Welcome to Newcastle!

Postgraduate Induction 2014

Professor John KirbyDean of Postgraduate StudiesFaculty of Medical Sciences

The City• Newcastle upon Tyne– the River Tyne divides Newcastle from Gateshead– Founded by the Romans almost 2000 years ago• One end of Hadrian’s Wall (Wallsend)

– Population of about 300,000• 38th largest city in the UK• In term time almost 1/6 of population are students!

– For its size, one of the safest cities in the UK – We are surrounded by some of the UK’s most

beautiful countryside

The University

• Newcastle University is one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities– The Russell Group (named after a hotel in London

where Vice Chancellors like to meet)

• Our students are satisfied and benefit from high-quality, research-informed teaching.– What is the evidence?

Congratulations!

• You have chosen to study at an excellent university• Last week our faculty was listed at position 94 out

of 15,000 universities in a global league table• Students of UK universities are regularly asked

about their experience– This year our students judged Newcastle second

highest amongst leading universities for overall satisfaction (independent NSS survey)

– Our postgraduate research students also consider Newcastle an excellent place to work (independent PRES survey)

Your opinion of us: PRES 2013

Some facts and figures• Student numbers:– 16,000 undergraduates– 6,000 postgraduates

• Staff:– 2,400 teachers

• Organised into 3 faculties:– Faculty of Medical Sciences: 4,600

students– Science, Agriculture and Engineering: 6,500 students– Humanities and Social Sciences: 10,700 students

• 3,774 postgraduate degrees were awarded last year!

Principal Officers (our bosses!)• The Chancellor– Professor Sir Liam Donaldson– Former Chief Medical Officer, England– An important ceremonial figurehead

• The Vice-Chancellor– Professor Chris Brink– Manages the University

• The Pro-Vice-Chancellor– Professor Chris Day– Manages the Faculty of Medical Sciences

The Faculty of Medical Sciences

• Management– The Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Day– Deans:• Clinical Medicine Prof Julia Newton• Research and Innovation Prof Dave Jones• Undergraduate Studies Prof Jane Calvert• International Medical Education Prof Roger Barton• Postgraduate Studies me

The Faculty of Medical Sciences

• All research staff and research students are based in a Research Institute.

• There are six Research Institutes:– Cell and Molecular Biosciences ICaMB– Cellular Medicine ICM– Health and Society IHS– Genetic Medicine IGM– Neurosciences IoN– Northern Institute of Cancer ResearchNICR

The Graduate School• All research students are also member of the

faculty’s Graduate School• Why do you need both an Institute and a Graduate

School?– The Institute will support your research activity– The Graduate School will:• Register you as a student• Ensure your research project and supervisors are appropriate• Help you to make good progress throughout your course• Provide many additional training activities• Support meetings with students from other institutes• Provide a sympathetic ear and help you with any problems

The Graduate School

• Facts and figures:– We have about 500 PhD students at all stages– About 60 MD students– About 200 MRes students

• Good news!– Almost all students submit their thesis on time.– More than 95% of students who submitted their PhD thesis

last year were awarded the degree.

• The School also manages more than 700 students registered for taught programmes (MSc, etc)

Where is the Graduate School?

Common Room• Ground floor, medical

school– Small computer cluster (with

WiFi)– Popular science magazines– Café area

• Drinks• Chocolate machine!

– 3 small private study rooms• Can be booked

Student’s reception and office• 3rd floor Ridley Building 1

The Graduate School – who’s who?

• me Dean• Dr Alison Tyson-Capper Postgraduate Tutor• Prof Dianne Ford Director of PhD Studies• Prof Rob Pickard Director of MD Studies• Prof Steve Yeaman Director International Studies• Prof Rob Taylor PG Recruitment• Dr Tim Cheek BBSRC programme director• Dr Richy Hetherington Development co-ordinator

• Ms Barbara Sumner Graduate School Administrator

A most important person – your supervisor

Supervisory teams• You will be supported by several supervisors working

in a team (minimum of 2 people)– Supervisors must:

• Be experienced (supervised previous students)• Have appropriate research expertise

• You will have formal meetings with your supervisors – You must meet your lead supervisor at least 10 times per

year– You must meet your co-supervisors at least 3 times per

year– These are minimal expectations (you might want many

more meetings!)

Further academic support

• Your project and supervisory team will be examined at the start by your progress review panel– Two independent but appropriately skilled academics

(generally appointed by your institute)• Your progress through the degree will be

monitored regularly by this panel– This is designed to help you and your supervisors– Please attend the Managing your Research Degree

session

Even more support!• Each Institute has a Postgraduate Research Co-

ordinator (supported by an administrator)

We listen to you (and respond)

• You will have student representation on important Institute committees

• There is a Student Representative’s Committee to inform the Graduate School

• We have student representative members of the Graduate School Committee

• We do listen and wherever possible we will change our practices to improve the experience of our students.

A final word• At this level we are all colleagues– Your research successes are shared by the faculty and

ensure our joint future• Students publish some of our leading papers

• Please don’t worry about anything – you can seek help from anyone and we are all eager to

help• Supervisor• Progress panel• Postgraduate Research Co-ordinator• Graduate School staff• Postgraduate Tutor • or me!