Images: © Tom Weller
Apply now for 2026!
Our Oxford Spring School is available in both in-person and online formats. The week-long course offers graduate students and researchers from universities across the UK and abroad a unique opportunity to learn cutting-edge methods in social science.
Spring School 2026 will run Monday 23 March - Friday 27 March, and applicants can choose to attend the course either in-person or online.
Apply now
The Oxford Spring School programme is organised by the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford and consists of eight course options in quantitative and qualitative methods.
There are four morning courses and four afternoon courses to choose from, and applicants can choose to take one course or two courses (one morning and one afternoon course) together.
There will be social and networking opportunities throughout the week, including, for in-person attendees, a formal three-course dinner at Lady Margaret Hall on Thursday 26 March (included in the course fee). Online participants will have their own virtual welcome reception and networking opportunities. In-person attendees will have the option to book accommodation for the week at Lady Margaret Hall.
Note that for Oxford Spring School 2026, bursaries will NOT be available except for DPIR DPhil students, who have a separate bursary scheme and application process. If you are a DPIR DPhil student, please email springschool@politics.ox.ac.uk for more information.
Applications to Oxford Spring School will be accepted on a rolling basis, subject to availability, until 12 noon GMT on Monday 23 February 2026, or until all places are reserved.
Spring School information
Academic Director Spyros Kosmidis explains how this year was extra special:
Academic Director, Spyros Kosmidis, says DPIR’s Spring School has unique appeal for students:
Academic Director, Spyros Kosmidis, explains how Spring School’s success has grown:
Academic Director, Spyros Kosmidis, talks about the tremendous impact of Spring School:
Academic Director, Spyros Kosmidis, has this advice if you’re planning to apply:
Academic Director, Spyros Kosmidis, says huge efforts were made to encourage and welcome online students:
Course Tutor Marnie Howlett says Spring School is a key highlight of the year for her:
Course Tutor Marnie Howlett says it’s wonderful and important that DPIR offers this opportunity to learn methods training expertise:
Testimonials from Spring School 2025
Find out what delegates from Spring School 2025 thought about their experience:
"The instruction during the Spring School is effective, providing for a surprising amount of learning in only a single week. The Spring School community is also very positive, diverse and engaged. This is truly a great learning environment.”
Jeremy Farris
"Oxford Spring School was an incredible experience—an opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research methods in an intellectually stimulating and supportive environment. The faculty and fellow participants created a vibrant learning community, and the setting couldn’t have been more inspiring. I came away with both new skills and valuable connections.”
Francesca Papa
"The Spring School was a truly unique experience for me, for two main reasons. First, it allowed me to engage deeply with the field of machine learning, which is rarely covered in depth during academic education. My lecturer delivered the material with such enthusiasm and passion that it was an absolute pleasure to follow his teaching, motivating me even further to explore machine learning in greater depth.
"Second, I found it both inspiring and enriching to experience the atmosphere of the University of Oxford and to exchange ideas with fellow participants from across disciplines and backgrounds. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the organising team for the smooth running of the event."
Florian Richter