Evidence Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation (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/MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation (EBSIPE) is a taught course focused on evaluating social policies and interventions using advanced research methods, with topics like poverty, mental health, and violence prevention.

The course emphasises concepts and research methods for evaluating interventions and policies, as well as the advanced study of evidence-based practice and policy in areas such as child and family services, education, violence and injury prevention, mental health, substance use, HIV prevention, poverty reduction and other social issues.

The MPhil/MSc is designed for students with a specific interest in designing social interventions and understanding the effectiveness of social policies. It prepares students for a career in, for example, policy and programme evaluation, development, or public policy. Applicants with a professional background, such as those in evaluation, public health or policy consulting, will enhance their research skills and develop a major piece of research in a world-class environment.

This course aims to develop your critical analysis, problem solving and research skills in the field of evidence-based interventions and policies for social issues, You will learn skills in evaluation, quantitative, qualitative and systematic review methods and in the critical analysis and appraisal of evidence. These skills will enable you to be both a critical consumer of research, and to carry out evaluations and other research designs. Your studies will consider evidence-based practice and policy in relation to, for example, children and families, parenting programmes, poverty and inequality, mental health, substance use, violence and injury prevention. Through the MPhil thesis, you will also design and conduct an independent piece of research.

Course structure
The MPhil/MSc has the following major components:

• Pathway A Social Intervention or Pathway B Policy Evaluation

• Research methods course (both pathways)

• Two specialist options (both pathways)/One specialist option (both pathways)

• MPhil thesis (both pathways)/MSc thesis

During the first and second terms, the majority of learning is classroom-based, complemented by independent reading, tutorials, and formative and summative assessments. The third term involves largely self-directed study for remaining summative assessments, exam revision, and further development of the MPhil/MSc thesis. In the third term, additional teaching sessions are typically offered on an optional basis to support students in preparing for exams and with using various methodologies for thesis projects.

In subsequent terms, you will work on your thesis research and follow a largely self-directed schedule based on remaining training needs/interests identified with your supervisor, enrol in a second specialist option course, and are encouraged to fully participate in regular seminars, colloquia, and research group meetings offered by the department.

For the MSc, you will select one of two available pathways, to be taken over two terms. Whichever pathway you take, you will write a thesis on a topic agreed with your supervisor. The thesis is undertaken throughout the duration of the course.

EBSIPE MPhil students will belong to the Centre of Evidence-based Intervention research group that gives an opportunity to explore topics around social intervention and policy evaluation in more depth. In their second year MPhil students will have the opportunity to present their thesis-project in the research group.