MSc in Social Science of the Internet

The OII offers a ten-month residential Masters programme, the MSc in Social Science of the Internet (this will be offered for the first time in October 2009). This programme enables students from a wide variety of disciplinary backgrounds to take Internet-related courses in law, policy and other social sciences in the context of this dynamic and supportive multi-disciplinary department.

The MSc is a full-time intensively taught Masters course, with a core syllabus designed to ensure that all students attain an in-depth understanding of the social science concepts, theories and methods (including Internet-specific research methods) required to undertake and assess rigorous empirical research or policy analysis of Internet-related issues.

Students will take a combination of core and option papers, and produce a 10,000 word thesis on a research topic in areas of the OII's expertise. By the end of the degree, students will be expected to have gained an in-depth understanding of the main disciplinary, theoretical and methodological debates on key Internet issues.

Why choose the OII?

We are a world-leading centre for research and study of the Internet and its social implications, and we pride ourselves on providing a stimulating and friendly environment in which students can flourish. In addition to a busy calendar of seminars, conferences and social events, regular brownbag seminars engage faculty and students in discussion of ongoing research.

Understanding the societal implications of the Internet and related information and communication technologies requires the joining of disciplinary perspectives. As a multi-disciplinary department, the OII offers MSc students the opportunity to study pressing academic and policy-related issues which can only be understood by drawing on contributions from across different disciplines.

The intellectual life of the department is marked by a willingness to discuss and collaborate across disciplines, and students intending to study at the department are expected to embrace this ideal. We provide dedicated student working space in open plan offices with PCs available as needed. A common room is available for use by staff and students, as is our library collection of Internet-focused texts and journals.

About our students

The OII will admit up to 20 students for entry in 2010. The degree is designed for:

• Students who wish to focus on Internet studies in the further pursuit of a law degree or a doctoral degree in information, communication, or any of the social sciences, or to move into professional careers in these fields.
• Professionals who have done original, creative work on the Internet, such as in their early career, and wish to gain a broader understanding of the societal aspects of its design or use.

Many of our students return to academic study after time spent in employment, and we welcome the insight and experience that mature students bring to the department.

• Guangyue He

  MSc student

  During my study and practice of the law over the years, I never gave up seeking for a path that would allow me to combine my experience in law with my long-term interests in the public policy of the Internet. The dream had not come true until I got to know of this innovative MSc programme. The interdisciplinary approach makes us all-round researchers on the Internet from distinct perspectives. The small class size enables close interactions and friendships among peers, not to mention the personlised instructions from the supervisor and other faculty - I dare to say that the OII is one of a few places in the world where you can find a faculty-student ratio higher than 1.5! I believe my journey here will become an invaluable asset to my future career.

• Wei-Feng Ni

  MSc student

  After working in journalism for a couple of years, I found that I needed more academic training to sharpen my thoughts about this dynamic society, so I was wondering what I should do, and where I should go. My generation in a changing China was lucky enough to witness numerous things going on at the same time - one of them is the Internet. The Internet is subtly changing this country, from politics to people's day-to-day lives. Therefore, I decided to come to the OII, the only institution in the world running the fantastic MSc program in Social Science of the Internet. So far, apart from English food and the weather, I have been enjoying my time at the OII. I have learned a lot from the multi-disciplinary faculty as well as my brilliant peers, who come from different cultural and educational backgrounds. This is a place with a real remix culture, which usually fosters great ideas and cutting-edge research.

• Amaru Villanueva Rance

  MSc student

  I am currently researching interpersonal visibility patterns in online social networks with an aim to understand what role 'looking', and 'being seen to be looking' plays as a social cue in interactions, both mediated and unmediated. Other academic interests include post-Kantian continental philosophy, aesthetics and actor-network theory. I applied to the OII after wandering into 1 St Giles out of sheer curiosity on a cold November afternoon. Once inside, I found the people were friendly and welcoming, and that the coffee machine was working. I have since discovered the value of the 'multidisciplinarity' of this place; you seldom have the same discussion twice, and are always stimulated to look at problems from new angles. This constant intellectual breeze never lets the air get stale. Prior to coming to the OII, I read Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) at Oxford University. A Bolivian native, I have done work on the regulation and ownership of energy firms for the Bolivian Ministry of Hydrocarbons, and in the UK I have worked as a Research Analyst in related fields. I am grateful for the St Anne's Centenary Scholarship which is helping to fund my time here.

Last updated on: 4 February 2010