1. Welcome to Newcastle! Postgraduate Induction Alison Tyson-Capper Associate Dean of Postgraduate Studies (Faculty Postgraduate Tutor) Faculty of Medical Sciences

3. 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

4. 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?

5. Congratulations! You have chosen to study at an excellent university
Our faculty was listed 94th of 15,000 universities in a global league table (QS rating)
Students of UK universities are regularly asked about their experience
Our research students surveyed 86% agree that they are satisfied with their experience > university 83% and > the UK sector 82%

6. Your opinion of us: PRES 2015
Medical Sciences
94%
Newcastle
93%
Russell Group
92%
Sector
My supervisor/s have the skills and subject knowledge to support my research
Medical Sciences
88%
Newcastle
82%
Russell Group
81%
Sector
78%
I have access to the specialist resources necessary for my research
Medical Sciences
94%
Newcastle
92%
Russell Group
90%
Sector
My skills in applying appropriate research methodologies, tools and techniques have developed during my programme

7. Some facts and figures Student numbers: Staff:
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

8. Principal Officers (our bosses!)
The Chancellor
Professor Sir Liam Donaldson
Former Chief Medical Officer, England
An important ceremonial figurehead
The Vice-Chancellor
Professor Chris Day
Manages the University
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor
Professor David Burn
Manages the Faculty of Medical Sciences

9. The Faculty of Medical Sciences
Management
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof David Burn
Deans:
Clinical Medicine Prof Andy Fisher
Research and Innovation Prof Derek Mann
Translational Research Prof John Simpson
Undergraduate Studies Prof Jane Calvert
International Medical Education Prof Roger Barton
Postgraduate Studies Prof John Kirby

10. 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 Research NICR

11. 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

12. The Graduate School Facts and figures: Good news!
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)

13. Where is the Graduate School?
Ridley Atrium
Student’s reception and office
3rd floor Ridley Building 1
Training Suite / common room

14. The Graduate School – who’s who?
John Kirby Dean
Me Postgraduate Tutor
Prof Ruth Valentine Director of Taught Programmes
Prof Rakesh Heer Director of MD Studies
Prof Ann Daly 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

15. A most important person – your supervisor

16. 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!)

17. 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

18. Even more support!
Each Institute has a Postgraduate Research Co-ordinator (supported by an administrator)
Dr Xiao Wang
88792

19. 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.

20. 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!