Supervision
This page contains a brief guide to supervision for students, and the code of practice for supervisors.
Research supervision: a brief guide for students
The role of the Supervisor is to:
- Advise, guide and support you in all aspects of your research, providing clear intellectual leadership and giving precise guidance about academic expectations.
- Agree with you a clear plan of research, identify milestones and provide information on the availability of research resources
- Agree with you a timetable for:
- regular meetings for detailed discussion of your progress
- the submission of written work, which the supervisor should return to you within a reasonable time
- regular meetings for detailed discussion of your progress
- Liaise with you to produce a detailed joint report on your progress at the end of each term.
- Ensure that you are aware of the formal requirements for transfer of status, confirmation of status and final submission, and that these are incorporated into your plan of work.
- Discuss with you subject-specific and general research skills required for your doctoral studies; work with you to identify areas where you require additional training to develop these and other skills; advise you on how these needs may be met, and assess your skills development and training requirements at least once a year.
- Assist and encourage you to participate in the wider academic community.
- Ensure that you are aware of relevant University guidelines and regulations, e.g. student handbook, Examination Regulations, guidance on plagiarism, and lecture lists.
The role of the Student is to:
- Attend induction sessions arranged by the faculty, Library Services and Computing Services.
- Meet with your supervisor regularly and take note of his or her advice and guidance.
- Draw up a research plan and timetable of work in consultation with your supervisor, and to keep relevant records of all aspects of your work.
- Liaise with your supervisor to produce a detailed joint report on your progress at the end of each term.
- Work with your supervisor to draw up a programme for identifying and developing your subject-specific and general research skills, and personal and professional skills.
- Attend appropriate classes, lectures, and seminars.
- Be aware of relevant University guidelines and regulations, e.g. student handbook, Examination Regulations, guidance on plagiarism, and of any ethical or legal issues, health and safety requirements, or intellectual property issues arising from your research.
- Work with your supervisor to pursue opportunities to engage with the wider academic community at University, national and international level.
Code of Practice on Supervision of Graduate Research Students
The Humanities Division of the University of Oxford has produced a Code of Practice on Supervision of Graduate Research Students for supervisors in Humanities faculties. The aim of the Code is to set out clearly the role of the supervisor; to describe the supervisor's responsibilities towards the student in terms of preparation, induction, monitoring of progress and feedback, skills training and helping students to prepare for a career; and to provide helpful information to supervisors.
To download the Code, click on the icon for a pdf file:
 | Code of Practice on Supervision of Graduate Research Students |