How to apply

Within equal opportunities principles, applications will be assessed in the light of a candidate’s ability to meet the following criteria:

Academic ability Proven and Potential Academic Excellence.

1) Applicants are normally expected to be predicted or to have achieved a first-class or an upper second class (2.1) undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualifications (1) in any discipline. For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA we seek is 3.6 out of 4.0. However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree.

2) The institution from which the candidate obtained his/her qualifications is also taken into consideration in the overall evaluation of the candidate’s academic achievements. Appropriate Indicators will include: Three academic references/letters of recommendation, which support intellectual ability, acadmic achievement and motivation.

3) Written work and/or portfolio produced by the student two pieces of written work of approximately 2000 words in length. Extracts from longer pieces are welcome but should be prefaced by a note which puts them in context. Written work must be in English. This will be assessed for comprehensive understanding of the subject area; understanding of problems in the area; ability to contract and defend an argument; powers of analysis;powers of expression. Written work need not necessarily relate closely to India.

4) Research proposal or personal statement. This should be approximately 500 words in length. This will be assessed for your reasons for applying; your relevant academic experience, evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study;aspirations.

Performance at interviews is not part of the academic process.

English Language Requirement 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.

Availability of supervision, teaching, facilities and places

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

·                    The ability of the Contemporary South Asian Studies Programme to provide the appropriate supervision, research opportunities, teaching and facilities for your chosen area of work.

·                    There are minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted onto Oxford’s research and taught programmes.

The provision of supervision is subject to the following points.

·                    The allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of the Contemporary South Asian Studies Programme and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff.

·                    Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Contemporary South Asian Studies Programme

Deadlines and required full set of application materials

Please refer to the Graduate Admissions website for information on the deadlines which must be met, and the full set of supporting materials required, in order for applications to be guaranteed to be considered.

Whether you have yet secured funding is not taken into consideration in the decision to make an initial offer a place, but please note that the initial offer of a place will not be confirmed until the college which gives you an initial offer of a place is satisfied that you have sufficient funding to cover your fees and living costs for the standard period of fee liability for your course.

Applicants are accepted for each of the application deadlines declared by the university over the academic year, but you are encouraged to lodge your application at the earliest possible date.

Students are selected for admission without regard to gender, marital or civil partnership status, disability, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age or social background. Decisions on admission are based solely on the individual academic merits of each candidate and the application of the selection criteria appropriate to the programme of study. Further information on how these matters are supported during the admissions process is available here.

All applications will be assessed by more than one member of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise. 

South Asian Studies webpage

We strongly recommend students choose a college. Students can apply to the following Colleges in their University applications: Balliol, Campion Hall, Exeter, Keble, Linacre, St Antonys, St Catherine's, St Cross, St Hildas, Somerville and Wolfson. We welcome applications from students who have had experience in developing countries, and from non-UK students.