UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Department of Economics
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2015-2016
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN
ECONOMICS
Version 15/16/2.0
For the latest version and updates visit the Department WebLearn site –
https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/socsci/econ/curr_student/graduate
1
Foreword
Statement of Coverage
This handbook applies to students starting the MPhil Economics in Michaelmas Term 2015. The
information in this handbook may be different for students starting in other years.
Disclaimer
The Examination Regulations relating to these courses are available at;
MPhil Economics - http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/201516/mophilinecon/administratorview/
If there is a conflict between information in this handbook and the Examination Regulations
then you should follow the Examination Regulations. If you have any concerns please contact
the Graduate Administrator ([email protected]).
The information in this handbook is accurate as at 28 February 2016 however it may be
necessary for changes to be made in certain circumstances, as explained at
www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/coursechanges. If such changes are made the department will publish a
new version of this handbook together with a list of the changes and students will be informed.
2
CONTENTS
1.
Introduction
Page 5
2.
The Department of Economics
Page 5
3.
The Social Sciences Divisional Board
Page 6
4.
The Graduate Studies Committee for Economics
MPhil Economics Committee
University Supervision of Graduate Students
MPhil
Page 7
Page 8
Page 8
Page 9
6.
Graduate Supervision System (GSS)
Page 9
7.
Fieldwork Safety and Training
Page 10
8.
The Degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Economics
Examinations
Prizes
Provision of Feedback
MPhil thesis
Timetable for the MPhil Examinations
Page 12
Page 12
Page 13
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
9.
Admission to DPhil after MPhil
Proceeding directly from finishing MPhil to starting the
DPhil
Page 16
Page 16
10.
Key Timings and Timetable for Progress to DPhil
Initial status: MPhil student
Page 17
Page 17
11.
Social Sciences Induction Programme 2015/16
Page 18
12.
Ethical Review Procedures for Research in the Social Sciences
Page 18
13.
ORA and Digital Publication of Thesis
Page 19
5.
Social Sciences Division – Restricted Access
Arrangements
Page 20
Dispensation from Consultation of your thesis – library
and ORA
Page 21
Journal articles within the thesis
Page 21
The copyright in the thesis
Page 22
Third party copyright
Page 22
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Intellectual Property Rights
Page 22
Plagiarism
Page 22
14.
Terms of Residence and Dispensation
Page 23
15.
Suspension of Status, Lapse of Status and Reinstatement
Page 23
16.
Teaching by Graduate Students
Page 24
17.
Policy on recording of lectures
Page 24
18.
Annual Activity Report
Page 26
19.
Library Facilities for Graduate Students in Economics
Page 26
20.
IT Facilities
Page 27
21.
The George Webb Medley Endowment Fund
Page 29
22.
Financial Assistance for Students
Page 29
23.
The Joint Committee of the Department of Economics and Junior
Members on Graduate Matters (GJCC)
Page 30
24.
Problems and Advice
Page 30
25.
University Policy on Student Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
Page 31
26.
Equality and Diversity at Oxford
Page 32
27.
Course Content and Structure
Page 33
28.
Appendix 1: List of Application Forms for Graduate Students
Page 42
Appendix 2: Code of Practice on Supervision
Page 43
Appendix 3: Complaints and Academic Appeals within the Department of
Economics
Page 44
Appendix 4: EPSC Notes of Guidance on Plagiarism
Page 46
Appendix 5: MPhil Marking Scheme
Page 48
Appendix 6: Notification of MPhil Supervisor Form – for completion
Page 49
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1.
Introduction
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to graduate studies in the Department of Economics.
As a graduate of the Oxford MPhil Economics programme myself, I know that the years
ahead will be both challenging and rewarding. Our beautiful subject is at times difficult and
frustrating, but is ultimately inspirational as a way of organising our understanding of the
society we live in. I wish you an exciting journey into the world of graduate-level economics.
Professor Martin Ellison
MPhil Director
These guidance notes have been prepared by the Graduate Studies Committee of the
Department of Economics. They are intended as a source of information in their own right,
and as a guide to other sources of information. We hope that they will be useful both to
graduate students arriving in Oxford for the first time and to those already here. Comments
on, or criticisms of, these notes are welcome and should be sent to the Director of Graduate
Studies in Economics.
The University of Oxford is a complicated institution but not, we hope, an unfriendly one. These
guidance notes will help you to get over some of the administrative hurdles which you will
encounter. You should, in particular, consult them whenever you enter for an examination, change
supervision or apply to suspend status.
Please note the following points which may help you to find your bearings in the University:
 You should ensure that you have been issued with a University card by your college. This
card, among various other functions, gives you access to the Bodleian and Bodleian Social
Science libraries.
2.

Make sure that you have a University email address and access to the Internet. There is a
large amount of relevant information on the Department of Economics Website and
notices from the Department are typically distributed to graduate students through email.

Make sure that you have a copy of the Lecture List, available on WebLearn;
https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/socsci.econ/curr_student/graduate

Information about research interests of current graduate students and staff may be found
on the Department of Economics website (www.economics.ox.ac.uk)
The Department of Economics
Most teachers of Economics in the University have both University and College posts. The
Department of Economics is housed in purpose-built accommodation in the Manor Road Building
on Manor Road.
5
http://www.economics.ox.ac.uk/
The building, designed by Sir Norman Foster, houses the Bodleian Social Science Library,
research facilities, graduate workspace area, lecture theatre, teaching rooms, IT training rooms
and a large common room for faculty and graduate students.
The Department has a first-class research library open to all members of the University. It
possesses over 150,000 books and 500 current social science journals, all on open shelving. There
are places for 400 readers, including three study rooms for exclusive use by graduates. It also has
extensive IT facilities.
The Department is home to the Oxford Centre for the Analysis of Resource Rich Economies
(OxCarre), Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE), and the Oxford Institute for
Global Economic Development (OxIGED).
OxCarre has been established to become a global centre of excellence for the analysis of resourcerich economies, under the direction of the BP Professor of Economics. The centre will act as the
core of a global network, undertaking rigorous research to improve our understanding of the
performance of resource-rich economies. It brings together existing Oxford expertise in the
theoretical and empirical economics and applies this to the issues facing resource-rich economies
in the developing and the developed world.
http://www.oxcarre.ox.ac.uk/
CSAE applies modern research methods to Africa's economic problems. It offers attractive
facilities to doctoral students working on topics related to the economics of Africa and other parts
of the developing world, and also manages the Museveni Scholarship.
http://www.csae.ox.ac.uk/
OxIGED has been established as a network within the University of Oxford to promote the
economic analysis of development and the global economy. OxIGED will provide a focus for
researchers, post-doctoral fellows, and research students in development economics and
international economics, and those in related disciplines including business and international
relations.
http://www.oxiged.ox.ac.uk/
3.
The Social Sciences Divisional Board
Graduate students in Economics at Oxford come under the jurisdiction of the Social Sciences
Divisional Board which, for MPhil students, is responsible for:
(i)
The admission of students
(ii)
Appointing a University supervisor for each student;
(iii) Electing nominators who nominate the six examiners for the degree of MPhil
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(iv) Wording the rubrics which determine the title and content of the examination papers for the
MPhil
(v)
Arranging the lectures, classes and seminars which are designed primarily for MPhil
candidates, but open to all graduate students;
(vi) Granting suspensions of status;
(vii) Granting dispensation from residence requirements;
These responsibilities are carried out according to the decrees and regulation published each year
under the title Examination Regulations (http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/). The following
notes are largely an informal description and interpretation of these rules. Students with special
problems will, however, need to consult the Examination Regulations themselves, preferably with
the help of their supervisors. Cases sometimes arise which need to be referred to the Social
Sciences Divisional Board or to the University’s Educational Policy and Standards Committee.
The Examination Regulations are, of course, the authoritative expression of the University rules
and take precedence over these informal notes in any cases of conflict or ambiguity.
http://www.socsci.ox.ac.uk/
4.
The Graduate Studies Committee for Economics
In practice most of the responsibilities shown in Section 3 are delegated by the Social Sciences
Divisional Board to its Graduate Studies Committees. The Economics Graduate Studies
Committee has around ten members, who are chosen annually. For the academic year 2015-2016,
the Director of Graduate Studies (and thus chair of the Committee) is Professor Mark Armstrong.
The Director of the MPhil, Professor Martin Ellison, and the Director of the MSc (Development
Economics), Prof Chris Adam (Michaelmas Term 2015)/Prof Doug Gollin (Hilary and Trinity
Terms 2016), are also on the Committee.
The Committee meets on the Tuesdays of 2nd and 7th weeks of each full term. The decisions are
then notified to the individual students by the Graduate Studies Coordinator, Lesley Darcy.
Students who want applications considered (e.g., for suspension of status) should ensure that their
applications are sent to the Secretary of the Graduate Studies Committee and Graduate Studies
Coordinator, Lesley Darcy (Social Sciences Division, Hayes House, 75 George Street, Oxford
OX1 2BQ) by the dates listed below. Lesley may be contacted on 01865 (6)14863 or [email protected]
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2015/16 Term
Meeting Date
Application Deadline Date
Michaelmas, week 2
20th October 2015
14th October 2015
Michaelmas, week 7
24th November 2015
18th November 2015
Hilary, week 2
26th January 2016
20th January 2016
Hilary, week 7
1st March 2016
24th February 2016
Trinity, week 2
3rd May 2016
27th April 2016
Trinity, week 7
7th June 2016
1st June 2016
Applicants should note in particular that the committee does not meet over the summer, i.e.,
between the 7th week of Trinity Term and the 2nd week of Michaelmas Term (in mid-October).
All graduate forms can be downloaded from
http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/graduate/progression
A list of all application forms applicable for MPhil students is given in Appendix 1.
The MPhil Economics Committee
The MPhil Economics committee was convened in Trinity Term 2010 and has around seven
members, who are chosen annually. For the academic year 2015-2016, the Director of the MPhil
(and thus chair of the Committee) is Professor Martin Ellison. Members also include the course
convenors and chairman of examiners.
The Committee is responsible for ensuring the effective teaching and admissions processing
for the MPhil, whilst also addressing any relevant issues or matters that have been devolved
from the Economics GSC. The MPhil Economics committee meets once a term.
