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Oxford Internet Institute

A multidisciplinary research and teaching department of the University of Oxford, dedicated to the social science of the Internet.

Oxford University

A multidisciplinary research and teaching department of the University of Oxford, dedicated to the social science of the Internet.

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Welcome to our Open Days

Welcome to our Open Days

We are the only major department in a top-ranked international university to offer multi-disciplinary social science degree programmes focusing on the Internet and digital data. If you are thinking about applying for one of our programmes at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, you are invited to come to one of the department’s Open Days.

Meet our faculty and find out about our Masters and Doctoral programmes, their content and structure, and the admissions process. Our current students and alumni will also share some of their experiences of Oxford life.

Get in touch

Register

If you would like to discuss the programmes with teaching faculty and current students we usually hold two open days a year, in September and November. If you are can’t attend one of the Open Days, our Virtual Open Day is an excellent way for you to find out more about the Oxford Internet Institute.

Student Open day

15 September 2017

Student Open day - Fully booked. Registration is now closed.

Student Open day

17 November 2017

Student Open day - Fully booked. Registration is now closed.

Virtual Open Day

If you can’t attend one of the Open Days we hold every year then our Virtual Open Day is a excellent way to find out more about the OII and our degree programmes.

Explore

Virtual Open Day - No booking needed

Welcome 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 Eric Meyer, Professor of Social Informatics and Director of Graduate Studies

Studying at the Oxford Internet Institute

Professor Eric Meyer provides an overview of the Oxford Internet Institute a multidisciplinary research and teaching department of the University of Oxford, dedicated to the social science of the Internet,  as well introducing our degree programmes.

This includes our MSc in Social Science of the Internet, MSc in Social Data Science, DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences and DPhil in Social Data Science (starting in 2019).

Explore our programmes optional

Our Degree programmes

MSc in Social Science of the Internet

The MSc in Social Science of the Internet provides an in-depth understanding of the social science concepts, theories and methods required to undertake and assess rigorous empirical research or policy analysis of Internet-related issues.

In addition to core papers in Internet social dynamics, technologies and regulation, statistics and research methods, students choose from a variety of specialist options papers such as Internet law, economics, governance and politics, social networks, or more advanced study of Internet methods. In their third term, students undertake original research in their own area of interest.

Full-time (1 year) or Part-time (2 years).

View programme page Social Science of the Internet

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MSc in Social Science of the Internet

The MSc in Social Science of the Internet provides an in-depth understanding of the social science concepts, theories and methods required to undertake and assess rigorous empirical research or policy analysis of Internet-related issues.

In addition to core papers in Internet social dynamics, technologies and regulation, statistics and research methods, students choose from a variety of specialist options papers such as Internet law, economics, governance and politics, social networks, or more advanced study of Internet methods. In their third term, students undertake original research in their own area of interest.

Full-time (1 year) or Part-time (2 years).

View programme page Social Science of the Internet

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MSc in Social Data Science

The MSc in Social Data Science provides in-depth training in how to create viable datasets out of messy, real world data; and to develop the tools and techniques to analyse them to tell us something about the world, through explanation, prediction and testing of interventions.

In addition to foundational papers in Social Data Science, Applied Analytical Statistics, Research Methods, Visualization, students take a set of Intensive papers that introduce the programming skills for data capture and cleaning, teach statistical and machine learning fundamentals, and cover techniques for scaling analysis to large datasets.

Social Data Science students can select two option papers which enable students to pursue issues of particular interest in greater depth, whilst developing their specialist skills.

Full-time degree (1 Year)

View programme page Social Data Science

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DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences

The DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences combines high-quality supervision from field-leading academics with tailored training in research methods and graduate skills focusing on a broad range of qualitative and quantitative approaches to understanding the Internet.

The multi-disciplinary research environment means that our doctoral students can pursue research either within a single discipline or draw from methods and theories across a range of subjects. Our vigorous events programme ensures that students are exposed to some of the most exciting people and developments in the Internet field, and we make a big effort to get to know our students individually and to support the growth of strong peer-group networks.

Full time (3-4 Years) or Part-time (6-8 Years)

View programme page Information Communication and the Social Sciences

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DPhil in Social Data Science

The DPhil in Social Data Science (starting in 2019) combines high-quality supervision from field-leading academics with training emphasizing research applications of digitally-generated social data.

The OII is partnering with multiple departments to jointly offer this new degree, including engineering science, statistics, sociology, computer science, and other departments across the University of Oxford. This will allow students to draw on Oxford’s wide range of disciplinary expertise in their classes and from their supervisors.

