The MSc and MPhil offer a unique framework for research training in economic and social history. You will be introduced to a wide variety of methods used in the study of economic and social history, as well as to the subject itself. The core papers provide an opportunity to evaluate a range of different qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches; they impart a common language, and create a close and friendly community, in which ideas are shared, and strong personal ties are forged, developing a community that provides a base from which to venture out and experience the intellectual, social and cultural rewards of Oxford.
The MSc is a one-year programme while the MPhil takes two years. Both can be taken as free-standing graduate qualifications, or used as a springboard for DPhil study.
Course Organisation
The programme consists of:
Core Courses
What Happened and Why?
The course is designed (in conjunction with the quantitative methods courses) to prepare graduates for research in economic and social history. It provides an opportunity to view the subject as a whole and to consider its origins, its methodological foundations, its relations with adjacent disciplines and its current trends, achievements, and problems. It presents some of the central methodological issues of the social sciences, and some of their recent advances. It then indicates how these various methodological approaches can be applied to the study of economic and social history.
Quantitative Methods: Standard or Advanced Course
Quantitative Methods is designed to help students understand basic quantitative methods with a consideration of historical sources and contexts. It is also meant to develop basic fluency with Stata. While the course does not require any previous knowledge relating to statistics or mathematics, it moves quickly starting with descriptive statistics and ending with basic multiple linear regression.
Economics for Economic Historians (elective)
Economics can appear inaccessible to anyone not familiar with its language and method. Yet it remains a versatile and useful approach to the study of social behaviour. The aim of this course is to introduce student to the principles and basic concepts of economics, both in microeconomics and macroeconomics, and to demystify some of the jargon often used in the discipline. This course does not assume or require any prior knowledge of economics or maths.
History for Economic Historians (elective)
This course provides an optional introduction to (or refresher in) historical methods. Each class focuses on a type of documentary source that can be used either as the backbone of a historical study or as additional material to provide context and colour. The instructors begin each class with a brief description of the types of document to be considered before the group proceeds to read and analyze examples of primary source materials. The course also covers ways of locating relevant source materials and practicalities of archival work.
Option Courses
MSc in Economic and Social History
Two advanced option courses are taken for the MSc over one year.
MPhil in Economic and Social History
Four advanced option courses are taken for the MPhil over two years.
These are usually taught in small classes. They are assessed either by a timed examination, or by one extended essay of 10,000 words, or by two extended essays of 5,000 words.
The advanced options of the History of Science and Medicine programmes are also available for Economic and Social History candidates; and candidates may choose – with the support of their supervisor – papers from other suitable MPhil programmes, such as Economics.
The following advanced option papers have been offered in recent years.
Please note that not every advanced option paper will be available each year, and that the list of available options is subject to change from year to year.
Dissertation
MSc in Economic and Social History
A dissertation of not more than 15,000 words on a topic of the student's choice, submitted in August. Students will begin to formulate and plan their dissertation in conjunction with their supervisors from the beginning of the course.
MPhil in Economic and Social History
A dissertation of not more than 30,000 words on a topic of the student’s choice, submitted in April of the second year of study. Students will begin to formulate and plan their dissertation in conjunction with their supervisors from the beginning of the course.
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Oxford 1+1 MBA
The 1+1 programme is a unique, two-year postgraduate experience which offers you the opportunity to combine the depth of our specialised, one-year MSc in Economic and Social History with the breadth of Saïd Business School’s top-ranking, one-year MBA. As a result, you will embark from Oxford with the skills to translate specific domain knowledge into practical and innovative solutions to the many challenges facing our 21st Century world.
In addition, the Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship is available for up to five extraordinary 1+1 students who are committed to addressing world-scale social challenges. The Scholarship provides full funding for tuition, college fees and living expenses for both the MSc and MBA year.