Issue 1 - Trinity Term 2013
Welcome to the latest issue of Student News, containing a roundup of information on news and events from the University. Check out the Student Gateway or follow us on Twitter for up-to-the minute information.Latest News
- Would you like to appear on Mastermind? Auditions 1 & 2 May 2013
- LERU Bright Conference, 12–16 August 2013
- Alumni Association 2013 Student Sporting Awards
- OxTALENT Awards 2013 call for entries
- Submissions for the Undergraduate Awards
- Win a paid internship at Sharp Laboratories
- 2013/14 Student Finance Applications
- Schwarzman Scholars Announced
- Preparing for examinations
- Trinity Term Mock Exams and Exam Orientation
- Misuse of Bodleian cards
- Access Guide feedback survey
Events
- Staying in the UK to work, 23 April, 12.30-14.00, Careers Service, 56 Banbury Road
- Plagiarism Education Week, 22–26 April 2013
- Cycle safety and registration event, 10.00-14.00, 25 April 2013
- ArtMill Bohemian Workshops, 7-28 June 2013
- UNISCA Summer Course, University of Amsterdam, 15–26 July 2013
Latest News
Would you like to appear on Mastermind? Auditions 1 & 2 May 2013
The BBC Mastermind team will be in Oxford on Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 May to look for contestants for the next series of the quiz show. The team is inviting would-be contestants to email mastermind@bbc.co.uk, mentioning 'Oxford' in the subject line. A member of the production team will reply with more information. Auditions consist of an informal chat about potential specialist subjects and a quick general knowledge test. Further information is also available from the Mastermind 2013 poster 
(1,053kb).
Mastermind has been running on the BBC since 1972. The programme involves four contestants braving the black chair as they answer questions on their specialist subjects and test their general knowledge. The question master is John Humphrys, presenter of Radio Four’s Today programme. Last year Oxford student Charlotte Mason, who is studying Physics at Merton, was on the show, and answered questions on the Gemini Space Programme.
LERU Bright Conference, 12–16 August 2013
Applications are open for the League of European Research Universities (LERU) Bright Conference, an annual gathering of students from member universities. The conference, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, aims to provide an environment in which excellent students can focus on themes crucial to their education and cultural development, as field specialists and stakeholders of the Europe of tomorrow. This year’s theme is Energy Transition in the 21st Century. Thanks to a generous donation from the University’s Alumni Association, up to four bursaries are available for student attending the conference. Deadline for applications, 3 May 2013. Visit the Fees and Funding website.Alumni Association 2013 Student Sporting Awards
These awards are aimed at assisting talented University sportspeople, helping them to excel in their chosen sport and contribute to the success of sport at Oxford. Further information on the awards and an application form are available from the Alumni website. Closing date for applications, 10 May 2013. Awards will be distributed at the beginning of June.OxTALENT Awards 2013 call for entries
The OxTALENT annual awards recognise members of the University who have made use of ICT to foster learning and academic practice at either undergraduate or postgraduate level. Awards can be given either to individuals or to teams. This year's categories are:
- Use of WebLearn to support a course or programme of study
- Student IT Innovation
- Conference Poster
- Digital Images and Photography
- Data Visualisation and Research Infographic
- Use of apps and mobile technology
This is your opportunity to get your creativity recognised. Winners will receive a prize at the red-carpet awards ceremony in June, and be profiled on IT Services and other University websites and interviewed by the University podcasting team. Deadline for applications, mid-day 17 May 2013. Visit the OxTALENT Awards webpage.
Submissions for the Undergraduate Awards
Business, Science, Humanities or The Arts - there's a category in the Undergraduate Awards for you. Winners will be taken to the UA Summit 2013 - an exclusive three day networking event in Dublin. Winners and shortlisted students are recognised as the best and most innovative in their field which can be a significant catalyst when pursuing further studies or their chosen career. Places are limited. Students wishing to enter can reserve their space in the competition and register here. Before entering review the submission guidelines to ensure you're on the right track. You will need to write a 100-300 word abstract to accompany your submission and complete the submission form by 24 May 2013. You can submit up to 3 different papers/projects. Need a little assistance? Email info@undergraduateawards.com or join the community at undergraduateawards.com, facebook.com/undergraduateawards, @UndergradAwardsWin a paid internship at Sharp Laboratories
Humans Invent in partnership with Sharp, are offering the opportunity to win a paid internship at Sharp Laboratories of Europe in Oxford. This is the European Research and Development arm for Sharp and is responsible for cutting edge innovations like mobile LCD technology, smart cards, DualView, the ‘lab in the palm of your hand’ and many more that have helped solve a genuine human need. Deadline for entries, 27 May 2013. Visit: Humans Invent.2013/14 Student Finance Applications
Student finance applications have opened for the 2013/14 academic year for all UK students. Students need to reapply for each year of their course and it is recommended that applications are made online as soon as possible to ensure funding is in place for Michaelmas Term 2013.
