Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) - MSc Educational Research Methodology

Benefit

You will receive your tuition fees paid at the UK domestic rate. In addition, you will receive a living-cost stipend of around 21,805 GBP per year (about 25,400 EUR). A scholarship is a regular grant to cover your living costs. The funding covers the 12 months of this full-time Master’s programme at the University of Oxford. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the UK’s largest funder of social science research, and administered through the Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership. The MSc equips you with the tools and concepts of educational research: five core modules (research design, methods, research philosophy, and either quantitative or qualitative methods), one elective module and a dissertation. It is the first step in a ‘1+3.5’ study pathway: one year of the MSc, followed by a 3.5-year PhD (DPhil) in Educational Sciences.

Eligibility

• Degree: You hold a bachelor’s degree (UK equivalent) in a relevant subject area with a ‘First Class’ or ‘Strong Upper Second Class’ grade, or are on track to achieve this. Applicants from the USA must have a GPA of at least 3.6 out of 4.0.
• Field of study: Social sciences are preferred. The Master’s programme covers education and social science research methods.
• University: You are studying Education at the University of Oxford.
• English: You meet the University of Oxford’s requirements for advanced English.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply, provided they meet the ESRC’s residency requirements. Up to 30% of the funded places may be awarded to international students.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the University of Oxford’s postgraduate application portal. In the ‘Scholarships’ section, select the ‘ESRC Grand Union DTP’ option and upload the Grand Union DTP application form together with a full CV. The deadline for applications for the scholarship is 7 January at 12:00 pm UK time.

How realistic are your chances?

Places are limited: the Master’s programme has only around 15 full-time places, and this scholarship requires top marks as well as a compelling research proposal. This makes the selection process extremely competitive. If you hold a degree with a ‘First’ or a very good ‘Upper Second’ in a social science subject and are able to draft a compelling research proposal, you are exactly the right candidate. If you apply by the scholarship deadline in January rather than waiting until the later general deadline, you’ll have the best chance of securing funding.