The City

1. Welcome to Newcastle!Postgraduate Induction 2014Professor John KirbyDean of Postgraduate StudiesFaculty 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 • Last week our faculty was listed at position 94 out of 15,000 universities in a global league table • Students of UK universities are regularly asked about their experience • This year our students judged Newcastle second highest amongst leading universities for overall satisfaction (independent NSS survey) • Our postgraduate research students also consider Newcastle an excellent place to work (independent PRES survey)

6. Your opinion of us: PRES 2013

7. Some facts and figures • Student numbers: • 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 • 3,774 postgraduate degrees were awarded last year!

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 Brink • Manages the University • The Pro-Vice-Chancellor • Professor Chris Day • Manages the Faculty of Medical Sciences

9. The Faculty of Medical Sciences • Management • The Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Chris Day • Deans: • Clinical Medicine Prof Julia Newton • Research and Innovation Prof Dave Jones • Undergraduate Studies Prof Jane Calvert • International Medical Education Prof Roger Barton • Postgraduate Studies me

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: • 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? Common Room Student’s reception and office 3rd floor Ridley Building 1 • Ground floor, medical school • Small computer cluster (with WiFi) • Popular science magazines • Café area • Drinks • Chocolate machine! • 3 small private study rooms • Can be booked

14. The Graduate School – who’s who? • me Dean • Dr Alison Tyson-Capper Postgraduate Tutor • Prof Dianne Ford Director of PhD Studies • Prof Rob Pickard Director of MD Studies • Prof Steve Yeaman 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)

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!