International Graduate School
Our four MSc programmes are part of the new Oxford 1+1 Programme which enables exceptional and motivated students to combine their MSc with the Oxford MBA.
Our MSc courses in: Biodiversity, Conservation and Management; Nature, Society and Environmental Policy; and Water Science, Policy and Management remain open for applications. The MSc in Environmental Change and Management is now closed for applications.
With over 200 graduate students from a range of nationalities, professional and disciplinary backgrounds we are one of the largest, most diverse and vibrant graduate schools in the world offering advanced degrees in Geography and the Environment. The inter-disciplinary nature of research and teaching, the interplay between theory and practice, the calibre and enthusiasm of the students and the School's leading position within the University of Oxford combine to produce an intellectually exciting environment. Students without previous experience of geography are encouraged to apply.
If you are planning a career in research, teaching or an environment-related profession, preparing for a career change or to take a career break then one of our six programmes should suit you. The DPhil (or PhD) programme is three to four year individual research programme. The MPhil is a two-year research-based degree and there are four one-year MSc programmes that combine taught courses with a dissertation.
The MSc in Environmental Change and Management aims to produce students with a broad appreciation of all aspects of the management of people and institutions in relation to environmental change, who are analytical in their approach, and are competent and aware decision makers. As part of the Environmental Change Institute the MSc in Environmental Change and Management emphasises cross-cutting, interdisciplinary approaches to the critical environmental problems of our time, especially climate change and adaptation, energy and lower carbon futures, and ecosystem conservation and management.
Oxford 1+1 Programme
Our four MSc programmes are part of the Oxford 1+1 Programme which enables exceptional and motivated students to combine their MSc with the Oxford MBA. The MSc will provide you with the in depth understanding of the complex dynamic between environment, society and markets based on theory and empirical evidence. This you will then apply to your enhanced management skills. There is growing evidence that this "depth + breadth" is what the world needs, and what employers seek.
Successful candidates for the Oxford 1+1 Programme will need to meet the admissions requirements for both programmes and be admitted separately to both. For further information on the MBA programme and how to apply please see the Saïd Business School website. If you are submitting an application for the Oxford 1+1 Programme you should notify us at graduate.enquiries@ouce.ox.ac.uk as well as submitting an application for the relevant MSc course. The MSc application process is explained on the relevant MSc pages of this website.
The Oxford 1 + 1 Programme is currently open for applications.
- How to Apply
Find out how to obtain an application form and what supporting materials you will need. - FAQs
Frequently asked questions about our graduate courses. - Entrance Requirements
Information on our admissions criteria. - Fees and Scholarships
Find out if you are eligible for funding and what funding is currently available. - Choosing a College
Why you need a college place and information on choosing a college. - Potential Supervisors and Topics
Meet our staff and discover the potential topics for research that are available. - Student Research
Read about some of our current and recent graduates' research. - Student Reflections
Find out what recent graduates have to say. - Information for Current Students
Information for current students is provided within our Intranet. - Alumni
Join the SoGE Alumni Network.
Geography at Oxford
Geography at Oxford has a long tradition and, we believe, an exciting future in a top-rated department, where new research initiatives and key contributions to scholarship are valued. The origins of the School of Geography as a university department lie in the establishment of the Halford Mackinder Readership in Geography in 1886: the first university position in a British university. Since that date geography has been taught continuously in Oxford, although in the earlier years, the main emphasis was on undergraduate teaching. Graduate studies are now much more significant part of the School.
Graduate students and academic staff are working within and across the discipline. Research in key areas of environmental, human, and physical geography is supported, from studies on migration, through pensions policies, biogeography, climate change, flood risk, desertification, biological and cultural diversity, and many other areas. Research is currently organised into five distinct research clusters, which also build synergies between themes by addressing common, cross cutting themes. At present these themes include governance, measurement and mobilities. For more detail please see the webpages of the five research clusters and of individual members of staff.
Our Teaching Approach
The emphasis in Oxford is on independent learning accomplished through research, writing and discussion. Students are expected to take responsibility for planning their own time and study programme and to ensure that the requisite work is accomplished. MSc courses offer a framework of core lectures, field courses, electives, and workshops and symposia for learning. Our courses are not standardised; individual classes reflect the research interests of individual faculty and often mix seminar style teaching with discussions or practical exercises. We make every effort to treat each student as an individual and to help students customise their own learning. A common comment of students is that to get the most from studying in Oxford you need to be a self starter and willing to explore opportunities in the wider University, which are exceedingly rich. This is particularly so for DPhil and MPhil students.
Oxford is famous for its small group tutorials. This is a characteristic of undergraduate teaching. Post-graduate teaching is provided on a one-to-one basis for DPhil and MPhil students (in the form of supervisory meetings) and in classes for MSc teaching. Electives are taught in smaller groups of normally no more than eight. Most of the rest of the MSc teaching is in class sizes of 20-30 (depending on the programme. Integrated classes (e.g. research skills) are taught in larger groups across the four MSc programmes.
For more information on studying in Oxford please visit the University of Oxford's Graduate Studies Prospectus website
Information for Current Students
For course information, timetables, teaching materials and much more see our info for current postgraduate students within our Intranet.