12 | Graduate Prospectus 2014–15
Oxford’s academic divisions and departments As a graduate student at Oxford you will belong to an academic department or faculty. There are more than 70 departments locat• 5,700 faculty and staff ed around the city. Each one has its own academic community, involved in research dedicated to advancing knowledge in particular subject areas, but departments also work together to teach joint courses and to collaborate on interdisciplinary research projects. Your department will be responsible for organising the lectures, classes and seminars that may form part of your course and for the supervision of your academic work. It will offer access to a flourishing research community and provide exceptional resources to support your studies.
• 70 departments
Academic divisions Departments belong to four broad academic divisions – humanities; mathematical, physical and life sciences; medical sciences; and social sciences – which coordinate skills training for graduate students and help foster networking and an interdisciplinary approach. The Medical Sciences Division and Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division both have Graduate Schools that coordinate research course opportunities, funding and skills training. The Social Sciences Doctoral Training Centre provides opportunities for sharing research training across disciplines and subject areas, and provides students with integrated general research skills, core and advanced methodological training, and personal and professional skills training. There is also a large and diverse Department for Continuing Education with its own Graduate School. Skills training Graduate students benefit greatly from the resources and experiences made available to them for training and skills development. Most academic divisions and departments offer courses and seminars on various research methodologies and software, as well as helping develop a range of transferable skills such as research management, communication skills, and personal effectiveness. In addition to this, the University’s IT Services and Careers Service offer skills and professional development training. Students undertaking doctoral degrees often choose to attend courses on specific research skills to ensure that they are not only accomplished in the practical and theoretical aspects of their research, but also able to manage themselves effectively and communicate their research findings to a wide audience. The broad areas covered by skills training include research skills and techniques, the research environment, research management, personal effectiveness, communications skills, networking and team working, and career management. Graduate students are encouraged to produce research that creates impact through publication in top-tier journals, and can attend skills courses focusing on what they need to know in order to submit articles for publication in their field. There are also opportunities to help with lecturing and tutoring undergraduates, so that they can share their passion for their subject with junior members of the University. Photograph by Alyona Rydannykh, MSc Environmental Change and Management (St Catherine’s College)