Embark on a journey of intellectual discovery with our MPhil programme, meticulously designed to foster a profound understanding of government and political institutions through rigorous, research-led study. Our course distinguishes itself by employing both area-specific and comparative perspectives, enriching your learning experience and broadening your analytical horizons. We are committed to providing a diverse educational environment, utilizing a range of learning methodologies to hone essential skills in written and oral communication, alongside the development of crucial technical proficiencies. Beyond serving as an exceptional foundation for doctoral research, this MPhil equips you with versatile training and skills applicable to a wide spectrum of career paths, from academia to professional sectors, commercial enterprises, diplomatic services, and governmental bodies.
The Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) at our institution is a vibrant hub of intellectual activity, hosting numerous research centres and programmes. These dynamic entities actively cultivate collaborative research initiatives through conferences, workshops, and a variety of academic events, ensuring that graduate students are integral participants in cutting-edge scholarly dialogues and research endeavours.
Our research centres offer invaluable platforms for you to showcase your own burgeoning scholarship within research seminar series and at departmental and external conferences. The DPIR’s visitor programme, renowned and highly sought-after, consistently attracts distinguished scholars of international acclaim, further enriching our research environment and providing unparalleled networking and learning opportunities.
Delving into the Course Structure
Year One: Building a Robust Foundation
Your first year is structured to provide a comprehensive grounding in the essential elements of Comparative Government. The curriculum mandates completion of:
- Core classes and tutorials specifically focused on comparative government, ensuring a deep engagement with foundational theories and methodologies.
- A rigorous programme of research methods training, encompassing core courses in both statistical analysis and sophisticated research design. This is further complemented by specialised elective courses, allowing you to tailor your methodological toolkit to your specific research interests.
Year Two: Specialisation and Thesis Development
The second year marks a transition to more specialised study and independent research, requiring you to:
- Dedicate yourself to writing a substantial thesis, representing a culmination of your research skills and in-depth understanding of comparative government.
- Complete two specialist option papers, allowing for focused exploration of specific areas within the broader field. A selection of options offered in recent years provides a glimpse into the breadth of available specialisations:
- Comparative Political Economy of Advanced Democracies: Examining the interplay of politics and economics in developed nations.
- The Politics and Government of China: An in-depth analysis of the Chinese political system and governance.
- EU Foreign Policy: Exploring the complexities and dynamics of the European Union’s external relations.
- The Politics and Government of the United Kingdom: A detailed study of the UK’s political landscape and governmental structures.
- The Government and Politics of the USA: Comprehensive examination of the US political system and governance.
- Political Economy of Development: Investigating the political and economic factors shaping development trajectories globally.
Teaching and Learning Philosophy
Our teaching approach is predicated on fostering intensive and interactive engagement between you and your academic supervisor and course instructors. This personalised learning experience is interwoven with a thoughtfully structured programme comprising classes, seminars, and lectures, complemented by directed self-study, ensuring a holistic and enriching educational journey.
Attendance Expectations
This MPhil course is designed as a full-time programme, necessitating your physical presence in Oxford. Full-time students are expected to adhere to the University’s Residence requirements. This residential aspect is integral to fostering a collaborative and immersive learning environment.
Resources to Empower Your Academic Journey
As a graduate student at our esteemed university, you will gain access to an unparalleled array of world-class resources meticulously curated to support your academic pursuits. These encompass extensive library systems, renowned museums and galleries, cutting-edge digital resources, and comprehensive IT services.
The Bodleian Libraries stand as the largest library system in the United Kingdom, a treasure trove of knowledge comprising the main Bodleian Library and numerous libraries dispersed across Oxford. These include major research libraries alongside specialised faculty, department, and institute libraries. Collectively, the Libraries house over 13 million printed items, provide seamless access to a vast collection of e-journals, and boast extraordinary special collections encompassing rare books and manuscripts, classical papyri, maps, music scores, art collections, and printed ephemera.
The University’s IT Services are readily available to all students, offering robust support for core university IT systems and tools, alongside a diverse range of other services and facilities designed to enhance your learning and research experience. IT Services further provides a spectrum of IT learning courses tailored for students, aimed at bolstering your digital literacy and research capabilities.
The Bodleian Social Science Library, conveniently located on the ground floor of the Manor Road Building, serves as the primary repository for Politics and International Relations collections, alongside a wealth of resources spanning other social science disciplines.
The Politics and International Relations subject guide acts as an invaluable resource, providing up-to-date guidance and offering direct contact details for your dedicated Subject Librarian, ensuring readily available support and expertise.
Supervision Guidance
The Department of Politics and International Relations assumes responsibility for the allocation of graduate supervision. While we strive to consider student preferences, it is not always feasible to guarantee alignment with specific faculty members. Supervisors are typically drawn from the distinguished academic staff within the Department. In exceptional circumstances, supervisory expertise may be sought from beyond the Department.
Students can anticipate meeting with their assigned supervisor approximately three times per term, fostering consistent guidance and mentorship throughout their studies.
Assessment Methodology
Progression to the second year of the MPhil programme is contingent upon successful completion of examinations and/or coursework in research methods, as well as the core course in comparative government. These assessments are designed to ensure a solid foundation for advanced study.
Upon completion of the course, your performance will be evaluated through two option papers of your choosing, assessed via examination or coursework, and the submission of your thesis, representing the culmination of your research and analytical skills.
Graduate Career Trajectories
Undertaking graduate work in politics provides a robust launchpad for a variety of impactful career paths. While it naturally prepares you for an academic career in the field, whether within our institution or elsewhere, the DPIR proudly acknowledges the significant number of its graduates who excel in government roles, diplomatic services, and senior leadership positions within the private sector. The skills and knowledge gained through the study of comparative government are highly transferable and valued across diverse sectors.
The DPIR is deeply committed to fostering a vibrant and engaged alumni community through initiatives such as the Inspires alumni email newsletter and the Alumni Career Conversations series of online talks, facilitating ongoing connections and professional development opportunities for our graduates.
Course and Supervision Adaptations
The University is dedicated to delivering this course in strict accordance with the description outlined on this course page. However, it is important to acknowledge that unforeseen circumstances may necessitate adjustments to course provision, both before and after registration. The safety and well-being of students, staff, and visitors remain paramount, and significant changes to delivery or services may be required in response to events such as pandemics, epidemics, or local health emergencies. Furthermore, in specific situations, such as visa complications or the inability to adequately meet student health needs, modifications to course requirements for international study may become necessary.
While we strive for consistency in supervision, it is possible that your assigned academic supervisor may need to change during your course of study or prior to registration due to unforeseen reasons, including illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave, or changes in employment. We are committed to ensuring minimal disruption and continued high-quality supervision.
For comprehensive information regarding potential course changes, please refer to our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract concerning course modifications.
