Course summary

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2022). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas. The DPhil in Social Data Science provides an opportunity for students to formulate and address novel research questions at the intersection of the computational and social sciences, supported by the multidisciplinary faculty at the OII, Engineering Science, Statistics, Sociology, Computer Science and other departments across the University of Oxford, as well as by the complementary strengths of the student cohort, who draw upon expertise and experience from across the disciplinary spectrum. This course is taking part in a continuing pilot programme to improve the selection procedure for graduate applications, in order to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly. For this course, the socio-economic data you provide in the application form will be used to contextualise the shortlisting and decision-making processes. For more information see the full details about this pilot. Students are encouraged to pioneer new approaches to contemporary social problems, exploiting fast expanding possibilities in large-scale data collection, machine learning, and statistical modelling. This degree will train individuals to develop and adapt techniques such as machine learning to analyse large, structured and unstructured, complex datasets in order to improve decision making and answer social science research questions. Beyond the technical skills, the programme will also provide students with a solid grounding in social science theory and methodology, and reflection on the consequences of the techniques applied. Ordinarily, students will be expected to have training similar to that offered within the MSc in Social Data Science, but gaps may be filled with courses from the MSc curriculum as well as other existing courses at the University. Over the course of the three to four years, you are expected to produce an important and original piece of scholarship that will make a significant contribution to the dynamic area of Social Data Science. On completion, you will have the qualities and transferable skills necessary to excel in teaching, research, policymaking or business. The DPhil programme at the Oxford Internet Institute (OII) is also available on a part-time basis. The part-time programme is spread over six to eight years of study and research. The part-time degree offers the flexibility of part-time study with the same high standards and requirements as the full-time DPhil programme. The part-time DPhil also provides an excellent opportunity for professionals in high tech industries to undertake rigorous long-term research that may be relevant to their working life. Please visit the department website for further details on part-time doctoral study or contact the Graduate Studies Assistant. As a part-time student you will be required to attend seminars, supervision meetings and other obligations in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year. Attendance will be required during term-time a minimum of one day each week. There will be limited flexibility in the dates and pattern of attendance, which will normally be determined by the fixed teaching and seminar schedule during term.A ttendance may be required outside of term-time on dates to be determined by mutual agreement with your supervisor. You will have the opportunity to tailor your part-time study in liaison with your supervisor and agree your pattern of attendance.