Masterplan Magazine - preparing for postgraduate study at LJMU

MASTERPLAN PREPARING FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDY AT LJMU

IN THIS ISSUE:

Helping Hands One World Together Career Dreams

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CONTENTS Pages 2-3

WELCOME TO LJMU

Pages 4-5

NEWS AND VIEWS

Pages 6-9

STUDYING IN A PANDEMIC

Pages 10-17 HELPING HANDS Pages 18-25 ONE WORLD TOGETHER Pages 26-33 CAREER DREAMS Pages 34-35 POSTGRADUATE FINANCE

Welcome to MASTERPLAN – the magazine for those considering postgraduate study at LJMU. In this edition, as well as useful links on accommodation, student support and funding your studies, you’ll find lots of heart-warming stories about our past and current students. You’ll hear how postgraduate study has changed their lives, how they pursued their passion for their subject, how they secured the job of their dreams and how they juggled day-to-day life with university education. This edition also looks at how LJMU as a university handled the world-wide pandemic and how staff and students are working together to learn and grow.

We hope you find MasterPlan both informative and inspiring and we look forward to welcoming you to LJMU in the near future.

Pages 36-37 FIRST CLASS SUPPORT Pages 38-39 A PLACE TO CALL HOME Pages 40-41 CAREER EXPERTISE

Cover image: Macarena Morilla Dominguez (pg 30)

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Welcome to LJMU EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE CITY Recently voted by Condé Nast the best English destination outside London, Liverpool really does have it all. Busy enough to feel exciting, yet small and friendly enough to feel like home, this multi-cultural destination is a massive hit with students from all over the world.

Whatever you look for in a city you’re sure to find it – and much, much more – in Liverpool.

TIME TO DINE Should all of that exploration leave you feeling a little peckish, you’ll love Liverpool’s amazing dining scene. With restaurants representing the wonderful multicultural nature of the city, there’s always something new to try no matter what your budget or taste. And if it’s more of a snack than a meal you’re looking for, Liverpool’s vibrant café culture is very much alive and well, offering everything from the big name chains to charming independent cafés just off the beaten track.

CULTURE VULTURES If you’re a lover of architecture, you’re sure to be in your element exploring England’s finest Victorian city with over 2,500 listed buildings.

AND RELAX….

And finally, should you ever need a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, Liverpool’s green spaces are plentiful and beautiful. From Sefton Park with its historic Palm House to Calderstones Park with its 1,000 year old oak tree and Stanley Park with its Grade II listed Isla Gladstone Conservatory, there’s everything you need to de-stress and unwind.

Need more inspiration?

And if it’s culture you are looking for why not visit the city’s amazing free museums and galleries including The World Museum, Merseyside Maritime Museum, the Tate and the Walker Art Gallery?

For theatre and classical music head to the RIBA award winning Everyman, the Playhouse, Royal Court, Empire and the Philharmonic.

And thanks to our partnerships with cultural organisations across the city, discounted student tickets are often available.

highlights divided between the city centre, Lark Lane and the Baltic Triangle, there’s something here to suit all tastes. With a wonderful friendly atmosphere and plenty of laughs to be had, there’s no better night out than an evening in Liverpool.

Take a look at: itsliverpool.com

S IS FOR SATURDAY Saturday afternoons in Liverpool are brought to you by the letter S! If you are not splashing the cash in Liverpool ONE with its big name boutiques or Bold Street with its charming independent retailers, you’re sure to be focusing on sport! Whether you’re a red or a blue or somewhere in between, you can’t come to Liverpool without experiencing a football game.

If Saturday afternoons are all about shopping and sport, Saturday evenings are all about the legendary Liverpool nightlife. With the

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NEWS AND VIEWS A GREENER FUTURE LJMU’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology played host to the major players in the housing and construction industry at the Low Carbon Homes Liverpool Conference, supported by MCS. The virtual conference consisted of knowledge-sharing to consider how Liverpool can rapidly scale up the retrofitting of housing across the city to meet its net-zero target.

Liverpool City Council plans to make the city carbon neutral by 2030, creating more energy-efficient housing stock, increasing the amount of green space in the city area, and improving air quality.

The Council’s vision includes: incentives for the private sector to build more energy-efficient housing; retrofitting 6,000 homes with energy-saving features such as triple glazing, heat pumps and solar

panels; and financial incentives for homeowners, including discounted green mortgages.

LJMU plays an invaluable role in fusing industry and academia together, leading a range of business innovation programmes, including the Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory.

Research by the Faculty’s School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment shows that the use of recycled steel, lightweight brick and other sustainable materials can cut Co2 emissions in a house build by more than a fifth.

Low Carbon Homes Founder Graham Lock said: “We’ve been working with LJMU for over a year now to deliver this event. “We’re taking a close look at the viability of retrofit in an area of the UK with relatively low property values and high levels of poverty and look forward to achieving positive outcomes that will enable the city to take bigger steps towards their bold net-zero vision.”

Information is King A team led by LJMU computer scientist Professor Thanh Nguyen is transforming the customer experience of Merseyrail passengers.

Trials of a new intelligent passenger information system are underway on the Northern Line between Liverpool Central and Liverpool South Parkway stations.

It will see platform staff provided with hand-held devices that pick-up alerts directly from a range of rail data sources.

“The idea is to make our staff the best informed in the country. That way they can provide information more quickly and accurately to our customers,” explained a spokesperson.

Named IRIS, the technology will serve not only Merseyrail passengers but also those travelling on national services from the city-south hub. IRIS will provide staff with a two-way communication channel, which harvests information from different sources into one single view.

The LJMU experts say the system will make information flow much more resilient in challenging times, for instance, when there is a major incident or flooding on the line.

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SAFETY FIRST A multi-disciplinary team from academia, industry, and the dental profession has collaborated in a LJMU project to look at the extent of the hazards of COVID-19 in dental settings and ways of eliminating it.

The team was led by Professor Ian Jenkinson with Dr Touraj Ehtezazi and Dr David Evans in collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire (Toxicology Research Group).

Reporting in the British Dental Journal, they found most aerosol particles were less than 0.3 microns (μm) in diameter, a size range which encompasses the SARS-CoV-2 virus (0.05–0.15 μm). They also discovered that, even in the presence of aerosol suppressing interventions, these particles were substantially elevated within half a metre of the patient’s mouth.

The team looked at how to remove aerosol particles and permit a quicker turnover of patients – reducing so-called fallow time. Using intraoral low and high-volume suction they found they could cut fallow time from the current recommended 30 minutes to less than 10 minutes, thus enabling more patients to access treatment safely.

Seminars for Success As a research-focused University, LJMU works hard with its postgraduate students to enhance research techniques and provide the researchers of the future with all the skills they need to make a real difference to the world.

