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    The OII is a dynamic and innovative department for Internet-related research and teaching, located in a world-leading traditional research university. Our faculty work at the cutting-edge of their fields, and this innovative research is fully reflected in their course teaching. As a fully multi-disciplinary department, we offer our students the opportunity to study academic, practical and policy-related issues that can only be understood by drawing on contributions from across many different fields.

    Welcome

    A word from the Director of Graduate Studies

    We are an innovative department and have deliberately sought to create a teaching environment that is welcoming, supportive and stimulating for all our students. The Oxford Internet Institute is the only major department in a top-ranked international university to offer multi-disciplinary social science degree programmes focusing on the Internet, attracting top students drawn from a variety of different disciplines. Studying at the Oxford Internet Institute is a unique experience where you can benefit from the many disciplines represented and leave equipped for careers in exciting and dynamic sectors such as technology industries, journalism, finance, law and academia.

    Professor Greg Taylor
    Associate Professor, Senior Research Fellow, Director of Graduate Studies

    Our Programmes

    Vicki Nash lecturing students

    MSc in Social Data Science

    A full-time masters programme taught by the OII and partner departments at Oxford. This multidisciplinary degree explores how to create and analyse data sets to understand important issues across the social sciences.

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    Students in a lecture

    MSc in Social Science of the Internet

    A full-time or part-time masters programme that equips students with the tools to conduct Internet research using methodologies and theories from across the social sciences.

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    Supervision Meeting

    DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences

    A full-time or part-time doctoral programme, this course provides the opportunity to do cutting-edge research on the societal implications of the Internet, drawing on the wide expertise of our faculty.

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    Adam Mahdi teaching

    DPhil in Social Data Science

    This full-time or part-time doctoral programme provides an opportunity for students to investigate novel research questions at the intersection of the computational and social sciences.

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    Sample courses

    Our faculty have expertise spanning a wide range of social, economic, political, legal, industrial, technical and ethical issues relating to the Internet. A sample of some of the courses is shown here. You can find a full list of courses on the programme pages.

    The Philosophy and Ethics of Information

    This course introduces some key concepts and phenomena related to information, and seeks to answer some crucial theoretical questions of great philosophical significance prompted by the development of the information society.

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    Digital Technology and Economic Organization

    This course will teach students how to apply basic social science theory towards analysing the impact of digital technologies on economic organization.

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    Digital Era Government and Politics

    This option course will approach the study of government and politics through the lens of data science.

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    Internet Economics

    A general introduction to the economics of the Internet, and to economics as a tool for social research more generally, emphasising issues such as competition, asymmetric information, trust and privacy, auctions, and network economics.

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    Human and Data Intelligence

    This course examines the roles of humans and machines in data intelligence, and the collaboration, cooperation, contention, and competition between them.

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    Digital Capitalism and its Inequalities

    This course will explore what the digital has done, is doing, and will do to capitalism and all of those who live within it. It encourages students to ask questions about digital technologies and power: who do they empower?; who do they disempower?

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    Inspirational teachers and thinkers

    Our faculty work at the cutting-edge of their fields and this innovative research is fully reflected in their course teaching.

    As a fully multi-disciplinary department, we offer our students the opportunity to study academic, practical and policy-related issues that can only be understood by drawing on contributions from across many different fields; from political science to computer science, from philosophy to law, from geography to economics, from sociology to psychology and education.

    Living

    The academic environment, diverse seminar programme and openness to new student ideas makes the OII one of the most exciting Oxford departments to be a part of.

    Mor Rubinstein
    Former MSc Student

    We are a relatively small department, so you will have ample opportunities to get to know your fellow students and the members of the faculty during your time here.Student organisers run our annual Connected Life conference which attracts attendees not only from the OII but from across many departments at Oxford, universities across the UK, and elsewhere in the world. Students have also organised group trips to places like Brussels, Berlin, and Barcelona where they have met with policy leaders and industry representatives.

    With over 200 student societies across the University, whatever your interests or level (whether sporting, music, politics, journalism, etc.) there will probably be a group of students with similar interests. OII students have been involved as leaders in the Oxford Union, on college and university athletic teams, and in many forms of political and social engagement. Also, many choose to be active participants in college life at Oxford, serving on college academic and social committees and earning positions such as Junior Dean.Students are also encouraged to reach out to the world via social media by posting, tweeting, blogging, podcasting, and sharing their thoughts with the world.

    The collegiate system

    Oxford bikes
    PauloMichel

    Oxford is a collegiate university: students and teaching staff belong both to a department and to a college. There are 38 independent, self-governing colleges at Oxford University. The collegiate system is at the heart of the University’s success, providing intimate and multidisciplinary communities, where graduate students meet academics and fellow students from around the world and from a broad range of subjects, well beyond their own fields.

    Colleges typically provide library and IT facilities, accommodation, welfare support, and sports and social events. Graduate students also benefit from the Middle Common Room (MCR) in their college – both a physical space and an organisation, it provides social events, advice, and a link to the graduate community.

    Your college will have a Tutor for Graduates or Senior Tutor whose role includes general oversight of all graduate members of the college, although your academic studies will be directed by your department or faculty. Each graduate student has a college adviser, a senior member of the college’s staff who will be able to offer support and advice.

    Further information is available on choosing a college on the University website, and from college prospectuses.

    International Students

    Studying in a new country is a major life change, and it can take some time to adjust. Opportunities to socialise with other students, including other international students who are experiencing the same change as you, are abundant inside and outside the department. The University hosts over 400 clubs and societies you can join, many of which are international student groups from various countries around the world. An Orientation Programme specifically for international students is also held each year, which will give you the opportunity to meet with other international students as well as ask questions.

    Practicalities

    If you are an overseas student, you will require a student visa to study at the OII. Once your acceptance to the OII and University of Oxford is unconditional (i.e. all conditions have been met), you will need to apply for a Student Visa from the UK government. The visa process involves a number of steps. Visit the Oxford Student Visa and Immigration web page for more information.

    Studying at the OII is intensive and challenging, whether you are embarking on one of our MSc or DPhil programmes. To help you prepare, you may be interested in registering for the summer Pre-sessional course in English for academic purposes. This six-week course run by the University Language Centre is focused on language proficiency, academic writing and study skills to help you perform your best when the course begins. The Language Centre also offers year-round courses and support for students with English as a second language, as well as training and resources in many other languages.

    Information on traveling to Oxford from airports around the UK, opening a UK bank account, registering with a doctor, fulfilling your visa conditions, and much more is available on the Oxford Students website.

    The Graduate Studies Team

    The Graduate Studies team are here to help students during the application process and support them throughout their time at the Oxford Internet Institute. If you have any questions about the application process, you can contact us at admissions@oii.ox.ac.uk

     

    Our alumni

    Students in lecture