Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Course Director with overall responsibility for students on these courses?

• MPhil in Development Studies: Dr Xiaolan Fu
• MSc in Economics for Development: Professor Christopher Adam
• MSc in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies: Professor Dawn Chatty
• MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy: Dr Rodney B. Hall
• MSc in Migration Studies: Dr Mette Louise Berg
  
  

What induction arrangements will be made?

There is a compulsory departmental induction for each course at the beginning of 0th Week in Michaelmas Term and all students are expected to attend. During the induction meetings students will learn about the course content including information on available option courses where relevant, timetables, examinations and facilities. They will also receive information on the general rules of the department and Oxford University and how to use the department/University libraries and computer systems. Each student is issued with a Course Handbook containing the information they will need during their period of study.

The induction will also include a social event when students will have the opportunity to meet their classmates and other students within the department and also to meet members of staff.

Students also receive a college induction during this week.

What is the overall length of the course, and for how many weeks are students expected to work in Oxford?

All students are registered from October in the year in which they begin their course until the end of their final examinations, including viva voce examinations and the publication of results. The University of Oxford has three terms, each eight weeks long (Full Term) during which students are expected to be in residence in Oxford. These terms are called Michaelmas Term (October to December), Hilary Term (January to March), and Trinity Term (April to June). Students must be in residence in Oxford during Full Term and are expected to be here in the week prior to the start of Full Term (0th Week) in order to take part in any required activities. Some courses also require students to be in Oxford for 9th Week in some terms.

Most, but not all, written examinations will take place during Trinity Term and students will need to make sure that they do not leave Oxford until their examinations have finished.  Students should ensure they do not leave Oxford until the Examiners for their course have confirmed whether any viva voce are required. This is an interview between Examiners and the candidate and is usually called if the candidate is borderline between pass/fail or pass/distinction.

The long vacation is the period after Trinity Term ends and the new academic year begins in October. During this period, students who have completed the first year of the MPhil in Development Studies will undertake field research for their dissertation.  The MPhil dissertation is submitted in 1st Week of Trinity Term of their final year. Students on the other courses complete the work on their dissertation or extended essay during Hilary and Trinity and submit the finished paper in 6th Week of Trinity Term.

What is the pattern of lectures, classes seminars, tutorials and self-directed work for this course?

Each course will require students to undertake core courses and, in some cases, option courses for which they will receive lectures and reading lists. These are held throughout Michaelmas and Hilary Terms with some classes also taking place in Trinity Term. It is a fundamental component of the Oxford educational system that students engage in individual reading and study in order to broaden and deepen their knowledge of their chosen field. Students will be expected to show initiative and effort in exploring literature and ideas.  Students will submit various pieces of written work throughout the period of their course.

Research skills training will be provided which will cover both social surveys, data analysis and statistical analysis and this will be compulsory for all master’s courses. There will also be an opportunity for students to broaden their knowledge via the great number of lectures in other courses and public seminars offered both by this department and by other departments and colleges within the University. Students are encouraged to attend wherever possible.

What one-to-one or small group teaching will students on this course receive?

There is limited one-to-one teaching on the courses, such as meetings or tutorial sessions conducted between a student and their supervisor where advice can be given on reading, literature and guidance on dissertation research or essay writing. There is some teaching in small groups of three or four for some of the courses, particularly the option courses that are chosen by only a small number of students. Students often arrange small group meetings or reading groups among themselves. Small group classes of around ten students are also held for some courses, where students may have the opportunity to make oral presentations, followed by general discussion.

Who will take overall responsibility for an individual student’s progress and for completing the joint progress report form in each term of the course?

The Course Director has overall responsibility for the students’ progress. Each student has a designated course supervisor who offers individual advice, monitors performance and completes the progress report each term.

What workspace will be provided?  What IT support/library facilities will be available?

Students have the use of computers connected to printers situated in various areas either within this department or in Economics (for the MSc in Economics for Development students). There are also areas within the department which have wireless access. Laptops should be checked by the IT staff in order to ensure they are compatible with the computer system within the department. The Oxford University Computing Services (OUCS) have some facilities and also run courses on various programmes and can offer help and guidance.

Oxford University has an extensive library system. The Social Science Library is the main library for the material required by students on our courses. Material can be borrowed for a limited period.  A session on using the library and IT facilities will be arranged during induction.

What opportunities are provided for students to take part in research seminars or groups?  What formal graduate skills training will be provided?

The department contains a number of centres which conduct research, seminars, workshops and visitors' programmes and contribute to graduate teaching. There are also a number of centres elsewhere in the University working on various aspects of development studies, often in conjunction with our staff. Departmental seminars are held during term-time and students are encouraged to attend as many seminars and lectures as possible. Each course will provide formal training designed to provide in-depth knowledge over a wide range of topics which will be provided through the lectures, seminars and exercises. There will be research skills training provided in preparation for work on dissertations and extended essays which will help develop an understanding of the research process; these will cover social surveys, data collection and analysis and statistical techniques.

What are the arrangements for student feedback and for responding to student concerns?

Students may, in the first instance, discuss their concerns with their course supervisor who is drawn from the department’s academic staff. The supervisor can assist with various aspects of academic life at Oxford.  Practical concerns related to the courses may be directed to the Course Director and administrative concerns can be directed to the Graduate Student Administrator or Course Co-ordinator.  The final ports of call are the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and the Director and Head of Department. Students may also approach their Advisors at their College as well as the Senior Tutor or Tutor for Graduates.

The Oxford University Student Union also has considerable expertise in the area of academic welfare and offers several publications and services that are of use to students. These include the provision of study skills sessions with an expert in this area. Information can be found on their website at: http://www.ousu.org/.

Each course holds regular Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meetings, which are a forum for students to provide comprehensive feedback to the department. Concerns raised during the JCC meetings are reported back to the department’s Graduate Studies Committee and course Teaching Committees. In addition, students have the opportunity to provide anonymous, written feedback on course questionnaires every term.

What arrangements for accommodation, meals and social facilities will be made for students on a graduate course?

Many colleges are able to provide accommodation for students or will direct the student to the University’s Accommodation Office for help with securing accommodation. The college also provides meals throughout the year, but provision will vary from college to college, especially during vacations. In addition here are usually self-catering facilities available in graduate accommodation.

Students reading for postgraduate degrees are members of the Middle Common Room or equivalent in their college, which is the main social centre. The MCR provides a common room and usually organises a programme of social events throughout the year. The college will also provide a bar, some computing facilities and a library, and may often have dedicated funds for research (conference and field research grants).  It also represents the interests of its members to the college through an elected Committee or through elected representatives to College Committees. Again, details will vary from college to college. Graduates are also welcome to participate in all other social and sporting activities of their college, further details of which can be found on individual college websites.

What arrangements are in place for pastoral and welfare support?

There is an extensive framework of support for graduates within each college. Students are allocated to a College Advisor from amongst the college’s Senior Members, who will arrange to see the student from time to time and who may also be contacted for additional advice and support on academic and other matters. Each college also has a Tutor for Graduates and/or a Senior Tutor who can be approached for advice. The Tutor for Graduates is a fellow of the college with particular responsibility for the interests and welfare of graduate students.  In some colleges, the Senior Tutor will also have the role of Tutor for Graduates. Each college will also have other named individuals who can offer individual advice.  The Student Union can also offer help and advice.

The University also has a Counselling Service which provides assistance with personal, emotional, social and academic problems. From the main University home page, there is a link to a site containing information for 'current students' which includes a page on welfare which has links to a wide variety of services and facilities available.