| Department of Education, University of Oxford | |
| Formation: | 1892 |
| Founders: | --> |
Based at Norham Gardens in Oxford, the Department of Education at the University of Oxford is part of the Social Sciences Division.
The department contributed to educational thought and practices for over a century.[1] Significant contributions include the development of the International Baccalaureate's educational philosophy under the leadership of Alec Peterson and research initiatives led by scholars including Harry Judge. Judge's formation of the Oxford Education Research Group in 1975 further solidified the department's role in advancing educational research and policy.
The department consistently ranks among the top in global education studies. For 2024, it was ranked 3rd worldwide and 1st in the UK by Times Higher Education.[2] Its research quality is highly regarded, with 69% of submissions rated as "world-leading" in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). Its teacher education programs, including the PGCE, have earned an "Outstanding" rating in every Ofsted inspection since 2005.[3]
Research at the department spans three main themes: language, cognition, and development; pedagogy, learning, and knowledge; and policy, economy, and society. Key research centres include:
A new centre focused on the teaching of Chinese, funded by John Swire & Sons Ltd, is set to enhance Chinese language learning in the UK.[4]
The department offers a range of postgraduate courses, including DPhil, MSc, and PGCE programs, covering areas such as Applied Linguistics, Educational Assessment, and Teacher Education.
The department hosts an annual lecture series and a public seminar series featuring leading voices in the field. It also collaborates with the Department for Education on national and international studies, like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).