Department of Social Policy and Intervention - Barnett Scholarship

Barnett Scholarship

You will receive your full course fees covered as well as a monthly stipend of approximately 2,000 EUR to cover your living costs. The stipend is intended for a PhD (DPhil) at the Department of Social Policy and Intervention at the University of Oxford. The funding is for three years, or two years if you are transitioning from an MPhil to a DPhil programme. Payment is made at the start of each year. From the second year onwards, payment is subject to the quality of your work and your contribution to the department, for example through active participation in its seminars.

Who can apply

• Degree: You are applying for a DPhil (PhD) at the Institute of Social Policy and Social Work.
• Current students too: You may already be studying for an MSc or MPhil degree within the department and apply to transfer to a DPhil programme.
• Field of study: Social policy and social measures (social sciences).
• Where you study: At the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
• Nationality: Open to all nationalities.
• Grades: You will be selected on the basis of your academic achievements and assessed on the basis of your performance to date and your potential.

How to apply

There is no separate application form. Please submit your application for the DPhil programme by the deadline of 27 January 2026, and your application will automatically be considered.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is linked to a PhD programme within a specific department, and the department usually awards only a few scholarships each year. Competition is therefore fierce, and candidates are selected on the basis of their academic achievements and research potential. With a strong academic record and a compelling DPhil research proposal in the field of social policy, you stand a good chance. Ensure that your application is submitted in full before the January deadline. If your application is submitted late, you will be completely excluded from consideration for funding.