Skip to content
University of Oxford
School of Geography and the Environment

 School of Geography and the Environment

International Graduate School

Provision for Postgraduate Taught Courses' Students

Who is the Course Director with overall responsibility for students on this course?

The following are the course Director and course Coordinator for each course. The Coordinator looks after the day-to-day running of the course and is the person you should contact in the first instance with any queries.

  • MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management
    Director: Prof. Robert Whittaker; Coordinator: Dr Shonil Bhagwat
  • MSc in Environmental Change and Management
    Director and Coordinator: Dr Thomas Thornton
  • MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Policy
    Director: Dr Derek McCormack; Coordinator: Dr Paul Jepson
  • MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management
    Director: Dr Simon Dadson; Coordinator: Dr Robert Hope

What induction arrangements will be made?

There is a compulsory departmental induction at the beginning of 0th Week in Michaelmas Term (the week before the start of your first term) and all students are expected to attend. This is where you will receive information on the general rules of the department and Oxford University and how to use the department / University computer systems and the University libraries. The MSc courses will hold group meetings where you will learn more about the course content including information on available option courses, timetables, examinations and facilities. The induction will also include a social event where you will have the opportunity to meet your classmates and other MSc students and to also meet members of staff. You will also receive a college induction during this week.

Some MSc courses run short field trips in the UK prior to the induction (usually held during the last few days in September). The field trips are an integral part of the courses and you will be expected to attend. These trips will allow core-teaching staff to introduce the course in a relaxed setting and allow core course themes to be explored. It is also an excellent opportunity for you to meet your fellow classmates. Information on the induction together with a timetable will be sent to you in the early summer before you come to Oxford.

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

The MSc courses are one-year taught courses and you will be registered as a student at Oxford University from October until the end of September of the following year. Oxford University has three terms each of 8 weeks duration. These terms are called: Michaelmas Term (October to December); Hilary Term (January to March); Trinity Term (April to June). You will be expected to be in residence at Oxford for each of the 8 weeks of term. You will be free to leave Oxford after the end of each term but are advised to return during the week prior to the start of the next term (referred to as 0th week). Most written examinations will take place during Trinity Term and you will need to make sure that you do not leave Oxford until your examinations have finished. The long vacation is the period after Trinity Term ends before the start of the new academic year in October. During this period you will be able to undertake your dissertation research either in Oxford or overseas (according to your research). You will need to submit your dissertation at the end of August and you will need to be available to return to Oxford in September if you are called back for a viva voce (an interview between the examiners and candidate usually called if the candidate is borderline between pass / fail or pass / distinction or, more rarely, where plagiarism is suspected). Your examination results will be known towards the end of the third week in September.

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

Each MSc courses will involve you undertaking core courses and option courses for which you will receive lectures and reading lists. These are held throughout the first and second terms. 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. You will be expected to show initiative and effort in exploring literature and ideas. There will be question and answer sessions every few weeks, which provide you with an opportunity to ask questions about the material covered to date and other aspects of your course. Research skills training will be provided which will cover both social surveys, data analysis and statistical analysis and this will be compulsory. You will also be able to attend various workshops linked specifically to your course and more generic workshops such as those held on essay writing skills. There will also be an opportunity to broaden your knowledge via the great number of lectures in other courses and public seminars offered by both the department and other departments and colleges within the University. Each of the five research groups within the department holds specific research seminar series, which are compulsory parts of some courses, and visiting speakers are chosen specifically to supplement and / or provide alternate views on material covered in core lectures. You will also be expected to attend a field trip which is usually held at the end of the second term. The field trips often visit countries such as Spain and France.

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

There is no one-to-one teaching on the MSc courses however, staff members will be available to advise you on reading, literature and topics and you will be assigned a personal adviser who will also be available to assist in these matters. You will also be given a supervisor to help guide you through your dissertation research. Students often arrange small group meetings between themselves to discuss reading lists before their lectures. Research students within the department are often willing to offer some guidance on dissertation topics which are similar to their research areas.

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 your progress and they will also complete the joint progress report form each term with help from the course Coordinator. If you have any queries you should speak with the course Coordinator in the first instance.

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

The department has a computer room available for you to use. There are dedicated IT times each day when students can seek help from our IT staff (8.30-10.30am). There is an excellent IT Support page on the departmental Intranet which gives a comprehensive guide to solving computer problems and you can always send an email if you require more specific help. The Oxford University Computer Services (OUCS) run courses on various computer programmes and can offer help and guidance (see the OUCS website for further information). Oxford University has an extensive library system and the Radcliffe Science Library is the main lending service within the University for the material you will require and a large part of its material can be borrowed for a limited period. A tutorial on using the library and IT facilities will be provided at your induction and will be available in your inductions packs (see the University of Oxford Libraries website for further details).

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

The department has five research clusters that hold research seminars throughout term-time (see our Research section for further information). For some courses these seminars are compulsory and for others you will be strongly encouraged to attend. Most MSc courses also hold their own seminar series. Evening Departmental Lectures are held during term-time and you will be advised to attend as many seminars and lectures as possible. Each MSc 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, workshops, computer and laboratory classes and field-based exercises. There will be research skills training provided in preparation for your dissertation as well as developing an understanding of the research process; these will cover such things as social surveys, data analysis and statistical techniques. The option on 'Statistics for Social Science' will be helpful to those who are likely to use statistical techniques in their dissertations as the techniques are the same whether used in the social or natural science setting. You will also be able to attend an 'Essay Writing Skills' workshop which will help you to develop in this area.

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

Concerns regarding your own individual academic welfare should be directed to your personal advisor, who is drawn from the department's academic staff. Your advisor can assist you with many aspects of academic life at Oxford. Practical concerns related to your MSc programme may be directed to the course Coordinator and administrative concerns can be directed to the MSc Secretary. The Oxford University Student Union also has considerable expertise in the area of academic welfare and offers several publications and services that may be of use to you. These include the provision of study skills sessions with an expert in this area. Information can be found on the Oxford University Student Union website. Each MSc course will hold its own student meetings each term and there will be one meeting each term of the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) which is a forum for students to provide comprehensive feedback to the department. The JCC may be a single individual or a panel of up to three class representatives. The JCC is responsible for voicing the concerns and wishes of students and may request a meeting with the Programme directors and administrators at any time. Representatives from the JCC will also be asked to attend the department's Graduate Studies Committee which meets twice a term. This committee is ultimately responsible for addressing any concerns raised by students.

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

Many colleges will be able to provide you with accommodation. You can also seek help and advice on finding accommodation from the University Land Agent's and Accommodation Office (see the Land Agent's and Accommodation Office website for further information). Generally speaking your college will provide meals throughout the year, but provision will vary from college to college, especially during vacations, and you will need to familiarise yourself with your college's detailed arrangements. In addition there are usually self-catering facilities available in graduate accommodation. You will be a member of the Middle Common Room, or equivalent, of your college, which is the main social centre for graduates. 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 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 the college. Please see individual college websites for further details about all aspects of college provision.

What arrangements are in place for pastoral and welfare support?

There is an extensive framework of support for graduates within each college. Your college will allocate to you a College Advisor from among its Senior Members, usually in a cognate subject, who will arrange to see you from time to time and who you may contact for additional advice and support on academic and other matters. In college you may also approach the Tutor for Graduates and / or the Senior Tutor 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 an advice.