Here we meet Arron Peace who has recently taken part in LJMU’s Nursing and Allied Health (NAH) staff and student seminar series.

“My undergraduate degree was in Biomedical Science at the University of Hull. I then studied Molecular Medicine specialising in Cardiology at the University of Sheffield/Sheffield Medical School.

When I was studying in Sheffield, as well as having a significant component in the molecular mechanisms of disease, there was also a focus on translation from basic science into improving patient outcomes. This really introduced me to translational research and clinical trials.

I knew I wanted to undertake a PhD focusing on translating basic science into improvements for clinical groups. Shortly after I completed my MSc, my LJMU PhD was advertised on Findaphd. com. It was focused research hoping to improve outcomes in clinical groups, so it was ideal.

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I chose LJMU because the research seemed to be healthfocused. The location was also a real benefit.

When I heard about the LJMU seminar series I was really keen to get involved. It is a great opportunity to foster and develop the research community within the Faculty of Health. Universities often risk becoming silos for research groups but this seminar series enables you to engage in group problem solving and identify areas for collaboration. It also offers the opportunity for researchers experienced in a specific area to share their expertise and earlycareer researchers like myself to develop skills, particularly in presenting research and engaging in discussions.”

The NAH seminar series is designed to prepare students to defend their thesis and enable them to develop the skills needed to engage with an academic audience. It takes place on the first and third Wednesday of the month with presentations focusing on research methods and current student projects. The sessions enable postgraduate researchers to present their work to peers and academic colleagues in a supportive but challenging environment.

STUDYING IN A PANDEMIC Vaccines, masks and social distancing have allowed us to get back on campus, but everyone’s student experience has been quite different since the pandemic hit the UK in early 2020.

Our CampusConnect team caught up with a couple of international students whose studies began during lockdown and we caught up with a couple of Science students to find out what it was like to study during the pandemic and what LJMU did and delivered to ease the process and overcome the challenges.

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Kenza LLM Master of Laws “I started my course online from my home in Morocco. I found the canvas platform very reliable but, of course, I wanted the situation to go back to normal. The university helped me a lot throughout the process, actually. Whenever I had the slightest question, my student counsellor did his best to answer them. The thing looked forward to the most during the pandemic was to just meet everyone and have a casual outing to get to know other people.”

Anusha MSc Embedded Systems and IC Design “2020 was definitely the most uncertain year of my life. Initially I received an offer for September 2020, but Covid paused my plans. My final exams got delayed so I had to defer my offer for January 2021. I applied for a Masters in Embedded Systems and IC Design with a placement year. This course is unique; not many universities offer it, but LJMU is one of them. The situation was getting better before the new strain in the UK made things dificult, especially for international students. Our flights were cancelled, tickets rescheduled and our plans to travel to the UK before the start of the first semester delayed. Attending classes live and online feels different for an international student, but I’m thankful to our faculty who tried their best to give us a classroom experience.

People were so patient with us, answering every email and query within no time. This made us feel a little more comfortable. The thing I looked forward to the most during the pandemic, was to just personally meet everyone.”

You can read the full CampusConnect article here.

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Hasan Ali MSc Brain and Behaviour “My MSc had practical elements that would have involved me going onto campus for a number of sessions as well as regular lectures. Although we were able to get a few practical sessions in during the first semester, the development of the COVID pandemic meant that the practical sessions had to be pushed back.

Fortunately, my lecturers put even more effort into teaching and creating resources than usual.”

Louisa Toohey MSc Digital Marketing

Warren Moore MSc Brain and Behaviour

Bethany Donaghy MSc Brain and Behaviour

“Having such a busy schedule with work and because I don’t drive, online learning enabled me to utilise my time wisely and also gave me a good work/school/life balance.

I enjoyed online learning, it was fun and engaging and I got to do all of it in the comfort of my home.”

“Although studying remotely during the covid-19 pandemic was socially isolating, this unusual situation has made us band together and form a supportive student community.

Lecturers spent many hours helping to modify our projects, so that the pandemic didn’t impact our final grades. Lecturers, module leaders and program leaders went above and beyond to alleviate our frustrations and worries by staying in regular contact with updates. Rather than recording all lectures, live Zoom sessions allowed us to feel like we were there in the room with our fellow students, prompting discussion and social interaction. It was obvious that the staff recognised our frustrations and the extra work that they put in maintaining the quality of the course and minimising the negative mental health impact on students was fantastic.”

“We knew something was coming with all the Covid coverage but when we got the email to say we needed to study online, it still felt like a shock. The amazing thing, however, was that our tutors did not have a one size fits all approach. They listened to individual requirements and tailored learning around each person’s needs. I am autistic and need time to come to terms with change but the course was adapted to ensure we all got the most out of it.

My lab-based research project could no longer go ahead so I used what was happening around me and started to look into how Covid and its associated social distancing was impacting chronic pain.

And the great news is that online learning did not impact my career development and I took up a role in industry on graduation.”

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WHAT IS CampusConnect?

CampusConnect is an app open to all offer holders at LJMU. You should have received your invitation to the app just after you received your study offer from us.

The app is always a huge hit with students as it enables applicants to meet their peer group online, chat to current students and staff and get answers to their questions.

Sign up today and become part of our vibrant online community. If you have any queries about your invitation, please email: courses@ljmu.ac.uk

A SPORTING CHANCE

VIRTUAL SESSIONS IN ACTION

In typical LJMU fashion our students have been busy helping others. Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology students Freddie Turner and Emily White supported young athletes through sport psychology sessions and tasks over Zoom throughout the pandemic.

Although not our preferred method of teaching, online learning allowed for some amazing things to happen where schedules, travel arrangements and other logistic issues would have made access difficult. This ease of connection has allowed our students some great opportunities like talking to specialists all over the world. Athletes George Ford (England Rugby), Paul Mulrennan (Flat Jockey), Zoe Gillings (four times Winter Olympian) and Geraint Thomas (BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2018 winner and Tour De France winning cyclist) spoke with students virtually during the first lockdown.

“LOCKDOWN was an extremely challenging time for all our gymnasts and their families,” explained Sophie Whelan, head coach at Warrington Gymnastics Club where the girls work.

“We were amazed at the strength and determination they continued to demonstrate during all three occasions we have had to close.”

The club created an effective Zoom timetable to ensure personal coaches were able to interact and work with their squads. This included sessions with Freddie and Emily and helped keep the relationships strong between the coach and athlete to keep things as close to normality as possible. “We were able to allocate one to two hours per day on our athletes’ normal training days for Zoom sessions, where coaches could watch, feedback and motivate their squad through their individualised programmes,” said Sophie. “Sport has always been a great outlet for children and young adults, and this didn’t change when we weren’t able to be in the gym.”

The MSc Sport Nutrition team arranged weekly Q&A sessions with elite athletes to discuss their nutrition strategies with students. The athletes, who have all received nutrition support from members of LJMU’s nutrition team, provided unique insights into their nutrition and training strategies.

