In 1929 he won a TUC scholarship to Ruskin College, Oxford, in 1929. Having distinguished himself at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and following two years in the civil service, Woodcock joined the TUC in 1936 as head of the research and economic department. Here, Woodcock was much influenced by leading moderates in the trade union movement, such as Walter Citrine and Ernest Bevin, and also by the economic ideas of John Maynard Keynes.
In 1929, he received a TUC scholarship to Ruskin College, Oxford.  He excelled in his studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, followed by two years in the civil service before joining the TUC in 1936 as head of their research and economic department. Woodcock was significantly influenced by prominent moderates within the trade union movement, such as Walter Citrine and Ernest Bevin, as well as the economic ideas of John Maynard Keynes.