5.
University Supervision of Graduate Students
Each student registered for a higher degree will have one or more University supervisors,
appointed by the Department. In addition to giving specific instruction and advice, supervisors
have broad responsibility for a student's course of study.
Supervisors are obliged to report on the progress of their supervisees at the end of each term, and
their advice will always be sought by the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) before considering
any application from a student. It is therefore of first importance for all students to keep in regular
contact with their supervisors during residence and, if working away from Oxford, to keep
supervisors fully informed as to the progress of their studies.
8
Everybody recognises that occasionally there can arise incompatibilities of temperament or
approach between supervisor and student, and because of the central importance Oxford attaches
to the relationship between supervisor and student, students are urged to discuss any problem of
this kind freely with their college or departmental adviser (or, if this person is unavailable or
inappropriate, with another member of the Graduate Studies Committee). An alternative method
of approach in such cases is through the student's college advisor or college tutor for graduate
students.
Students and supervisors sometimes like to know what degree of supervision to expect. The
Department of Economics has taken the view that resident students will normally have supervision
at least four times a term, except during the first year of the MPhil for which special class
arrangements apply (see section below on MPhil Supervision). Although supervisors are asked
to make the first appointment with the student each term, it is advisable for the student to contact
them at, or before, the beginning of each term.
MPhil Supervision
In the first year of the MPhil, each student has a University supervisor who reports on their
progress termly to the Graduate Studies Committee of the Department. Supervisors receive
reports on performance from the class teachers for the macroeconomics, microeconomics and
econometrics classes to which that student has been assigned. For most students, the intensive
lecture- and class-based teaching of the first-year course provides all the help that they
need. But occasionally students find themselves in difficulty, unable to keep up with some
aspects of the work. If any student feels that they need special supervision, they should first
talk to their supervisor, who will then make a request to the Graduate Administrative Officer.
In the second year of the MPhil, the person supervising the student’s thesis becomes the
University supervisor. It is for each student to initiate the process of selecting a thesis
supervisor with whichever member of the Department seems most appropriate given their
interests. First-year teachers will give advice and suggestions on this. The thesis supervisor is
responsible for arranging any additional teaching that he or she thinks appropriate for the option
papers. Students are required to notify the Graduate Administrative Officer of their thesis
supervisor and topic by the end of Week 5 of Trinity Term of their first year
6.
GSS – Graduate Supervision System
At the end of each term, your supervisor(s) will submit a report on your academic progress. To
facilitate this reporting, the University operates an online Graduate Supervision System (GSS).
Within this system, in the two week period preceding the Supervisor’s reporting window, you
have the opportunity to contribute to your termly supervision reports by making a selfassessment report about your own academic progress.
You are strongly encouraged to take the opportunity to reflect on your achievements, comment
on your termly academic targets and goals relating to your graduate work and plans for the next
3-6 months, make a note of your progress, note the number of meetings you've had with your
9
supervisor(s) and record subject-specific or generic transferable skills training you have
attended or require, e.g. seminar/conference attendance or any teaching you have undertaken.
Your supervisor(s) will review and comment on your academic progress and performance
during the current term and assess skills and training needs to be addressed during the next
term. Your supervisor(s) should discuss the report with you, as it will form the basis for
feedback on your progress, for identifying areas where further work is required, for reviewing
your progress against an agreed timetable, and for agreeing plans for the term ahead.
When reporting on academic progress, students on taught courses should review progress
during the current term, and measure this progress against the timetable and requirements for
their programme of study.
All students should briefly describe which subject-specific research skills and more general
personal/professional skills they have acquired or developed during the current term. You
should include attendance at relevant classes that form part of your programme of study and
also include courses, seminars or workshops offered or arranged by your department or the
Division. You should mention any skills you do not already have or those you may wish to
strengthen through undertaking training. If you have any complaints about the supervision you
are receiving, you should raise this with your Director of Graduate Studies. You should not use
the supervision reporting system as a mechanism for complaints.
Students are asked to report in weeks 6 and 7 of term. Once you have completed your sections
of the online form, it will be released to your supervisor(s) for completion and will also be
visible to your Director of Graduate Studies and to your College advisor. When the supervisor’s
sections are completed, you will be able to view the report, as will the relevant Director of
Graduate Studies and your College advisor. Directors of Graduate Studies are responsible for
ensuring that appropriate supervision takes place, and this is one of the mechanisms they use
to obtain information about supervision. College advisors are a source of support and advice to
students, and it is therefore important that they are informed of your progress, including
concerns expressed by you and/or your supervisor(s).
To access the GSS, please visit http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gss/ . You will be able to log on to
the site using your single sign-on details. Full details of how to use the site are provided via the
Guidance for Students link, however, should you need additional support, please see Contacts
and Support and contact your Graduate Studies Coordinator, Lesley Darcy, in the first instance
or the Student Information and Advisory Service for any technical support.
7.
Fieldwork Safety and Training
Fieldwork
Many students will, as part of their course, be required to undertake fieldwork. Fieldwork is
considered as any research activity contributing to your academic studies, and approved by
your department, which is carried out away from the University premises. This can be overseas
10
or within the UK. The safety and welfare of its students is paramount to the University. This
includes fieldwork and there are a number of procedures that you must follow when preparing
for and carrying out fieldwork.
Preparation
Safe fieldwork is successful fieldwork. Thorough preparation can pre-empt many potential
problems. When discussing your research with your supervisor please think about the safety
implications of where you are going and what you are doing. Following this discussion and
before your travel will be approved, you will be required to complete a travel risk assessment
form. This requires you to set out the significant safety risks associated with your research, the
arrangements in place to mitigate those risks and the contingency plans for if something goes
wrong. There is an expectation that you will take out University travel insurance. Your
department also needs accurate information on where you are, and when and how to contact
you while you are away. The travel assessment process should help to plan your fieldwork by
thinking through arrangements and practicalities.
Training
Training is highly recommended as part of your preparation. Even if you are familiar with
where you are going there may be risks associated with what you are doing.
Departmental course (run annually):

Short basic fieldwork safety awareness session covering personal safety and planning
tips. Post fieldwork students are invited to attend to share their experiences. All
students carrying our fieldwork are expected to attend this.
DTC courses (run termly)


Preparation for Safe and Effective Fieldwork in Social Sciences. A half day course,
for those carrying out medium to high risk research in rural and urban contexts.
Fieldwork: How do we deal with what we see and hear? For research on traumatic
or distressing topic areas.
http://researchtraining.socsci.ox.ac.uk/find-training/training-by-year/fieldwork
Safety Office courses (run termly)


Emergency First Aid for Fieldworkers.
Fieldwork Safety Overseas: A full day course geared to expedition based fieldwork.
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/safety/overseastravelfieldwork/
11
Useful Links

8.
More information on fieldwork and a number of useful links can be found on the Social
Sciences divisional website:
http://www.socsci.ox.ac.uk/services/research-and-impact/fieldwork/fieldwork;
http://www.socsci.ox.ac.uk/services/research-and-impact/fieldwork/fieldwork-moreinformation
The Degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
The MPhil degree is a basic professional qualification in Economics and the normal route in
Oxford by which students who have just acquired a first degree in Economics, or another approved
subject, should equip themselves for advanced study and research.
The policy of the Department is to admit as students for the MPhil only those who possess the
equivalent of an Upper Second or First Class honours degree of the normal standard of a British
university. Such a student should be able to pass the written examination without stress and
without a narrow concentration on examination technique. Given that many of the examination
papers require students to write essays, those whose first language is not English and who are not
experienced in writing essays are strongly advised to write a lot of essays in preparation for the
examinations.
The course for the MPhil is 6 terms (21 months), with students studying the core subjects of
Macroeconomics, Microeconomics and Econometrics in the first year, followed by five optional
papers and writing a thesis in the second year.
Examinations
Students are examined at the end of the year in which they have studied. So, the three first-year
subjects of Macroeconomics, Microeconomics and Econometrics are examined after 3 terms, and
the range of optional papers are examined after 6 terms, together with the thesis.
The best guide to standard and coverage is the collection of examination papers set in the recent
past, but note that the format of both the Microeconomics and Macroeconomics first year
examinations changed in 2012, and the style of the second year optional papers changed in 2013.
First year examination
Students that pass the examination in all three core subjects at the end of the first year will be
allowed to proceed to the second year of the course.
Students that fail one of the three core subjects may be allowed to proceed to the second year
of the course, by permission of the Graduate Studies Committee. In this case they will be
required to resit the failed core subject at the same time as the Final Examination at the end of the
second year.
12
Otherwise, students that do not pass the first year examination must resit all three core subjects at
the end of their second year. If they pass, they can proceed with the course and enter the Final
Examination at the end of their third year.
Final Examination
For the Final Examination, students must offer five optional papers and submit a thesis. All
students must take at least one starred (*) paper (advanced core subject) and at least one nonstarred paper (field subject). Students that intend to apply to proceed to the DPhil after the MPhil
are required to take TWO starred (*) papers (advanced core subjects).
The thesis provides the opportunity for some original work which can, under the regulations, be
incorporated into a later thesis submitted for the DPhil degree. (For details about the thesis, see
below.)
The MPhil degree
To satisfy the examiners for the MPhil degree, a student must pass the examinations in the three
core subjects, plus all five optional papers and the thesis. However, it is possible to compensate
for a marginal fail in two optional papers OR the thesis OR one core subject (second attempt at
the same time as the Final Examination) if the other marks are sufficiently high; it is also possible
to compensate for a single fail in one optional paper (but not a bad fail). See Appendix 5 for which
marks are deemed to be a marginal fail, fail, bad fail.
A student who fails any of the examinations for the MPhil may enter again on one subsequent
occasion only, and only if this is still within 12 terms of his/her initial registration. (Note that this
implies that a student that retakes, and fails, a core subject at the same time as taking the Final
Examination may not enter again.)
A student that fails any of the optional papers but who passes the thesis must retake all the optional
papers, but the thesis mark is carried over. Similarly, a student that fails the thesis but passes all
of the optional papers must resubmit the thesis, but the marks on the optional papers are carried
over.
See Appendix 5: MPhil Marking Scheme.
Prizes
Prizes are awarded for the best performance in the examination at the end of the first year.