Meanwhile Dr Carl Woods, Senior Research Fellow at Victoria University, Melbourne, shared his research with students on the MSc Sport Coaching course. Carl talked about how athletes interact with their environment to produce skill. This was a great learning experience for coaches on the MSc Sport Coaching degree who then considered how they design their coaching environments.

“The pandemic has hopefully taught our athletes that it is possible to turn negatives into positives, weaknesses into strengths, and adversity into opportunity.”

WE’RE READY FOR YOU As we resumed on-campus activity, we prepared all our buildings for the return of our students and staff. You can find all of the latest on Covid developments on our specialist web pages ljmu.ac.uk/moving-forward

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HELPING HANDS For many of our Postgraduate students, achieving their career goals is something they want to do for the greater good. Here we talk to students – past and present – who are using their learning to benefit others.

PUTTING THE HEART IN ART If there is one thing that unites so many of our Postgraduate students at LJMU it is a passion for helping others. Here we talk to Exhibition Studies graduate Adi Lerer about her work in Socially Engaged Practice over the past months.

“For the dissertation module of my MA I undertook a curatorial project collaborating with the British Red Cross and working with refugees and asylum seekers. We ran a five week art project which focused on reducing the isolation of marginalised groups by getting to know the cultural attractions of the city. The project involved art classes and visits to the Tate, the Walker Art Gallery and Central Library.

Using art to welcome people offers them a sense of geography and makes them a part of the fabric of the city. I prepared for the project by becoming a British Red Cross volunteer and working at their drop-in centres to gain an understanding of the work of an NGO and the challenges faced by the members of the public they serve.

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The project was a real success and, as a result, I was commissioned by Tate Liverpool to curate and lead on a new project called Talking Pictures. This was a six week project which gave refugees and asylum seekers living in Liverpool the toolbox to interpret art and the confidence to speak publicly about it, relating it to their own experience. At the end of the six weeks the participants presented to a live audience in the gallery and we produced a booklet and a film about our work. I involved a few current LJMU students in the project and was delighted at how they engaged with the participants.”

At the time of this interview, Adi was waiting for a decision on funding for her next project and was extremely happy that she had found her true calling: “My Masters broadened my knowledge, gave me real confidence and allowed me to really focus on what I can contribute as a curator. Socially engaged curatorial practice is absolutely where I want to be and my Masters made me realise that.”

FIGHTING FOR RIGHT Passion is a given for our postgraduate students. They love their subject, they love learning and they want to make a difference. Qualifying Law student Alex Bahor has, however, taken this to another level. Born in Romania to a Roma family, this inspirational activist is working hard to open up a whole range of opportunities for minority communities in the UK and Europe.

Alex studied for a law degree in Romania. “My community don’t often get the opportunity to go to university and even during my studies I faced a lot of discrimination from my tutors,” she recalls. “I realised I had to do something to change this.”

Alex began to work in Roma Community Development and, in 2014, whilst organising an anti-discrimination conference in Hungary, she was told about a job opportunity in Liverpool. “I had been doing a lot of voluntary work up until that point so securing a paid position to do what I was passionate about was a real step forward,” she says.

As a Community Development Worker in Liverpool Alex began to work in partnership with academics at LJMU who were carrying our research in the Roma Community. “I soon realised that I would need to enhance my legal knowledge to make a difference to my community,” she says. “It took me a while to take the step and sign up for the Qualifying Law course due to work and family commitments but, with my daughter approaching school age, I realised it was something I could do.”

Alex found her study experience in the UK very different from that in Romania.

“The tutors are very good, they explain concepts very well and I learn something new every day,” she smiles. “Postgraduate study has given me time to research, to think and to really get on top of what I want to do and the difference I want to make.”

Alex has no set pathway for her future, believing the opportunities will come her way. “I want to be an example to others,” she says. “We have a Roma community of over 6,000 people in Merseyside and I want to make sure they have the same opportunities as everyone else. I want to show them that anything is possible and they should not be afraid to step up. I want to fight discrimination in all its forms and my Postgraduate studies will help me to do that.”

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STAGE MANAGING SUCCESS With a successful career in theatre and television under her belt, including an extended period working on the hallowed cobbles of Coronation Street, you may imagine that Freddy Carpen-Juckes was set for life. With a young family, however, the media lifestyle just didn’t cut it and the adopted Northerner started looking for something new.

“That is what inspired me to go back to LJMU and train to be a teacher under the School Direct programme.” Freddy’s school were able to accept her on the non-salaried School Direct programme. “Everyone asked how I would manage training with no salary,” she says. “I told them if it meant a year eating beans on toast, so be it!”

Originally from the east end of London, Freddy left school at 19 to take up a prestigious place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying for a diploma in Stage Management and Technical Theatre. A wonderful career followed, travelling all over the world freelancing in theatres. During a downturn in live theatre, however, Freddy was informed of an opportunity in Coronation Street. She applied, was interviewed and started the next day. It looked like her future was set.

Referring to her PGDE year as the most challenging and the most enjoyable time ever, Freddy is full of praise for the entire Schools Direct team. “My mentors were phenomenal, the lecturers at LJMU simply blew me away and the support team – particularly the guys in the library - were just brilliant,” she says. “I think the outstanding thing about the course was that it gave me the space to refect on what I do. I’d never had that opportunity before and it really changed me.”

In 2002, pregnant with her frst child, Freddy realised that the pressure of a full-time TV career was not family friendly and took up a couple of roles which enabled her to concentrate on her family. It wasn’t long, however, before Freddy started to get itchy feet. She tried TV and live event work again but it just didn’t feel right so she found herself acting as a parent helper in her local school.

Freddy had always believed that, on graduation, she would work at a school like Dovedale. Time spent at a very different school during her training made her realise she had aspirations elsewhere. “Working at a school with a year group who had something of a reputation for being diffcult made me refect on my own past,” she says. “I grew up in a deprived area of the East End. We were the only mixed race family and it was a struggle. The one place where I wasn’t judged was school. I remember them telling me that money does not always get you what you want in life but inner strength, willpower, determination and resilience does. I realised I wanted to pass that mindset on to children like me.

Freddy loved her time in school so much that she decided to train as a teaching assistant and study for an NVQ level 3.

She was then offered a position at Dovedale Primary School and made the decision, with her Head Teacher, to study for a degree. Working full-time and studying on a Saturday at John Moores she completed her course over three years. “I never thought I would do it,” she smiles. “I was more excited on the day of my graduation than I ever thought possible. It was my day and I was going to be me and treasure every moment.”

Now working at Kingsley Community School - Granby, Freddy reports she has never been happier. “I have found my place and I love it here,” she beams. “It really is my best fit. The kids are amazing and the community is fabulous. I teach a big, big class of nursery children which I never thought I would do but each day they remind me what learning is all about and that is simply priceless.”

