University policies on intellectual property, research and admissions

Oxford was one of the first UK universities to develop an intellectual property (IP) policy to govern the ownership and exploitation of IP generated not only by its staff, but also by students in the course of their studies.

Oxford’s approach to exploitation of IP includes a generous revenue-sharing policy, which brings significant personal benefits to researchers, and a hugely successful and well-resourced technology transfer operation, Isis Innovation. Isis works with University researchers on identifying, protecting and marketing technologies through licensing, spin-out company formation, consulting and material sales.

Oxford’s Code of Practice and Procedure on Academic Integrity in Research prescribes standards of responsible and ethical conduct expected of all persons engaged in research at the University. Staff, students and visitors should in all aspects of their research activity:

• Demonstrate integrity and professionalism, fairness and equity, and intellectual honesty;
• Effectively and transparently manage conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest;
• Ensure the safety and well-being of those associated with the research; and
• Record and publish their methods and results in ways that are open to scrutiny and debate.

Researchers are encouraged to refer to the University’s policies and guidelines relating to research integrity and to use them as a resource.

The following procedure should be read in conjunction with the University’s Equal Opportunity’s Policy, and the full content of the Graduate Admissions website.

Queries

If you have a query about the graduate admissions process, the graduate application form prior to its submission, or the receipt of some or all of your application for consideration by the relevant deadline, you should contact the Graduate Admissions and Funding Office via our online query form.

If your query relates to the processing of your application by the department or faculty to which you have applied, you are advised to contact the department directly, preferably by email. Contact details are on the relevant departmental entry in the Course Guide.

Please note that the University does not normally provide individual feedback on unsuccessful applications. 

If your query relates to the processing of your application by the college with which you have been dealing, you are advised to contact the college directly, preferably by email. Contact details are available via the College Guide

Complaints

The University will consider complaints about any aspect of the graduate admissions process that relates to an irregularity in the procedure under which the application has been considered. The academic judgement of those making a decision in relation to an application cannot be challenged.

Complaints should:

• be made in writing, preferably by email, by the applicant, within six months of the event being complained about;
• provide specific details of the ground(s) for the complaint;
• include full details, dates, individuals previously contacted and copies of all correspondence; and
• provide an indication of what the applicant would like the University or college to do.

A complaint should be addressed to the Director of Graduate Admissions and Funding, either via e-mail to director.graduateadmissions@admin.ox.ac.uk or via post to the following address:

Director of Graduate Admissions and Funding

Graduate Admissions and Funding

University of Oxford

University Offices

Wellington Square

Oxford, OX1 2JD

Your complaint will be acknowledged within five working days of its receipt. Your complaint will be investigated and a full response will be sent, usually within twenty working days.

Complaints made more than six months after the event being complained about will not normally be considered.