Postgraduate Open Day Programme

The University of Nottingham

Postgraduate Open Day Programme

Wednesday 26 November 2003

10am to 4pmIntroduction

Postgraduate study provides an opportunity for you to shape your career and take your talents further. So when you’re thinking about where to go, you’ll be looking for the most appropriate solution. We’re proud to offer world-leading research and taught programmes, inspiring campuses, internationally renowned staff and an amazing, thriving city to call home.

We are a pioneering postgraduate centre with a global focus, and our exceptional standards have been widely recognised:

26 departments rated 5 and 5* in the latest Research Assessment Exercise
39 subjects rated excellent in the independent assessment of our teaching
Over 200 taught masters, diploma and certificate courses
Research awards totalling £82 million
A thriving global community of over 25,800 students from 130 countries

Our postgraduate Open Day offers you the opportunity to find out more about the many postgraduate taught courses and research opportunities at The University of Nottingham.

Members of academic staff and current students from over forty schools and institutes will be on hand to talk to visitors. The focal point for the day will be in the Ballroom located in the PortlandBuilding on the University Park Campus. The event will open at 10am on Wednesday 26 November and visitors are welcome to drop in at any time until 4pm.

There will be a host of other activities including presentations, seminars and drop-in sessions throughout the day. More details can be found in this programme.

Postgraduate Prospectus

If you would like to review the courses and research areas offered you can visit our online prospectus ( or request a paper prospectus by calling 0115 951 4224 or , alternatively, you can pick up a copy on the day.

Academic schools and institutes fair

American and Canadian Studies

Archaeology (Humanities)

Art History (Humanities)

Biomedical Sciences

Biology

Biosciences

Built Environment

Business

Chemical, Environmental and Mining Engineering

Chemistry

Civil Engineering

Classics (Humanities)

Community Health Services

Computer Science and IT

Continuing Education

Critical Theory and Cultural Studies

Economics

Education

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Engineering, Surveying and Space Geodesy (IESSG)

English Studies

Film Studies

Graduate Entry Medicine Course (GEM)

Genetics (Biology)

Genetics, Biorisk and Society (IGBiS)

Geography

History

Humanities

Law

Learning Sciences Research Institute

Mathematical Sciences

Mechanical, Materials, Manufacturing Engineering and Management

Medical and Surgical Sciences

Modern Languages

Molecular Medical Sciences

Music (Humanities)

Nursing

Pharmacy

Philosophy (Humanities)

Physics and Astronomy

Politics

Psychology

Sociology and Social Policy

Theology (Humanities)

Work, Health and Organisations (I-WHO)

Support services fair

Accommodation (Catering & Residential Services)

Advice on applying (Admissions Office)

Alumni

Childcare Services

Graduate Prospects

GraduateSchool

Information Services (Library & Computing)

International Office

International Students Bureau

Lakeside Arts Centre

Postgraduate Students Association

Students' Union

Timetable of central talks

(All rooms are located in the PortlandBuilding)

Time / Talk / Speaker / Room No
10.15 / Welcome to The University of Nottingham / Professor Paul Heywood, Dean of the GraduateSchool / A23
10.45 / Funding for International Students / Dr Christine Humfrey, Director of the International Office / A23
11.30 / The employability of postgraduates / Jan Perrett, Centre for Career Development; Dr Jo Longman, The GraduateSchool / A23
1.00 / Applying to the AHRB / Professor Brean Hammond, School of English Studies / C41
1.00 / Students Union services / Jonathan Auld, Education Officer, the Students Union
Robert Price, President, Postgraduate Students Association
Sujay Shah, President, International Students Bureau / C50
1.45 / Funding Information / Chris Rea, Graduate Prospects / A23
1.45 / Accommodation at Nottingham / Katherine Seddon, The Accommodation Office / C41
1.45 / Research excellence at The University of Nottingham / Professor Don Grierson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Industry / West Concourse lounge
1.45 / Research Training Programme / Pauline Harris, The GraduateSchool / D102
2.30 / The ESRC / Dr Andreas Bieler & Dr Elizabeth Murphy / West Concourse lounge
2.30 / Sources of funding / Sue Briault, Centre for Career Development / A23
2.30 / The Students View / Various current taught and research students / D101
3.15 / How is a research thesis examined? / Dr James Roy, Department of Classics / C41

Details of central talks

Welcome to The University of Nottingham

Professor Paul Heywood, Dean of the GraduateSchool

The GraduateSchool provides a focus for postgraduate education across the University, ensuring that the interests of postgraduate students are properly recognised in all University activities. Professor Heywood, will welcome visitors and outline the range of support and services offered to postgraduate students by the GraduateSchool.

Funding for international students

Dr Christine Humfrey, Director of the International Office

Funding is a key concern for most potential postgraduate students. The University of Nottingham offers a wide variety of full and partial scholarships - either competitive or automatic - for international (including EU) students.