For the Final Examination, prizes are awarded for the best thesis and for the best overall
performance in the written papers. Other top performances are awarded a Distinction.
13
Provision of Feedback
All MPhil students are given feedback on their weekly assignments in the core subjects studied in
their first year. For both Macroeconomics and Microeconomics there are self-administered ‘halfexams’ to be completed in each of the two short vacations, and for Econometrics there is a two
hour practice test under exam conditions at the beginning of the second term.
Additionally, after the end of the Final Examination, MPhil students receive written feedback on
their theses.
MPhil Thesis
The thesis subject may lie in any field of economics and may be chosen within the same field as
an optional paper offered by the student. The thesis must not exceed 30,000 words in total
(including references, etc.), and the examiners may refuse to accept an overlong thesis. Students
should state the number of words in their thesis, calculated by counting the words on a typical
page containing only text and multiplying by the total number of pages. The examiners look for
evidence of ability to tackle a research problem (that is, to define and set up the problem clearly,
to choose relevant techniques and show competence in their use, and to summarise results and
establish sound conclusions) rather than evidence of a completed and mature research project such
as would be necessary for the degree of MLitt or DPhil. (It is possible for a student to pass with
a thesis that is primarily a review of a literature but only if it makes a genuinely original
contribution to the understanding of that literature. Such a thesis would, however, not normally
be awarded a mark higher than 60%.)
Students should work on their thesis for about the same amount of time of they do on a core
course in the first year, i.e., roughly 4 months. Students should aim to do about half of this
work during the long vacation before the start of their second year. Consequently, students are
advised to choose the topic and arrange a supervisor for their thesis sufficiently early to enable
them to do that amount of work during the summer. Students should notify the Graduate
Administrative Officer (Mrs Julie Minns) of their supervisor and thesis topic by the end of Week
5 of Trinity Term of the first year. All students must have finalised their thesis title by the end of
Week 5 of Hilary Term of the second year. Later title changes will not normally be permitted.
<Please complete Appendix 6 - Notification of MPhil Supervisor Form>
14
Timetable for MPhil Examinations
First Year
Michaelmas Term
Trinity Term
Students are automatically entered
by their colleges for first year exams
Written examinations begin
Wednesday, Week 7
Oral examination (if required) Week 10 (exact dates will be
and publication of pass list
announced)
Second Year
Hilary Term
Trinity Term
Submission of entry form for the by Friday, Week 2
Final Examination1
Submission of two copies of MPhil by noon Wednesday, Week 3
thesis2. Later submission requires
the prior permission of the Proctors
who will consult the Chairman of the
Examiners.
Written examinations begin
Monday, Week 8
Oral examination (if required) Week 10 (exact dates will be
and publication of pass list
announced)
1
Entry forms may be obtained from college offices, to which they must be returned. (Forms
submitted later are liable to a late fee). Thesis titles may not be changed without the express
permission of the Chairman of Examiners.
2
The thesis must be printed or typed with a margin of 3 to 3.5 cms on the left-hand edge of each
page (or on the inner edge, whether left-hand or right-hand, in the case of a thesis which is
printed on both sides of the paper), and must be securely and firmly bound in either hard or
soft covers. The thesis must be accompanied by a signed letter stating that it is the student’s
own work except where otherwise indicated. The parcel should bear the words: “MPHIL
THESIS IN ECONOMICS” in block capitals in the bottom left-hand corner. The theses (two
copies) should be sent in an envelope marked ‘The Chairman of the Examiners for the Degree
of MPhil in Economics’ to:
The Examination Schools
75 – 81 High Street, Oxford OX1 4BG
15
9.
Admission to the DPhil after MPhil
Admission to do a DPhil after the M. Phil is not automatic. It requires a strong application, a good
performance in the examinations (especially the thesis), and the availability of a suitable
supervisor. Students who wish to apply to do the DPhil have to make a formal application to do
so. There are three possible routes:
1. Proceeding directly from finishing the MPhil to starting the DPhil
If you wish to apply to carry on to the DPhil Economics with no break in your study, you can
apply for re-admission via Student Self Service. You will not be charged an application fee for
making reapplications by this method.
From the OSS Student Self Service you will be able to download or print the re-admission
application form that will be pre-populated with details that the University currently has on
record, such as personal details/previous qualifications. You can make necessary updates to
fields of data and provide details of the programme you wish to apply for. You may reapply to
your current college or specify an alternative choice.
You will be required to provide all supporting materials as required by the programme, but you
may ask to re-use materials from a previous master's application if the Department running the
programme you wish to apply for permits you to do so.
For an MPhil thesis being developed into a DPhil thesis, there is no presumption that the DPhil
thesis must cover a wider subject area than the M. Phil. thesis that preceded it; the additional
research carried out may (but need not) be limited to specific aspects of the topic even though
other aspects are in principle equally amenable to further research. A thesis of DPhil standard
must display research of such quality as to justify the wording of the examiners' declaration cited
in the previous section. Given full-time research, it will in some cases, but not all, be possible to
extend an MPhil thesis to DPhil level by the end of the following academic year. This information
is included in the notes to examiners. Students intending to submit a thesis for the MPhil who
think that they may choose to extend it subsequently for the DPhil may wish to discuss their plans
for such an extension with their supervisor at an early stage.
Students accepted after completing the MPhil Economics are admitted directly to DPhil status,
and would need to have taken TWO starred (*) papers (advanced core subjects) in the 2nd
year of the MPhil. The standard required is well above simply passing the examination. The
committee will assess students’ potential for research on the basis of performance in written
examinations, the thesis, the research proposal and a reference letter from the student’s MPhil
supervisor. Students are expected to obtain at least 64% on most of their papers, and an average
exam mark of at least 64%. They are also expected to obtain at least 64% for their thesis.
Students who obtain a distinction in the MPhil will almost certainly be admitted to the DPhil
programme.
16
Applications can be made in either of the application periods, the deadlines of which are 22
January 2016 and 11 March 2016. However a final decision on the applications is not made by
the Economics Graduate Studies Committee until after the M. Phil examination results have been
announced at the end of June.
In certain cases, M. Phil students may need a provisional decision earlier so that applications to
funding bodies to extend studentships etc. can be made. In such cases students should apply in
Hilary or Trinity terms in the manner described above, but any offer made by the Graduate Studies
Committee will be conditional only.
10.
Key Timings and Timetable for Progress to D. Phil.
The following summarises the timetable of steps along the three routes that lead to a research
degree. NB. Terms below are measured from the date of arrival as a graduate student.
Depending on the type and structure of your research course, these will include transfer,
confirmation and submission. Slightly different processes will apply for students who have
been readmitted after a taught Masters course.
Term
Term
(from
(from
entry on entry on
the
the
MPhil) DPhil)
 Initial status: MPhil student
3
n/a
Agree a thesis topic for the second year of the MPhil with a thesis
supervisor that will be capable of subsequent extension and notify the
Graduate Administrative Officer, Mrs. Julie Minns, of these by the end
of Week 5. (A form for doing so is at the end of this booklet). Pass the
first year examination for the MPhil
5
n/a
Finalise title of MPhil thesis
5
n/a
Apply for readmission to DPhil status upon completion of the MPhil,
specifying a DPhil thesis title (which may be an extension of the MPhil
thesis).
6
n/a
Pass the final examination for the MPhil
7
1
If readmission is granted, begin doctoral research.
11
5
Final term for completion of confirmation of DPhil status.
17
Please also refer to the Student Gateway online for further descriptions on the purpose and
processes for the key stages that you must pass through during your research course.
http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/graduate/research
11. Social Sciences Induction Programme 2015/16
Divisional Induction Event
All doctoral students are strongly encouraged to attend the annual Social Sciences Divisional
Induction and Welcome Event. The 2015–16 event will take place on Thursday, 8th October
(Week 0), 4.00pm-6.00pm in Lecture Theatre 2, Mathematical Institute (Andrew Wiles
Building), Radcliff Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road. Please arrive for registration at
3.45pm. The event provides an exciting opportunity for students to meet fellow doctoral
students from across the social sciences at Oxford and to hear about the support available for
doctoral training. The event will be followed by a drinks reception.
12.
Ethical Review Procedures for Research in the Social Sciences
ALL University of Oxford research projects involving human participants or personal data,
conducted by Oxford students or staff (including academic and research staff) require
research ethics scrutiny and approval before the research starts.
Why is ethics scrutiny and approval important?





It is part of the responsible conduct of research.
It demonstrates that your research has been conducted according to the highest
ethical standards. It is important to protect the dignity, rights and welfare of all
those involved in the research (whether they are participants, researchers or third
parties)
It is a University requirement.
It is now the expectation - and in some cases formal requirement - of funding
bodies.
If you are a DPhil student, you will have to answer a series of questions regarding
ethical scrutiny of your research in your Transfer and Confirmation of Status
application forms.
You need ethics approval if;

Your research requires human subjects to participate directly by, for example;
answering questions about themselves or their opinions - whether as members of
the public or in elite interviews; performing tasks, or being observed - such as
completing an online survey, participating in an experiment in a computer lab,
reading words aloud for linguistic analysis.
18

OR your research involves data (collected by you or others) about identified or
identifiable people.
What you need to do
Under the University's policy, ethical approval must be obtained before a research project
begins.
1. Complete a CUREC 1 or 1A checklist. If this shows a CUREC 2 form is required,
complete this too.
2. Obtain signatures (or email confirmation) from your department, including the
signature(s) of your supervisor(s).
3. Send the checklist to the SSH IDREC or to your Departmental Ethics Committee
(DREC), if your department has one.
Details of the procedure and application forms can be found on the Central University
Research Ethics Committee (CUREC) website - http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/curec/
Applications are considered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Interdivisional Research
Ethics Committee (IDREC). If your department has its own Departmental Research Ethics
Committee (DREC), you should submit your research ethics application to the DREC in the
first instance. If your department does not have a DREC, applications for the SSH IDREC
should be sent to the Secretary, who acts as the co-ordinator of the IDREC's work, at
[email protected]
13. ORA and Digital Publication of Theses
Oxford University Research Archive (ORA) and Digital Publication of Theses
If you intend to apply for the DPhil in Economics and plan to include your MPhil thesis as a
chapter of your DPhil thesis, the following notes provide information on digital theses.
