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
Date Session Start End Location Mon 9 Sep Course introduction 09.30 12:00 H5 Pathfoot The Blue Revolution - introduction to aquaculture 14:00 15:00 "Getting to know you" workshop 15:00 16:30 Tue 10 Sep ASA/EAS introduction 09:30 09:50 H5 Pathfoot Field and laboratory clothing and equipment purchase 09:50 10:30 Institute tours 11:00 12:00 Learing at the Institute of Aquaculture - Mindmaps 14:00 17:00 Wed 11 Sep Learing at the Institute of Aquaculture - Critical thinking 09:30 10:30 H5 Pathfoot Study skills - writing reports and essays 11:00 12:00 Library and IT Services induction (optional) 13:00 14:00 Logie Lecture Theatre Getting started with Canvas (optional) 14:00 15:00 H5 Pathfoot Individual meetings 15:30 17:00 D34 Pathfoot Thu 12 Sep Workshop for students new to studying in the UK 09:30 10:30 H5 Pathfoot Safety talks 11:00 11:30 Workshops for students transitioning from the BSc to MSc 11:30 12:00 Individual meetings 13:00 17:00 D34 Pathfoot Fri 13 Sep Library workshops for aquaculture 09:30 12:30 2Y5 Cottrell SAIC networking event with industry speakers 13:30 16:00 H4/5 Pathfoot Welcome reception - meet other students and staff 16:00 K1 Pathfoot - MSc Environmental Management and MSc Earth and Planetary Observation
Date Session Start End Location Mon 9 Sep Welcome session 12:00 13:00 3A142 Cottrell Wed 11 Sep Talk and reception 14:00 16:00 2W1 Cottrell Thu 12 Sep Library skills session 09:30 12:30 To be confirmed Postgraduate skills session 15:00 17:00 2A13 Cottrell Fri 13 Sep Priorities for environmental management debate 13:00 14:30 2B74 Cottrell - MSc Big Data; MSc FinTech; MSc Mathematics and Data Science
Session Date Start End Location Welcome session Mon 9 Sep 11:00 12:00 To be confirmed - MSc Psychology (conversion)
Session Date Start End Location Welcome session and introduction to programme Mon 9 Sep 11:00 12:00 3A94 Cottrell - MSc Human-Animal Interactions
Session Date Start End Location Welcome session and introduction to programme Tue 10 Sep 11:00 12:00 3A94 Cottrell - MSc Psychology Research Methods (incl. Autism, Bilinguilism, Child Development, Cognition and Neuropsychology, Evolutionary Psychology, Perception & Action, Psychology of Faces)
Session Date Start End Location Welcome session and introduction to programme Tue 10 Sep 11:00 12:00 3A94 Cottrell - MSc Health Psychology
Session Date Start End Location Welcome session and introduction to course Mon 9 Sep 09.30 11:00 2A43 Cottrell
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 enhance 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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