MSc Mathematics and the Foundations of Computer Science (2025-2026 Entry)
10. Student Support and Academic Policies
10.1 Where to Find Help
Generally speaking for graduate students’ departments are the main source of academic support and colleges are the main source of pastoral support.
If you have missed a number of lectures through illness or other reasons, please consult with your supervisor for advice on catching up missed work. If you are ill and unable to attend a class please inform the class tutor in
advance of the class.
Every college has their own systems of support for students, please refer to your College handbook or website for more information on who to contact and what support is available through your college.
Details of the wide range of sources of support available more widely in the University are available from the Oxford Students website (http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare), including in relation to mental and physical health and disability.
10.2 Complaints and Academic Appeals
The University, the MPLS Division and the Mathematical Institute and the Department of Computer Science all hope that provision made for students at all stages of their course of study will result in no need for complaints
(about that provision) or appeals (against the outcomes of any form of assessment).
Where such a need arises, an informal discussion with the person immediately responsible for the issue that you wish to complain about (and who may not be one of the individuals identified below) is often the simplest way to achieve a satisfactory resolution.
Many sources of advice are available from colleges, departments and bodies like the Counselling Service or the Oxford SU Student Advice Service, which have extensive experience in advising students. You may wish to take
advice from one of those sources before pursuing your complaint.
General areas of concern about provision affecting students as a whole should be raised through Joint Consultative Committees or via student representation on the faculty/department’s committees.
Complaints
If your concern or complaint relates to teaching or other provision made by the faculty/department, then you should raise it with the Director of Graduate Studies, Prof. Christoph Reisinger. If your concerns relate to the
course as a whole, rather than to teaching or other provision made by one of the faculties/departments, you should raise it with Prof Oliver Riordan, the Chairs of the Joint Supervisory Committee for the course. Complaints about departmental facilities should be made to the Director of Administration and IT (Dr Keith Gillow). If you feel unable to approach one of those individuals, you may contact the Head of Department/Faculty (Prof. James Sparks). The officer concerned will attempt to resolve your concern/complaint informally.
If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, you may take your concern further by making a formal complaint to the Proctors under the University Student Complaints Procedure (https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/complaints). If your concern or complaint relates to teaching or other provision made by your college, you should raise it either with your tutor or with one of the college officers, Senior Tutor, Tutor for Graduates (as appropriate). Your college will also be able to explain how to take your complaint further if you are dissatisfied with the outcome of its consideration.
Academic Appeals
An academic appeal is an appeal against the decision of an academic body (e.g. boards of examiners, transfer and confirmation decisions etc.), on grounds such as procedural error or evidence of bias. There is no right of appeal against academic judgement. If you have any concerns about your assessment process or outcome it is advisable to discuss these first informally with your subject or college tutor, Senior Tutor, course director, director of studies, supervisor or college or departmental administrator as appropriate. They will be able to explain the assessment process that was undertaken and may be able to address your concerns. Queries must not be raised
directly with the examiners. If you still have concerns you can make a formal appeal to the Proctors who will consider appeals under the University Academic Appeals Procedure (https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/complaints).
10.3 Student Societies
There are number of Mathematics and Computer Science student societies which you may like to join. Details of the main societies are given below. In addition, there are also over 400 clubs and societies covering a wide range
of interest which you may join or attend. A full list is available at http://www.ox.ac.uk/ students/life/clubs/list.
Invariants
The Oxford University’s student society for Mathematics. The society promotes Maths and hosts informal lectures, often given by leading mathematicians. Website: https://www.invariants.org.uk
Mirzakhani Society
The Mirzakhani Society is a society aimed at supporting women in Oxford who are studying maths. Their main event is ‘Sip and Solve’ which happens once a week, tea and cake are provided, and women are encouraged to come along to do problem sheets. Contact: mirzakhanisociety@gmail.com.
LGBTI∧3
LGBTI∧3 is the student group for all LGBTQ+ identifying students in Maths, Stats and Computer Science. They meet regularly for tea, biscuits and a chat. Contact: oxlgbtqubed@gmail.com.
The Oxford Women in Computer Science Society
The Oxford Women in Computer Science Society (OxWoCS) aims to support and promote women in computer science. The society exists for all women in computer science, be they students, faculty, or staff. OxWoCS runs a number of academic, social, and career events throughout the year, including weekly coffee meetings, talks by distinguished female speakers, and industry sponsored events. The society provides networking opportunities and a support network comprising role models, mentors, and peers.
OxWoCS exists to help enhance the quality of life for all members of the department. Website: https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/societies/women/
The Oxford University Computer Science Graduate Students Society
The Oxford University Computer Science Graduate Students Society (CoGS) provides a platform for the academic and social life of post-graduates in the department. They cover both student representation on several departmental and divisional committees as well as organization of a variety of social events. The latter provide an excellent opportunity for MSc students, DPhil students and post docs to mingle and catch up outside their research groups. Website: https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/societies/COGS/.
10.4 University Policies
The University has a wide range of policies and regulations that apply to students. These are easily accessible through A-Z of University regulations, codes of conduct and policies available at http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/regulations/a-z.
Particular attention is drawn to the following University policies:
Equal Opportunities Statement: https://edu.admin.ox.ac.uk/
Intellectual Property Rights: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/intellectual-property
Code on Harassment: https://edu.admin.ox.ac.uk/harassment-advice
Policy on Plagiarism: http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills/plagiarism
Policy on recording lectures by students: https://academic.admin.ox.ac.uk/educational-recordings-policy
10.5 Departmental Safety Policies
You are urged to act at all times responsibly, and with a proper care for your own safety and that of others. Departmental statements of safety policy are posted in all departments, and you must comply with them. Students should note that they (and others entering onto departmental premises or who are involved in departmental activities) are responsible for exercising care in relation to themselves and others who may be affected by their actions.
In the Mathematical Institute accidents should be reported immediately to reception, telephone 73525, who keep the accident book. There is a first aid room located on the ground floor of the South wing. If you require access to this room please report to reception.
Each lecture theatre has its own proper escape route and you are urged to familiarise yourself with these. Those for the Mathematical Institute lecture and seminar rooms, are set online at https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/building-information/security-safety-and-reporting-building-issues
In the case of evacuation of the lecture theatre give heed to the instructions of the lecturer.
10.6 Key Student Support Links and Contacts
Disability Co-ordinator (Mathematics): Charlotte Turner-Smith (academic.administrator@maths.ox.ac.uk)
Disability Co-ordinator (Computer Science): Rachel Breward (rachel.breward@cs.ox.ac.uk)
University’s Disability Advisory Service: http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/disability
Counselling Service: (tel: (2)70300) email: counselling@admin.ox.ac.uk
Proctors’ Office: (tel: (2)70090) email: proctors.office@proctors.ox.ac.uk
Departmental Harassment Advisors: names and contact details displayed in Mezzanine Study Room.
Oxford University Student Union, Vice President (Welfare): (tel: (2)88452) email: welfare@ousu.ox.ac.uk