MSc MIGRATION STUDIES

This interdisciplinary nine-month Masters programme in Migration Studies at Oxford University is jointly offered by the School of Anthropology and the Oxford Department of International Development. The course draws on the intellectual resources of its two parent departments and the three world-leading migration research centres at Oxford (COMPAS, IMI and RSC). The programme allows students to explore human mobility in a global perspective, and to address the causes and consequences of migration and how these are shaped by governments, societies, and migrants themselves.

The degree consists of four components, plus a dissertation:

Teaching on the degree is provided by leading scholars in the field and combines lectures, small tutorial groups, and discussion seminars. Students have individual dissertation supervision. Teaching is problem-focused and aims to give students critical analytical skills.

The course introduces students to key concepts, research and analysis in the economics, politics, sociology and anthropology of migration. It enables students to understand the nature of both internal and international migration and its role in global social and economic change.

The Masters prepares students to work in an expanding area of international and policy concern. It also offers students social science training that will facilitate progression to doctoral studies in the University of Oxford and elsewhere.

Teaching

The degree is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials, student-led presentations, essays, and library work leading to a dissertation.  Teaching staff draw on their own research to illustrate theoretical, ethical, methodological and practical issues.

Lectures and seminar series cover:

Assessment combines written exams, essays, research methods projects, and a dissertation.

Faculty

Staff teaching on the MSc in Migration Studies core courses include:

Testimonials

The topic of migration is an infinitely complex one and the MSc in Migration Studies has strived to cover this phenomenon from a variety of theoretical perspectives. I particularly enjoyed critical engagement with key concepts utilized in migration studies, such as illegality, the nation, the state, mobility and development. My experience on the MSc in Migration Studies has been on the whole a very positive one. The course helped me develop both a holistic as well as a nuanced understanding of the many processes embedded in migration.

Suzana Carp, Graduated 2011

I had a fantastic time studying Migration Studies at Oxford. One of the best things about the subject is its interdisciplinary nature, which allows the students to examine topics from a variety of different disciplinary angles. I felt as though I received a strong grounding in anthropological, sociological, political, and economic approaches to migration issues. I also valued the mentoring and support I received from researchers at COMPAS and IMI, who were extremely open and willing to discuss my research interests. The MSc in Migration Studies is ultimately what you make of it, so if you are hard-working and ambitious, you will undoubtedly get a lot out of the course. 

Amy Duffuor, Graduated 2011

Admissions

Students should have a relevant first degree in the social sciences or humanities at either a first-class or upper second-class standard (or equivalent) to be eligible for competitive consideration on the degree programme. Special consideration may be given to those with professional backgrounds in the migration field, such as those who have worked in relevant government departments, international agencies or civil society organisations.

General information on the application process and deadlines are available from the University's central admissions webpages:  http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/index.html.

Forthcoming application deadlines for entry in 2012 are 20 January 2012 and 9 March 2012.

Funding

Various scholarships are available for 2012, including the prestigious ESRC Studentships that are available through a migration studies pathway within Oxford's ESRC Doctoral Training Centre. The deadline for application is 20 January 2012. For more information see:

For further advice and to view information on other funding sources, please visit the University’s main fees and funding pages http://www.ox.ac.uk/feesandfunding

Course Information

Msc Migration Studies Course Handbook 2011-2012

Programme specification document

Course Enquiries

Any enquiries for this degree should go to: msc-migrationstudies@qeh.ox.ac.uk

RSC International Summer School

The Migration Studies Society