Oxford Brookes University
Department of Social Sciences

The Department of Social Sciences is a centre of excellence in research and teaching across Biological and Social Anthropology, Geography, International Relations, Politics and Sociology.

We are a thriving and multidisciplinary community with a truly international outlook, attracting students and staff from all over the world. Our innovative research has received international recognition, including the Queen's Anniversary Prize for outstanding work at world-class level.

For postgraduates pursuing research degrees, we run a thriving doctoral programme where interdisciplinary scholars break down traditional boundaries between subjects. Internationally recognised research informs teaching on all our programmes, ensuring our students are best prepared for future employment or further research.

Life in Oxford

40,000 students make Oxford one of the world's greatest student cities. Boasting a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere and unrivalled variety of learning experiences, Oxford is an inspiring place to build your future.

Whether you enjoy shopping, taking in a show or an exhibition or simply socialising with friends, it's not hard to see why Oxford has been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag for the quality of the evening and night time activities on offer. You are never more than 100 yards away from the nearest pub or club.

If it's culture you're after then Oxford's superb range of architecture, theatres, world-renowned museums and galleries offer rich opportunities for discovery or if you enjoy shopping, Oxford has all the high street stores you would expect to see as well as many thriving specialist independent retailers.

Research-informed teaching

Research is the cornerstone of all our activities, including the course curricula and the broader student experience. You'll be joining a supportive department with a growing community of researchers.

Our strong performance in the RAE 2008, along with our expanding consultancy activities, has enabled us to attract high quality staff and students and helped to generate funding for research bodies such as the ESRC, the European Agency for Fundamental Rights and the Social Sciences Research Council (USA).

Unrivalled support

In addition to the guidance, support and training you will receive from your course leader, personal tutor and other technical and support staff, our Student Support Co-ordinators offer advice on your course, finance, accommodation or personal issues. They will also regularly update you with information on visiting speakers, careers advice and course announcements.

Our courses

• MSc Primate Conservation - Queen's Anniversary Prize winner 2008
• Graduate Diploma in Anthropology
• MA International Studies (International Relations)
• MA International Studies (Global Political Economy)
• MA International Studies (Environment)
• MA International Studies (Security)
• MA International Management and International Relations
• MA International Law and International Relations

Research degrees

We offer the following research degrees

• MA/MSc by research
• MPhil
• PhD.

We welcome students wishing to undertake research in the following areas:

• International political economy and global politics
• Gender and society
• Human evolution and palaeo-environments
• Primate conservation and human-wildlife interactions
• Social anthropology (Europe, Japan, South Asia).

Be sure to visit www.social-sciences.brookes.ac.uk regularly for Research Degree Studentship opportunities.

Recently the department launched the Centre for Global Politics, Economy and Society, whose remit is to encourage reflection on and research into social transformations of global scope which are impacting on the world today.

The Anthropology Centre for Conservation, Environment and Development (ACCEND) includes within it the Nocturnal Primate Research Group and Human Origins and Palaeo Environments (HOPE), whose focus is on evolutionary anthropology and environmental reconstruction and change.

The Europe Japan Research Centre (EJRC) is the home through which we organise and disseminate the high quality research of all Brookes' staff working on Japan as well as a large number of affiliated Research Fellows.

You can also choose to take an MA/MSc/LLM by research. As well as being a standalone research degree, these programmes provide a solid basis for further study.

Success in your future career

Recent graduates of the School now enjoy careers in:

• International Law
• International Business
• the United Nations and other international institutions
• the Civil Service
• Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations
• Psychology
• Management
• the Media
• Human Resources
• the Police Force
• the Voluntary Sector
• Education.

Our master's courses also provide an excellent grounding for those wishing to go on to do a research degree.

Entry requirements

Normally second class (2.2) or upper second-class (2.1) honours degree in a related discipline in required but for more details please see individual course entries.

If English is not your main language then you will also need to show that your English is at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.You will need IELTS 6.0-7.0 (normally with 6.0 in reading and writing and a minimum of 5.5 in listening and speaking); TOEFL ibt 78-95 overall (with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 18 in listening and 21 in speaking.)

However, if you do not meet the university's English language or academic requirements we offer a range of courses to help you progress on to your chosen degree course as quickly as possible.

Fees, funding and scholarships

There are various scholarships available for Oxford Brookes students for both UK/EU and international students.

Our website explains all the UK/EU and international finance information you need to make your decision as easy as possible.

Many of our courses are also eligible for ESRC funding so it's worth checking out your options.

How to apply

Applications for most of our postgraduate courses should be made online via UKPASS. Simply follow the links from our postgraduate courses.

For research degrees please see our 'how to' guide by following the link.

General Contact

social-sciences@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0)1865 483750

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"...consistently the top-performing modern university in our league table. Its research record is also among the best in the sector."

Sunday Times University Guide