The University of Oxford is committed to the widest dissemination of research theses produced
by its graduate students. The Oxford University Research Archive (ORA) is an online archive
of research output including theses created in fulfilment of Oxford awards, produced by
graduate students at the University of Oxford.
DPhil, MLitt and MSc by Research Degrees
All students following the DPhil, MLitt or MSc (by Research) who registered for the DPhil
from 1 October 2007 onwards, are required to deposit a hardbound and a digital copy of their
thesis with the Bodleian Libraries. The digital copy should be deposited into ORA at
http://ora.ox.ac.uk. Students who commenced these degrees before October 2007 must deposit
a hardbound copy but may also optionally submit a digital copy.
19
ORA provides maximum visibility and digital preservation for Oxford digital theses. Students
should read the important information about the deposit of, and access to, digital theses which
is available at http://ox.libguides.com/digitaltheses and includes:
•
Legal requirements (including funder mandates) and author responsibilities
•
•
When to deposit the digital copy of your thesis
How to deposit the digital copy of your thesis
•
Options for open and embargoed access. Theses, or parts of theses can be
embargoed for reasons such as sensitive content, material that would affect
commercial interests, pre-publication or legal reasons
•
Information about file formats, fonts and file sizes
Copyright of the thesis usually rests with the author: this does not change when depositing your
thesis in ORA. The author does not give away any rights to the Oxford University Research
Archive or the Bodleian Libraries. However, students should read the information on third
party copyright at:
http://ox.libguides.com/aecontent.php?pid=435474&sid=3564761
Students are strongly encouraged to ascertain and arrange permissions for inclusion and
distribution of material via the Internet where copyright is held by a third party at the point that
the items are gathered. This is similar to the process when writing a journal article or
monograph. A ‘Record of permissions’ template has been created to assist with this process.
http://ox.libguides.com/aecontent.php?pid=435474&sid=3564761
Further information or queries about depositing digital theses should be addressed to
[email protected].
The Social Sciences Division – Restricted access arrangements
Whilst the Social Sciences Division strongly supports open access to, and wide dissemination
of, theses produced by its students, access to the full text of digital theses will be restricted for
three years by default unless requirements of funding bodies require open access to be
provided earlier (see below). This three year embargo is applied automatically by ORA staff.
When completing the ORA online deposit form authors should therefore indicate whether they
would like to ‘opt out’ of the default embargo and release their thesis earlier. For example, if
the author’s funding specifies an earlier release date. There is no need to complete a separate
GSO3.C Dispensation from Consultation form at the time of deposit.
During the period of the embargo, only the following information from your thesis will be
available in ORA:
(i) Item record (details including your name, thesis title, subject area) and
(ii) Abstract and
(iii) Full text search for single words or short passages of text.
At the time of deposit an author may request permanent closure in ORA under the following
circumstances:
20
(a) For digital material where copyright is held by a third party and permission to disseminate
it via the Internet in ORA has not been granted by the copyright holder, the Department will
grant permission for the copyright material to be deposited as a separate file from the thesis,
on the understanding that the thesis will be available for consultation or reproduction but access
to the copyright material will be restricted.
(b) Where confidential material forms only a small part of a thesis and the force of the thesis
will not be seriously impaired by the removal of such material, the Department may grant
permission for the access to the confidential material to be closed on the understanding that the
thesis will be available for consultation or reproduction but access to the confidential material
will be restricted.
Authors can also choose to override the default embargo and make their thesis open access,
either at the time of deposit or at any time during the three year embargo. Authors who wish to
make their thesis freely available on deposit should indicate this on the Deposit and
Consultation of Thesis form (GSO3A) and on the online ORA deposit form. Once the embargo
is in place, students wishing to end it early should e-mail [email protected] . It is not
recommended for those planning to publish their research as a book or article to make their
thesis openly available in ORA without first discussing this matter with their supervisor and
consulting potential publishers to ascertain their policy. The embargo will be automatically
lifted after the three year period, and it is the responsibility of the author to apply for an
extension if required. No reminder will be sent by the Department/Faculty, the Bodleian
Libraries or ORA staff, and it will be assumed that the full text can be released if a Dispensation
from Consultation form (GSO.3C) is not submitted (see below).
If you are in receipt of research funding the following may apply:
The
Terms
and
Conditions
of
Research
Council
Training
Grants
(http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/RCUKprod/assets/documents/documents/TermsConditionsTrainingGrants.pdf) require that metadata
describing the thesis should be lodged in ORA as soon as possible after leave to supplicate has
been granted, and for the full text version to be available within a maximum of twelve months.
The Division has therefore agreed that the full-text of RCUK-funded students’ theses should
be made available within one year of leave to supplicate being granted.
Students funded by any other external body should be aware of, and also abide by, the terms
and conditions for open access defined by their funder, and where there are discrepancies, the
funding body’s requirements should supersede the standard Divisional embargo.
Dispensation from consultation of your thesis – The Bodleian Libraries and ORA
(i) Authors may apply for dispensation from consultation beyond the end of the default 3 year
embargo period (or other period specified by their funding body) of the copy of the thesis
deposited in the Bodleian or other University Library and/or of the electronic copy of the thesis
deposited in ORA if there is good reason for such a request. Reasons for requesting
dispensation might include that consultation or reproduction would put at risk confidential
material or invalidate an application for a patent on a product or process described in a thesis.
Students are advised to be particularly mindful of the terms of any agreements with an outside
body or sponsor governing supply of confidential material or the disclosure of research results
described in the thesis.
21
(ii) Dispensation will always be granted (a) in cases where confidentiality has been made a
condition of access to materials that are subsequently incorporated in a thesis and (b) for
material where copyright is held by a third party and permission to disseminate it via the
Internet has not been granted by the copyright holder. Students should apply for dispensation
by completing form GSO.3C, available at:
http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/graduate/progression
Journal articles included within the thesis
Authors sometimes include published journal articles within their theses. Authors needing to
include such articles as part of the e-thesis can make the article freely available only in
compliance with copyright and any sponsor permissions. See www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo.php for
guidance or ask ORA staff ([email protected]).
The copyright in the thesis
The copyright in the thesis usually remains with the author. In a tiny minority of cases,
copyright might rest with a sponsor or other body. Students should speak to their supervisor or
Research Services if they are unsure.
Third party copyright
If material has been incorporated within the thesis where copyright is held by an individual or
group that is not the author (third party copyright) permission will be needed to make such
material freely available on the Internet. It is best to obtain such permission when sourcing the
material. Proof of permission will need to be provided when depositing the thesis in ORA (e.g.
e-mail or letter). Authors should contact ORA staff ([email protected]) if they are
unsure. A useful template to keep track of permissions for use of third party copyright materials
is available for download at:
http://ox.libguides.com/aecontent.php?pid=435474&sid=3564761
Intellectual property rights
Authors should apply for dispensation from consultation if consultation or reproduction of all
or part of the thesis would put at risk confidential material or invalidate an application for a
patent on a product or process described in the thesis, or restricting access to the thesis is a
requirement of any agreements with an outside body or sponsor governing supply of
confidential material or the disclosure of research results described in the thesis. Authors
should speak to their supervisor or Research Services if they are unsure.
Plagiarism
Making the thesis open access increases its visibility, gains recognition for the author and
certifies them as author of the work. It can also give rise to concerns about increased risk of
plagiarism. However, when work is available open access, plagiarism is easier to detect (by
using a web search engine).
22
General Queries
Any further information or queries regarding the deposit of your digital thesis, should be
referred to [email protected].
July 2015
14.
Terms of Residence and Dispensation
In what follows, a term of residence can be claimed by a candidate if he or she has spent at least
42 nights in Oxford between the dates of a statutory term.
MPhil
Minimum residence requirements:
6 terms
Maximum dispensation:
Up to 2 terms spent outside Oxford can
be counted – only by permission of the
Proctors – and only for very exceptional
reasons.
Maximum tenure of status:
12 terms
Applications for dispensations (GSO.8), for permission to count a long vacation, and for
extensions must be made through the Social Science Divisional Office with the support of the
supervisor.
15.
Suspension of Status
Suspension of Status
You may apply to the Graduate Studies Committee for suspension of status for a specified period.
If the application is approved, you will not be required to pay fees during the period of suspension
and will resume your former status at the end of the period. Suspension of status may be for
between one and three terms at any one time.
Suspension of status is normally granted where the student is not able to actively study. This
can be due to a variety of reasons, but the most common is relevant circumstances could include
health-related/personal grounds, domestic crisis or unforeseeable financial difficulty.
Alternatively, it might be essential to concentrate temporarily on some other project (e.g. gaining
some other qualification) which could not reasonably be deferred until after postgraduate work
was completed; or a student might have an exceptional opportunity to take up temporary work
which was likely to be important to future career, and which was unlikely to recur. Students may
request a suspension of status for maternity/paternity/adoption leave - please see section 36.
Suspensions are not required while a student is undertaking fieldwork away from Oxford or
taking part in an internship as part of their studies (though an application for dispensation from
residence may be needed).
23
When a student suspends, the clock stops, and the student returns from suspension at the point
when they departed. Normally students do not have access to University/College facilities
(including libraries) whilst suspended as it is assumed they are not studying (though e-mail
access is commonly retained to allow the student to keep in touch with his/her supervisor(s)
etc.). Suspension of status can only be granted while a student still has status available to return
to, i.e. a student cannot suspend status after his/her sixth term of the MPhil.
Applications for suspension of status must be made to the Graduate Studies Committee (through
the Graduate Studies Coordinator) using the form GSO.17 (or GSO17b for
Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave), should be for a specified period of time, and must have the
support of the supervisor(s) and the college.
16.
Teaching by Graduate Students
Graduate students who have completed a year of graduate work may, if they wish, undertake
a limited amount of tutorial or class teaching. In the case of second year MPhil students, the
load should not exceed 32 hours.
It is also important not to take on too much and students should consult their supervisor(s)
about how much time they should devote to teaching. A tutorial commitment of four hours
per week, which would involve additional preparation and marking time, should be
considered as a maximum. Before beginning to teach, students should attend a designated
Teaching Skills Course. In all cases, students should obtain the permission of their
supervisor(s) before undertaking any teaching commitments.
