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Teaching and learning

teaching session © Keiko Ikeuchi

Teaching team

A core group of senior academics are committed to the delivery and oversight of high quality innovative teaching activities. Students are supported by teaching fellows who also organise and run the core modules of epidemiology and statistics. This is led by:

TEACHING STYLES

Teaching is delivered during the first two terms (October to March) and for up to two weeks in the third term (April/May) through a range of methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, student presentations, self-directed learning and independent study. All students are allocated to a tutor group of five to six students, and will meet with either their epidemiology or statistics tutors approximately four to five times for tutor- or student-led activities.

In addition to the assessed modules, a number of masterclasses are organised throughout the course.

The taught element is followed by examinations, after which students undertake a research placement leading to a dissertation. 

CONTACT TIME

It is generally expected that students will spend on average 35-40 hours a week on study: each week will typically include 15-20 hours of contact time within the department and 20-25 hours of self-directed study. 

SUPERVISION

All MSc students are allocated an academic supervisor at the beginning of the course. Supervisors provide support and guidance and monitor their students’ progress in relation to academic and practical skill development to fulfil the requirements of the MSc. Academic supervisors mainly act as a point of contact to discuss practical issues or questions regarding the programme, such as choice of research project, or as a first-line sympathetic ear for other personal challenges. Students are expected to meet their supervisor at least once per term. 

The academic supervisor relationship is not about direct teaching – although supervisors can recommend or arrange for their student to see other specific members of staff regarding specific academic matters. Academic supervisors mainly act as a point of contact to discuss practical issues or questions regarding the programme, such as choice of research project, or as a first-line sympathetic ear for other personal challenges. 

During the research placement all students are allocated an additional placement supervisor who is their first point of contact throughout the placement. Placement supervisors provide advice to the students on the conduct of their research activities and how these might inform their dissertation, including but not limited to: advice on reading materials, methodology, approach and the structure of the dissertation.

In this section

student experience

Learning at Oxford, surrounded and taught by world-leading epidemiologists and global health scientists, has been transformative, driving me to think critically and innovatively about population health issues. With this enriched experience, I'm eager to apply my skills to impactful, grassroots, and large-scale health research, aiming to improve the quality and quantity of lives of people in Africa and globally.

Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi, 2022─23

 

Undertaking this MSc has provided me with a comprehensive grounding in the principles of epidemiology and statistics to complement my clinical medical training. It has been inspiring to learn from leaders in population health and gain insight into the possibilities that lie ahead from the excellent array of masterclass speakers.

Abinav Mohanamurali, 2022─23

 

The teaching staff on the course are incredible and will do what they can to ensure you learn. One cool thing about the course is the masterclasses ─ real people doing amazing things in the industry/ research centres/ NGOs/ governments who come to share their experiences with you.

Josephine Gondwe, 2022─2023 (Read what Josephine thought about the course.)

 

I feel that the course contents aligned completely with what I expected. I have achieved my aim of gaining the statistical and epidemiological skillset I needed to conduct high quality research independently...I would also say that the department is really supportive and student-centric.

Aaron Ho, 2021─22 (Read what Aaron thought about the course.)

 

One of the best aspects of the course was the diversity of nationalities and experiences in the MSc, which meant that discussions regarding real world examples that classmates had worked on were brought to discussion.

Emma Taylor-Gallardo, 2021─22 (Read what Emma thought about the course.)

 

I can say that I truly believe this MSc to be a perfect case study for the importance and strength of international collaboration in epidemiology and global health research.

Lilian Hartman, 2019─20 (Read Lilian’s experience on the MSc during the COVID-19 pandemic.)