1. Welcome to Newcastle University Postgraduate Student Induction Alison Tyson-Capper Associate Dean of Postgraduate Research (Faculty Postgraduate Tutor)

2. Your 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 benefit from high-quality, research-informed teaching.

3. Congratulations! You have chosen to study at an excellent university
Your 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 - PRES
Our research students surveyed 88% agree that they are satisfied with their experience > university 85% and > the UK sector 82%

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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
Neuroscience ` IoN
Northern Institute of Cancer Research NICR

7. The Graduate School
All research students are also member of the Faculty’s 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

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

9. The Graduate School – who’s who?
Prof John Kirby Dean of Postgraduate Studies
Dr Alison Tyson-Capper Postgraduate Tutor (Ass. Dean)
Dr Chris Eggett 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

10. Continued ….Graduate School Support
Lin James
Kimberley Walker
Adam Hiles

11. 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!)

12. 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

13. more support!
Each Research Institute has a Postgraduate Research Co-ordinator (supported by an administrator)
Dr Xiao Wang
88792
Dr Ralf Kist
*Dr Mike Drinnan

14. 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.

15. A final word We are all colleagues Please don’t worry about anything
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
Dean