OII MSc SSI Graduate Studies Handbook 2024-25 final

Table of Contents

• Contents 2
• 1. Introduction 6
• 1.1. Scope and purpose of this handbook 6
• 1.1.1. Disclaimer 6
• 1.1.2. Key sources of information 6
• 1.1.3. Academic progress - who to contact 6
• 1.1.4. Laptop specification for students 7
• 1.2. Induction 7
• 1.2.1. Induction programme 7
• 1.2.2. Other sources of information 7
• 2. MSc Programme 8
• 2.1. Aims of the programme 8
• 2.1.1. Educational aims of the programme 8
• 2.1.2. Programme objectives and outcomes 8
• 2.1.3. Related teaching and learning strategies and methods 8
• 2. 8
• 2.2. Skills and attributes 9
• 2.2.1. Intellectual skills 9
• 2.2.2. Practical skills 9
• 2.2.3. Transferable skills 9
• 2.2.4. Achievement of learning outcomes 9
• 2.3. Programme structure and schedule 10
• 2.3.1. Weightings 11
• 2.3.2. Programme schedule 11
• 2.3.3. Programme deadlines 12
• 2.3.4. Nomenclature 13
• 2.3.5. Course details: core papers 13
• 2.3.6. Course details: substantive option papers 13
• 2.3.7. Course details: methods options papers 14
• 2.4. Choosing option courses 14
• 2.4.1. Examination entry process 14
• 2.4.2. Changing option course choices 14
• 2.4.3. Auditing courses 14
• 2.5. Written examinations 15
• 2.5.1. Examination timetable 15
• 2.5.2. Sitting your in-person examinations 15
• 2.5.3. Sitting your online examinations 15
• 2.5.4. Exam Adjustments 15
• 2.5.5. Exam resits 15
• 2.5.6. Excusal from written examinations 15
• 2.6. Submission of coursework 15
• 2.6.1. Instructions for submitting coursework 15
• 2.6.2. Resubmission of coursework 16
• 2.6.3. Potential overlap between examinations 16
• 2.6.4. Managing submission deadlines 16
• 2.7. Problems completing your assessments 17
• 2.7.1. Extensions to coursework deadlines 17
• 2.7.2. Declaring illness and other mitigating circumstances 17
• 2.7.3. Suspension of status 17
• 2.8. Exam Board matters 18
• 2.8.1. Examination and marking guidelines 18
• 2.8.2. Board of examiners 18
• 2.8.3. Feedback to students 18
• 2.8.4. Complaints and academic appeals 19
• 2.8.5. Regulation of assessment 19
• 2.8.6. Indicators of quality and standards 19
• 3. Thesis Preparation and Submission 21
• 3.1. Overall thesis guidance 21
• 3.1.1. Choice of thesis topic 21
• 3.2. Thesis title 22
• 3.2.1. Change of thesis title 22
• 3.3. Ethics approval for research projects 22
• 3.3.1. Ethical approval application process 22
• 3.3.2. Travel for research purposes 23
• 3.4. Thesis proposal (part-time MSc only) 23
• 3.5. Thesis preparation 24
• 3.5.1. Introduction 24
• 3.5.2. Writing 24
• 3.5.3. References 25
• 3.5.4. Thesis length 25
• 3.6. Intellectual Property Rights and Plagiarism 26
• 3.6.1. Intellectual property rights 26
• 3.6.2. Plagiarism 26
• 3.7. Thesis submission 27
• 3.7.1. Overall 27
• 3.7.2. Title page 27
• 3.7.3. Abstract 27
• 3.7.4. Word processing 27
• 3.7.5. Submitting 27
• 3.7.6. Viva voce 27
• 3.7.7. Resubmitting your thesis 28
• 3.8. Notification of results of MSc 28
• 3.9. MSc thesis prize 28
• 3.10. Digital copies of MSc theses 28
• 3.11. Conferral of degree 28
• 4. Supervision and Teaching 29
• 1 29
• 4.2. Supervision reports 30
• 4.3. Skills training 31
• 4.4. Role of College Adviser 31
• 5. Applying for OII DPhil programmes 32
• 6. Feedback, Concerns and Queries 33
• 2 33
• 6.2. Complaints and academic appeals 34
• 6.2.1. Complaints about university services and academic matters 34
• 6.2.2. Academic appeals about examinations and assessments 35
• 6.2.3. Complaints about staff or student behaviour 35
• 7. Welfare and Support 36
• 7.1. Sources of advice, help and counselling 36
• 5 36
• 7.2. Disability Advisory Service 36
• 7.3. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 37
• 7.3.1. The Equality and Diversity Unit 37
• 7.3.2. The Oxford Students’ Union 37
• 7.3.3. EDI at the Social Sciences Division 37
• 7.3.4. EDI at the OII 37
• 7.4. OII Values and Code of Conduct 38
• 7.5. Bullying and harassment 38
• 7.5.1. Support within the University 38
• 7.5.2. Support external to the University 39
• 7.5.3. Raising your concern about a staff member’s conduct informally 40
• 7.5.4. Making a formal complaint about a member of staff 40
• 7.5.5. Making a complaint about another student 43
• 7.5.6. What to do if you hear about or witness bullying or harassment 43
• 8. Regulations and Policies 45
• 8.1. Codes of Conduct and University Regulations 45
• 8.2. Residence requirements 45
• 8.3. Suspension of status as a postgraduate student 46
• 8.4. Change of mode of study 46
• 8.5. Disability 46
• 8.6. University policy on student maternity, paternity and adoption leave 46
• 8.7. Health and safety 47
• 8.8. Fieldwork safety and training 47
• 8.9. OII Framework of Expectations for Inclusive Teaching 48
• 8.10. Educational Recordings Policy 48
• 8.11. Data protection 48
• 9. The University 49
• 3 49
• 9.2. The Colleges 49
• 9.3. Library facilities 50
• 9.3.1. Oxford libraries 50
• 9.3.2. The OII Library 50
• 9.3.3. The Bodleian Social Science Library 50
• 9.3.4. Bodleian Libraries 50
• 9.4. Computing facilities 50
• 9.4.1. University facilities 50
• 9.4.2. OII IT facilities 50
• 9.4.3. Canvas 51
• 9.5. Training facilities 51
• 9.6. The Language Centre 51
• 9.7. Careers guidance 51
• 10. Financial matters 52
• 4 52
• 10.2. OII MSc Social Budget 52
• 10.3. Disability Support Funding 52
• 10.4. Carers’ Support Fund 53
• 10.5. Grants, prizes and other funds 53
• 10.6. Paid work 53
• 10.7. Travel Insurance 53
• 10.8. Assistance with financial difficulties 53
• 10.8.1. University and college funding 53
• 10.8.2. OII Hardship Fund 54
• Appendix A: Graduate Joint Consultative Committee 55
• Appendix B: Standing Committees 56
• Appendix C: Graduate Supervision Reporting (GSR) 58
• Appendix D: Term Schedules 59
• Appendix E: Draft Examining Conventions - MSc in Social Science of the Internet 2024-25 61