UK Postgraduate Study Experience

May May WinMA (TESOL)

Lancaster University

Choosing the course Choosing modules Study tips Support from the university Coursework Dissertation

UK Postgraduate Study Experience

Choosing the university Related to the previous study/ studies A new area Degrees which are in great demand in the

job market University ranking www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

Choosing the course

Course/ module description from uni websites Course instructors explaining modules at

orientation One/two weeks of trial period Core modules, audit modules, support

modules E.g., Lancaster (3 core, 2 support, 1 audit for

each term) Take as many modules as possible?

◦ To be mentioned on degree certificates

Choosing modules

Preparing to go to the UK Academic language skills – preparation for

academic reading, writing, listening and speaking before going to the UK

Research skills – data collection, data analysis and interpretation, basic statistics, background reading of research papers

Prep English courses (EAP: English for Academic Purposes) can be costly and time-consuming

Study tips

Support from the university Support courses

◦ Postgraduate academic study skills◦ Research methodology

Academic tutors/ advisors Library use training (e.g.,EndNote training) IT training IT service (e.g, ISS: Information System Services) SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences)

training Online resources Seminars and workshops by well-known scholars

Study tips

Assignments for each core module Presentations and projects Dissertation (qualitative and or quantitative

research) Exams

Coursework

Malpractice in Examinations and Coursework Abide by rules and regulations of the uni and don’t

attempt to gain advantage by any unfair means. When submitting coursework, it must be your own

work and any assistance must be correctly acknowledged.

Your department[s] will be able to offer detailed advice.

In recent years the Internet has become a source for such malpractice, however, mechanisms for detecting such practice is also becoming easier and readily available.

Coursework

Course requirements Attendance and academic progress are

monitored. You are expected to complete all the work

required of you. This includes attendance at all seminars and tutorials and completion and submission of any written or practical work, vacation work and departmental tests specified by your tutors.

All departments have codes of practice which spell out the requirements to you in more detail - make sure you obtain one.

Coursework

Grading (Assignments and Dissertation) 80 + (high distinction) 70 + (distinction) 60-69 (good pass) 50-59 (pass) 40-49 (fail) Below 30 (poor fail)

Coursework

Results – within one month Resubmission Graduation in December Degree certificate and grading certificate

sent to home address

Coursework

Research proposal Availability of tutors and their fields of

expertise Availability of reference resources Topic/title (masters’ level) – may not be totally

new, but can be replicate of previous studies Practical issues – data collection; easy access

to participants; fast and reliable data sources; research methods; your own interests

Relevance to own context Familiarity with the area of study

Dissertation

Dissertation (writing up the research) Format Academic language/ style of writing Supervision – limited time (e.g., 5 hours) when

going to see supervisors, prepare outline and reading list, make notes of what to ask, make notes of what the supervisor suggests, emailing

Time management – meeting deadlines Dissertations from previous years (from library;

sometimes available online) Proof-reading service

Dissertation

Publications of works University posts (lecturership or

professorship) are decided on the quantity and quality of the publications of the research we have made in the field.

Many employers are interested in the research area we have done for the postgrad degrees.

Dissertations at the masters’ degree may be linked (elaborated) to the doctoral degree.

Dissertation

Thank You