The presentation will explain the rationale and the procedures for the award of these scholarships and will provide full details of the awards to be made and the eligibility criteria. It will cover awards for students from various countries and regions and for those in various subject areas.

The presentation will also show the methods of tuition fee payment - several of which result in reduced fees being charged.

A booklet listing the types of scholarships and the e-mail addresses of the scholarship team in the International Office, together with the scholarship URL will be available at the International Office stand.

The timing of this event means that eligible students can take advantage of the information to assist their applications for 2004 entry.

The employability of postgraduate students

Jan Perrett, Centre for Career Development;

Dr Jo Longman, The GraduateSchool

The aim of this session is to encourage students to consider the advantages of postgraduate study at The University of Nottingham and to reflect on their own motivation. It will address the definition of employability and consider the benefits of a postgraduate qualification for the individual and for the future employer.

Applying to the AHRB

Professor Brean Hammond, School of English Studies

The talk will cover the main aspects of applying to the AHRB for funding in competitions A and B (MA/MPhil and PhD applications). It will draw examples from English, but will make points of reference to all Arts faculty applicants.

Students Union services

Jonathan Auld, Education Officer, the Students Union

Robert Price, President, Postgraduate Students Association

Sujay Shah, President, International Students Bureau

Representatives from the Students Union, PGSA and ISB will present an informal session on what they offer postgraduate students at Nottingham. They will discuss clubs and societies, support, representation, training and advice. They will also discuss the huge variety of opportunities to get involved and how you can make the most of your time at Nottingham.

Funding Information

Chris Rea, Graduate Prospects

The talk will give an overview of how to gain funding for Postgraduate study. He will identify and explain a wide range of sources including employer funding, public funding (including the Research councils), institutional funding as well as the loan situation.

Accommodation at Nottingham

Katherine Seddon, The Accommodation Office

As part of Catering & Residential Services, the Accommodation Office offers a free and friendly service in helping you find the right place to live in Nottingham. We help a variety of people but mainly deal with prospective and current undergraduate and postgraduate students and students with families or partners. The University offers well-equipped and modern accommodation that is situated close to all University campuses, and we are also able to support students in finding accredited private housing through approved landlords.

The talk will take you through the accommodation options that are available to you as a postgraduate student and will outline the steps you need to take to apply for this accommodation.

Research Training Programme

Pauline Harris, The GraduateSchool

Studying as a postgraduate research student demands rather different skills from undergraduate study. This session tells you about the Research Training Programme provided by the GraduateSchool. Our leading programme offers over fifty, free, short courses to help you through your career as a research student and into employment.

Research excellence at The University of Nottingham

Professor Don Grierson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Industry

We are a world-renowned centre of higher education, respected internationally for our award winning research and teaching excellence.

Professor Grierson will be discussing some of the groundbreaking research that Nottingham is famous for. Our continued commitment to research has recently been demonstrated by the recruitment of twenty research-led professorships, and the creation of five inter-disciplinary centres for research. Professor Grierson will also discuss the international research partnerships that make Nottingham a truly global institution. Our commitment to research excellence also has considerable benefits for taught postgraduates with students enjoying the benefits of working with research scholars, ensuring that the latest developments are quickly integrated into our taught programmes.

The ESRC

Dr Andreas Bieler, School of Politics

Dr Elizabeth Murphy. School of Sociology and Social Policy

Part 1 of the session will discuss the thinking behind ESRC's 1+3 model, and what it seeks to achieve. It will then outline the key features of the training requirements and explain how we comply with these at Nottingham.

Part 2 will present an ESRC examiner view and what to observe when filling in the application form, covering all three sections, i.e. candidate’s background and testimonials, proposed research, and details of supervisor, department and research training.

Sources of funding

Sue Briault, Centre for Career Development

Can you afford any more study? The session outlines the various sources of funding available to UK students from public sources. In addition it will include particular advice for all students who may need to apply to charitable trusts or educational foundations for their funding.

The Students View: what postgraduate study is really like at Nottingham

Various current taught and research postgraduates

This informal session aims to give the unofficial view on what life is really like as a postgraduate at Nottingham. Current postgraduates from both taught and research programmes will discuss issues such as funding study, applications to funding councils and how to balance work and study. University support for overseas conference trips is also explained as well as discussing life in the City and social opportunities. They will also answer questions from the audience on any topic.

How is a research thesis examined?

Dr James Roy, Department of Classics

The talk will touch on the following questions, with an opportunity to discuss them afterwards: Why choose a research degree rather than a taught postgraduate course? Which research degree should you choose? What can you expect to gain from a research degree (a) in strictly academic terms and (b) in skills that you can apply more widely? Who is responsible for your success? What is your own responsibility for your progress? What is your supervisor’s responsibility? What part do your examiners play?