Students who started their course BEFORE 2012:
The tuition fee for 2013/14 is £3,465 for students from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales who started their course before 2012. If you are applying for a tuition fee loan, please ensure that you apply for the correct amount. Applications should be made through:
- Student Finance England
- Student Finance Northern Ireland
- Student Finance Wales
- Student Awards Agency for Scotland
If you wish to be considered for an Oxford Opportunity Bursary in 2013/14, you must be financially assessed in your application for UK government funding AND give permission for the University to access this data. For more information visit the Oxford Financial Support website.
Students who started their course IN 2012:
For students from England, Northern Ireland and Scotland who started their course in 2012, the tuition fee for 2013/14 is £9,000. If you are applying for a tuition fee loan, please ensure that you apply for the maximum level of £9,000 regardless of whether you received a fee reduction in 2012. The University will automatically apply any fee reduction to your loan, as well as notify the Student Loans Company on your behalf. Applications should be made through:
If you wish to be considered for an Oxford Opportunity Bursary or Oxford Fee Reduction in 2013/14, you must be financially assessed in your application for UK government funding AND give permission for the University to access this data. For more information visit the Oxford Financial Support website.
For students from Wales who started their course in 2012 the tuition fee for 2013/14 is £3,575. This is because students are able to access a tuition fee grant of £5,425 from the Welsh Assembly. If you are applying for a tuition fee loan, please ensure that you apply for the correct amount. Applications should be made through Student Finance Wales. If you wish to be considered for an Oxford Opportunity Bursary in 2013/14, you must be financially assessed in your application for UK government funding AND give permission for the University to access this data. For more information visit the Oxford Financial Support website.
Schwarzman Scholars Announced
Blackstone founder Stephen A. Schwarzman today announced a $100 million (¥600 million) personal gift to build and endow an elite scholarship programme, Schwarzman Scholars, inspired by the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship programme. Schwarzman Scholars will support 200 students annually for a one-year Master’s programme at Tsinghua University in Beijing, one of China’s most prestigious universities, dedicated to academic excellence and integrity, and the interaction between Chinese and Western cultures. Students will live in Beijing for a year of study and cultural immersion, attending lectures by heads of state, travelling throughout the country, and developing a true understanding of China.
The first class of students is slated for 2016 with admissions opening in 2015. Visit: Schwarzman Scholars.
Preparing for examinations
Your personal timetable showing the papers you have entered and the dates, times and location at which they will take place will be sent to you at your college approximately two weeks before your examinations start. Please note the details accurately. It is your responsibility to see that you sit the correct examination and misreading of information will not be considered an acceptable reason for non-attendance at examinations. If you have not received your timetable, or discover any problems such as a clash of papers, contact your college as soon as possible.Trinity Term Mock Exams and Exam Orientation
Exam Services will be holding three mock exam sessions in Week 3 of Trinity Term:
7 May, 14.30-17.30 – Mock Exam 1
9 May, 14.30-17.30 – Mock Exam 2
10 May, 09.30-12.30 – Mock Exam 3
Each session will be a fully invigilated 3-hour exam. The aim is to make the experience as real as possible to enable you to experience the atmosphere and the emotions of sitting an exam, with the hope that it will better prepare you for the real thing. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the exam procedures at the end of the exam.
Two 60-minute exam orientation sessions are available:
7 May, 14.30-15.30 – Orientation Session 1
9 May, 14.30-15.30 – Orientation Session 2
Each session will give you the opportunity to experience what happens on your arrival for an exam and to hear exam regulations, such as what you can/cannot take into an exam room and exam conduct. You will have an opportunity to ask questions to both invigilators and exam staff.
Sign-up to the session/s you wish to attend via the Mock Exam WebLearn site.
If you have not signed up to previous mock exam sessions you must join this Site to be able to Sign-up. To join the Site, click the 'Site Info' link, then click the [Join this site] button and click the 'Home' link to return to the home screen. Sign-up from your own account so that you receive updates including confirmation of your session/s. Please read the WebLearn Information Sheet before you attend the session. If you sign up for a session and are no longer able to attend, please ensure you cancel your booking so that we can arrange the room space effectively.
Misuse of Bodleian cards
There have been several incidents at the Bodleian recently where students have given their University Card to a friend to use for entrance into the Library. Loaning your card to another person is a serious breach of security and should not be done. Please be reminded that misuse of your card, such as allowing another person to use it for access to premises or facilities, is a serious offence and will be reported to the appropriate disciplinary authorities.Access Guide feedback survey
A new online Access Guide is being created to provide information on the accessibility of University buildings. To help ensure that the Guide is comprehensive and user-friendly have your say on its content and style by completing the short online survey.Events
Staying in the UK to work, 23 April, 12.30-14.00, Careers Service, 56 Banbury Road
A presentation for international students wishing to remain in the UK to work. Visit: Careers Service websitePlagiarism Education Week, 22–26 April 2013
Visit the Plagiarism Education Week website for information and resources about plagiarism, including videos entitled “I’ll just google it” and “Why isn’t Wikipedia a reputable source?”. The site also includes useful materials and handouts on the topics of plagiarism prevention and how to cite sources in your work (click on ‘Student materials’).
Course on Plagiarism: How to avoid it, 9.15-12.15, 12 June 2013
You need to book a place to attend this course. Booking opens 30 days in advance, but you can express an interest and receive an email when booking opens.