Why Nuffield College?

All Oxford colleges have their charms and attractions, and it may not always be apparent which is the 'right' choice. We believe Nuffield, by its structure and resources, provides a uniquely attractive environment for postgraduate social-science students. If you are trying to choose a college (or indeed considering another University), reflect on the advantages which we offer. Nuffield is a graduate College, so can focus exclusively on the needs of graduates, without being distracted by the very different needs of those being taught for a first degree. Separation between students and faculty is reduced - we share common room and dining facilities. By concentrating on social sciences we provide students with a 'critical mass' of lively peers interested in common issues, problems, and approaches (so student seminars are easy to arrange). We are an international College, with an excellent gender mix; open all year; centrally situated. College runs formal 'cutting-edge' research seminars, with speakers drawn widely (and College runs an active international visitors programme, to enable senior social-science academics from other universities to spend time in Nuffield). For all Oxford students, formal degree supervision is arranged by the University, but colleges additionally provide graduates with 'college supervisors'. Since our fellows are all social scientists ours provide detailed academic input (in more generalist colleges they are constrained to a 'moral tutor' role). Nuffield also happens to be one of the wealthier Oxford colleges, and chooses to spend its wealth supporting research. So each graduate student is allocated a private study with computing and internet facilities - a level of provision which can substantially enhance productivity. And our students have 24-hour access to a well-found and impressive social science research library (and we spend some quarter of a million pounds a year ensuring that its quality is maintained). Our IT Department and Data Librarian are experienced and helpful - and again targeted specifically at the needs of social science research. And each year we offer around nine fully Nuffield-funded studentships.

If you are serious about academic social science research we believe we provide an unrivalled package. Of course the other major variable you should consider is 'faculty quality'. We can attest to our enthusiasm and concern for graduate students; we take graduate education very seriously - as evidenced by the resources we allocate. But you should be properly sceptical were we to attest to our own brilliance. There you have to make up your own mind. Use the Web-site. Look at the publications. Note the number of FBAs. Reflect that Nuffield Official Fellowships (being effectively tenured research professorships) are highly sought after senior posts, so we have the luxury of selection amongst senior established academics. Ask the opinion of scholars you trust. And if you apply for a studentship and are called for a selection interview, use that also to assess us.