17.
Policy on recording lectures
POLICY ON THE RECORDING OF LECTURES AND OTHER FORMAL
TEACHING SESSIONS BY STUDENTS
Introduction
1. The University recognises that there are a number of reasons why students might wish to
record lectures or other formal teaching sessions (such as seminars and classes) in order to
support their learning. The University also recognises that in most cases copyright in lectures
resides with the University or with the academic responsible for the lecture or formal
teaching session, and that academics and students may have concerns about privacy and data
protection. This policy sets out the circumstances in which such recordings may take place;
the respective roles and responsibilities of those involved in such recordings; and the
implications of breaches of this policy.
2. For the purposes of this policy, the term 'recording' refers to any audio or visual recording
of a lecture or other formal teaching session, made with any type of audio or visual recorder.
Permission to record a lecture or other formal teaching session
24
3. Students who have been given permission to record lectures or other formal teaching
sessions as a reasonable adjustment on disability-related grounds do not need to ask for
permission to record from individual academics. Students who believe they have disabilityrelated grounds for recording should contact the University’s Disability Advisory Service
(http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/disability/study or [email protected]) for
further information on the process for obtaining such permission.
4. Students may request permission to record any lectures or other formal teaching sessions.
All such requests should be made in writing (including by email) prior to the lecture course or
equivalent, to the academic responsible. Subject to paragraph 3 above, the decision on
whether to grant permission is at the discretion of the academic. Students may only record
lectures where the academic responsible for the session has given their consent prior to the
start of the lecture in writing (e.g. by email), and recordings of lectures may not be made by
students unless this consent has been given. Retrospective requests are not permissible under
this policy and covert recording of lectures will be treated as a disciplinary offence.
5. Students granted permission in writing to record a formal teaching session other than a
lecture should ask the session leader to check at the start of the session that there are no
objections from others present to a recording being made.
6. Where recordings are made available routinely by departments and faculties, students may
not make personal recordings unless they have been given permission to record as a
reasonable adjustment.
Use of recordings
7. Recordings of lectures or other formal teaching sessions may only be made for the personal
and private use of the student.
8. Students may not:
(a) pass such recordings to any other person (except for the purposes of transcription, in
which case they can be passed to one person only);
(b) publish such recordings in any form (this includes, but is not limited to, the internet and
hard copy publication).
9. Students may store recordings of lectures for the duration of their programme of study.
Once they have completed the programme of study, students should destroy all recordings of
lectures or other formal teaching sessions.
Implementation
10. Where a student breaches this policy, the University will regard this as a disciplinary
offence. All such breaches will be dealt with in accordance with Statute XI
(http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/statutes/352-051a.shtml).
25
18.
Annual Activity Report
All students in Economics with DPhil status are required by the Department to submit an annual
activity report. The purpose of this report is to give research students the opportunity to report on
the progress of their work and to draw to the attention of the Graduate Studies Committee any
problems which have been, or are being, encountered. The Director of Graduate Studies receives
a copy of the report and will address any serious problems or refer them to the Graduate Studies
Committee. The supervisor(s) also receives a copy of the letters but with specific comments about
supervision omitted.
19.
Library Facilities for Graduate Students in Economics
The Bodleian Libraries form the integrated library service of the University of Oxford,
offering over 9 million volumes, 26 site libraries, 3,800 study places, 48,000 online journals,
hundreds of research databases, document supply services, information skills training
programmes and world-class staff expertise: www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/.
To search the collections, locate items, access online resources, reserve or renew books, and
for the library’s instant chat service, please use SOLO (Search Oxford Libraries Online):
solo.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/. For off-site access to online resources log in to SOLO with your
Single-Sign-On. Once you have received your University Card, please set-up your library
password in order to log in to library PCs or connect your laptop to the Bodleian Libraries
network: https://register.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/. An extensive range of guides to resources and
services is available online, including details of forthcoming training,
http://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/workshops.
The Bodleian Social Science Library (SSL) is the main library for Oxford University’s Social
Sciences Division and particularly supports the Departments of: Economics, International
Development, Politics & International Relations, Sociology, and Social Policy &
Intervention, and the Centres for: Criminology, Refugee Studies, Russian & East European
Studies, and Socio-Legal Studies. The SSL is housed on the ground floor of the Manor Road
Building, www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ssl, and is open 7 days a week during term-time (9am to
10pm Mon – Fri, 10am – 6pm Sat, 12 noon - 6pm Sun). The Library offers a variety of study
spaces including graduate study rooms, individual study carrels, and two group discussion
rooms which are available for booking. For answers to FAQs (Which password do I use?
How do I print, copy and scan? How do holds work? etc.), please see the SSL Getting
Started webpage: http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/ssl/gettingstarted. The SSL website also
provides links to the Library’s Facebook page, RSS feed, Twitter account and the ‘ask an
SSL Librarian’ enquiry form.
To arrange a one-to-one research support appointment please email [email protected].
For information about library services for readers with disabilities please contact the SSL
Reader Services Librarian, [email protected]. To request new library
materials for purchase, email the details to [email protected].
26
In addition to the SSL, there are separate social science libraries for Anthropology, Business,
Education and Law. Area studies are well-served by the Vere Harmsworth Library, Rhodes
House Library, the Oriental Institute Library, the Latin American Centre Library, the
Bodleian Japanese Library, the Institute for Chinese Studies Library and the Indian Institute
collections.
Oxford College Libraries offer collections and services to their own members. Nuffield
College also offers reference access to its library to all postgraduate members of the
University, and hosts and supports the Data Library with a Data Officer who specializes in
supporting graduates needing to create or use qualitative data.
20. IT Facilities
IT literacy is an integral part of everyday life and university students are expected to be able to
use the computer facilities provided for their coursework. Students should register with the
Oxford University IT Services (formerly known as Oxford University Computing Services –
OUCS. Some URLs have not yet changed but are still active). Registration entitles the student to
a username and an email address [email protected] (additionally, students are
provided with a second address pointing to the same mailbox where "economics" is replaced by
your college's name) on the central mail servers.
Registering with IT Services
1.
Either - Go in person to the Reception Desk at IT Services, 13 Banbury Road, OX2 6NN;
2.
or - Look under the URL http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/registration/ for Registration Services
(however it is advisable to visit the IT Services, at least once, to familiarize yourself with
what is on offer at the centre).
3.
For IT facilities look under the URL http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/welcometoit/
Computing facilities for Economics students are available from IT Services, from individual
colleges, and from the Department of Economics.
A wide range of computers, computer packages and programming languages are available within
the university environment. However, hardware facilities are very decentralized and it is almost
impossible to cover in full the variety, availability of and accessibility to computer terminals and
workstations.
Most colleges provide excellent facilities and have, or are installing, private data points (Ethernet
sockets) in students' accommodation. Students who wish to buy/bring their own hardware should
get in touch with their college's IT officer for information on availability of private data points
before coming up to Oxford.
27
Details of what is on offer, both in hardware and software, can be found under the following
URLs:




Rules and Resources http://www.ict.ox.ac.uk/oxford/
Department of Economics http://www.economics.ox.ac.uk/
University of Oxford http://www.ox.ac.uk/
Oxford Colleges http://www.ox.ac.uk/colleges
Certain applications such as Word, Scientific Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint etc. have become
the de facto standard within university communities and graduate students are expected to be
familiar with at least some of them.
Introductory courses are available from IT Services and information is also available from
locations on the web – see the IT staff for more details, http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/its3/
Most MPhil students will not need significant knowledge of a computer language and in most
cases it will be sufficient simply to learn how to use standard computer packages. Students find,
in writing their theses, that they may make use of one or more of the following: Sas, Spss, Tsp,
Pc-Give, Rats, Stata, Ox, Gauss.
Please note that classes are planned so that students may be required to make use of some of the
applications listed above. Tuition is usually given by the lecturer in charge of the classes.
Students writing MLitt or DPhil theses may wish to make much heavier use of the available
computing power and may also need to write their own programs. Short courses are provided in
programming languages by IT Services. The provision of programming advice is, however, a
scarce resource, and graduate students should expect to write and test any necessary new programs
themselves.
Registering with the Department of Economics
The Department of Economics operates a number of Windows Servers. Graduate students are
guaranteed an amount of centralized storage suitable to their needs. Individuals must sign a usage
declaration before they are allowed to access the system. An IT Information Pack will be included
in your Induction Pack distributed at the Introductory Meeting in week 0, or from the Academic
Office (room 223), Manor Road Building. This details all the relevant information concerning
the Economics Servers and how to obtain an account.
Introductory material and details of the Economics system are also covered in an introductory
class on “IT Resources available in Oxford”. New students are strongly encouraged to attend,
where they will be instructed on:
 How to connect to the Economics servers;
 How to access resources on the Economics network, including software and personal
file storage areas.
28
Any graduate student who expects to do a significant amount of computing or a large computing
project should discuss this well in advance with the Manor Road IT Team. Students are
automatically allocated web space by IT Services upon registration, however space is also
available on the Department’s web server should it be required for a particular reason.
21.
The George Webb Medley Endowment Fund
The George Webb Medley Endowment Fund was set up for the making of grants ‘for the
promotion of the study of the science of political economy’. Currently registered graduate
students, i.e. reading for an MLitt, DPhil, or MPhil may apply for grants from this fund to further
their research. Typical examples would be applications for the finance of fieldwork outside
Oxford or for the data preparation of a sample survey, in accordance with the above. Grants are
given only for projects that include a substantial amount of economic analysis.
Application should be made in advance of incurring any expenditure and each one must be
justified in terms of its relevance to the student's research plan and of a carefully worked out
budget based on the cheapest form of travel. It will need the support of one referee (normally the
supervisor) who should be asked by the applicant to write directly to the secretary of the fund.
Grants will not be made towards the foreseeable expenses of obtaining a higher degree (such as
the cost of typing, binding or photocopying a thesis). The assessor of applications may interview
applicants.
Further details and application forms may be obtained from:
The Secretary
George Webb Medley Endowment Fund
Department of Economics
Manor Road Building
Oxford OX1 3UQ
Applications may be sent in at any time, but it is advisable to apply at least one month in advance
of the project for which the grant is required.
