MSc in Education (Higher Education) at University of Oxford

Programme overview

A full-time one-year master's for future academic, policy and practitioner leaders in higher education. It introduces research, theory and policy on higher education through national, international and global lenses.

What you will study

Five core modules (Higher Education: Systems, Structures and Institutions; Higher Education in the Economy and Society; Global Higher Education; Foundations of Educational Research 1 and 2), one assessed option module in the second term and a dissertation.

Career pathways

Graduates enter academic and research careers, higher education management, government policy and analysis roles, think tanks, NGOs and international organisations such as the OECD, and many continue to doctoral study.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold or be predicted a first-class or strong upper second-class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, preferably in the social sciences; US bachelor's degrees need a minimum GPA of 3.6/4.0. No GRE or GMAT scores are sought and publications are not expected. Application requires three referees, an official transcript, a personal statement (maximum 1,000 words) and two essays (maximum 2,000 words each). Interviews are normally held online 2-6 weeks after the deadline. English language (higher level, if first language is not English): IELTS Academic 7.5 overall with at least 7.0 in each component; TOEFL iBT 110 with minimum Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, Writing 24; C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 191 overall and 185 per component; Oxford Test of English Advanced 165 overall and 155 per component. Test must be taken no more than two years before the course start. Application deadlines for 2027-28 entry: 7 January 2027 (12:00 UK time; needed for Oxford scholarship consideration) and expected final deadline 2 March 2027.

Domestic applicants: GBP 20,100 a year (2027/28). Home fee, full-time, 2027-28 Source

International applicants: GBP 43,150 a year (2027/28). Overseas fee, full-time, 2027-28 Source

Intake: 3 October 2027

Duration: 12 months full-time

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