Higher Education

The MSc Education (Higher Education) at Oxford University provides a broad introduction into the complex field of theories and practice in higher education globally.

The increasing significance of university rankings and the growing range of international student exchange schemes, as well as public discussion of tuition fees and the ‘vocationalization’ of degree programmes, are just some of the current issues within higher education in many countries.

The Masters provides students with the possibility to engage not only with the issues outlined, but also with a wide range of stimulating topics surrounding universities and colleges.

It is aimed at future leaders in the field – academics, policy-makers, researchers and managers. The course provides a strong foundation for:

• using research to analyse and evaluate current structures and future reforms of higher education in different international contexts
• developing higher education provision, curricula and learning programmes to meet a range of local and international needs
• understanding the economic impacts of higher education and their implications for policy making
• analysing transitions of higher education graduates into the labour market and further studies
• conducting doctoral, post-doctoral and professional research

The Department of Education offers a challenging but supportive atmosphere for conducting graduate studies. The course is run by the Department of Education but also draws on the expertise of colleagues at the Oxford Learning Institute and elsewhere within the University.

Course sessions consist of a combination of seminars, lectures and collaborative course work. These sessions take place three mornings a week. In addition:

• you will have the opportunity to work together with your course colleagues on selected higher education topics and problems
• you will reflect on your own higher education experience, and on the University of Oxford as your new educational context
• you will be able to select the focus for your MSc dissertation from a range of relevant international higher education contexts
• you will have one-to-one meetings with your dissertation supervisor on a regular basis to discuss your progress and the design of your own research study
• you will spend extended time in your chosen research setting during the third term in order to carry out fieldwork for your dissertation
• you will be assessed through a combination of examinations, dissertation and course-work.

Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in a relevant subject, preferably in the social sciences.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.6 out of 4.0.

If you hold non-UK qualifications and wish to check how your qualifications match these requirements, you can contact the National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC).

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

• Official transcript(s)
• CV/résumé
• Personal statement:One to two pages
• Written work:Two essays of 2,000 words each
• References/letters of recommendation:Three overall, generally academic

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Higher level

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

• Global Education
• Hill Foundation Scholarships
• A number of Research Council awards are available each year from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).