The managers will expect some reporting back on the research carried out with the help of the
fund, and any material, such as the microfilm or computer tapes, should be made available to the
University (generally to the Bodleian Social Science Library).
22.
Financial Assistance for Students
Student Funding Services is responsible for administering a wide range of Oxford schemes
offering financial support to students. Most of these are for students intending to read for a
postgraduate degree, although there are a limited number available for applicants to undergraduate
courses. The competition for scholarships and grants to study in the UK is extremely strong and
there are usually strict requirements. You should check carefully that you are eligible to apply for
29
a particular scholarship before making an application, as most of the schemes are restricted to
certain nationalities and/or courses. If you are an international student, you should also contact the
Ministry of Education or Education Department in your own country for information on national
aid schemes, as well as your nearest British Council Office for advice on opportunities and funding
for studying abroad.
The Student Funding Services website –
http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/fees_funding_living_costs/ – contains detailed information on
funding sources and support available and how to apply. You can also enter your details into the
searchable funding database, to find out which schemes you are eligible for.
If you have an enquiry which is not addressed by the information on our website, please email
[email protected] or call +44(0) 1865 280487.
23.
The Joint Committee of the Department of Economics and
Junior Members on Graduate Matters
The Graduate Joint Consultative Committee (GJCC) provides the official link between Economics
graduates and the Department of Economics. Any matter of concern to graduates may be raised
here and discussed with the Director of Graduate Studies with whom the GJCC normally meets
once per term. It will then go forward to the Graduate Studies Committee or the Department as
appropriate. Equally, proposals made by Senior Members may be brought to the committee to
see what graduates think of them and for discussion. Recent topics have included library opening
hours, photocopying facilities, supervision problems, MPhil classes, the timing of exams and the
content of lectures and seminars. Information on the GJCC membership and minutes from GJCC
meetings are available on the WebLearn site of the Economics Department at:
https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/socsci/econ/curr_student/graduate/gjcc
A survey is conducted every year to find out students’ views on the graduate programmes in
economics. The results of this survey have been effective in bringing about significant changes
in the way in which lectures and classes are run. If you have any comments or complaint about
how your course is being run, you may contact your Graduate Students’ representatives directly
at any time.
The current GJCC representatives will arrange for new representatives to be elected by the
beginning of Michaelmas Term. Positions will be advertised as they become available, but
students interested in being in the committee should contact the GJCC representatives. Contact
details are available from the above site.
24.
Problems and Advice
If you have a problem or need advice or information, and are uncertain of the best way to proceed,
there are various possible courses of action open to you, according to the nature of the difficulty.
You could consult:
30
 Your supervisor(s)
 Your Departmental Advisor
 The Graduate Studies Coordinator, Lesley Darcy,
Social Sciences Divisional Office, Hayes House, 75 George St, Oxford, OX1 2BQ
Telephone: 01865 (6)14863 Email: [email protected]
For information and advising on Graduate Studies Committee business such as application
deadlines and regulations.
 The Graduate Administrative Officer in the Department of Economics, Mrs Julie
Minns
Telephone: 01865 281162 Email: [email protected]
 For information on courses, lectures and
departmental
procedures
 The Course Director of the MPhil in Economics, Professor Martin Ellison
 For MPhil course matters.
 Student representative on the Economics Graduate Joint Consultative Committee, to
express student views (see Section 35.)
 The Director of Graduate Studies in Economics, Professor Mark Armstrong.
 Before approaching Professor Armstrong directly, students should normally
first consult with their Departmental Advisor/Supervisor who will refer any
issues needing the Director’s personal attention
Relevant email addresses and telephone numbers can be found in the University Internal
Telephone directory and in the Department of Economics webpage.
http://www.economics.ox.ac.uk/
25.
University Policy on Student Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave
The University has agreed a policy framework for student parents which will define their
entitlement to and clarify arrangements for taking parental leave, facilitate their access to
University graduate accommodation and childcare services, and make provision for a flexible
return to full-time study. The policy is available from the Student Gateway:
http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/shw/childcare/?path=shw/childcare
Postgraduate students currently suspended from study to take parental leave (prior to 17 June
2011) may not make retrospective requests for their leave to be recalculated under the new
arrangements. If they have already taken the six terms of leave their board may allow, and have
taken parental leave, they may, if required, apply via their colleges to the Education Committee
31
for permission to suspend their studies for a further period. The remaining provisions of the
policy framework shall be taken to apply to students who are currently taking parental leave.
For more information please contact Sara Smith, email: [email protected]
26.
Equality and Diversity at Oxford
“The University of Oxford is committed to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes
equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which
the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected.” Equality Policy (2013)
Oxford is a diverse community with staff and students from over 140 countries, all with
different cultures, beliefs and backgrounds. As a member of the University you contribute
towards making it an inclusive environment and we ask that you treat other members of the
University community with respect, courtesy and consideration.
The Equality and Diversity Unit works with all parts of the collegiate University to
develop and promote an understanding of equality and diversity and ensure that this is
reflected in all its processes. The Unit also supports the University in meeting the legal
requirements of the Equality Act 2010, including eliminating unlawful discrimination,
promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations between people with and
without the ‘protected characteristics’ of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment,
marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and/or belief and
sexual orientation. Visit our website for further details or contact us directly for advice:
www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop or [email protected].
The Equality and Diversity Unit also supports a broad network of harassment advisors in
departments/faculties and colleges and a central Harassment Advisory Service. For more
information on the University’s Harassment and Bullying policy and the support available for
students visit: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/harassmentadvice
There is range of faith societies, belief groups, and religious centres within Oxford University
that
are
open
to
students.
For
more
information
visit:
www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/religionandbelief/faithsocietiesgroupsorreligiouscentres/
Student Welfare and Support Services
The Disability Advisory Service (DAS) can provide information, advice and guidance on the
way in which a particular disability may impact on your student experience at the University
and assist with organising disability-related study support. For more information visit:
www.ox.ac.uk/students/shw/das
The Counselling Service is here to help you address personal or emotional problems that get in
the way of having a good experience at Oxford and realising your full academic and personal
potential. They offer a free and confidential service. For more information visit:
www.ox.ac.uk/students/shw/counselling
32
A range of services led by students are available to help provide support to other students,
including the peer supporter network, the OUSU Student Advice Service and Nightline. For
more information visit: www.ox.ac.uk/students/shw/peer
OUSU also runs a series of campaigns to raise awareness and promote causes that matter to
students. For full details, visit: ousu.org/get-involved/campaigns
There is a wide range of student clubs and societies to get involved in - for more details visit:
www.ox.ac.uk/students/life/clubs
27.
Course Content and Structure
Educational Aims of the Programme
The degree of MPhil is a basic professional qualification in Economics and the normal route in
Oxford by which students who have just acquired a first degree in Economics or another
approved subject should equip themselves for advanced study and research. The programme
has been designed to provide a rigorous training comparable to the first two years of the PhD
programme in US universities.
The course provides a thorough training in advanced research methods in which the
methodology of the social sciences is applied to the study of economic problems. The three
core courses (Macroeconomics, Microeconomics and Econometrics) are intended to equip
students with the skills, tools, concepts and research resources that will enable them to
undertake research in Economics and related disciplines, and to complete within the specified
time period. They become familiar with the main concepts in economics, and are exposed to
leading-edge practice, in line with their abilities and interests. In addition the course develops
their ability to undertake advanced study in the subject areas relative to their own interests.
These are taught in interactive small classes. Students develop the ability to read critically
advanced literature in the field, and to carry out their own original research, which involves
conceptual innovation and the identification and use of new information. These skills are then
consolidated by means of the experience of investigating and writing up a thesis to a high
standard of research and of presentation. Training for this is based partly on the core courses
and optional papers, partly on the individual supervision provided for the thesis. Over the
course of research training, students acquire specialized and general skills of relevance both to
the continued professional development of economic understanding and transferability to a
wide range of employment contexts and life experiences. This is supplemented by an extensive
programme of research workshops and seminars.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of:
Modern Economics and Econometrics at an advanced level: we provide professional
postgraduate training by providing a thorough grounding in all main branches of economics
including the underlying necessary quantitative techniques, as well as a deep knowledge of at
33
least two specialisms and some research experience. In particular we aim to teach a depth of
knowledge across the board so that a person emerging from the course will be able to operate
in more or less any specialism (e.g. macro-modelling, environment, utility regulation etc.) with
a rather limited amount of study which can be undertaken informally. This is vital as the
demand for expertise in various specialisms fluctuates dramatically through time. This training
qualifies the student to work as a professional economist in government, commerce, industry,
consultancy or international organisations. Such an economist may be expected to undertake
original research, give economic advice, supervise consultancy projects etc.
The technical and research skills necessary to pursue research or professional careers in
Economics: we prepare a student who so wishes to undertake doctoral research. Anyone who
completes the MPhil is in a position immediately to undertake doctoral research without any
further formal training. Indeed, in Oxford, the MPhil thesis is generally incorporated into the
DPhil for those students who proceed to the research degree.
How to carry out a substantial research project, through largely independent work on a
substantial thesis on a pure or applied topic in Economics.
Studying in a large and internationally diverse community of graduate students, faculty, and
visitors: students from the MPhil in Economics are highly sought after by employees in both
the private and public sectors. Many of our graduates have taken up employment in the City,
the Bank of England and HM Treasury and, of course, have gone on to employment in the
academic world.
Related teaching/learning methods and strategies
In the first year lectures and classes are the main teaching vehicles, and are closely co-ordinated
in an intensive programme. Each student is allocated to a class for the compulsory papers
(Macroeconomics and Microeconomics meeting in alternate weeks; Econometrics, meeting
weekly). Assignments have to be prepared for each class, and are marked and returned. The
Lectures are ideal for putting across the basic concepts of the course and providing the
necessary tools for the compulsory papers.
The classes play a particularly useful role in providing the students with practical experience
in dealing with specific problems and tasks. In the setting of a small class environment it is
possible for the students to discuss particular areas of the course, which may present particular
difficulties.
In the second year option papers are taught through lectures, classes, tutorials and seminars ,
the balance varying with the nature of the material and the numbers taking the course. A
substantial amount of time is spent on preparation of the thesis, with personal supervision being
the responsibility of the thesis supervisor. The choice and combination of the option papers is
student-specific and often indicates the direction in which they anticipate their future career
will follow.
