the School’s admissions team to provide timely assistance should you incur any problems or have any questions 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 and DPhil class of 2020 will join us in a few weeks, and we will publish their profiles on our website. These profiles demonstrate the diverse backgrounds and experiences that can be found on the MPP and DPhil, and we hope they serve as encouragement for potential applicants to apply, regardless of background.

In the coming months, keep an eye on our website, blog, Twitter and Facebook as we post useful suggestions for applicants, in addition to general updates on the School and its activities.