View programme page Social Data Science

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 option course for the OII MSc in "Social Science of the Internet" examines the philosophy and ethics of Information, its problems, approaches, and methods.

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The Philosophy and Ethics of Information

This option course for the OII MSc in "Social Science of the Internet" examines the philosophy and ethics of Information, its problems, approaches, and methods.

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Digital Technology and Economic Organization

This option course for the OII MSc in "Social Science of the Internet" 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 for the OII MSc in "Social Science of the Internet" examines the impact of the Internet and related technologies on the core activities and institutions of government and politics

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Internet Economics

This option course for the OII MSc in "Social Science of the Internet" provides an introduction to the economics of the Internet and to economics as a tool for social research more generally.

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Digital Ethnography

This methods option course for the OII MSc in "Social Science of the Internet" is designed to give students experience both collecting and analysing qualitative data as part of ethnographic research.

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Wrangling Data

This methods option course for the OII MSc in "Social Science of the Internet" will familiarize the student with a variety of techniques for cleaning and shaping data.

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Big Data in Society: OII MSc Option Course

This option course for the OII MSc in "Social Science of the Internet" moves beyond the hype to critically examine the unprecedented opportunities and serious challenges inherent in big data approaches to advancing knowledge.

Student Life

What’s it like to be a student at the Oxford Internet Institute? Our students share their experiences of life in Oxford.

The city of Oxford

The Oxford Internet Institute is located in the heart of the city of Oxford, a cosmopolitan city of stunning architecture, history, and culture with plenty to see and do. In the city centre, you will find lots of shops, cafés, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, pubs and clubs.

Oxford is also home to many historic and iconic buildings, including the Bodleian Libraries, Ashmolean Museum, Sheldonian Theatre, the cathedral and the colleges.

There are plenty of green spaces too, including England’s oldest botanic garden, the University Parks, college gardens, and wandering riverside paths.

Oxford also boasts a thriving arts community with concerts, exhibitions, and cultural events available daily. London is also one hour from Oxford so students can take advantage of the many opportunities for study and fun in the capital.

Application and admissions guidance

Our friendly and expert Graduate Admissions Team is here to help you through the application process, so if you would like any assistance or to discuss your options, please get in touch.

Victoria McDermott, MSc Co-Ordinator: Victoria manages the administrative support for the OII’s MSc Programme, from recruitment and admissions, through to on-course student progression. She is also the Disability Co-Ordinator for the Department.

Laura Maynard, DPhil Co-Ordinator: Laura manages all on-course administration for the OII’s DPhil Programme.

Jordan Davies, Events & Graduate Studies Officer: Jordan administers student recruitment and supports the Graduate Studies Co-Ordinators in providing administrative support for the OII’s teaching programmes, including setting up the new MSc in Social Data Science.

Admissions overview

We understand that applying for graduate study can be an anxious time, but we have put together some helpful information to guide you through the process.

Useful links:

 

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Admissions overview

We understand that applying for graduate study can be an anxious time, but we have put together some helpful information to guide you through the process.

Useful links:

 

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Admissions FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the admissions and application process.

  • Q1: How do I choose a college?
  • Q2: How do I apply for an English Language Waiver?
  • Q3: When will I know if I have funding from Oxford?
  • Q4: How long after I submit my application will I know the result?

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Masters FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions about our Masters programmes.

  • Q1: How competitive is the MSc Programme?
  • Q2: I am currently finishing my undergrad, but won’t have my final grades until September. Can I still apply?
  • Q3: If I apply for the MSc and already have a masters, does the GPA from my Bachelors need to meet the requirement?
  • Q4: What if my GPA is lower than 3.5, but I finished my programme 8 years ago and have been working in a relevant setting?
  • Q5: What if I don’t have a recent writing sample to submit?
  • Q6: How do I choose a supervisor?
  • Q7: What academic backgrounds do OII students usually have?

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DPhil FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions about our DPhil programmes.

  • Q1: What academic backgrounds do OII students usually have?
  • Q2: How competitive is the DPhil Programme?
  • Q3: How do I choose a supervisor?
  • Q4: How long does it take to complete the course?
  • Q5: How do I apply for an English Language Waiver?
  • Q6: When will I know if I have funding from Oxford?
  • Q7: How long after I submit my application will I know the result?

Meet our Alumni

Discover more Alumni stories

Our students come from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds; some might have already spent some time in employment. Former Students shares career highlights, insights, and memories of being a student at the OII.