34
Research topics are chosen by students, in consultation with their intended thesis supervisor.
Normally a student may expect a meeting at least once a fortnight, although there is no formal
limit as to the amount of time the student may spend with their supervisor if there is a need.
The majority of graduate students in economics begin their studies on the MPhil in Economics,
which is a two-year programme. In the first year, students take courses in the three core
subjects: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics. In the second year, students
study at least one of those at an advanced level plus a selection of optional courses; they also
write a thesis.
Some students enter the department with PRS status (Probationer Research Students). In the
first year they are required to take one of the three 1st-year core MPhil courses, together with
three 2nd-year MPhil courses (including at least one advanced core subject).
Students on the MSc in Economics for Development and the MSc in Financial Economics
follow separate courses, not described in this document and based mainly in the Department
for International Development and the Saïd Business School respectively.
1st-year MPhil courses
In the first year, MPhil students study the three core subjects of
• Microeconomics
• Macroeconomics
• Econometrics
There are lectures in the first two and a half terms of the year, supplemented by classes
(fortnightly for Microeconomics & Macroeconomics, weekly for Econometrics) for which
students submit solutions to the problem sets assigned by the lecturers.
There are also lectures and classes in
• Mathematics
These run from two weeks before the start of the first term to half way through the first term.
PRS and DPhil students may attend the maths lectures and classes if they wish.
There is an examination in each of the three the core subjects at the end of the first year.
2nd-year MPhil courses
In the second year, MPhil students take five courses from a list of options and write a thesis.
Courses are one term long (offered in either the first or second term), and are drawn from the
following list:
• Advanced Econometrics 1*
• Advanced Econometric 2*
• Advanced Macroeconomics 1*
• Advanced Macroeconomics 2*
35
• Advanced Microeconomics 1* & 2*
(can be taken as a single or double option)
• Behavioural Economics
• Development Economics 1
• Development Economics 2
• Economic History 1
• Economic History 2
• Financial Economics 1
• Financial Economics 2
• Industrial Organisation 1
• Industrial Organisation 2 (not available in 2015/16)
• International Trade 1
• International Trade 2
• Labour Economics (not available in 2015/16)
• Public Economics
• Theory Based Empirical Analysis
Candidates must take at least one starred (*) option (advanced core subject) and at least one
non-starred option (field subject).
Students are examined on these courses at the end of the second year.
Teaching weeks
Oxford terms – Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity – are measured in weeks. Undergraduate
teaching takes place during Weeks 1–8 (known as Full Term), but some teaching for graduate
courses also takes place in Week 0 and Week 9. Consequently, it is important that graduate
students plan to be in Oxford during those weeks of term as well as during the period of Full
Term.
Description of Courses
Further information including lectures list is available on the Economics WebLearn site:
https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/socsci/econ/curr_student/graduate
1st Year MPhil Courses
Macroeconomics
The lectures in macroeconomics are designed to give an overview of modern dynamic
macroeconomic theory.
36
Microeconomics
The objective of the course is to give students a thorough grounding in microeconomics so that
they can understand the modern microeconomic literature and can perform microeconomic
analysis in either a professional or academic environment.
Econometrics
The first-year econometrics course aims to provide students with a grounding in statistical and
probability theory, econometric theory and methods, and empirical applications in economics,
such that applied econometrics reported in the main economics journals can be read with a
good understanding and a critical perspective. The subject has advanced rapidly over the last
couple of decades, and is an essential element in every economist’s toolkit.
Mathematical Methods
The mathematics course is intended to provide students with knowledge of mathematical
techniques that are important in economics, particularly those required for the first-year MPhil
courses in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics.
The Mathematics for Economics course, held during the two weeks before the start of
Michaelmas Term covers foundations and basic techniques in mathematics and probability.
Preparatory notes and exercises covering the most basic material that is prerequisite for the
course are sent to students two months in advance, for them to work on before they attend the
course.
The Mathematical Methods course in Michaelmas Term follows on directly from the
introductory Mathematics for Economics course. The topics are Static Optimisation and
Dynamic Optimisation.
2nd Year MPhil Courses
Advanced Econometrics 1*
The objective of the paper is to provide students with a thorough coverage of aspects of modern
microeconometric methods such that students can potentially develop substantive new
empirical findings. Modules: Panel Data Methods by Prof S Bond, GMM estimation of linear
models with predetermined or endogenous explanatory variables; Extremum Estimators by Dr
J Duffy, Asymptotic theory for non-linear extremism estimators (ML, GMM, etc.) and
associated inferential procedures; Simulated Minimum Distance Methods by Dr M Bruins,
Indirect Inference and simulated maximum likelihood estimation for structural economic
models: theory and practice; Non-Parametric and Semi-Parametric Methods by Dr Y Lee,
Non-parametric estimation of density and distribution functions; non-parametric regression;
non-linear models and semi-parametric methods.
37
Advanced Econometrics 2*
The objective of the paper is to provide students with a thorough coverage of aspects of modern
time series econometrics such that students can potentially develop substantive new empirical
findings.
Advanced Macroeconomics 1*
Firm Heterogeneity in Macroeconomics
Does departing from the assumption of a representative firm matter for Macroeconomics? After
reviewing the stylized facts about firms/industry dynamics, we describe the standard models
that can rationalize these facts. We then introduce firm-level frictions and discuss their
importance for the misallocation of factors. We also analyse the micro-origin of aggregate
fluctuations. Finally, we study the importance of firm level investment decision for aggregate
investment. During this part, we will review a number of important methodological tools such
as how to solve these models numerically and how to work empirically with firm size
distributions.
Topics in Applied Monetary Economics
The aim of this part is to provide an overview of the methods and results associated with some
key topics in applied monetary economics. The starting point will be a discussion of the
monetary policy identification problem that has dominated the field for many decades.
Identification schemes based on vector autoregressions (VARs) will be presented and critically
evaluated. The second half of the course will look at policy identifications that do not employ
the VAR framework and instead use some combination of narrative evidence, internal central
bank forecasts and information from high frequency data.
Advanced Macroeconomics 2*
The aim of this course of lectures is to provide a discussion of core topics, and of core
technical material, at a more technically demanding level than that provided in the first year.
Advanced Microeconomics 1* & 2*
This course consists of several lecture modules covering important topics in Microeconomic
Theory. Students taking this course, as either one or two units, are free to choose whichever
lecture modules they wish to attend (regardless of the term), after taking into account the rubric
for the examination.
Behavioural Economics
Behavioural economics is a blend of traditional neoclassical microeconomics and empirically
motivated assumptions whose goal is a better understanding of economic behaviour. It can be
divided into behavioural decision theory and behavioural game theory. Each subfield differs
38
from its mainstream counterpart by paying particular attention to the psychological realism of
behavioural assumptions and their consistency with empirical evidence. The goal is to identify
empirically important deviations from traditional assumptions, use the alternative assumptions
the evidence suggests to build tractable formal models, and use the models to reconsider
standard microeconomic questions. (Much of the empirical evidence used is experimental, but
this is not a course in experimental economics: Experimental methods are considered only as
needed to interpret evidence; and connections with field evidence will be made whenever they
are helpful.)
Development Economics 1
The objective of the course is to give students an introduction to major themes in the
modern microeconomics of development, covering both empirical and theoretical methods.
The course, taught in Michaelmas Term, consists of 16 two-hour lectures covering
core development economics material and discussing the application of methods of modern
micro-economic analysis to developing countries. Modules covered are: (i) geography and
development, (ii) firms and development, (iii) households and development and (iv) social
foundations of development.
Development Economics 2
The purpose of this course is to give an opportunity to students to specialize in some of the
many areas that fall under the development economics umbrella. The course is divided into
eight 4-week modules. Each module is self-contained and can be taken independently.
Students must answer exam questions on any two modules from the eight modules offered.
Modules cover varied themes.
Economic History 1
Why are some countries rich and others poor? The gap between rich and poor has emerged
since 1500, and the course will analyze nature and causes of this divergence by confronting
theories of growth with the facts of history. The roles of geography, institutions, and culture
will be explored as well as the impact of globalization and imperialism on both the colonized
and colonizers. Why did western countries invent and adopt high productivity technology and
why has its use spread slowly to most of the rest of the world? And how have a few poor
countries managed to catch up with the West?
Economic History 2
How did arms-length financial markets emerge, cross borders, and eventually become
responsible for regulating the international allocation of capital? Did they contribute to rapid
economic growth since the 1800s, or have financial crises had significant costs for the real
economy? What was the relation between business cycles and financial volatility? How did
national authorities and multilaterals react to the rising trend of economic globalization? The
focus of this course will lie on the interaction between financial markets, institutions, and the
39
real economy over time. The role of the interwar and the Great Depression, in particular, in
shaping the modern world order will be considered. The material will join macroeconomic
history to micro analysis of financial markets and policy.
Financial Economics 1
The course is an introduction to major issues in asset pricing and market
microstructure. Topics covered may include the following: equilibrium in security markets,
incomplete markets, options pricing, CAPM and APT, money and default, models in
theoretical and empirical microstructure, prices and rational expectations equilibrium,
strategic trading.
Financial Economics 2
The course covers major themes in corporate finance. Topics covered may include the
following: debt taxes and capital structure, capital structure with asymmetric information,
security design with asymmetric information, security design and investor information
production, mechanism design in financial markets, interactions between financial and real
markets, empirical corporate finance.
Industrial Organisation 1
The course covers models of pricing in monopoly and oligopoly. Lectures cover theoretical
and empirical treatments.
Indicative topics include oligopoly pricing and product
differentiation, models of price discrimination, network effects, and horizontal merger
analysis. Empirical models of pricing in differentiated and homogenous product markets.
International Trade 1
What determines countries’ production structures and the consequent patterns of international
trade? How does trade shape the level and evolution of the distribution of income within and
between countries? What are the arguments for and against trade policy? The course will
cover comparative advantage, including classical and Heckscher-Ohlin trade theory, and
theoretical extensions incorporating monopolistic competition and firm
heterogeneity. Material will be primarily micro-economic theoretic but will also include
empirical tests of theory.