Research Training Programme

Pauline Harris, The GraduateSchool

TBC/ Copy to follow (about 50-100 words)

Research excellence at The University of Nottingham

Professor Don Grierson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research

TBC/ Copy to follow (about 50-100 words)

Tours

Library tours and information sessions

Information Services provides a wide range of services to support the teaching, learning and research needs of the University. These include an extensive collection of both printed and electronic library resources, IT facilities and network access (including internet, email and software) delivered through our customised online portals. We also provide opportunities to learn a language.

Come along and see what we have to offer. To book a place, please contact Priti Kanani on (0115) 8467387 or register at the Information Services desk on the day.

Campus tours

The campus environment is a place to study and a place to enjoy. The University’s campuses are superb, integrating beautiful parkland and countryside with impressive traditional and modern architecture. Tours will be available during the Open Day to allow visitors to look around the University Park campus. To book a place, please contact Amy Langmead on 0115 8467400, email , or register at the Welcome Desk on the day.

Support services fair participants details

East Concourse Lounge, PortlandBuilding

Accommodation (Catering & Residential Services)

Tel 0115 951 3697

email: (for UK/EU postgraduates) or

(for international postgraduates)

Advice on Applying (Admission Office)

At this stall you will be able to get advice and support about the application process at Nottingham. We have a user-friendly on-line application system and a demonstration will be available together with any advice you require in order to answer the questions on the application form.

Tel: 0115 951 4669

Fax: 0115 951 4668

email:

Alumni

The Alumni Relations Team creates and strengthens links between the University and its alumni (graduates and former students) and provides networking opportunities. Events are organised on campus and at venues throughout the UK and overseas. The University of Nottingham magazine is mailed to over 80,000 Nottingham alumni.

Tel: +44 (0)115 951 3688

email:

Childcare Services

Childcare Services offers a broad range of quality childcare for both students and staff. There is a 50 place Day Nursery for children aged 6 months to 5 years, which opens from 8.30am to 6.00pm for 47 weeks a year and a 24 place Playcentre Day Care for children aged 2 to 5 years, which opens 8.30am to 5.30pm with a choice of term-time only or full year care. In addition we have a holiday playscheme for children aged 4 and a half to 12 which runs in all the school holidays, an Out of School Club for after school care, and a Toy Library where toys may be borrowed for a small fee.

Graduate Prospects

Consider your prospects!

Visit the Prospects stand and pick up your copy of:

Prospects Postgrad –Your essential guide to Postgraduate study
Prospects Postgrad Funding Guide – Everything you need to know about funding postgraduate study

Sign up to My Prospects and receive the very latest and relevant postgraduate study opportunities by e-mail and text message.

Tel: 0161 277 5200

Fax: 0161 277 5220

email:

- the UK’s official graduate careers website.

GraduateSchool

Staff from the GraduateSchool will be on hand throughout the day to provide information about:

Scholarships and other funding available for postgraduate students

The support provided by the GraduateSchool for registered postgraduate students

Information Services

Information Services staff will be on hand to provide a sample of the kind of support materials which we offer to students at Nottingham. These include guides, online tutorials, an extensive training programme and our new student portal.

International Office

The International Office helps all international students with information about the University before and during the application process. A team of people are dedicated to supporting international students throughout their time here. The International Office stand will be able to offer advice on all aspects of life at the University, and will specifically offer advice on funding opportunities and scholarships. The Director of the International Office, Dr Christine Humfrey will also give a presentation on funding for international.

email:

Lakeside Arts Centre

Lakeside Arts Centre is rapidly establishing itself as one of the region’s premier multi-arts venues.

Acclaimed for its superb acoustic, Lakeside’s Recital Hall provides a perfect setting for classical, contemporary and early music concerts. The 250 capacity theatre hosts a diverse programme of national and international theatre and dance companies, plus comedy, cinema, literary events, roots and jazz music and the nationally renowned DjanoglyArtGallery embraces both historical exhibitions and groundbreaking contemporary work, while regional culture and history is explored in the Weston Gallery’s archival exhibitions.

Students’ Union/PGSA/ISB

The Students’ Union will be offering information about the social life of the University. We will also provide information on the welfare services offered by the Union.

The Postgraduate Students Association (PGSA) and International Students Bureau (ISB) work alongside the Students Union, and concentrate on the specific needs of Postgraduate and International students respectively.

email: (Students’ Union), (PGSA) or (ISB)

Academic schools and institutes fair participant details

Ballroom, PortlandBuilding

American and Canadian Studies

The School offers the MA in American Studies and a variety of additional taught MA courses that include American Studies. MA, MRes, MPhil and PhD programmes are available full- and part-time. Research areas offered are varied and diverse and each application will be considered individually.

During the day you will have the opportunity to attend information sessions lead by the Head of School, the MA Convenor, Admissions Tutor and the Postgraduate Tutor. You can meet current students and tour the campus and have the opportunity to ask questions and receive advice on applications.