Summer Issue 2015 Welcome to Kent! Master’s Degree Students Induction 24 th September 2015 Suzie Morris Graduate School Administration Manager Kent Graduate School The Graduate School

Getting Started… Enrol....get IT account… register for modules… pay fees! Find out who directs your programme of study Find out when and where your lectures and seminars are Find out who the Director of Graduate Studies is for your School Acquaint yourself with your Schools support processes – tutor/student advisor etc Check deadlines and examination dates

The Graduate School Mission: to lead and champion the strategic development of provision for graduate education and research at the University of Kent.

Senate Vice-Chancellor Graduate School Board Dean of the Graduate School Faculty Boards Deans Faculty Graduate Studies Committee Associate Deans (Graduate Studies) School Graduate Studies Committee School Directors of Graduate Studies Staff/Student Liaison CommitteesCourse Directors and supervisors Programme Approval Sub-Committee Structure Diagram for Postgraduate Programmes

Postgraduate Experience at Kent 86% Student Satisfaction in Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2015 (sector average 82%) BUT… If you have concerns, please tell us: Module Convenor School Director of Graduate Studies Complaints Procedure for Students klet/complaints_procedure_students_august201 3v5.pdf

Student Involvement Get involved…make your voice heard.. Postgraduate Student Representatives – School, Faculty, University Staff Student Liaison Committees (SSLCs) Postgraduate Student Surveys e.g. PTES Kent Graduate Student Association The Graduate School

The GradPost The GradPost Editorial Team A newsletter created by Postgraduates for the Postgraduate community. Contact: Information on Gradpost opportunities that will look great on your CV and enhance your postgraduate experience at Kent can be found on our website:

Postgraduate Experience Awards Do you have a great idea for a Postgraduate event at Kent? Apply for funding through the postgraduate experience awards and your idea could become a reality. Applications for up to £1,500 are invited for the Graduate School postgraduate experience awards Applications will be considered for funding to run events or projects with an interdisciplinary and/or external focus which will enhance the postgraduate experience at Kent. Examples of projects funded in 2014  “Take the Floor!” - an innovative workshop on improving presentation skills led by PhD students from the Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies.  “Home|Less” – an interdisciplinary conference organised by four PhD students on the meaning and implications of the concept of home  Ethnobotanical Garden – A project by PhD students from School of Anthropology and Conservation to further develop the flower beds up against the wall of the rear of the Marlowe Building Deadline for applications is 27 th November 2015 Application forms and more details at

Postgraduate Research Festival Page 9 Annual PG Research Festival takes place in May Open to all postgraduate students Students can present their work to a wider academic audience Opportunity to network with academic staff and peers Learn how to create and present an academic poster The Graduate School is running ‘Producing an Effective Research Poster’ workshops (16 th February, 2 nd March and 21 st March 2016). For more information please contact

Postgraduate Handbook for Taught Master’s students Everything you need to know about being a postgraduate taught Master’s student at Kent including information on: Student Services Local community information Regulatory information

Master’s Degree Pass Mark (Level 7) 50% Pass Mark for all Level 7 Modules 40% Pass Mark for Levels 4 to 6 Modules Classification: 50 to 60 - Pass 60 to 70 - Merit 70 and above - Distinction

Global Skills Award Master’s degree students from all disciplines are invited to apply for a place which can be taken alongside their Master’s degree programme. All postgraduates accepted onto the programme will complete an on-line Personal Development assessment. The programme will run from November until March. Students will attend a lecture series on national and global issues and be able to select from a programme of workshops. The Award programme is designed to enhance global awareness and employability in a competitive job market. All those who successfully complete the programme will receive a Global Skills Award Programme Certificate. The programme is free of charge.

Sample Lecture Topics TitleSpeaker Cancer research and treatment; past, present and future Professor Michelle Garrett Are our (genetic) male bits shrinking into oblivion?Professor Darren Griffin The Wisdom of PsychopathsDr Kevin Dutton Not so Silent Nights: The Christmas Truce, 1914Professor Mark Connelly The disappearing computer: computing from 1950 to 2050 Professor Simon Thompson Researching Violent Actors: The Whys and Hows Dr Harmonie Toros

Networking Mock assessment centres Leadership Team building Presentation skills Managing your career Writing a brilliant CV Writing a killer cover letter Interview skills Cross cultural communication The changing shape of Religion Workshop Topics

How do I obtain the award? Apply using the online booking system at (closing date is 22 nd November 2015) Attend the Introduction Evening on 2nd November 2015 in Woolf Lecture Theatre Complete the initial personal development assessment via the online system before 23rd November 2015 Attend a minimum of 8 lectures from the lecture series (in addition to the introductory lecture) Participate in a minimum of 6 workshops from the workshop programme Provide feedback on all 8 lectures and 6 workshops attended (via the online booking system) Complete a final personal development assessment via the online system before 20th May 2016

: -Over 5,100 students -130 business and organisations -567 rewards E: W: The Employability Points Scheme Get Involved! Get Rewarded! 1. Take part in extra-curricular activities 2. Claim Employability Points 3. Get rewarded! Activities can include: volunteering, attending workshops, joining societies, working part- time, etc. Rewards range from internships, project placements, work experience, training sessions, assessment centres and vouchers! Gain both ‘real life’ skills and work experience through the EP Scheme to stand out to prospective employers.

Working During Your Studies There are various opportunities to undertake paid and unpaid work during your studies. Benefits include: Earning extra income Networking and making new contacts Gaining experience and learning new skills Tier 4 Visa Students  All Tier 4 postgraduate students may work up to 20 hours per week until the end of their course. In addition: Taught Master’s degree students may work full-time over Christmas and Easter vacations

All Students – things you must do.. Visit Rochester Castle.. historic dockyard…Bluewater … Pop down to Canterbury and see the sights as well as the ‘other’ Campus Buy a railcard and go to London – some of the world’s best museums and galleries are on your doorstep and they are free! Book well in advance and travel to Brussels and Paris on the Eurostar

Contact Details Professor Diane Houston, Dean of the Graduate School Cornwallis East 3 rd floor, room 323 Graduate School Staff Suzie Morris, Graduate School Administration Manager ext: 3182 Ros Beeching, Graduate School Coordinator ext: 7838 Dr Jo Collins, Postgraduate Development Advisor ext: Carla Doolan, Postgraduate Development Coordinator ext: 4896 Joanna Addison, PA to the Dean and Graduate School Assistant ext: 4785 Deborah Molloy, Graduate School Assistant ext: 4089