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School of Social Sciences

Excellent teaching in Geography

In the 2025 National Student Survey, students gave teaching in Geography a 100% satisfaction rating.

Research with lasting impact  

From prisons in Oxford to creating UNESCO world heritage sites in Sharjah, and the youth skills agenda in Sub-Saharan Africa - our work makes a lasting difference locally and globally.

Graduate prepared for your future career

With optional work placements, chartered membership opportunities and work experience modules on many of our courses.

About the school

When you study in the School of Social Sciences, you will join a dynamic, inclusive community committed to making the world a fairer place.

You will explore real-world issues such as global inequality, climate justice, migration and political change, drawing on insights from anthropology, criminology, geography, international relations, politics and sociology.

The school is rooted in the rich history and intellectual tradition of Oxford, a city that blends history with modern life. You will connect with local employers, charities and community groups while gaining a global perspective through research and teaching that makes a real impact. Your studies will not just inform you but help shape the world around you.

Choose your path to building a better society

We believe academic excellence goes hand in hand with a commitment to social justice. You will be taught by internationally recognised experts and encouraged to become an agent of change. You’ll develop skills not only highly valued by employers but also essential for building a fairer and more connected world - such as critical thinking, careful analysis, clear communication and impactful research. By combining real-world engagement with academic rigour, you will graduate ready for a successful career that makes a meaningful difference.

Explore joint honours programmes that let you tackle issues from multiple angles, learn from expert academics, gain hands-on experience through projects and placements and graduate ready to make an impact. 

Courses

Learn from internationally recognised researchers

We’re passionate about bringing our research straight into the classroom, so you’ll learn from academics who are shaping their fields.

Our research has received international recognition for its excellence, significance and innovation. We are committed to engaging purposefully with partners and stakeholders in the UK and further afield in order to create positive change in people’s lives. Our particular areas of expertise include:

  • Critical approaches to crime, justice, counterterrorism and desistance
  • Gender, sexuality and race
  • Migration and cross border movements
  • Vernacular approaches to security and ethics
  • Impacts of climate change
  • Heritage, wildlife and conservation.

Our research groups connect colleagues across the School, sparking collaboration and fresh ideas, and these insights feed directly into our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Stories and highlights