Riding high on the wave of her 2:1 success, Freddy continued to work at her beloved Dovedale School. “It was when our Deputy Head Teacher was leaving that she called me to one side and told me that she was sick of seeing me working as a teaching assistant when I was obviously chomping at the bit to do more,” recalls Freddy.

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LIFE IN THE FAST LANE Life has been a bit of a whirl for LJMU Prof Doc researcher Tom Clark this year. The international Performance Coach is travelling the world with Formula One driver Esteban Ocon, visiting 23 countries in nine months. His research will focus on how world class drivers cope with their hectic schedule and the associated impact of jet lag on their sleep and general health.

Tom had no intention of going into a career in elite sports when he studied for his Fitness and Personal Training undergraduate degree at Solent University in Southampton back in 2011. His passion then was for general population health and the science of gym training. Moving onto a Masters qualification in Athletic Development and Peak Performance, Tom was keen to keep his options open in terms of career development.

“I’m not sure that such a generic path would be right for everyone,” says Tom. “But in my case my Masters formed a great basis for what I am now doing.” During his studies Tom took up a placement at a private strength and conditioning facility. Working with athletes, including racing drivers, he developed a firm foundation for his practice.

“I was very fortunate that my internship turned into a full time job as a performance coach and, having raced Go Karts as a youngster, I really enjoyed working with British Formula 3 and 4 and Formula 3 drivers,” explains Tom. After two years in his role Tom was approached by a Formula 1 academy driver who wanted to work full time with him. Tom travelled all over the world in this role.

“It was the first time that I had enjoyed so much one-to-one time with a driver so it meant I could start to lay down my own philosophy and approaches,” Tom recalls.

A step up the ladder then ensued when Tom was taken on by the largest provider of Sports Science services in Formula 1: Hintsa Performance. Working as a contractor with Mercedes and Red Bull senior staff and academy drivers, Tom also founded his own company at this time.

In 2017 Hinsa put Tom forward for a full-time role working with new Formula 1 Driver Sergey Siroktin at Williams F1. “That was a definite game changer for me,” smiles Tom. “There are only 20 drivers on the grid so to get an opportunity to work with one of them on a one-to-one basis was a massive privilege.”

After a year on the F1 circuit Tom spent a couple of years focusing on his own company, working with Formula 2 drivers. Then, he got a phone call to ask him to become the Performance Coach for Esteban Ocon, a well established Formula 1 driver for Alpine (formerly Renault).

After moving to France, Tom is now in his new role. He is travelling all over the world with his driver as well as spending time at training camps and at Ocon’s home in Geneva. Tom also embarked on his Prof Doc in January 2021. “I had always wanted to do a level 8 qualification and there was no way I was going anywhere other than LJMU,” explains Tom. “The Professors there are the ones whose books I have always read, whose research I have followed and whose knowledge I have admired. It is a great opportunity to be able to study the theoretical whilst immersing myself in the practical. I am looking forward to some very exciting times ahead and can’t wait to be supervised by the academics I have always had so much respect for.”

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ONE WORLD TOGETHER Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that Liverpool is one of the most welcoming cities in the world. A maritime heartland that is a melting pot of cultures, the city’s approach has infused the university. We are very proud to welcome staff and students from over 100 different countries.

Here we talk to some students whose overseas roots have played a key role in their learning experience.

TIME TO THINK One of the key elements of moving on to Postgraduate study straight from your Undergraduate degree is that it gives you time to focus on the right career path for you. Irish student Julia Ngadi embarked on her Masters in Global Crime, Justice and Security as she simply wasn’t ready for work and wanted to increase her expertise and assess her career goals.

Not at all fazed by the step up to postgraduate study, Julia says her Masters is very much what she expected: “I knew that the work would be more intense but it is certainly manageable,” she says.

“There was the odd challenge, of course. I had never had to create my own essay questions before, for example, so that took a little getting used to but now it is just second nature.”

“I had studied for my degree in Criminology at Abertay University in Dundee,” she explained. “I decided that a Masters would give me the thinking time I needed and, having looked at a range of universities, I realised that LJMU was the right choice for me as it offered the exact course I wanted.”

The support of the tutors and her peers has been a real bonus for Julia. “Lecturers always have time for you and always provide great feedback on your work,” she says. “Add to this the diverse background of my fellow students and the way we all get on so well and it really is a great learning environment.”

Julia first visited Liverpool in July to find a place to live. “I had never been to the city before but loved it straight away,” she smiles. “During my time here I have met some really good people both in and out of university. I love how affordable the city is and I really appreciate the fact that I am studying right in the heart of the city.”

As to the future Julia intends to go where her career takes her. She is looking at jobs in Government, NGOs, the National Crime Agency and even Interpol. “I am interested in international aspects of crime,” she explains. “My Masters has given me so much inspiration for the kind of thing I want to do. I am so glad I came here.”

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NARRATIVE SUCCESS FOR ANASTASIA With a degree in Linguistics from her local university in Russia, Anastasia Vavilova went on to work in the advertising department of Russia’s biggest IT company. It was here that she came to appreciate the importance of the link between written communications and illustrated/ design elements. She realised she needed to find out more and thus her search for a Masters course began.

“I became fascinated by visual narrative and creating stories through pictures,” says Anastasia. “I took a Continuing Professional Development programme in Russia and learnt how to create a narrative story. As my final project I made an illustrative book ‘Fellow travellers’ about a seven day train journey I took from Moscow to Vladivostok.”

Anastasia looked at a host of different universities when searching for a Masters. “I was interested in finding a programme which would include both Illustration and Design,” she explains. “I think that only by studying both of them can you understand how text and illustration work together complementing each other or, in some cases, confronting each other.”

was the Collaborative Practice module. Izzy, Beth and I were collaborating with Tate Liverpool’s team on the Talking Pictures Community Learning project; a 6-week adult learning programme for refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants living in Merseyside. It was a completely new experience for me - working with socially oriented themes.

I loved it. The participants were very open with their stories and experiences. As a final outcome we have created a publication that documents the learning process and results of the project.”

Another new aspect was the self-reflection element of her course. “We never did anything like that in Russia but, in my opinion, self reflection is one of the most important things you can do at the end of a project,” she says. “It helps you understand and analyse what was done well, what you could do better and how the experience influenced your practice. I think it’s always important to understand where your practice is at and how you can use your previous experience. It is that kind of knowledge which has got me to where I am now and will inform all aspects of my career in the future.”

Narrowing her search down to two universities she applied and received offers for both. “I made a list of pros and cons for each one and finally decided on Liverpool and LJMU,” she says. “I only knew two facts about Liverpool at that time: that it’s the home city of my favourite football team and it’s the birthplace of the Beatles. When I came here I liked the city at first sight. The only thing I was not prepared for was the scouse accent. At first I thought people were speaking German! With a bit of time though I got used to the accent and now I love it.”

