You should familiarise yourself with Academic integrity in research | HR Support (ox.ac.uk). 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 | Research Support (ox.ac.uk).

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 Student Handbook, section 7.7, Plagiarism, in particular:

"The University has the right to use software, and routinely does so, in order to screen submitted work for matches either to published sources or to other submitted work.

Any unauthorised use of AI during assessment constitutes cheating and plagiarism under University rules, penalties for which include failing the exam and, in appropriate cases, expulsion. Any use of AI during assessment is unauthorised unless you are specifically told differently in advance of the assessment by your department (e.g. Computer Science assessments involving use of AI). Work submitted for assessment and open book exam responses may be screened for matches either to published sources or to other submitted work. Any matches might indicate plagiarism, collusion or use of AI".

Your attention is also drawn to regulations Proctors' Regulations 1 of 2003 | Governance and Planning (ox.ac.uk)

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