Oxford Spring School in Advanced Research Methods
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 2025 will run from Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April, and applicants can choose to attend the course either in-person or online.
The Oxford Spring School programme is organised by the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford and consists of nine courses in quantitative and qualitative methods.
This includes new courses for 2025 on Time Series Analysis and Large Language Models. Those selecting courses on Causal Inference, Qualitative Methods, Text Analysis and Large Language Models will have the option to select a second course, related to their first course choice. All participants will also be given access to additional pre-recorded video tutorials on how to use R and Python.
There will be social and networking opportunities throughout the week, including, for in-person attendees, a formal three-course dinner at Brasenose College on Thursday 3 April (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 Brasenose College.
Submit your application before 12 noon GMT on Friday 31 January 2025 to qualify for our ‘Early Bird’ Discount. This discount applies to both in-person and online applications that are submitted before the deadline on 31 January, offering a £50 reduction in the course fee. Successful candidates meeting our course criteria will then receive a booking link to pay for their course(s) and confirm their place.
Note that for the Oxford Spring School 2025, 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 continue to be accepted after the ‘Early Bird’ deadline on a rolling basis, subject to availability, until 12 noon GMT on Monday 3 March 2025, or until all places are reserved.
Feedback from 2024 Spring School:
Feedback from 2024 Spring School:
Stella Tsoli:
“A wonderful experience in Oxford. Grateful for the opportunity to learn from brilliant tutors in such an inspiring academic environment.”
Nethmi Jayaratne Kariyawasam:
"It was a great learning experience focusing on advanced qualitative methods such as thematic and discourse analysis, coupled with excellent networking opportunities. I would like to extend my thanks to the organizing team for putting together the event. Their efforts made it possible to deeply engage with these techniques in a collaborative environment.”