Politics (Comparative Government) (Taught)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

The MPhil in Politics (Comparative Government) is an advanced graduate degree providing training in research techniques and methodology, enabling you to acquire substantive knowledge in this sub-area of the discipline.

The MPhil in Politics (Comparative Government) is a standalone degree but it is also suitable for those intending to embark later upon doctoral research.

The course emphasises the research-led study of government and political institutions from area-specific and comparative perspectives, and provides a range of educational experiences in a variety of learning environments to develop your written and oral communication skills as well as other technical skills. As well as a foundation for doctoral research, the MPhil will provide you with training and skills suitable for a wide range of careers, including academic, professional, commercial, diplomatic and governmental positions.

The Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) hosts a wide range of research centres and programmes which actively seek to develop collaborative research activity via conferences, workshops and other academic events, and which include graduate students in their activities.

Research centres provide opportunities for you to present your own work in research seminar series and at conferences in the department and beyond. The research centres have an established and popular visitors’ programme which has allowed many scholars of international repute to participate in the DPIR’s research activities.

Course structure
In your first year, you must complete core classes and tutorials in comparative government, and a programme of research methods training, which includes a core course in research design and elective courses in statistics and research design (eg causal inference, qualitative methods). In your second year, you must write a thesis and complete two specialist option papers.

The approach to teaching comprises intensive and interactive work between you and your supervisor and course teachers, combined with a carefully planned programme of classes, seminars and lectures, as well as directed self-study.