making sense of postgraduate study professor neill marshall dean of postgraduate studies humanities...
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Making sense of
postgraduate study
Professor Neill Marshall
Dean of Postgraduate Studies
Humanities and Social Sciences
About usPostgraduate study in the Humanities and Social Sciences
• Ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world (World University Rankings 2014/15)
• Over 160 programmes across 9 academic schools
• Over 2,000 postgraduate taught and 500 postgraduate research students from over 80 countries
• Dedicated to excellence in teaching and research
• Committed to supporting our postgraduate students to reach their full potential
Types of taught degrees
Master of Art (MA) • 120 credits of taught modules and a 60 credit
dissertation or project • 12 months full time, 24 months part time• Titles vary depending on the award studied e.g.
Master of: Business Administration (MBA), Fine Art (MFA), Law (LLM), Science (MSc)
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) • 120 credits of taught modules, with no dissertation • 8 months full time, 16 months part timePostgraduate Certificate (PGCert)• 60 credits of taught modules with no dissertation • 4 months full time, 8 months part time
Types of research degrees
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) • Research and training leading to the completion
of a 40,000 - 50,000 word thesis• 12 months full time, 24 months part time • Titles and structure vary depending on the award
studied e.g. Master of: Literature (MLitt), Research (MRes), Music (MMus)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) • Supervised thesis of 80,000 – 100,000 words
showing originality and suitability for publication • Researcher training and skills development• 36 months full time, 72 months part time
Types of research degrees
Integrated Doctor of Philosophy (IPhD) • Combines taught modules and advanced training
in discipline specific and generic research skills with original research
• 36 months – 48 months full time
Professional Doctorate (e.g. Doctor of Education, EdD) • Combines original research with taught modules
and work placements. The focus is on work-based practice rather than research in an academic context
• 36 - 48 months full time, 72 -84 months part time
Teaching and assessmentTaught degrees • Contact hours and teaching and assessment methods
vary depending on the degree and modules you choose
• Lectures and small group seminars are common teaching methods
• Coursework and exams are common assessment methods
Research degrees• Expect to work a 40 hr week• Includes researcher development workshops• Examined by thesis and vivaFind out moreFull details available on the degree pages of the website: www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses
Flexibility and Choice
Postgraduate study that’s built around you • The majority of our taught degrees are highly
flexible, with a mixture of compulsory modules and numerous optional modules to choose from - tailor your studies to match your personal interests and career aspirations
• Study full or part time• Some degrees have September and January
intakes• Most programmes are studied on campus, with
some online or blended learning options available
Why choose postgraduate study?
David Levinson,
Careers Service
Why do you want to do it?!!
academic interests and aptitudes?
change of direction?
work-related experience?
necessary for chosen career?
improve your prospects?
The UK graduate job market…
Any degree v specific degree
Salaries for PG v UG
Graduate v non-graduate jobs
General outlook
Before choosing….
Think about what you want to achieve What do you want to learn? What skills do you want to develop? Be very clear about the course content Research graduate destinations and options
Destinations of HASS Masters graduates, 2012/13
Make sure your application grabs attention!
Successful applicants will have...