Anastasia enjoyed the University every bit as much as the city. “I was so impressed by all the facilities, I had never seen anything like it before,” she smiles. “For me it was like Hogwarts but more modern and exciting!” The UK learning style was very different from Anastasia’s experience in Russia. “We did a lot of research here,” she says. “It let me rethink my approach to practice and enabled me to create meaningful artworks. My favourite module on the course

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BACK TO HER ROOTS For Anne Marie Ntaganira there is no doubt that her Masters at LJMU has put her where she wants to be.

The Rwandan student refers to her studies as the backbone of the knowledge which helped her secure her post as Teaching and Learning Coordinator at the University of Global Health Equity in Butaro.

Anne Marie came over to live in the UK in 2009. On leaving school she studied for a degree in Public Health at the University of Wolverhampton. “I knew I wanted to pursue an advanced degree and I was drawn to Liverpool and LJMU because of their diverse characters,” she says. “I was really interested in improving population health and developing strategic interventions for low income communities. My Masters enhanced my understanding in these areas. There were lots of guest speakers who talked about Public Health as a calling rather than a job. It typified how I felt.”

LJMU’s own staff made a massive difference to Anne Marie’s experience. “They were absolutely brilliant,” she smiles.

“They constantly work to bring out the best in you and encourage you. They are always offering opportunities to get involved in real life public health issues, enabling you to participate in workshops and allowing you to explore where you can have the greatest impact.”

“The focus of my work is Global Health Equity and so I provide curriculum development and research support along with delivering some workshops to medical and surgery students encouraging them to take the lead in terms of public health,” she explains. “We want to make these students agents of change, and we train them to be great leaders so that they are champions of health equity in everything they do. When they go out to work in the field they will have built a set of shared values, commitment and skills to take on complex delivery challenges ”.

During her studies, Anne Marie travelled to Uganda to explore the issues experienced in rural communities. “It was an amazing and educational experience,” she recalls.

“We spoke to community leaders about their problems with sanitation and barriers to healthcare services and then we held community workshops to provide advice on issues such as sanitation, nutrition, domestic violence and family planning. We left them with something sustainable that they could build on and hopefully made a difference.”

The move back to Rwanda has been something of a cultural shift for Anne Marie. “I was so used to life in the UK it has taken me a little time to adapt,” she laughs. “When I grew up here, I was based in the capital city but Butaro is very different. I am seeing my country with a fresh pair of eyes and love the opportunity to make a difference. LJMU has set me on the right path, encouraged me to understand what I can do and start to do it. Thanks to my Masters study I am now where I want to be.”

On graduation, Anne Marie worked as a consultant in education and volunteered as a research assistant at LJMU. In June 2020 she secured her role as Teaching and Learning Coordinator at the University of Global Health Equity back in Rwanda, moving out there in August.

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SAILING TO SUCCESS Ushie Utubakwu came to LJMU to study for his Masters in Marine and Offshore Engineering. The Nigerian mature student is enjoying his experience so much that he is now planning to settle in the UK, study for a PhD and set up his own business!

Studying for an undergraduate degree in Marine Engineering, Ushie always planned to take a Masters. “After my undergraduate degree I worked as a Second Engineer on board ship, then as Marine Engineering Lead and then as Assistant Marine Service Manager/ Superintendent,” he says.

“Working in Offshore diving and ROV operations I knew I needed a Masters to progress so I applied to a number of universities.”

brilliant at guiding you and providing up to date resources to meet their modules’ expectations.”

As for the city of Liverpool, Ushie is equally impressed.

“Liverpool is great,” he laughs. “Originally I was quite worried about coming to the UK because it is such a different culture but Liverpool is very diverse so it is really easy to integrate here.

I can find all the foods I am used to at home in the shops here and that makes me feel welcome and special.”

The variety of students on Ushie’s course also makes for a positive experience. “People have different backgrounds and are very happy to share their life experiences,” he says. “I have made many friends here.”

LJMU offered the exact course that Ushie was looking for and he was offered a place. “It was a difficult decision to leave my job so I deferred my place for a couple of years but eventually I knew it was the right time and I came over to the UK to start my studies,” he explains.

As to the future, Ushie is keen to settle here. “Now I have started my higher level studies I would like to go on to a PhD,” he says. “I am thinking of setting up a business whilst I continue my study and offering consultancy marine services and other support solutions from Liverpool.”

So what does Ushie think of his Masters programme? “It is a really exciting experience,” he smiles. “The tools you have access to, the computer programmes, the libraries and the online learning environment are fantastic. If there is one thing I really appreciate about LJMU though it has to be the lecturers. They are not so much teachers as mentors and coaches. As they are so experienced in their field they are

So is Ushie happy he came to LJMU? “I would recommend it to anyone,” he says. “If it is something you want to do, take the chance and explore the opportunities that are available to you. It may change your life.”

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THE MODEL STUDENT Mihaela Giuiu was already a success when she joined LJMU to study for her Masters.

The Romanian fashion student had previously spent three years studying sustainability and genderless design and had undertaken an internship in a fair-trade factory at the foothills of the Himalayas. In 2018 she was one of just 10 finalists in the YKK Awards at London Graduate Fashion Week and developed a collection encapsulating her fascination with meticulous design process and skills.

“Ranking so high in a competition with a project I was so passionate about, encouraged me to further develop my knowledge on an MA programme,” says Mihaela.

“After some serious searching and consideration, I found that LJMU was most welcoming and offered the most advantages with specialist staff and very good facilities.”

And as for the city, Mihaela was a massive fan: “Liverpool was above all, accommodating, full of art, music and culture - which I could not live without,” she smiles. “It is a place where you can easily make friends - a crucial aspect for an international student like me.”

Mihaela appreciated the work-related nature of her course: “The university offered amazing opportunities for career development and making contacts in the industry” she explains. “Compared to other places, Liverpool and the university felt like an open door, embracing everyone and everything.”

And when she actually started her studies, Mihaela’s hopes for the course were realised: “The academic staff went to great lengths to provide opportunities, bring in external professionals, and create group activities to help us in developing our projects,” she says. “The programme was more complex than I expected but I had great pastoral and academic support from my lecturers. I was able to get involved in interdisciplinary collaborations and even developed part of my project during a workplacement in Portugal. ” As an international student, Mihaela felt very much at home at LJMU: “I loved the multicultural environment and the interdisciplinary collaborations,” she explains. “I believe as a designer you need to know how to work efficiently in a team, how to better negotiate your project with your collaborators, where to place certain skills and how to get to successful results. To me it was a great personal development lesson. The university offers excellent support in building experiences necessary in your career and gaining the skills you need. Although I only spent a year with LJMU, I gained considerable experience and skills.”

