Social Science of the Internet

The course aims to equip you with essential theoretical tools and methodological skills to apply social science to the study of the Internet. You are introduced to the empirical evidence necessary for an in-depth understanding of the role of the Internet in society, including the changing nature of governance and the theoretical, practical and ethical questions surrounding Internet use.

You will take a combination of core and option papers and produce a dissertation of up to 15,000 words on a topic of your choosing based on discussions with a dissertation supervisor. The dissertation provides you the opportunity to apply the methods and approaches you have covered in the other parts of the course and carry out a substantive piece of academic research.

During Trinity term, you will attend weekly seminars where you will present and develop your dissertation research and receive feedback from fellow students and academic staff. The MSc seminars also include brief talks from academics within the OII, the University and the greater academic community across the UK.

The MSc in Social Science of the Internet is offered on both a full-time (1 year) and part-time (2 year) basis. The degree and expectations for both modes of study are equally rigorous: part-time students take their classes with the full-time students, but spread over two years to accommodate work and personal circumstances. Whether you choose to apply for the part-time or full-time programme, you will be part of a close-knit cohort of students from diverse backgrounds. Please visit the department website for further details on full-time study or contact the Graduate Studies Assistant.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Oxford Internet Institute and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Oxford Internet Institute.

Employers recognise the value of a degree from the University of Oxford, and OII MSc graduates have secured excellent positions in industry, government, NGOs, or have gone on to pursue doctoral studies at top universities. For example, non-academic destinations of recent graduates have included large Internet companies such as Google or Facebook, smaller start-ups like Academia.edu, as well as regulatory positions and consultancy. MSc alumni have progressed to further graduate study at institutions such as Oxford, Harvard, Princeton and LSE.

The OII Alumni Wall features interviews from both MSc and DPhil alumni about their time at the Department and career paths after Oxford.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

All graduate courses offered by the Oxford Internet Institute

Information, Communication and the Social Sciences DPhil

Social Data Science combined MSc and DPhil

Social Data Science MSc

Social Data Science DPhil

Social Science of the Internet MSc

Social Science of the Internet + Information, Communication and the Social Sciences combined MSc and DPhil

Oxford 1+1 MBA programme

This course can be studied as a part of the Oxford 1+1 MBA programme. The Oxford 1+1 MBA programme is a unique, two-year graduate experience that combines the depth of a specialised, one-year master’s degree with the breadth of a top-ranking, one-year MBA.

Next
Entry requirements