International Trade 2
International trade is undertaken by firms, and a large part of it takes the form of intra-industry
trade. How do firms choose alternative modes of supplying international markets, and what
determines their success? What is the role of foreign direct investment in shaping the global
economy? The course will survey recent empirical research on the importance of firm
heterogeneity and institutional frictions for international trade and investment. The topics
covered will include: firm heterogeneity in export performance, product scope and product
quality; the impact of financial frictions and contractual imperfections on firms' export
40
participation, multinational activity and position in global value chains; foreign direct
investment as a channel of knowledge transfer across international borders; impact of trade
and services liberalization on firm performance; and others.
Public Economics
The first part of the course is devoted to the study of topics in health and inequality. The second
part is devoted to the theory of taxes and transfers including welfare measurement, income
transfers and optimal taxation. The third part is devoted to the empirical estimation of
incentive effects of taxes and welfare programs.
Theory Based Empirical Analysis
The objective of the paper is to provide students with a thorough introduction to bringing together
micro theory and micro data. The course will rely heavily on particular illustrations of empirical work
41
Appendix 1
List of University Application Forms for MPhil Students
The following forms should be submitted to Lesley Darcy, Graduate Studies Coordinator, unless
indicated otherwise, and can be found at:
http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/graduate/progression
These forms are also available from your College and Graduate Studies Office. Please note
applications to transfer status and confirm status are accompanied by subject-specific forms.
These additional forms are also listed below. It is the responsibility of the student to submit
applications by the deadlines, allowing sufficient time for supervisor(s) and college officers to
complete their sections. Please refer to your Notes for Guidance booklet for application
deadlines or contact Lesley Darcy [email protected] , tel. 01865 (6)14863.
GSO.3b
Bodleian deposit and consultation for thesis for MPhil (submit to the
Examination Schools along with thesis).
GSO.8
Dispensation from statutory residence
GSO.17
Suspension of status
GSO.17a
Return from suspension of status
GSO.17b
Suspension of status for Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave
GSO.25
Change of supervisor or appointment of joint supervisor
GSO.26
Information for thesis cataloguing (submit to Examination Schools along
with thesis)
GSO.28
Change of programme of study
GSO.29
Notification of withdrawal from programme of study
GSO.30
Notification of change of personal details
42
Appendix 2
Code if practice on supervision – extract from the Policy and Guidance on Postgraduate Taught
Courses; http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/edc/policiesandguidance/pgpgtaughtcourses
5.7. Supervision
Each student should also be allocated a supervisor (or ‘dissertation supervisor’ in some
divisions) to support the student’s work on his or her dissertation. The supervisor should
endeavour to ensure that, within a pattern of regular meetings, the student works on the
dissertation within a planned framework. This should always attempt to establish the stages
which the student should be expected to have reached at various points. The supervisor
should see that written work is prepared as appropriate in accordance with the course
requirements and structure. Such work should be returned with constructive criticism and in
reasonable time.
Supervisors should ensure that, from time to time, students are told how their work is
progressing and should also try to ensure that the student feels properly directed and able to
communicate with them.
Responsibility for the dissertation rests ultimately with the student, who should be proactive
in seeking support and guidance when necessary.
43
Appendix 3
Complaints and academic appeals within the Department of Economics
Complaints and academic appeals within the Department of Economics
The University, the Social Sciences Division and the Department of Economics all hope that
provision made for students at all stages of their course of study will make the need for
complaints (about that provision) or appeals (against the outcomes of any form of assessment)
infrequent.
Nothing in the University’s complaints procedure precludes an informal discussion with the
person immediately responsible for the issue that you wish to complain about (and who may
not be one of the individuals identified below). This is often the simplest way to achieve a
satisfactory resolution.
Many sources of advice are available within colleges, within faculties/departments and from
bodies like Student Advice Service provided by OUSU or the Counselling Service, which have
extensive experience in advising students. You may wish to take advice from one of these
sources before pursuing your complaint.
General areas of concern about provision affecting students as a whole should be raised through
Joint Consultative Committees or via student representation on the faculty/department’s
committees.
Complaints
If your concern or complaint relates to teaching or other provision made by the
faculty/department, then you should raise it with the Director of Graduate Studies, Prof Mark
Armstrong. Within the department the officer concerned will attempt to resolve your
concern/complaint informally.
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, then you may take your concern further by making a
formal complaint to the University Proctors. The procedures adopted by the Proctors for the
consideration of complaints and appeals are described on the Proctors’ webpage
(www.admin.ox.ac.uk/proctors/complaints/proceduresforhandlingcomplaints), the Student
Handbook (www.admin.ox.ac.uk/proctors/info/pam) and the relevant Council regulations
(www.admin.ox.ac.uk/statutes/regulations/247-062.shtml)
If your concern or complaint relates to teaching or other provision made by your college, you
should raise it either with your tutor or with one of the college officers, Senior Tutor, Tutor for
Graduates (as appropriate). Your college will also be able to explain how to take your complaint
further if you are dissatisfied with the outcome of its consideration.
Academic appeals
An academic appeal is defined as a formal questioning of a decision on an academic matter
made by the responsible academic body.
44
For undergraduate or taught graduate courses, a concern which might lead to an appeal should
be raised with your college authorities and the individual responsible for overseeing your work.
It must not be raised directly with examiners or assessors. If it is not possible to clear up your
concern in this way, you may put your concern in writing and submit it to the Proctors via the
Senior Tutor of your college.
For the examination of research degrees, or in relation to transfer or confirmation of status,
your concern should be raised initially with the Director of Graduate Studies. Where a concern
is not satisfactorily settled by that means, then you, your supervisor, or your college may put
your appeal directly to the Proctors.
As noted above, the procedures adopted by the Proctors in relation to complaints and appeals
are
described
on
the
Proctors’
webpage
(www.admin.ox.ac.uk/proctors/complaints/proceduresforhandlingcomplaints), the Student
Handbook (www.admin.ox.ac.uk/proctors/info/pam) and the relevant Council regulations
(www.admin.ox.ac.uk/statutes/regulations/247-062.shtml).
Please remember in connection with all the academic appeals that:



The Proctors are not empowered to challenge the academic judgement of examiners or
academic bodies.
The Proctors can consider whether the procedures for reaching an academic decision were
properly followed; i.e. whether there was a significant procedural administrative error;
whether there is evidence of bias or inadequate assessment; whether the examiners failed
to take into account special factors affecting a candidate’s performance.
On no account should you contact your examiners or assessors directly.
45
Appendix 4
EPSC NOTES OF GUIDANCE ON PLAGIARISM
Academic Integrity: good practice in citation, and the avoidance of plagiarism
In their Essential Information for students, the University’s Proctors and Assessor draw
attention to two extremely important disciplinary regulations for all students.
4. No candidate shall present for an examination as his or her own work any part of the
substance of any part of another person’s work.
5. In any written work (whether thesis, dissertation, essay, coursework, or written
examinations) passages quoted or closely paraphrased from another person’s work must be
identified as quotations or paraphrases, and the source of the quoted or paraphrased material
must be clearly acknowledged.
…… The University employs a series of sophisticated software applications to detect
plagiarism in submitted examination work, both in terms of copying and collusion. It regularly
monitors on-line essay banks, essay-writing services, and other potential sources of material.
It reserves the right to check samples of submitted essays for plagiarism. Although the
University strongly encourages the use of electronic resources by students in their academic
work, any attempts to draw on third-part material without proper attribution may well attract
severe disciplinary sanctions.”
(The Proctors’ and Assessor’s Memorandum, Section 9.5
http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/proctors/pam/index.shtml)
Useful guidance on plagiarism
‘Plagiarism is the use of material appropriated from another source or from
other sources with the intention of passing it off as one’s own work. Plagiarism
may take the form of unacknowledged quotation or substantial paraphrase.
Sources of material include all printed and electronically available publications
in English or other languages, or unpublished materials, including theses,
written by others.’
To avoid plagiarism, it is important for all students within individual subject areas to be aware
of, and to follow, good practice in the use of sources and making appropriate reference. You
will need to exercise judgement in determining when reference is required, and when material
may be taken to be so much a part of the ‘general knowledge’ of your particular subject that
formal citation would not be expected. The basis on which such judgements are made is likely
to vary slightly between subject areas, as may also the style and format of making references,
and your tutor or course organiser, where appropriate, will be in the best position to advise you
46
on such matters; in addition, these may be covered, along with other aspects of academic
writing, in your induction.
By following good practice in your subject area you should develop a rigorous approach to
academic referencing, and avoid inadvertent plagiarism. Cases of apparently deliberate
plagiarism, while happily infrequent in the University are taken extremely seriously, and where
examiners suspect that this has occurred, they bring the matter to the attention of Proctors.
47
Appendix 5
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY 2015/16
GUIDANCE FOR EXAMINERS AND ASSESSORS
We use the following scale of marks:
80-100 exceptional
75-79
excellent
70-74
very good
64-69
comfortable pass
55-63
pass
50-54
marginal pass
47-49
marginal fail
43-46
fail
40-42
bad fail
<40
very bad fail
The grading scheme for individual papers and the thesis is:
70 & above
50 to 69
49 & below
distinction level
pass level
fail
Resit marks
For core courses, the mark used is the higher of the mark achieved in the resit and the original
mark; for optional courses and the thesis, the mark used is the mark achieved in the resit.
Distinction
Distinctions are awarded based primarily on candidates’ average marks over the first- and
second- year exams and thesis, although the examiners may take particular account of
candidates’ performances in their second year exams, and especially of their theses.
Further information on assessment criteria is available here;
https://weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/socsci/econ/curr_student/graduate/examinations
48
Appendix 6
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
Manor Road Building, Manor Road, Oxford OX1 3UQ
Tel: +44(0)1865 271089 Fax: +44(0)1865 271094
Notification of MPhil Thesis Supervisor
To be returned to Julie Minns, Graduate Administrator, Department of Economics, Manor
Road Building, Manor Road, NO LATER THAN the end of Week 5 of Trinity Term of your
first year.
1.
Student name:
2.
College, Hall or Society:
3.
Thesis Topic:
4.
Name of thesis supervisor:
5.
Signature of thesis supervisor:
6.
Signature of student:
Date
49