Mihaela is now further developing the research she started in her MA: “It has evolved into a more complex research project, but it is still within the parameters I envisioned,” she says. “I am also doing some work with a researcher based in Bucharest at the I.N.C.D.T.P (National Institute for Research and Development for Textile and Leather). In my spare time I have returned to art and am now taking part in national and international illustration and graphic art exhibitions. LJMU certainly set me on the right path.”

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CAREER DREAMS Here at LJMU we know that postgraduate study is a vital step on the ladder to many a dream career. Over the last few months we’ve been talking to some of our graduates who are living that dream. They tell us how their time at LJMU prepared them for their happy ever after.

A DREAM ACHIEVED Having graduated from her Masters in Forensic Anthropology at LJMU, Ashleigh Sefton received the phone call she had dreamed of since childhood – the offer of a job as a Forensic Scientist.

placement and this is something I have kept up and really love,” she says. “Experience is vital in any career and the fact that LJMU introduced me to the Poulton site gave me a real boost when it came to applying for jobs.”

Something of an LJMU stalwart, Ashleigh joined the university for her undergraduate degree in Forensic Anthropology. “At the time LJMU was the only university offering access to human remains as opposed to casts,” she says. “The course was everything I had wanted and more and, at the end of it, I knew I wanted to do my Masters but I also recognised I needed some time out.”

During the second semester of her Masters Ashleigh applied for a position as Forensic Scientist at Cellmark Forensics.

Although the team were very impressed by her, she lacked the experience they needed for the role in question but were very keen to stay in touch. By the time another role was available Ashleigh had completed her Masters and that’s when she received the phone call from Cellmark to offer her the job. “It was absolutely the fact that I had my Masters that made the difference,” says Ashleigh. “I had the knowledge they needed as well as the enthusiasm and that was the decider.”

Taking a year off to work full-time and build up funds for her future studies, it didn’t take Ashleigh long to start missing the lecture theatre. “After about four months I was desperate to get back to it but that was great as it meant I really knew it was the right thing to do,” she smiles.

Currently working on police sexual offence cases, Ashleigh is very much enjoying the variety of her work.

“My job is to photograph, document and test the samples that come in before passing the results on to our reporting scientists,” she explains. “I never thought I would want a lab-based role but I love it.”

On starting back at LJMU Ashleigh loved every minute of her studies. “The modules were shorter and offered more variety than my undergrad studies,” she says. “In our second semester we did a series of assessment presentations which were fabulous. We got weekly feedback on our performance and that positive reinforcement meant we could all see each other growing in confidence and ability.”

As to the future, Ashleigh would love to become a forensic anthropologist. “I am already in touch with colleagues from the forensic anthropology section of my company,” she says. “I am going to work towards my FAlll accreditation and build on my experience in blood training. There is no one defined path that leads to being a forensic anthropologist but I am doing all of the things that will put me in the best position to get there.”

As well as her classroom studies, Ashleigh continued to volunteer at an archaeological site in Cheshire in her holidays. “I was asked by the site director to teach at the summer school following my undergraduate

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MAKING THE MOST OF IT According to Conor Heeney, getting the most out of your postgraduate study is all about working hard, building relationships and immersing yourself in the whole experience. The Strength and Conditioning graduate spent his time at LJMU preparing for the career he wanted and is now the University’s Head of Strength and Conditioning.

Conor came to LJMU to study for a BSc in Sport Science. “I chose LJMU because of the facilities here, the lecturers and, of course the city itself,” he recalls.

“The degree was also ideal for those who wanted to work in the sporting arena but were not sure which particular area to focus on.”

Although he enjoyed his studies, Conor had never considered a Masters as he hadn’t seen one which particularly appealed. “At the start of my third year we were told about a brand new MSc in strength and conditioning,” he says. “I had a job at that time and the plan was to build on it post graduation but when I heard about the Masters I knew it was the right move for me.”

Working in his chosen sector and loving every minute of it, Conor is at his happiest. “People ask where I see myself in five years’ time but I tend not to be a long term planner,” he says. “I look what I am doing now and I look at other opportunities around me and I know there really is nowhere else I would rather be.

Conor was attracted to the course due to its excellent blend of applied and academic content. “We were taught by world leaders and offered the chance of a really good placement,” he explains. “I spent time at Warrington Wolves and the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield and took up a Senior Strength and Conditioning Internship at LJMU. On graduation I had two part-time paid roles with the Liverpool under 21s ladies team and the Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme. This helped me build up some really essential experience.”

When the right opportunity comes along I’ll know and I will go for it. My university experience has given me the confidence to make those decisions.”

It was that experience that put Conor in the right place at the right time when a full-time job came up at the university. “I had always joked that I wanted my manager’s role from the beginning,” smiles Conor. “But when he moved on to a post doc position that became a possibility and I was really fortunate to be offered the job.”

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FASHIONING A FUTURE When Macarena Morilla Dominguez was young she decided she wanted a career in the fashion industry, not as a designer or a marketeer but as a translator. Just two semesters into her Masters at LJMU, the Spanish student is off to start a new life in Paris, working for a major international fashion house.

the team,” she says. “The course enabled me to combine my professional skills and knowledge with my passion for fashion and I was achieving firsts or 2:1s in each assignment.”

Once again Macarena moulded her projects to suit her requirements, researching the relationship between language and the non-verbal language of fashion and later the abuse of foreign terminology in the Spanish fashion industry. The latter resulted in the creation of a bilingual fashion glossary, using the riches of the Spanish language to create a glossary of terms only previously available in English.

“I studied for my undergraduate degree in translation and interpreting back home in Seville,” Macarena explains. “Even at that time I was trying to channel all my projects into a fashion setting to ensure I got the most relevant experience and knowledge possible.”

During her studies, Macarena spent a summer in Liverpool to improve her English language skills. “On graduation I decided to return to Liverpool and, after a few months working in a hotel, I was offered a job as Editor and Translator in a Maritime business,” she says.

With her mind set on her future, Macarena started to look for job opportunities and, when a post came up in Paris, looking for a trans creator (a translating copywriter), she decided to apply. “I didn’t think I had a chance and I always imagined I would work in the UK after my degree,” she says.

Six interviews and a practical test later, however, Macarena was offered the post with the international fashion business whose environmental focus involves the resale of haute couture and designer pieces.

Working in her new role, Macarena drafted newsletters in English, Spanish and German as well as translating technical content and providing subtitles for films etc. “It was great experience but I was always very much aware that my heart belonged to the fashion industry,” she says.

