1. International Doctoral Training Programme School of Arts and Social Sciences Dr Jon Robinson

2. Aim of the programme Provide international students with and intensive introduction to UK research and academic skills needed to successfully begin PhD study at Northumbria

3. Programme is for students wanting to join a SASS research area: Media, Film, Fine Art, Politics, Sociology, Gender Studies, History, Literature and English Language and Linguistics

4. Specifically developed in response to the fact that whilst many international students have excellent academic qualifications from their country of origin they may not be prepared for the fundamental differences between overseas and UK education systems

5. Allows students to reach their full potential and obtain a place on a PhD Programme at Northumbria University

6. A bespoke (tailor made) training package specifically related the students chosen subject area of research. This will include three strands: 1. Postgraduate Research Module 2. Research seminars and lectures 3. Research contextualised English

7. Leads towards the completion of the Initial Project Application (IPA) and a viva in which you will demonstrate to your intended research supervision team your understanding of your subject area and viability of your proposed research

8. The Initial Project Approval (IPA) Why is it important?

9. Research degrees at Northumbria are structured around a series of key compulsory milestones that assist the student to complete their programme in a timely way. The IPA is the first milestone and needs to be successfully completed to allow students to embark on their research project.

10. In the IPA students detail the proposed research programme, the research question being asked, the aims and objectives of the research, the research methods to be employed and a timeline for the programme. It also outlines the full supervision arrangements in detail and a statement of support by the PhD supervision team.

11. Three entry points  6.5 IELTS (or equivalent) - £3,600 The Doctoral Training Programme runs from September 2011 to January 2012 Begin your PhD in January 2012

12. English Level needs to be raised by 0.5 IELTS  6.0 IELTS (or equivalent) - £4,900 The Doctoral Training Programme runs from 18 th July to January 2012 Begin your PhD in January 2012

13. English Level needs to be raised by 1.0 IELTS  5.5 IELTS (or equivalent) - £6,200 The Doctoral Training Programme runs from 13 th June 2011 to January 2012 Begin your PhD in January 2012

14. Pilot Scheme in SASS 2011 For those who go on to enrol on a PhD in SASS we refund £1,200 per year (maximum total £3,600) at the end of each successful year on the PhD

15. Bit more detail on what you will be doing on the programme 1. Postgraduate Research Module 2. Research seminars and lectures 3. Research contextualised English

16. Further details or enquiries Dr Jon Robinson John.robinson@northumbria.ac.uk