Latest news for students

The School offers two different programmes: ‘Russian Studies in Real Russia’ (aimed at studying the political, cultural and economic processes in the development of contemporary Russia (lectures in English) and also the Russian language itself)  and ‘Russian language in Real Russia’ (aimed at studying the Russian language in full for different levels and in different aspects). The courses are for students of different level of the Russian language from A1 to C1.

The Summer School offers the opportunity to visit the best places of interest both in Ekaterinburg and the Ural region, while practicing Russian in an academic and informal environment. More information is available from the Ural Federal University website or by e-mailing russtudies@mail.ru. The application deadline is June 1 2012.

In our “normal” lives, the Proctors are Tutors. In this capacity we should like to wish those of you who are taking exams this summer very good luck.

However, we’re emailing about celebrations after the end of exams. Safety and public order are our core concerns. Of course we want you to enjoy coming out of your last exam.  But we urge you to celebrate responsibly and to show consideration for other students still completing exam papers. Please also consider local residents, including passing cars and the risk to cyclists and pedestrians.  So having worked hard, enjoy finishing your last exam and meeting others from theirs. Closed champagne bottles, flowers and balloons are all fine!

But please – NO FOOD ITEMS or GLITTER or SILLY STRING. In particular, there is no tradition of the abuse of food in “trashing”.  The very idea is a recent invention and one which is particularly offensive in a city where there are many homeless and hungry people.  In previous years some members of the public have been injured by slipping on flour wet from champagne and eggs.  Complaints have been made by shop-keepers whose businesses were affected by mess left on their windows and doorways.  You should also be aware that there have been cases in which potential employers have noted evidence of “trashing” displayed on websites.

We therefore need your help in keeping people safe, and stamping out the abuse of all foodstuffs. No flour, no eggs, no beans, ketchup, let alone rotting food or worse. In addition, pubs may not admit students covered in foodstuffs. Please remember that every pound the University has to spend on the cost of cleaning up means that there is one pound less for bursaries, scholarships, and hardship funds.

Rotting food, vomit, broken glass and other items causing litter are simply not what any of us wants to see. They are a disgrace and potentially dangerous. Please note that the University’s rules are given at http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/proctors/oxonly/conduct/  The Proctors will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against those who break them.

We hope very much that you will lend us your full co-operation and that you will have a very successful time over the next few weeks.

Good luck with your exams and enjoy finishing and celebrating in College.

Huw Dorkins, Senior Proctor and Amy Zavatsky, Junior Proctor

This course is designed to help understand what employers are looking for and prepare effectively for online applications, interviews and assessment centres which tend to form the basis of modern professional recruitment.  The session will focus on the implications of a disability, health condition or learning difficulty such as dyslexia and dyspraxia on employment and the selection process. There will be plenty of opportunity to discuss the if, when and how of disclosing a disability and employer attitudes. Lunch will be provided. Further information and to book contact Annie Dutton on anne.dutton@careers.ox.ac.uk by noon May 23.

Participants need to be a type 2 diabetic who does not need to take insulin, and will be compensated for travel expenses and time. For more information view the diabetes trial poster (98kb) or contact Sarah White on 01865 857287 or email mcru@ocdem.ox.ac.uk.

Over 4000 digitised scores, mostly piano music from the nineteenth century, are available online at the What’s the Score website. By visiting the website, you can help with describing the scores and contributing to the creation of an online catalogue. It takes about 10 minutes to fill in the online form which constitutes the description of an item. No knowledge of reading music or playing an instrument is required to get involved.

Timetables for examinations are available from the Student Gateway and are published at least 5 weeks prior to your examination. Your individual timetable has been or will be sent to your College at least two weeks before your examinations. Do check your individual timetable carefully for the venues for each of your exams and details of any alternative arrangements. If you are using a computer or have extra time for exams, the venue is usually the Examination Schools or your College, even if the rest of your cohort are at Ewert House.

Please arrive in good time (by 9.10 or 14.10) and listen carefully to the announcements. You must wear sub-fusc clothing and academic dress.

Printed lists, sorted alphabetically by name, will be located in the entrance hall or marquee and will display your examination room and seat number. Please check these lists carefully each day. In the exam room, the desk will display a number only so please remember your desk number.

You will not be able to take your bag, coat, etc into the examination room. A designated area will be provided for you to leave coats and bags while exams are in progress. Please do not bring valuables or personal items to examinations, as they will have to be left in the marquee or hall at your own risk.

You must remember to bring:

• Your University card (contact your College to order a new one if you have lost it);
• Your candidate number (available from the Student Self-Service Academic & Assessment page);

• Pens in a clear plastic bag.

You may bring:

• Still water in a clear, spill-proof bottle (i.e. sports cap not screw-top);
• Asthma inhalers, glucose tablets/drinks and silent blood testing kits if you have Type 1 diabetes (please ensure you have informed your College and have a note from them confirming what items you are bringing);
• Watch;

• Wallet (to be offered for inspection if requested).

You must not bring the following into the examination room:

• Mobile phone or other communication device;
• Clock;
• Any notes or unauthorised equipment;

• Food, drink or medicines unless authorised by the Proctors (in which case, bring your permission letter).

Further important information and guidance is available from the examination regulations page of the Student Gateway.

Whilst in the city, the torch will travel down 5.7 miles of Oxford's roads and streets and on the evening of 9 July there will be a celebration event in Oxford's South Park. The torch will then leave Oxford University's famous Iffley Road running track on the morning of Tuesday 10 July to continue its journey out of the county on to Berkshire.

Get involved by volunteering for a range of roles for both the Torch Relay and the Evening Celebration event in South Park. In return for volunteering you will be able to be part of the biggest event taking place in Oxford, as well as the biggest sporting event in the world in 2012. Where possible volunteers are required to attend a two hour training session in the two weeks prior to the 9 July. The training will cover communication and safety information to enable you to effectively carry out your role at this event. Anyone who attends the training sessions will automatically qualify to be part of the Sport Makers programme and receive an Adidas polo shirt, bag and certificate. Various times are available, with further details available from the volunteer registration form.

All lectures will be conducted in English on a range of topics from East Asia history, economics and geography, to politics and sociology. Students may also take courses in Korean language, music and arts and crafts from which they will learn language, cross-cultural communication skills, and traditional art practice. Further information can be found on the SNU ISI website.