Suitably excited about her future role in the fashion capital of the world, Macarena is testament to the belief that drive and ambition really pay off. She will complete the third semester of her Masters from Paris this year. “I really think that LJMU opened this door for me,” smiles Macarena. “I already had the language skills from my undergrad degree but there are thousands of people out there with that expertise. The Masters enabled me to specialise in the field that I love. That gave me the opportunity to embark on this amazing new chapter. I am very grateful to Kayla and the team for all their help and support.”

Deciding to formalise her career aspirations with an appropriate qualification, Macarena soon discovered that most fashion courses were either too focused on design or marketing. “After some time researching options I found the Fashion Innovation and Realisation course at LJMU” she smiles. “I attended an open day, spoke to the Programme Leader Kayla about my plans and concerns and she convinced me that I could tailor the Masters to suit my needs and take from it exactly what I needed.”

Macarena enrolled on the Masters in 2019 and worked her way through the first two semesters whilst still holding down her editing job. “I was really supported by Kayla and

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TRACY’S FAIRYTALE ENDING Advanced Paediatric Nurse Practitioner Tracy McNeill was inspired by the words of a certain Mr Walt Disney: “If you can dream it, you can do it.” And it was that determination that saw the paediatric specialist return to study later in life and move into the career she had always longed for.

On leaving school Tracy went into nursery nursing and then worked as a nanny before taking her nursing Diploma at Edge Hill University. “From the minute I qualified I knew I wanted to do more,” she recalls. “I worked for 12 years as a nurse and I really enjoyed it but I always knew I had more to give.”

Life as an advanced paediatric practitioner is everything Tracy dreamed of and more. “I love every minute of it,” she beams. “I learn something new every day and I know I am making a real difference.”

So what advice does Tracy have for those considering a move back to education? “Just do it!” she laughs. “Take every opportunity, trust in yourself, anything is achievable and remember: if you can dream it, you can do it!”

In 2016, Tracy’s dream started to become reality when she was given the chance to apply for a secondment that would involve a Masters at LJMU leading to an Advanced Practitioner role. “I had never done an undergraduate degree so it was all a bit daunting but I knew it was the right move,” she says.

Tracy studied alongside a diverse group of students from all walks of paediatrics. “Academic writing at level seven was no mean feat,” she smiles.

“Fortunately the student support was phenomenal and that, alongside my passion for the role, kept driving me forward no matter how far out of my comfort zone I was feeling.”

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VIRTUALLY PERFECT As we enter a world where technology is king in terms of learning, Great Ormond Street’s Associate Director of Education Vicky Nash looks back on her studies with LJMU in 2009. Indeed, it was the university’s advanced virtual capability at that time which enabled her to gain her advanced clinical practice qualification whilst living in London.

Training as a nurse in Rochdale in the 90s, Vicky realised there were few nursing vacancies in the north at that time so, on graduation, she moved to London with friends. Having worked in adult nursing at various hospitals around the capital, she moved to the Royal Brompton Hospital in 1998 to take up a position in paediatric ICU. It was towards the end of her 17-year career here that Vicky and a number of colleagues decided to undertake a Masters course.

“At that time LJMU offered the only advanced practice course available,” she recalls.

“What made it so appealing, however, was the fact that - even at that time - LJMU had invested heavily in virtual technology meaning we could do all of our studying in London and simply travel up to Liverpool for exams and, of course, visits to the Students’ Union.”

Vicky really appreciated the mix of people on the course. “There was team London, working in busy city hospitals, team Liverpool who were at the university studying fulltime and team Scotland who were based on the Scottish islands and were more or less entirely responsible for the medical care of thousands of people with little back up and few facilities,” she says. “We all learned so much from each other and, as for the tutors, they were amazing. My programme leader has been my career role model and I am still in touch with her today.”

On graduation Vicky worked as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner before taking up a teaching post at London South Bank University. In 2017 Vicky joined Great Ormond Street hospital as Head of Education and in September this year became Associate Director of Education.

“I enjoyed my Masters so much,” smiles Vicky. “It really inspired me to learn. I loved the inclusivity of the approach and the specialist knowledge that we all gained. I didn’t have an undergraduate degree when I enrolled on the course but the support was spot on. I got help with my academic writing from tutors and library staff and, as they all believed I could do it, I started to believe in myself too. I would advise anyone thinking of going back to education to do it. I am in a role that I love because LJMU inspired me to succeed.”

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POSTGRADUATE FINANCE I TEACHER TRAINING

There are many ways to fund the next stage of your education and the great news is that our student advice team are on hand to guide you through all of the options. To speak to one of our team email them at moneyadvice@ljmu.ac.uk In the meantime, here’s a brief outline of the options open to you:

Teacher training is funded in the same way that undergraduate courses are funded, via government loans and grants. There are also bursaries depending on your degree classification and the subject you are going to teach.

See: https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/fundingyour-training for more details. Funding applications open at the end of February.

I POSTGRADUATE MASTERS LOANS Students from England or Wales attending eligible full and part-time Masters courses can apply for government loans of up to £11,570* (England) or £18,025* (Wales).

I NHS COURSES You can apply for a bursary for some Masters level NHS courses. The funding cycle opens in April for September starters. See the NHS Business Services Authority website (nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students) for more details.

Further information and details of eligibility are available at www.gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study and www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/postgraduatestudents.aspx

* Loan rates quoted are for 2021 entry so may change for 2022 entry

Students who ordinarily live in Northern Ireland can apply for a non means tested loan for their tuition fees. The loan is capped at £5,500* per student and you can find out more at: www.studentfinanceni.co.uk Students who are normally resident in Scotland can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan up to a maximum of £5,500* for full-time courses. Eligible students can also apply for a living cost loan of up to £4,500*. This funding is not means tested.

Scottish students who want to study at postgraduate level on a part-time basis can apply for a tuition fee loan of up to £2,750* per year. For more information and repayment details see www.saas.gov.uk

DID YOU KNOW?

I POSTGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS I If you are a home graduate with a degree from LJMU,

LJMU offers a series of scholarships for international students on taught Masters programmes and research degrees. These scholarships take the form of fee waivers.

For full eligibility criteria and details of how to apply, see the international scholarships section of our website here: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/research/phdscholarships

an Alumni discount of 20% off your postgraduate tuition fees is available**

I Funding is also provided by research councils, charities and trusts

https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/research/currentresearchopportunities-find-a-ph

I The University has a Student Support Fund for those facing unexpected hardship or who have caring responsibilities eg for a partner or children

I GOVERNMENT DOCTORAL LOAN SCHEME A non-means-tested loan of up to £27,265* is now available to assist with the cost of a postgraduate doctoral qualification. The loan is for eligible students in England, Wales and the European Union. Further information for those based in England can be found on the Government’s website. For information about doctoral loans in Wales, visit Student Finance Wales. For details of the new Doctoral Loans please visit: www.gov.co.uk/doctoral-loan

I Equipment and support is available for those with an ongoing disability or learning difficulty, email: disability@ljmu.ac.uk **Subject to terms and conditions

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FIRST CLASS SUPPORT All LJMU students have access to a wealth of support services. You’ll find details of the main services below but, if you are not quite sure what support you need, call in and see us on campus when you arrive.

