You should familiarise yourself with The University’s code of practice concerning academic integrity. While the code’s principles relate specifically to the conduct of research, all graduate students are advised to make themselves aware of the document’s contents and also of the information concerning Research Integrity and Ethics.

Within its definition of misconduct in research, the code of conduct refers to plagiarism and it is important for all taught course and research students within the Graduate School's subject areas to be aware of and to follow good practice in the use of sources and making appropriate reference. Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. Intentional or reckless plagiarism is a disciplinary offence and may incur severe penalties, including failure of your degree.

You will need to exercise judgement in determining when reference is required and when material may be taken to be so much a part of the ‘general knowledge’ of your subject that formal citation would not be expected. The basis on which such judgements are made is likely to vary slightly between subject areas as may also the style and format of making references and your supervisor, or course organiser where appropriate, will be in the best position to advise you on such matters; in addition, these may be covered, along with other aspects of academic writing, in your induction training. It is mandatory to complete the online course Avoiding Plagiarism during your first term.

By following the citation principles and practices in place in your subject area, you will develop a rigorous approach to academic referencing and avoid inadvertent plagiarism. Cases of apparently deliberate plagiarism, while happily infrequent in the University, are taken extremely seriously, and where examiners suspect that this has occurred, they bring the matter to the attention of the Proctors. Your attention is drawn to the University Student Handbook, section 8.7, Plagiarism, in particular:

“The University reserves the right to use software applications to screen submitted work for matches either to published sources or to other submitted work. In some examinations, all candidates are asked to submit electronic copies of essays, dissertations etc. for screening. Any matches might indicate either plagiarism or collusion. Although you are encouraged to use electronic resources in academic work, remember that the plagiarism regulations apply to online material and other digital material just as much as they do to printed material…

….If examiners believe that submitted material may be plagiarised they will refer the matter to the Proctors. The Proctors will suspend a student’s examination while they fully investigate such cases (this can include interviewing the student). If they consider that a breach of the disciplinary regulations has occurred, the Proctors can refer the matter to the Academic Conduct Panel or to the Student Disciplinary Panel. Where plagiarism is proven, it will be dealt with severely: in the most extreme cases, this can result in the student’s career at Oxford being ended by expulsion from the University.”

Your attention is also drawn to regulations 3, 4, 5 & 6 in the Proctors' Disciplinary Regulations for University Examinations

Find out more about what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it.