FAQ

*New procedures for Oxford Master’s students applying for admission to a DPhil*

In previous years, Master’s students wishing to continue to a DPhil degree (without a break in study) had to complete a GSO4 form. From 2008-9, Master’s students will be required to provide the same supporting material as external candidates (i.e. written work, references etc). These readmissions candidates will apply using a form that will be ‘prepopulated’ with data held on OSS about their qualifications etc. Each UAB will be asked to specify which elements from their Master’s application may be re-used, and which elements the students should supply as part of the application for admission to a DPhil programme, e.g. new references, new samples of written work, research proposal. The functionality to support this is currently in development, and is expected to be available by mid-December. Further details will be supplied in due course. The Graduate Admissions Office will contact UABs for confirmation as to which materials they are willing for candidates to re-use etc.

*Important:* The deadlines for external candidates will also apply to Oxford Master’s students applying for admission to a doctoral programme. For many programmes of study, the final deadline is 23 January 2009 (or in the case of Philosophy, 9 January 2009). More information about application deadlines for each programme of study is available on the University’s website at www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/course_guide/index.html.

From 2009 the AHRC is changing the way in which it offers funding to postgraduate students in the arts and humanities. The previous AHRC Open Competition for all applicants will no longer take place; instead, funding will be available through two routes: Block Grant Partnerships with universities, and a new open competition for candidates at universities which do not have studentships available under the AHRC Block Grant Partnership scheme.

The University of Oxford is participating in the AHRC Block Grant Partnership scheme, which required the University to submit a bid to the AHRC for fixed numbers of Master's and Doctoral awards in a number of subject areas for a period of 5 years.

*How to apply:* As part of the new procedures, candidates are required to apply for AHRC BGP studentships at the University of Oxford through the standard application process for admission to a postgraduate programme (see: _www.admin.ox.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/_ for full details on how to apply for admission to the University of Oxford). Applicants must complete the relevant sections of the graduate application form (or, in the case of current Master’s students applying for AHRC doctoral awards, the relevant sections of the new readmission form ­ see item above). Guidance notes etc will be available shortly on the Humanities Division website at www.humanities.ox.ac.uk/graduate_study/ahrc.

*New Online Graduate Supervision Reporting System*

The University is launching a new online Graduate Supervision System (GSS) in December 2008. This will replace the current paper-based graduate supervision reporting system and the online reporting system piloted by a number of faculties and departments in 2007-8 which will be discontinued.

Under the new system graduate students will be invited to contribute to the termly supervision reports by reviewing and commenting on their own academic progress during the current term before their supervisor(s) complete the supervisor’s section of the report. Students (and supervisors) will also be able to comment on subject-specific research skills training and generic/transferable skills training undertaken during the current term, and to identify training needs to be addressed in the forthcoming term. Students will be able to indicate if they have concerns with their progress, and this will be highlighted to their supervisor(s), Director of Graduate Studies, and College Adviser. Whilst it is not mandatory for students to complete a self-assessment report, it is a useful tool for them to reflect on their achievements and provides an opportunity to communicate and record concerns about their academic progress to their supervisors. Students will also be advised that the GSS system is not the appropriate route to make complaints about supervision provision, and that any concerns of this nature should be made directly through the appropriate channels in their Faculty/Department. Directors of Graduate Studies and College Advisors will have access to the reports of their students (i.e. students’ comment and supervisors’ comments), and will therefore be able to monitor issues raised, and identify situation where they may need to ensure appropriate action is taken.

*Important:* GSS will be accessed via the web at http://www.gss.ox.ac.uk/ and will be very easy to use. Guidance notes will be available. Log in will be by means of the Webauth ­ Oxford’s Single Sign-On facility ­ used for Weblearn, Webmail etc. If you have not received these details, or cannot remember what they are, please see: www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/registration/oxford/forgottenpassword.xml.

If you or your students would like information about sources of training and support for students, please see the Humanities website: http://www.humanities.ox.ac.uk/graduate_study/training_and_support_test.

The Humanities Training Coordinator, Dr Debbie McVitty, is also able to provide advice. She may be contacted on 2-80566 or training@humanities.ox.ac.uk.