ACCOMMODATION In addition to the services of our central accommodation team who deal with queries and pre-arrival arrangements, Student Advice and Wellbeing can help you with any issues you may have with University accommodation once you settle in, contact accommodation@ljmu.ac.uk You can also contact our private sector housing adviser based at Liverpool Student Homes, email: LSH@Liverpool.ac.uk BUDGETING Student life often calls for careful budgeting so LJMU has collaborated with Blackbullion (www.blackbullion.com) to enable current students to use their online tools and resources by registering with their LJMU email address.

COUNSELLING AND MENTAL WELLBEING alking therapy appointments are available Monday to Friday T throughout the year and there is also a daily drop-in session, contact: counselling@ljmu.ac.uk DISABILITY SUPPORT I f you have a disability and require extra support during your studies, please inform Student Advice and Wellbeing as soon as possible, email: disability@ljmu.ac.uk FINANCE hether you need information on scholarships, loans or W bursaries or some help budgeting, our Finance Advisers have the answers you need, email: moneyadvice@ljmu.ac.uk INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT For one-to-one and group sessions on topics such as visa applications or cultural issues, contact: internationaladvice@ljmu.ac.uk

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TEAM This new team is available to help with any issues affecting your studies, whether you have problems relating to your mental wellbeing, practical issues or simply want someone to talk to about the stresses of university life. You can contact them at: studentengagement@ljmu.ac.uk

LJMU’s dedicated international team is here to support overseas students from the moment you decide to study with us.

As well as letting you know all about LJMU before you come to Liverpool, the team provides a ‘meet and greet’ service when you arrive in the UK and will help with issues such as setting up a UK bank account and an email address, registering with the police and setting your immigration status to ‘student’.

STUDY SUPPORT If you need to develop additional skills to complement your studies, our study support team can help with topics such as academic writing, referencing, maths support and English for academic purposes; for more information email: studysupport@ljmu.ac.uk or see our Academic Support section on the next page.

To find out more about what the international team can do for you, email: international@ljmu.ac.uk

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ACADEMIC SUPPORT

LIBRARY SUPPORT

When you begin your studies at LJMU you may find you need help with certain academic topics. Our study skills classes provide valuable support for students at all levels.

We offer a wide range of generic training sessions as well as specific support for international and postgraduate students. Details of sessions are sent out weekly via email.

Bespoke sessions are also available subject to demand.

LJMU has two libraries: the Aldham Robarts library at the Mount Pleasant Campus and the Avril Robarts library in the City Campus. There are also support facilities on our brand new Student Life Building, where you will find a hub for all front-line student services and guidance on anything related to your student experience.

John Moores Students’ Union represents all LJMU students. Run by elected student officers, JMSU prides itself on being an entirely student-led organisation, working solely to improve your University experience.

To find out more, visit www.jmsu.co.uk

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A PLACE TO CALL HOME

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ALL NEW STUDENTS ARE GUARANTEED A ROOM in University accommodation, no matter what your level of study. And what’s more, if you prefer privately owned accommodation, we can help with that too!

UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION Opt for University accommodation and we’ll give you the option to live with other postgraduate students and/or mature undergraduates.

To book your university accommodation: 1. Explore the accommodation options: www.ljmu.ac.uk/ discover/your-student-experience/accommodation 2. On accepting an offer from LJMU, submit your online accommodation request. The sooner you send a request, the more choice you will have 3. Your accommodation manager will contact you by email within 10 days. Follow the instructions provided and make the initial payment to finalise your booking For further help or advice, please email: accommodation@ljmu.ac.uk

PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION Liverpool Student Homes (LSH) www.liverpoolstudent homes.org/ is the official provider of private accommodation for LJMU, the University of Liverpool and Liverpool Hope University.

LSH has the city’s largest choice of student flats, houses and rooms with over 16,000 bed spaces. It offers protection against poor housing conditions and also provides impartial expert housing advice when required.

For more information email: lsh@liv.ac.uk

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CAREERS EXPERTISE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR SERVICE INCLUDE:

It’s no accident that over 96%* of LJMU student postgraduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation! We offer excellent career support to each and every LJMU student. This support enhances your employability, adds value to your university experience and helps you to take the necessary steps to achieve your career goals.

I Campus-based Careers Zones which allow you to access careers support closer to where you study – call in to find out about the range of services available to you

I One-to-one careers advice and guidance from expert Employability Advisers and Careers Advisers – call into your nearest Careers Zone to make an appointment

CAREERS SUPPORT AND MORE

I Careers Zone 24/7 – a range of online careers tools, including CV and cover letter builder, interview simulator, employer advice videos, psychometric testing practice, assessment centre tool, GoinGlobal database and much more. Access the platform at ljmu.ac.uk/careers/ careers-zone-digital-careers-tools

Whatever your career ambitions, LJMU’s Student Futures LJMU’s Careers, Employability and Enterprise Team is on hand to help enhance your employability, add value to your university experience and help you take the necessary steps to achieve your career goals.

I Our online jobs board where you can look for graduate jobs, LJMU-funded internships, placements, voluntary work and more – access the jobs board via Careers Zone 24/7.

Opportunities from the site are also featured on physical jobs boards in Careers Zones

I School-specific Career Planning Guides (featuring student and graduate case studies and employability articles) and programme-specific Career Insight guides (highlighting career options related to your degree) are available to download from the Careers website – ljmu.ac.uk/careers

I Regular employer events and careers fairs as well as careers workshops and webinars (online classes) on CVs, application forms, interviews, psychometric tests etc. see https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk/Default.aspx

I Mock interviews to perfect your technique and build your confidence

I CareerSmart programme – all postgraduates have the opportunity to engage with the programme which will introduce you to the steps involved in making informed choices about your career.

Visit ljmu.ac.uk/careers/careersmart or email CareerSmart@ljmu.ac.uk if you want to take part * HESA, Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2017/18 leavers

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EDITION 10

CONTACT DETAILS FACULTIES

SUPPORT SERVICES

Arts, Professional and Social Studies: apsadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk

Accommodation: accommodation@ljmu.ac.uk

Business and Law: busadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk

Finance: moneyadvice@ljmu.ac.uk

Education: education@ljmu.ac.uk

International enquiries: internationaladmissions@ljmu.ac.uk

Engineering and Technology: fetadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk

Liverpool Student Homes: lsh@liv.ac.uk

Health: health@ljmu.ac.uk

Student support: studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk

Science: scienceadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk

The Doctoral Academy (contact form): ljmu.ac.uk/forms/enquiry

Visit ljmu.ac.uk or connect with us on Twitter @LJMU 42