Postgraduate induction
We love welcoming new students into our postgraduate community in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
If you're considering coming to the University of Stirling, or already know you'll be joining us, we look forward to showing you why the University has been ranked in the UK's top 10 for helpful staff, and 1st in Scotland for a good environment in campus (Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2017).
Welcoming you to Stirling
We understand that arriving at a new University, perhaps in a new country, can be daunting. As well as running a series of induction events to help you settle in quickly, the University has a dedicated Student Support team which can assist you with everything from exam preparation to personal or financial challenges. Your course staff and personal tutor will also be on hand to support you throughout your studies. Our induction events will help you meet staff, other students and learn a little about how things work at Stirling.
Postgraduate subject-based inductions
All locations to be confirmed.
- MSc Aquaculture Programmes
Session Date Start End Course introduction with programme director Mon 9 Sep - MSc Env Management and MSc Earth and Planetary Observation
Session Date Start End Welcome session Mon 9 Sep 12:00 13:00 - MSc Big Data; MSc FinTech; MSc Mathematics and Data Science
Session Date Start End Welcome session Mon 9 Sep 11:00 12:00 - MSc Psychology (conversion)
Session Date Start End Welcome session and introduction to programme Mon 9 Sep 11:00 12:00 - MSc Human-Animal Interactions
Session Date Start End Welcome session and introduction to programme Tue 10 Sep 11:00 12:00 - MSc Psychology Research Methods (incl. Autism, Bilinguilism, Child Development, Cognition and Neuropsychology, Evolutionary Psychology, Perception & Action, Psychology of Faces)
Session Date Start End Welcome session and introduction to programme Tue 10 Sep 11:00 12:00 - MSc Health Psychology
Session Date Start End Welcome session and introduction to course Tue 10 Sep 09.30 11:00
- MSc Environmental Management and MSc Earth and Planetary Observation
Session Date Start End Location Welcome session Monday 9 September 12:00pm 1:00pm 3A142 Talk and reception Wednesday 11 September 2:00pm 4:00pm 2W1 Library skills session Thursday 12 September 12.30 PG study skills session Thursday 12 September 3:00pm 5:00pm 2A13 Priorities for environmental management debate Friday 13 September 1:00pm 2.30pm 2B74, followed by walk into BoA - MScs in Aquaculture
9 September 2019
Session Start End Room Course introduction 09:30am 10:30am H5 Course introduction 11:00am 12:00pm H5 The Blue Revolution - introduction to aquaculture 2:00pm 3:00pm H5 Getting to know you workshop 3:00pm 4:30pm H5 10 September 2019
Session Start End Room ASA / EAS introduction 9:30am 9:50am H5 Field and laboratory clothing and equipment purchase 9:50am 10:30am H5 Institute tours 11.00am 12.00pm H5 Learning at the Institute of Aquaculture - Mindmaps 2:00pm 5:00pm H5 International and Postgraduate Student's reception 6:00pm 8:00pm Robbins 11 September 2019
Session Start End Room Learning at the Institute of Aquaculture - critical thinking 9:30am 10:30am H5 Study skills - writing reports and essays 11:00am 12:00pm H5 Library and IT Services induction (optional) 1.00pm 2.00pm Logie Getting started with Canvas (optional) 2:00pm 3:00pm H5 Individual meetings 3:30pm 5:00pm D34 12 September 2019
Session Start End Room Workshop for students new to UK education 9:30am 10:30am H5 Safety talks 11:00am 11:30pm H5 Workshop for students transitioning from BSc to MSc 11.30pm 12.00pm H5 Individual meetings 1:30pm 5:00pm D34 13 September 2019
Session Start End Room Library Workshop for aquaculture/vet/path 9:30am 12:30pm 2Y5 SAIC networking event with industry speakers 1:30pm 4:00pm H5/H4 Welcome reception - meet other students and staff 4:00pm K1
What to expect from postgraduate study
As you move from undergraduate to postgraduate study, you'll find a much stronger emphasis on self-directed learning, and an expectation that your own intellectual curiosity will drive your studies to a far greater extent. You'll need to be able to deal with a greater level of abstraction and theoretical complexity. You'll also be expected to engage with and in the most up-to-date research, and develop your own innovative ways of thinking about topics.
You'll need to develop your critical research and enquiry skills, as well as relevant technical and practical skills, and you'll become a much more autonomous learner, developing the skills of self-organisation and self-motivation. You'll also need to learn to deal with the unpredictable nature of research, and how to cope with both negative and positive results from your data and/or research. Lastly, you'll learn about appropriate professional attitudes, behaviour and values in your discipline, including learning ethical behaviours, developing academic integrity, recognising the need to reflect on methodology, and becoming part of a research community.
All of these challenges will ultimately push you forward in your area of specialism, empowering you to redefine your future opportunities.
Whilst studying at Stirling, I found the close relationship with lecturers and staff to be incredibly beneficial. Lecturers were always available to discuss the work they had covered in class and give as much guidance for completing coursework and exams. Having access to a lab dedicated to Masters students meant that there was a place for students to discuss and collaborate when having difficulties. The course featured many opportunities to present to the other students which has improved my confidence in public speaking situations and developing my ability to present to an audience of people from a range of backgrounds.
Beth Watson, Scotland, MSc Big Data
Your personal tutor
You'll be assigned a personal tutor during the first week of your studies in Stirling. The role of a personal tutor is to help you feel part of the University community and to act as a specific and consistent source of guidance, information and support throughout your studies. Your tutor should always be available as a formal point of contact for general academic guidance or pastoral support.
Key contacts
If you have any questions about your course or module choices, you can contact your Faculty Adviser:
- Aquaculture – John Bostock on c.bostock@stir.ac.uk
- Biological and Environmental Sciences – Tim Whalley on t.d.whalley@stir.ac.uk
- Computing Science - Mario Kolberg on mko@cs.stir.ac.uk
- Mathematics - Andrew Hoyle on andrew.hoyle@stir.ac.uk
- Psychology – Craig Roberts on roberts@stir.ac.uk
Student voice – make a difference to the student experience
We have a system of Student Faculty Officers and module representatives who represent students, making sure the student voice is part of all decisions which affect student learning. Get involved and make a difference, while developing leadership skills and credit on your degree transcript for the work you do. More details will be available at induction.
Employability
96% of University of Stirling postgraduate leavers are in employment or further study within six months of graduating (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2016/17). We offer a comprehensive employability and skills services to help you maximise your time at university and develop the graduate attributes required by employers.
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