Thought carefully about their reasons for applying and provided evidence of suitability
Researched the options thoroughly Spoken to academic staff, postgraduate
students and possibly employers Checked that they met the entry requirements Read and followed the applicants notes Provided all the information requested
Funding Postgraduate StudyNovember 2014
• Funding Tips• Terminology• Living Expenses• Tuition Fees• Funding SourcesFunding for UK/EU studentsFunding for international students (non EU)Fee discounts at Newcastle University
• Funding - other
Topics
Funding tips• Very few postgraduate programmes have
mandatory funding• The Student Loans Company normally does not
fund postgraduate study • Portfolio funding• Offer of a place • Start your search for funding early • Check what funding is available and when:
– www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding– www.jobs.ac.uk– www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk– www.findaphd.com
Terminology • Scholarships• Studentships• Stipends• Bursaries• Awards
• Maintenance or living expenses (including accommodation) 2015-16 figures
– UK students £10,000 - £11,000 per year– EU/international students £10,500 - £11,500
per year
**These figures do not include tuition fees**
Living Expenses
Tuition Fees
• Fees for 2015 entry are available on the University’s online Prospectus:
www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses• The fees vary by course…but typical costs (per
year):• Taught programmes - £5,500 (UK); £12,680 (int)• Research programmes - £4,450 (UK); £11,950 (int)
• Additional course-related expenses, e.g. books, equipment, fieldwork, travel (speak to your prospective school/institute)
Making an Application for Funding
• Very varied• Qualifications/ publications• Work/research experience• Proposed research project/objectives on
completion of the degree• Why should you be considered for the
studentship/ scholarship?• How will you pay for any remaining
tuition fees/ living costs?
AHRC Funding (UK/EU)• Northern Bridge Doctoral Training Partnership
(Newcastle, Durham, Queen’s University Belfast)• Approx. 50 studentships per year over next 5 years• Funding for doctoral-level programmes• Areas include: history, law, fine art, digital art, creative writing, music,
archaeology, classics, French studies, interpreting and translation, linguistics, German studies, film, drama and theatre studies, cultural and museum studies, English language and literature
• Stipend – approximately £13,800 (tbc)• Deadline – 26 January 2015• More information www.northernbridge.ac.uk
(updated end of November)
ESRC Funding (UK/EU)• 35 fully funded awards for 2015 entry
(Newcastle and Durham universities)Areas include: law, economic and social history, education, environmental planning, finance and economics, human geography, linguistics, Iberian and American studies, management and business studies, politics and international relations, psychology, social sciences and health, sociology
• Stipend – approx £13,800 (tbc) + £750 fieldwork, conferences
• 1+3; +3; +3.5• Deadline 16 February 2015• www.nedtc.ac.uk
Excellence Scholarships• UK/EU students• Excellence Scholarships for returning
students (graduates in 2014/15)• Taught programmes in HASS (Masters’ level
including MLitts)• £2,000 discount on tuition fees• 35 awards available• Deadline 1 June 2015• www.ncl.ac.uk/hss/postgrad/excellenceschol
arships.htm
Main sources of funding - International
Range of scholarship and bursary schemes for international students:
• University (partial funding)Newcastle University International Postgraduate Scholarships (NUIPS) £2,000Newcastle University Overseas Research Scholarship (NUORS) (£5,000 - £9,000)Country-specific scholarships (£2,000- £3,000)www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding
• External (sometimes fully funded scholarships)www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding
Tuition Fee Discounts - Newcastle
• Alumni Tuition Fee Discount (20%)Self-funded and partially-funded students
• International Family Discount (10%)Close relatives of international students
• Early Payment Discount (2%)Full payment by end of registration week
• Fee payment instalments- varies by university (Newcastle currently has two instalments - registration and then final payment in January )
• More information - www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding/fees
Funding - Other
• Funding for students with children– www.ncl.ac.uk/students/wellbeing/finance/funding/ukstudents/depe
ndants
• Funding for students with a disability– www.ncl.ac.uk/students/wellbeing/disability-support
• PGCE Funding– www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding/postgraduate-fundi
ng
• Professional and Career Development Loans– www.ncl.ac.uk/students/wellbeing/finance/funding/ukstudents/postg
raduate/private
• Charities, foundations and trusts– www.ncl.ac.uk/students/wellbeing/finance/funding/ukstudents/charityandtrust/postgra
duate
How do I find out more?
We’re here to help • Degree, module content and entry requirements:
www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses • Contact programme directors, potential research
supervisors or ask your personal tutor• Speak to current postgraduate students• Target postgraduate study and funding fair:
17 November, St. James’ Park 11am – 4pm • Postgraduate Open Day Wednesday 4 February 2015• Join Spring taster sessions• Ask us today, or leave your questions in the question
box outside