Social Science of the Internet (Taught)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

The MSc in Social Science of the Internet is a taught course exploring how the internet and digital technologies shape society. It covers social theory, internet governance, digital methods, and policy, with training in qualitative and quantitative research.

The course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to question and understand the multi-faceted ways in which the internet and emerging digital technologies are influencing and affecting our lives, societies, businesses, and governments.

Learning from the Oxford Internet Institute’s world-leading multi-disciplinary faculty, students of the MSc course will leave with new knowledge on important social science concepts and theories, research methods, technological fundamentals, and how to conduct and communicate high-quality research.

The diverse backgrounds of OII MSc students create a multidisciplinary peer network for students to engage in ideas, discussion and debate. The OII's busy calendar of seminars and events showcases many of the most noteworthy people in internet research, innovation and policy, allowing you to engage with the cutting edge of scholarship and debates around digital culture, internet technologies and AI.

Course structure
You will take the following core courses: Internet and Society, Internet Technologies and Regulation, Digital Social Research: Methods Core, Digital Social Research: Statistics Core.

You will take three option modules during the second term of the year; one substantive option course, one methods option course, and one further option course from either category. If you are studying part-time, you will generally take two options in the second term of your first year and one further option in the second term of your second year.

You will also write a thesis.