Social Data Science (Research)

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.

MSc
The multidisciplinary MSc in Social Data Science welcomes students with an interest in applying quantitative and computational methods to questions of social and political significance for academics, policymakers, and the public.

The course is designed for students with some familiarity with programming and a strong background in social sciences, although applications are welcomed from all disciplinary backgrounds who meet the course entry requirements.

With the rapid expansion of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) in society there is a need both to understand how to best make use of these tools, as well as to consider their social implications from a practical and grounded perspective. This is an applied programme that combines machine learning, multivariate statistics, mixed-methods research, and a substantive focus on social, ethical, and legal considerations for AI and data broadly and for the governance and regulation of the internet more specifically.

It is an ideal course for ambitious students at the intersection of computing and the social sciences who are seeking careers with data in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

You will join a cohesive cohort and will be expected to dedicate around 40 hours to this course each week during term, and to undertake further study and complete assessments during termly vacation periods. The OII's busy calendar of seminars and events showcases many of the most noteworthy people in internet research, innovation and policy, allowing you to engage with the cutting edge of scholarship and debates around internet technologies and AI.

Due to the intensive nature of the taught portion of this course, there is no part-time option available. However, students continuing on to doctoral study have the option of taking a part-time DPhil.

DPhil
The DPhil in Social Data Science is a research-based course exploring the intersection of computational and social sciences, covering AI, machine learning, ethics, network science, and digital governance through interdisciplinary methods.

The DPhil (known as a PhD at other universities) provides the opportunity to investigate and address novel research questions at the intersection of the computational and social sciences, supported by the multidisciplinary faculty at the Oxford Internet Institute (OII) and Oxford faculty within Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering Science.

As a DPhil in Social Data Science student, you will pioneer new approaches to contemporary social and policy issues online, developing new computational and data-driven methodology to inform the development and governance of digital technologies. The programme provides a rare grounding in both technical skills and social science research, training you to develop new research skills in areas such as machine learning, statistical modelling, large-scale data collection, algorithm auditing, or network science.

In addition to the formal requirements of the DPhil thesis, all OII doctoral students have access to regular training in the key professional skills necessary to support their research and future employment. These range from classes on advanced research methods as part of the OII’s option course offerings, to professional development training (provided both by the department and the University) such as presentation skills, academic writing and navigating the process of peer review.

For the full descriptions, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas