MASTERPLAN Preparing for Postgraduate Study at LJMU
IN THIS ISSUE:
Welcome to Liverpool Research Success Career Focus
“I think Liverpool generates a generosity which rubs off - it’s a good place to work and to party” Actor Rhys Ifans
“Liverpool has the largest student population, which means there are many people sharing similar experiences to you. The city itself is always buzzing with life and has some of the friendliest people around.” Sarah Vaughan, PhD student
Contents 2-3 Welcome to Liverpool 4-7 Successful Students 8-9 Expert Staff 10-11 Ground Breaking Programmes 12-13 World Class Research Useful Information 14-15 Welcome Events 16-17 Student Support 18-19 Financing Your Study 20-23 Accommodation 24-27 Career Guidance 28 Useful Contacts
Ask anyone to describe Liverpool and you can be sure that one of the first words out of their mouth will be ‘friendly’. This is a city with a legendary reputation for hospitality built on its sea-faring heritage. Multi-cultural in the true sense of the word, Liverpool is a city where there are no outsiders, everyone is welcomed with open arms.
AFFORDABLE In term time Liverpool is home to over 50,000 students all keen to explore its fabulous culture, wonderful architecture and first class entertainment venues. And when you’re living on a student budget, the great news is that this is a very affordable city too. The average cost of university accommodation in the city may be similar to neighbouring Manchester but its general ‘survival’ and nightlife costs are lower, according to The Guardian.
CULTURE CENTRAL When it comes to culture, Liverpool is in a league of its own. There are plentiful free museums including The World Museum and the Merseyside Maritime Museum, free galleries such as The Tate and the Walker Art Gallery, first class theatre at the RIBA award winning Everyman, the Playhouse, the Empire and the Royal Court as well as classical music at The Philharmonic. In terms of city-wide cultural events, Liverpool is legendary. Indeed, if you missed the last two visits of Jean Luc Courcoult’s Giant Puppets, there is talk of a return to the city soon. MasterPlan 2
Welcome to LJMU A GAME OF TWO HALVES
UNBEATABLE NIGHTLIFE
Another aspect of Liverpool life which can’t be ignored is its proud footballing heritage. The city is home to both Liverpool FC and Everton FC and football is a way of life here. Visits to Anfield and Goodison are an absolute must during your time at LJMU no matter whether you are a ‘red’, a ‘blue’ or somewhere in between.
Last, but not least, comes Liverpool’s legendary nightlife. With the highlights divided between the city centre, Lark Lane and the Baltic Triangle, there’s something here to suit all tastes. Beatles fans will surely want to make a pilgrimage to The Cavern, whilst those with a preference for cutting edge locations will enjoy the numerous venues of the Baltic and, if you’re looking for a bohemian feel, Lark Lane by Sefton Park is an absolute must.
AMAZING ARCHITECTURE If you are a lover of architecture, Liverpool is an absolute treasure trove. There are over 2,500 listed buildings in the city of which 27 are Grade I and 85 Grade II listed. Indeed, the city has been described by English Heritage as England’s finest Victorian city. On top of this, Liverpool’s waterfront is a designated World Heritage Site. This accolade was granted to the area stretching from the Albert Dock, through the Pier Head and up to Stanley Dock. It takes in the historic commercial districts and the RopeWalks area as well as St George’s Quarter which is dominated by the magnificent St George’s Hall.
“It is a fun and vibrant city with many different events happening throughout the year, from art exhibitions to music festivals. The people are very friendly and make you feel at home from the start.” Sara Filgueira Martinez MSc Industrial Biotechnology
GREEN SPACES In terms of green spaces, Liverpool boasts some amazing parks including Sefton Park with its historic Palm House, Calderstones Park which has a 1,000 year old oak tree and Stanley Park with its Grade II listed Isla Gladstone Conservatory. In the summertime the city’s parks are favourite destinations for students keen to take their revision – and their lunch – al fresco.
“I love Liverpool. It is a great city with a fabulous mix of cultures.”
“Liverpool is a friendly, vibrant and energetic city and, in my opinion, is one of the best student cities. The high concentration of universities gives the city a real positive vibe. There’s something for everyone in Liverpool.” Angela Creevy MPhil, School of Natural Sciences and Psychology
Hollie Idemudia, Centre for Public Health
For more information on Liverpool and what it has to offer, take a look at itsliverpool.com
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CAREER SUCCESS
for Lauren
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ecuring a role with the world’s largest independent financial advisory firm is no mean feat but, for Financial Management Masters student Lauren Crowder, it is a dream fulfilled. The LJMU student had to undergo a tough selection process to secure her place on the highly competitive deVere Group international graduate scheme but, following a Skype interview and an assessment centre day at the Hilton Heathrow, Lauren was delighted to discover that she had triumphed. “My Financial Management Masters features a module on personal trading (Portfolio Management), and this has really helped me understand the markets and how I can invest other peoples’ money,” she explained. “The programme proved to me that I could do the job. I didn’t really do finance on my undergraduate degree, so the MSc gave me a real kick when I started learning about the markets. The things you learn on the degree - such as managing funds and how economic factors influence investment decisions - have really expanded my understanding. I really feel quite knowledgeable about this area.” On completing her Masters, Lauren will be spending six weeks in Malta for the first part of her training. She is then hoping to move on to Paris or Barcelona for the first year and then to New York for the second year.
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT EXPERIENCE SURVEY
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T LJMU we like to put you, our students, at the heart of all we do which is why we were delighted to be ranked in the top 25% of institutions for all Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) categories in 2015. We achieved an overall student satisfaction rate of 84% - that’s 4% higher than the sector average and a 4% increase on our score from 2014. We were particularly well rated for: contact time with staff, learner support, student representation, career development and learning resources. Our success in these areas marks the starting point for the academic and career triumphs of our students as you will see in the stories on these pages.
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laying football from the age of four, mature student Dennis Sanchez always knew he would have a future in ‘the beautiful game’ so, when an Operations Assistant role came up at Seattle FC before he graduated, US born Dennis put his studies to one side and signed up.
Five years passed and, with Dennis working on tactical analysis for Seattle’s first team, it seemed as though his future was mapped out for him. So, when he decided to give up his job and finish his first degree in San Diego, everyone was surprised. Within no time at all, however, Dennis rediscovered his passion for study and decided to look into postgraduate courses. “In my spare time I had been travelling in Europe to study the game,” Dennis explained. “It’s not easy for an American coach to get a foot in the door of European football so I thought an overseas Masters would be a good idea.”
PREMIERSHIP PLACEMENT
for Dennis
“The MSc Sport Coaching team work extensively with partners to provide high quality placement opportunities for students and to enhance the currency of the programme. We work with a range of national and local partners in a variety of sports across the UK.” Matthew Reeves, Programme Leader
Dennis shortlisted three institutions and came to the UK in February 2015 to visit them. “I stayed at LJMU for a few days. I talked to the programme leader, saw how things worked and looked at what I would be doing on my placement. I am interested in the psychology of sport and wanted a good learning environment for my placement. Naturally, working with Everton FC was ideal.” Dennis decided that LJMU was the one for him. “I was attracted by the people, the great footballing culture and a curriculum that I knew would give me the opportunity to grow.” Starting his course in September 2015, Dennis submits his thesis in September 2016. “Postgraduate study is just what I expected,” he explained. “It is challenging but enjoyable, meaning I can back up my areas of interest with research and refine my skills.” Dennis is currently shadowing the Under14s-Under-18s coaches at Finch Farm. “I love the practical side of my studies and am already planning for the future through the connections I have made at Everton. I would highly recommend LJMU to other students. The resources here are second to none and the staff are very open and very well connected. All in all I couldn’t ask for more.”
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TAYBIA SWEEPS THE BOARD P
ostgraduate research student Taybia Mohammed has turned research presentation into something of an art form, having won numerous poster competitions over the past two years. Taybia, who has an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences and a Masters in Neuroimaging, joined LJMU in 2013. “LJMU has changed my life,” she says. “It has enabled me to advance my skills and build my confidence. My supervisors and Faculty Dean have been so supportive that I can now finally accept how much I have achieved.” “When I joined LJMU I had no confidence but I was encouraged to present my work,” she explains. “One of the key turning points for me was getting involved in the research café here. In terms of experience it is excellent. Funnily enough, I presented really badly at the café but, although this dented my confidence a little, it made me realise how I could improve what I did.”
Taybia’s perseverance soon started to pay off. “I remember standing by my poster for most of the week before one presentation and talking to as many people as I could,” she laughs. “Besides preparing me to answer lots of questions, it helped me to relax and develop a conversational style with my audience.” In 2014 Taybia won the best poster competition at the GERI Annual Research Symposium (GARS), going on to win again in 2015 for the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET). She has also been awarded £3,000 from Hilda Martindale Trust for her work demonstrating how women are underrepresented in engineering. Last October, she won best presentation award at the British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG) annual presentation day. As to the future, Taybia shows no sign of slowing down. “I have already applied for lots of other competitions and am looking forward to my next presentation,” she says. “I have studied at several institutions and LJMU is by far the best. There is more support here, everyone respects each other and although there is still that competitive edge, there is also a real friendliness.”
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WORLDWIDE APPEAL Our excellent research reputation attracts students from around the world – it also attracts leading academics.
DO WHAT YOU LOVE, LOVE WHAT YOU DO
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ollowing his PhD in Sport Sciences at the University of Nice, Dr Julien Louis worked at the French Institute of Sport in Paris for four years as a Sports Scientist. He became the Institute’s Head of Sport Nutrition and was responsible for providing nutritional support to all French Olympic athletes. In September 2015, however, Julien left his high profile job to join LJMU’s Sport and Exercise Sciences team. His reason? The University’s world class reputation for research. “Research is my first love and I wanted to develop my research skills,” explained Julien. “The team at LJMU have a world class reputation and I wanted to be part of that. Now I carry out research in sports nutrition, lecture in the subject and provide nutritional support to Liverpool Football Club. Every day brings something new, with a mix of practical work, lab work and teaching.” So, what does Julien think of our University and our city? “The LJMU team is excellent, the facilities are first class and Liverpool is a very good place to be with a great atmosphere, nice places to live and a very positive outlook. At LJMU I am doing what I love and it is a pleasure to come to work.”
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A DREAM JOB IN A FANTASTIC CITY W
hen Dr Joasia Krysa joined LJMU as Programme Leader of our Exhibition Studies MA in August 2015, she was drawn to the University by the unique opportunity to combine academic research with practical curating. Polish born Joasia holds a collaborative post at LJMU with Liverpool Biennial. She is Director of LJMU’s Exhibition Research Centre and Head of Research at Liverpool Biennial, where she is also part of the international curatorial team responsible of preparing Liverpool Biennial 2016. “My career to date has involved research and curatorial work. I worked for academic institutions and contemporary art galleries and projects internationally, including Documenta 13,” she explains. So, when the opportunity came up to combine her two passions, Joasia knew that it was the role for her. “I was working in Denmark as the Artistic Director of the Kunsthal Aarhus when I came across the role. To see such an opportunity outside of London is very unusual and, with Liverpool being such a fantastic environment for contemporary art, it really was the ideal job for me.”
The reputation of the University’s School of Art and Design played a key role in attracting Joasia to the city, as did the School’s partnerships with Liverpool Biennial, Tate Liverpool, RIBA North and FACT. “Although I had lived in the UK for several years previously, Liverpool was my first encounter with the north of England,” she says. “I think it is a fantastic city with a fascinating political and cultural history. It is diverse and has a very dynamic and interesting cultural life.”
Joasia’s Exhibition Studies MA is now in its first year of operation and she has big plans for the future of the programme. “Our MA is different, as it combines exhibition with curatorial studies and expands this into a practical context in a highly dynamic cultural setting,” she enthuses. “Our students are encouraged to research and think about important developments, building independent curating skills and testing these out with an independent project. They also have access to amazing resources, expertise, materials and out-of-classroom learning thanks to our collaborations with key cultural institutions in the city, in particular Liverpool Biennial and Tate Liverpool. We are also in the process of setting up an international collaboration with Aarhus University, to partner up with their newly established MA Curating programme. Aarhus itself has great cultural institutions, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Aros, the Natural History Museum, Moesgaard Museum, and many others, where students can choose to develop their projects.” With the utmost enthusiasm for both her role and her subject, Joasia is keen to promote the MA far and wide. “We know we are unique in the UK but such programmes are few and far between internationally too and I want students everywhere to have access to this amazing opportunity,” she explains. “One thing is for sure, if the course had been available when I was a student I would have been the very first to sign up!”
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BLAZING A TRAIL L
JMU is known for its world leading research and expertise across a wide range of areas. Our Drones Masters programmes, for example, are leading the way in a sector with an annual growth rate in excess of 300%.
LJMU’s Drone Technology and Application programme is the only one of its kind in the UK. The programme sits alongside two other Masters programmes involving drones (Primate Behaviour and Conservation and Wildlife Conservation and UAV Technology) and was developed as a result of a collaboration between LJMU’s Faculty of Engineering and Technology and Faculty of Science. “It was a serendipitous meeting with Professor Serge Wich which resulted in our drone programmes,” explained the Faculty of Engineering and Technology’s Professor Dave Burton. “As a flying instructor and radio-controlled model enthusiast I was fascinated by the technology of drones. Serge, on the other hand, was interested in the application of the technology for conservation.”
FULLY ROUNDED EXPERIENCE The team realised that, when it comes to drones, very few individuals have both academic credibility and practical experience and thus created a programme offering a fully rounded experience. Not only do LJMU students design and build their drone, they learn about the legal implications of drone usage, test fly their equipment, repair it (where necessary) and become proficient operators.
GROWING MARKET Applications of drone technology are extensive. “There
is a growing demand for freelancers working in high end agriculture, for example, monitoring fertiliser take up in crops like grapes,” explains Professor Burton. “There is also a huge demand in the utility industry, inspecting and monitoring infrastructure and there are applications in ecology; cultural heritage and, of course, policing.” Drone technology really comes into its own in areas of conservation: “Wildlife monitoring involves covering large and difficult to access areas and, if you get close enough to see the creatures you are monitoring, you risk interrupting their normal behaviour,” says Professor Burton. “Electric power UAVs are very quiet and don’t disturb the creatures so you can monitor nests and the like with ease.”
RESEARCH AND PRACTICE Keen to build on the expert knowledge which brought the courses to fruition in the first place, the University now has an active drone research group developing new technologies and applications. Course tutors also ensure their practical experience is industry relevant by working as commercial drone operators three days a week. “Our programme assessments are based on real life commercial case studies,” says Professor Burton. “We present the challenges we face in our commercial work to our students so that by the time they graduate, they have already overcome some of the issues faced by freelance drone operators.” As to the future, Professor Burton is keen to keep LJMU at the forefront of drone technology development: “Drones, like many technologies, have good and bad aspects. It’s up to us, the researchers, the users and society at large to harness the enormous benefits they could bring into just about every aspect of our lives – the everyday and the exceptional.”
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RESEARCH FOCUS Research is a vital aspect of what we do at LJMU and, in the 2015 REF, 100% of our submitted work was classed as internationally excellent, in all subject areas, for research impact. And when it comes to student satisfaction, the 2015 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) PGR saw postgraduate research students rating their supervision significantly above the sector average: 95% for skills, 89% for contact, 90% for feedback and 84% for development needs.
LJMU’S RESEARCH CAFÉ Based around the concept of the Café Scientifique, LJMU’s Research Cafés are informal gatherings where academics, PhD students and early career researchers get together to find out more about the latest thinking in science, technology, the arts, humanities, social sciences and health research. The cafés aim to break down barriers between disciplines and encourage diverse research networks across the University. Organised with LJMU’s library services team, these free events involve 10-15 minute talks from researchers with time for questions and further debate.
“My supervisors were always available to discuss work and also our research group was very sociable, so working in the lab felt like going to spend time with your friends every day… this environment makes people want to come to the lab and work hard and PhDs are mainly about hard work!” Paul Hoskisson PhD School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
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Top Tips We have a Researcher Development Programme which aims to equip postgraduate researchers with the skills, attributes and knowledge to thrive as independent researchers and professionals. For more information about the programme please contact The Graduate School.
“Don’t be afraid to attend conferences and speak to those already working in the field. Most people are willing to share their experiences and expertise with those just starting out. I see a lot of students avoid networking at conferences and then they question why they are not making contacts or getting the opportunities that others are. Getting over the fear of introducing yourself will go a long way towards getting yourself noticed in the field.” Carole Davenport PhD Biological Anthropology
Did you know? All LJMU research students and staff enjoy institutional membership of Vitae so that you can benefit from even more support and development opportunities.
THE FAME GAME LJMU is always keen to extend the experience of its research students and, in early 2016, the University hosted one of the regional heats of FameLab – a competition which invites scientists, mathematicians and engineers from across the UK to convey a scientific concept of their choice in just three minutes. The competition is judged by leading researchers, media personalities and science policy makers, based on the content and clarity of the presentation as well as the charisma of the presenter! The overall winner receives £1,000 for themselves and £750 to spend on a science communication activity. They also go on to compete against at least 25 other international contestants at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival.
“When I was a postgraduate student with LJMU I felt part of a wider postgraduate community. This is important because postgraduate study can be a lonely process at times. I also felt part of a research community and actively engaged in research seminars within the School of Natural Science and Psychology. LJMU taught me that it’s important to have an active interest in the wider, innovative research taking place and not to get ‘tunnel-vision’ with your own research. In 2012, I travelled to The Institute of Urban Environment (IUE), Xiamen, China to present some of the results of my research at the 6th International Symposium on Testate Amoebae. As a postgraduate student, this was a fantastic opportunity to gain experience at presenting to an international audience and to network with other researchers.” Angela Creevy (MPhil) within the School of Natural Sciences and Psychology
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WELCOME EVENTS LJMU has a thriving postgraduate community which is growing all of the time. We work hard to connect our postgraduate students across Schools, Faculties and the University as a whole, offering the chance to socialise and exchange ideas so you can build your personal network as you study. No matter what your area of study you will have an induction/welcome session when you join us. Here’s what to expect:
POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT PROGRAMMES
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
Although your Programme Leader will decide exactly what your induction entails, there are certain things your session will offer whether you are studying Fine Art or Forensic Anthropology. For one thing, this is probably the first opportunity for you to meet your fellow postgraduate students and start making connections. You will also, of course, meet your Programme Leader and possibly other members of the teaching team too.
Half day postgraduate research induction sessions are run by The Graduate School on a monthly basis. They cover the policies, processes and procedures around research degrees, discuss timeframes and milestones and look into the relationship between supervisor and student, encouraging you to consider what you want from your supervisor. Group sessions enable you to get to know your fellow researchers and encourage you to think about what kind of student you are. You will also receive information about training and development opportunities. The sessions end with talks and question and answer sessions from the main University service providers including IT, Staff Development, The Graduate School, Academic Enhancement, Student Advice and Wellbeing, Study Support, the Students’ Union and Library Services.
“We were allocated mentors at the start of the course in case we had any concerns or needed extra support and my mentor turned out to be my dissertation supervisor also, who was very encouraging. All of the lecturers were there to support students too, so I felt that the support given was really good.”
In most cases these generic research induction sessions are followed up by a Faculty specific induction focussing on your area of study.
Frances Sherratt
In terms of information, as well as University policies and procedures, you will find out more about your course and what happens when, there will also be information about your Faculty and what it has to offer. You’ll be introduced to LJMU’s library provision and services including the resources available to you in print and online. You may also receive handbooks for some of the modules you will study. In essence, when you leave your induction, you should have the ‘who, what, where, why and when’ of study at LJMU!
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“The information gathered at the induction event has really helped me gain knowledge about what it means to be a postgraduate researcher, what is expected of me and what I can expect from LJMU.” Current postgraduate student
STUDENT SUPPORT Whether you are joining LJMU as a new student or have studied here as an undergraduate, you will 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, either email sawenquiries@ljmu.ac.uk or call in and see us at the Aquinas Building on Mount Pleasant. ACCOMMODATION
STUDY SUPPORT
As well as the services of our central accommodation team who deal with queries and arrangements pre-arrival, Student Advice and Wellbeing can help you with any issues you may have with University accommodation once you settle in, contact accommodationadvice@ljmu.ac.uk. You can also contact our private sector housing adviser based at Liverpool Student Housing, email: advice2u@liv.ac.uk
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 opposite.
“Research and teaching can be mentally tiring at times so I joined the LJMU well-being choir to unwind and meet new people. I encountered some difficult times when I was studying and the LJMU Health and Wellbeing service was very helpful in providing help and support to enable me to continue with PG studies. Staff at LJMU were also flexible and understanding to me as I juggled family and study commitments.”
COUNSELLING/MENTAL WELLBEING Talking therapy appointments are available Monday to Friday throughout the year and there is also a daily drop in session, contact: counselling@ljmu.ac.uk
DISABILITY SUPPORT
Angela Creevy (MPhil) within the School of Natural Sciences and Psychology
If 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
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
FINANCE Whether you require information on scholarships, loans or bursaries or some help budgeting, our Finance Advisers have the answers you need, email: studentadvice@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
LJMU’s dedicated international team is there 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’. To find out more about what the international team can do for you, email: international@ljmu.ac.uk
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ACADEMIC SUPPORT
LIVERPOOL STUDENTS UNION
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.
Liverpool SU represents all LJMU students. Run by elected student officers, LSU prides itself on being an entirely student-led organisation, working solely to improve your University experience.
We offer a wide range of generic training sessions as well as specific support for international and postgraduate students. The generic sessions are tutor-led and cover a vast array of topics, often connected to assignments, such as: academic writing, referencing, research methodologies, critical analysis and writing for publication. There are also drop-in maths support sessions five days a week (12pm until 3pm) and statistics support is available from Monday to Thursday.
To find out more, visit www.liverpoolsu.com
Details of sessions are sent out weekly to students via email. Group sizes for each session range from 10 to 40 and feature a good mix of home and international students. Bespoke sessions are also available subject to demand.
“The support that LJMU is providing is beyond my expectation compared to other establishments I have studied at.” Yogesh Mahat, Centre for Public Health
LIBRARY SUPPORT LJMU has three libraries: the Aldham Robarts library at the Mount Pleasant Campus, the Avril Robarts library in the City Centre and the IM Marsh library. A hub for all front-line student services, our libraries are the place to: register and enrol, hand in your coursework, pay fees and get guidance on anything related to the student experience. All libraries have Wi-Fi so you can work on your own device, borrow a laptop or book a PC. You can also book a space to work quietly with friends and can print, copy and scan here too.
In essence, our libraries offer: n 2,000 study spaces including designated postgraduate areas for when you need some quiet time to focus or meeting areas so you can collaborate in groups n h elpful and friendly academic liaison librarians for each School/Faculty n Wi-Fi access n networked PCs and access to 2000+ applications n laptops you can borrow when you need to be out and about n h elpdesk and induction sessions to familiarise yourself with the resources and facilities available n a user-friendly search engine to search more than 820,000 items including 650,000 printed resources, 129,000 e-Books, 45,000 electronic journal titles, online newspapers, legal databases, company journals, and special collections
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“LJMU collected me at Manchester Airport when I arrived in the UK. Although my flight was delayed for a day I still got the service.” Bahrom Bin Mohd Isa, postgraduate
MONEY MATTERS AND LIFE BALANCE Postgraduate study, is of course, a worthwhile investment but if you are planning to further your education, finance is sure to be on your mind. Our student money advice team can advise you of the options available to you as a postgraduate student. They can also offer you help and advice on how much money you will need to fund your studies and how to live within a budget. You can contact our advisers at: studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk
TOP FIVE TIPS Plan ahead Make sure your funding is in place well before starting your course, you may need to apply for sponsorship months in advance of actually starting your studies or you may need time to save before you study.
Be realistic about time and money Just as you don’t want to run out of money half way through your studies, you don’t want to overstretch yourself in terms of work/life balance.
Cheapest isn’t always best Make sure you factor all costs into your budget, for example living outside of the city centre can entail hidden costs in terms of transport etc. Most people’s budgets fail because they only include major items and they forget about things like birthdays and Christmas etc.
Consider part-time study Many postgraduates opt to study part-time enabling them to work part-time too.
Speak to us about payment plans We offer a range of payment plans so feel free to discuss your specific circumstances with the admin centre in your library.
FUNDING OPTIONS Postgraduate Masters Loans For courses starting from September 2016 students from England or the EU attending eligible full and part-time Masters courses can apply for government loans of up to £10,000. Further information and details of eligibility are available at ljmu.ac.uk/postgraduate-funding
Professional and Career Development Loans This government initiative features a commercial loan of up to £10,000 provided by a high street bank but underwritten by the government so you don’t have to make repayments whilst you are studying. You will, however, need to start repaying your loan a month after finishing your course. Go to gov.uk/career-development-loans for details.
Postgraduate International Scholarships LJMU offers a series of scholarships for international applicants 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, go to: ljmu.ac.uk/international
Teacher Training Teacher training is funded like undergraduate study via government loans and grants. There are also bursaries depending on your degree classification and subject. See gov.uk/teacher-training-funding for more details. Funding applications open at the end of February.
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.
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OTHER SUPPORT
BUDGETING
n Funding is also available from research councils, charities and trusts
Budgeting is all about considering your fixed costs, your needs (as opposed to your wants) and the amount you need to earn/receive in order to remain solvent.
n The University has a Student Support Fund for those facing unexpected hardship or who have caring responsibilities such as a partner or children. Contact studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk for further information n Equipment and support is available for those with an ongoing disability or learning difficulty, email: disability@ljmu.ac.uk for further information n If you are a full-time student with a child or adult dependant, you may qualify for extra financial support. Contact studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk for further details
As a general guide, home students need between £8,000 and £10,000 for living costs plus tuition fees of £4,000 to £6,500 (fulltime) or £3,000 per year for two years (part-time). Tuition fees for international students are £11,000-£12,000. Liverpool is a very affordable city with plentiful budget-friendly accommodation and, what’s more, being a tourist destination, there are lots of part-time and ad hoc jobs to be had. If you are relocating to Liverpool and want to find part-time work to support your studies, it is a good idea to come and visit the city if you can. Bring your CV to pass to potential employers. By October there will be over 50,000 students in the city so to get the best jobs, accommodation etc, you need to be ahead of the game.
Did you know? If you have an undergraduate degree from LJMU you will automatically be awarded 20% off your postgraduate tuition fees
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A PLACE TO CALL HOME
Moving to Liverpool? Our first class accommodation service takes the stress out of finding the perfect place to call home. All students new to LJMU are guaranteed a room in accommodation endorsed by the University, no matter what your level of study. So, the first thing you need to decide is whether you want to live in University endorsed accommodation or to select a privately owned option.
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UNIVERSITY ENDORSED ACCOMMODATION
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e fully understand that postgraduate students have different requirements from undergraduates. That’s why we set aside rooms in a number of our accommodation options so that you will only be living with other postgraduate students and/or mature undergraduates.
“The student accommodation application is easy even for me as an international student. Just book online, pay the rental via Foreign Telegraphic Transfer (overseas students), arrive and check-in. It’s as easy as ABC!”
To book your university accommodation:
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Jenny Lee For the academic year 2016/17 postgraduate students who want to live in University ‘halls’ can book rooms in North Western Hall, Liberty Atlantic Point and Liberty Prospect Point or opt for a self-contained studio at Apollo Court or at Vita Student. North Western Hall features four to six bedroomed flats with shared bathrooms, whilst Liberty Atlantic Point and Liberty Prospect Point feature six bedroomed flats with ensuite facilities. All of these options are ideal if you want well managed, well maintained accommodation with all of the necessary facilities close to hand.
Explore the accommodation options: www.ljmu.ac.uk/postgraduate-accommodation On accepting an offer from LJMU, submit your online accommodation request. The sooner you send a request, the more choice you will have Your accommodation manager will contact you by email within 10 days. Follow the instructions provided and make the initial payment to finalise your booking
Should you need any further help or advice, please call: +44 (0)151 231 4166 or email: accommodation@ljmu.ac.uk
“Thanks to the LJMU accommodation website, I found it very easy to get an overview of all the student halls in Liverpool and to compare the different offers.” Bianca Geiss
DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU WANT? If you are completely new to the city and are not sure which accommodation type to choose, why not book into a hotel or a hostel for a couple of nights and visit the different options before making your decision? MasterPlan 22
Living Close to Campus Most teaching at LJMU takes place in central Liverpool at either the Mount Pleasant Campus or City Campus. Liverpool is a very compact city and most students who are taught in the city centre can walk to lectures from their accommodation. If you are based in the Faculty of Education, Health and Community, however, you may be taught at the IM Marsh Campus unless you are studying on a healthcare course. IM Marsh is a few miles outside the city centre in a lovely area called Aigburth. By choosing accommodation in the North Western Hall you will have easy access to public transport links between IM Marsh and the city centre.
“Start as soon as possible to look for accommodation, because they get booked quickly. If you can check out the accommodation in person beforehand and you can book with friends, I’d definitely advise it.” Ashley George Muller
PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION Liverpool Student Homes (LSH) www.liverpoolstudenthomes.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. All landlords who register properties with LSH must meet agreed safety criteria and manage their property subject to set guidelines. They must provide gas and electric safety certificates, ensure their property has an appropriate fire detection system and carbon monoxide monitors, carry out repairs within a reasonable time, comply with legal obligations and behave in a professional, courteous and fair manner towards their tenants. In essence, if you want private accommodation with complete peace of mind, LSH is the choice for you. For more information call LSH on 0151 794 3296 or email lsh@liv.ac.uk
“Don’t reserve private accommodation if it’s your first year in the UK. Always go for accommodation through the University website as it is much safer and hassle-free.” Belal Hanafy
“I would say the location is important. You won’t want to take a 20 minute walk to Uni when there are 10 minute ones available.” Shu Qin
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TAKING YOU TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE Did you know that an impressive 98% of LJMU postgraduate students are in work or further study within six months of completing their Masters degree and 96% of those in work are in professional employment? These statistics demonstrate just how valuable an LJMU postgraduate qualification can be. And one of the reasons we can boast such great statistics is the excellent careers support available to each and every LJMU student.
We have a wide range of initiatives to help you get to where you want to be ranging from ‘Going Global’ - for those who want to work overseas - to the highly praised, employer-endorsed ‘World of Work’ certificate which is the only award of its kind.
SO WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM US IN TERMS OF CAREERS SUPPORT? We work hard to ensure that careers support is as accessible as possible so, for example, we have Careers Zones in our main buildings, offer workshops and classes at times to suit you and even arrange webinars for you to access remotely. Highlights of our service include: n Our MyJobsandPlacements website (ljmu.prospects.ac.uk) where you can search for jobs and placements n Careers insight guides specifically for your subject area - see www2.ljmu.ac.uk/worldofwork n A dedicated careers adviser for your Faculty n Details of graduate jobs, internships, placements, voluntary work and more at ljmu.prospects.ac.uk n An expert CV and application checking service call 0151 231 8099 n Regular careers events and employer days - see worldofwork.ljmu.ac.uk/events n Workshops and webinars on CVs, application forms, interviews, psychometric tests etc see worldofwork.ljmu.ac.uk/events n The employer-endorsed ‘World of Work’ skills certificate n One-to-one careers advice and guidance from expert employability advisers and career advisers call 0151 231 8099 (option 1) n Mock interviews to perfect your technique and build your confidence - call 0151 231 8099
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BETTER AND BETTER
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENTS
LJMU’s postgraduate employment statistics are getting better all of the time.
We offer a specialist careers and employability programme for postgraduate research students.
In the Arts, Professional and Social Studies Faculty, for example, the number of postgraduate taught students in fulltime paid employment six months after graduation rose by 8% between 2012 and 2014, with the numbers in professional/ managerial jobs rising by 3.9% over the same period.
This programme features a range of compulsory and optional employability related workshops and resources covering topics such as career mapping, CVs, academic interviews and research creativity and innovation. For further information please contact The Graduate School, details on back page.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS As with UK students, work experience can greatly improve your employment prospects by helping you develop a range of practical skills. It can also develop your commercial awareness, understanding of British culture and language skills. Part-time jobs, holiday work, placements, internships and voluntary work are all good options. In terms of graduate work, it is important to start looking for jobs before you finish your course. It is standard practice in the UK to apply for jobs in your final year of study. In fact, closing dates can be in the autumn of one year for posts starting the following autumn. You also need to stay up-to-date with immigration legislation. If you are hoping to stay in the UK, you need to discover how to apply for a visa and what the visa rules are. If you are looking to work in your home country after your studies, stay in touch with contacts/networks there and make sure you know about the recruitment process and when applications need to be made. It may also be useful to take a look at the Going Global website (online.goinglobal.com) which lists internship and graduate jobs from around the world. The Student Advice team run weekly Tier 4 (General) extension workshops to help those who need to extend their student visa in the UK. Before coming to a workshop you need to register your details with UKBA. To book a place on a workshop go to worldofwork.ljmu.ac.uk/events MasterPlan 25
THE WORK FACTOR M
any of our postgraduate students have significant work experience when they come to us, while others carry on working as they study. The motivation, enthusiasm, proactivity and commitment that employers look for can all be demonstrated through this work experience and other extra-curricular activities. During your studies you may be able to take a placement or internship, get some parttime work, do some work shadowing or try volunteering.
“There’s loads of useful information available through the World of Work Careers Zones to read either in printed publications or online. You can use this as a basis for planning your applications and tailoring your CV which is a good start. I would then highly recommend arranging a faceto-face meeting with one of the Employability Advisers in the Careers Zones to fine tune your CV and get some handy hints on interviews etc. I think the help I was given in setting out my CV correctly was probably the most important part of me gaining a graduate job. I was confident in my own ability once I got to the stage where I was able to speak directly to employers, but I felt the biggest hurdle would be getting my CV to stand out from the rest. If I hadn’t received help with this from the Careers Zone, then I don’t think I would have got that all important ‘foot in the door’.”
We advertise thousands of vacancies each year via our Jobs & Placements website (ljmu.prospects.ac.uk). We also invite employers on campus for a range of events, fairs and career presentations, enabling you to network and discuss opportunities. “Get as much experience as possible in any variety of jobs paid or unpaid” advises Ian Rothwell, SWQA Compatibility Manager, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “It does not matter what job role you’re in as long as you can reflect on the skills and situations you have experienced.” Chris Mullen of Accrington Stanley Football Club agrees: “The more contacts you gain and know well, the more chance of getting a job out of it!” Our graduates agree: “A week here and a week there can help build up your skills and make an impression. Be proactive, get involved,” says English and International Business Studies graduate Sophie Blackshaw. Indeed, even the interview process itself can be easier when you have work experience under your belt as Psychology of Sport graduate Laura Houghton explains: “Experience gained on compulsory placements was really useful when it came to giving real life examples of my research and applied skills.” To find out more about potential placements associated with your area of study, speak to your programme leader.
Peter Hayes, MSc Commercial Building Surveying
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THE EMPLOYER’S VIEW “I have interviewed hundreds, possibly thousands of candidates, and those that stand out are always those with life experiences. Candidates stand out if they can answer a question with a real life example and talk about how the example demonstrates their suitability. The other key thing is to do your research, not just on the company but the person interviewing. Knowing the company philosophy, values, mission statement, operational plans, targets and achievements really helps make you stand out.” Ian Rothwell, SWQA Compatibility Manager, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
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CONTACT DETAILS FACULTIES
SUPPORT SERVICES
Faculty of Arts, Professional and Social Studies
Accommodation
apsadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk
accommodation@ljmu.ac.uk
Finance
Faculty of Education, Health and Community (education admissions) marshadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk (health admissions) health@ljmu.ac.uk
Faculty of Engineering and Technology
studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk
International Enquiries int-admissions@ljmu.ac.uk
Liverpool Student Homes
fetadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk
lsh@liv.ac.uk
Faculty of Science
Student Support
scspgt@ljmu.ac.uk
studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk
The Graduate School (contact form) www.ljmu.ac.uk/forms/enquiry
Visit ljmu.ac.uk or connect with us on Twitter @LJMU