Postgraduate Students

Postgraduate students - Tom Evans and Frances Dowle

For those of you starting a postgraduate degree, and who may have already had time out of formal education before starting, or who are first timers to Oxford, starting postgraduate studies can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be! Have a read of our top-tips for postgraduates.

navIgatIng admInIstratIon There’s an old joke that sums up many Oxford students’ relationship with the somewhat antiquated system that Oxford employs:

Q: “How many Oxford Dons does it take to change a lightbulb?” A: “Change?”

If you’re entering Oxford as a postgraduate for the first time, you may be perplexed by the seemingly endless layers of administration. Oxford has a decentralised administration system, meaning that admin is split between your college, the central University, your division (e.g. Social Sciences or Humanities), and your department. Things get lost in the system from time to time, so don’t feel guilty for sending follow-up emails if you’ve not heard anything back for a while.

the dePartment

As postgraduate students, you will be mainly managed by your department. Your department will be responsible for your teaching, syllabus, and assessment. Read and re-read your student handbook to get to grips with what will be expected of you, and make a note of any deadlines for examinations or milestones such as Transfer of Status for those on the DPhil programme. If in doubt at any stage, contact your departmental graduate administrator, your supervisor, or the head of 60 graduate studies.

managIng Your suPervIsor Unless you are working directly under your supervisor on a project that they themselves are leading, you will likely be contending with an academic who is working on multiple projects, supervising and teaching multiple students, and may have pastoral duties in college (plus attempting to have a semblance of a personal life). Their supervising styles are also like snowflakes: no two are alike. It’s worth meeting with your supervisor at the start and setting out both your and their responsibilities and what’s expected. It never hurts to be proactive about things; you shouldn’t assume that someone will always be chasing you up.

FundIng Funding isn’t just awarded pre-enrolment. There are a number of funding opportunities that arise throughout the year. Look out on the University notice boards within your College and the Department. The central university also has money for postgraduates, so check the funding webpage. Departments and Colleges often have pots of money for fieldwork, conferences, or other work-related expenses such as vital equipment. Keep an eye out for emails about these as they often have short turn-arounds and need supervisor sign-offs. It’s worth spending a few minutes on your college’s and department’s website near the beginning of your degree to see what might be available, especially as some pots of money have a yearly cap on what you can claim (and you can’t backdate if you only discover them in your final year).

Where to Work Postgraduates will usually have access to study space within their departments and colleges, but it’s also worth noting that you also have access to a huge range of libraries at Oxford - see page 18. Additionally, the University Club on Mansfield Road is postgraduate only if you want to escape the Undergrads as well as lots of cafes - see page 28 for our favourites. I recommend visiting plenty of spots and finding your favourites.

mental health Postgraduate degrees are tough, and the short but very intense term times at Oxford can have a real impact on your mental health. For those working on individual DPhil projects, it can also often be lonely as you slog away for years on one big piece of work. If you find that your mental health is deteriorating at any point, please do let your departmental supervisor, college advisor, and doctor know as soon as possible. You can find more welfare advice in our welfare section, which starts on page 64. 61

keePIng aFloat Regardless of subject or programme, you’ll be taking in a lot of information during your studies. It is well worth using a reference manager from the very start of your course. Trust me, having a system to keep track of things you’ve read will pay off in the end. Get familiar with SOLO, the University’s catalogue of all books, journals, theses, and primary sources in its collection. Additionally, for those of you undertaking a DPhil on a project where you will be the sole author, making a timetable and being practical about your workload is very important, so as not to burn out. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Freshers’ week - and indeed plenty of other points in term - can be pretty exhausting. Personally, I find that prioritising sleep, even when I’m busy, helps a great deal. And don’t worry if things don’t go according to plan - they never do. Tell your supervisor, be prepared for the unexpected, and factor in contingency plans. Most importantly, be kind to yourself! If you’re feeling unsure of what to expect from your studies, or looking for guidance part way through, you might find it helpful to consult the book ‘The Unwritten Rules of PhD Research’ by Petre & Rugg (3rd ed. 2019) - this was recommended to me by my supervisor.

CluBs and soCIetIes For those of you returning to University after a little time off, joining societies can be daunting, but it’s a great opportunity to pick-up something that you love, or try something new for the first time. These are just as open to postgraduates as to undergraduates. Sports, politics, community, identity, news (hint: get involved with The Oxford Blue), are all catered for.

esCaPIng the CItY

You’ll spend most of your time working, socialising, and living within a small section of Oxford, which can get a little claustrophobic. Fortunately, escape is just a bus, train, cycle, or walk away. The city has a number of beautiful green spaces to unwind in such as Port Meadow (an Oxford summer classic),

Christ Church (if you can dodge the rowers), University Parks (look out for the parakeets and kingfishers), and Headington Park, and South Park. If that’s not enough, you can travel further afield. RSPB Otmoor is a short cycle or bus away for any keen birders, and you can wander along the Thames Path. Oxford is also located at the foot of the Cotswolds: designated as an Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can get a train or a bus to a plethora of picture-perfect towns with silly names such as Bideford, Burford, Blenheim,

Chipping-Norton, and Charlbury. More ideas for days out from Oxford can be 62f found on page 39!

aCCommodatIon Oxford is notoriously expensive for private accommodation. The University itself has a limited housing stock, including for couples and families, and many colleges offer some accommodation. College or University accommodation may sometimes be cheaper, and can be more convenient (especially if you’ll be living in Oxford for less than a year). House shares are often, the cheapest option; they have their own pros and cons (it can be quite sociable, but it’s down to luck of the draw with your housemates). Many people use Facebook groups like OxGradHousing to find housemates, but be aware that the group is not closely moderated, and is sometimes used by scammers. It’s worth getting in touch with estate agents about potential properties within your budget, some of whom will have dedicated student rental properties. It’s also worth reading the UK government’s ‘How to Rent’ guide, especially if you’ve never rented before. For further advice and assistance with rental matters, you may wish to make use of resources from Shelter, Citizens Advice and ACORN (a renters’ union).

FamIlY lIFe For those with families, it might be worth checking out the Newcomer’s Club, which offers help and a community to partners of visiting scholars, graduate students, and newly-appointed academics and administrators. If you have young children, you might enjoy visiting the public library in Westgate, or going to Hinksey Park, which has a playground, ducks to feed, and an outdoor, heated pool. Many museums, such as the Ashmolean, also run events for children and families. You may also want to check out events at the St Clements’ Family Centre or Rainbow House, especially as these events also offer an opportunity to meet other parents.