Admissions criteria

Admissions criteria for entry in 2012-13

Within equal opportunities principles and legislation, applications will be assessed in the light of a candidate’s proven and potential academic excellence. With the exception of the PGCE internship programme, for which different requirements apply, applicants will normally meet the following Summary Admissions Criteria:

  • All applicants are normally expected to be predicted or to have achieved a good Honours degree (normally 2.1 or equivalent international qualifications, such as a GPA of at least 3.6/4.0) in a relevant subject, preferably in the social sciences. Applicants for the DPhil programme will normally have a Masters degree in a relevant subject. Relevant work experience may be desirable. Applicants must submit full details of qualifications (transcripts, certificates or diplomas).
  • Whilst entry is highly competitive, each application is considered on an individual basis, ensuring that candidates are well-matched to their chosen course, and have the ability and potential to benefit from the course. Professional and practical experience or other capabilities relevant to the programme may be required, and will be considered.
  • Three highly positive academic references, supporting the applicant’s intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation and ability to work in a group.
  • Two pieces of written work, which demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of the subject area, the ability to construct and defend an argument, and proficiency in academic English.
  • A convincing personal statement, explaining the reasons for applying to the programme and highlighting relevant academic and professional experience.
  • For applicants to the D.Phil. programme, a research proposal of up to 2,000 words in length to include the reasons for applying to the programme and highlighting relevant academic and professional experience.
  • Performance at interview(s) that are normally held as part of the admissions process, though some Masters programmes use text-based questionnaires/assessments.
  • Work and professional experience in a relevant area may be required for some courses (eg M.Sc. ALSLA). Applicants for the MLT should hold Qualified Teacher Status and are normally currently employed in a teaching post in school or other educational context (further details on the MLT course pages). Applicants for the PGDip TELUS should hold a teaching qualification and normally be currently employed in a teaching post in a university.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English are usually required to provide evidence of proficiency in English at the higher level required by the University.

The following factors will govern whether candidates can be offered places:

  • The ability of the department to provide the appropriate supervision, research opportunities, teaching and facilities for the student’s chosen area of work.
  • There are limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted onto the departments’ research and taught programmes.
  • Appropriate supervision may not be available for a particular area of academic study.
  • Well-qualified candidates may not be offered a place because other candidates have been judged to have greater academic ability.

Equal opportunity is promoted at every stage of the application procedure. Funding is not taken into consideration in the decision to offer a place. It is not normally possible to defer an offer of a place, and any decision to reapply will lead to a full reassessment, with decisions made in relation to the new competitive field.

Graduate supervision is the responsibility of the department as a whole and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff.

It should also be noted that acceptance gives no guarantee of final success, and that all courses require the student to develop their learning and skills.

For further details, please see the full current Admissions Criteria.

See also the Statement of Provision for postgraduate taught students in the Department of Education