PGT Welcome Email 2022

Subject: Welcome to Warwick Global Sustainable Development!

Recipients: MASc students

Hello,

Congratulations on securing your place to study the MASc in Global Sustainable Development at Warwick. I’d like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome you to the Global Sustainable Development (GSD) Department in the School for Cross-faculty Studies and provide some information about the induction that has been arranged for you.

In GSD we encourage bold, independent thinking and aim to offer the highest quality academic experience to stretch and challenge you. We are proud of our diverse and talented students and are sure that you will find a place for yourself within our close-knit community.

The University's online welcome pagesLink opens in a new window give you lots of information to prepare you for your first few weeks at Warwick. Over the next few weeks, please take a look at our department's online welcome pagesLink opens in a new window where you will find useful information about reading lists, term dates and more.

Welcome Week and induction

All new MASc students participate in our Welcome Week (Monday 26th September - Sunday 2nd October), where you will find out about the opportunities and support available to you as a student and get involved in our sports clubs and societies. We strongly encourage you to attend all of our academic induction activities taking place during Welcome Week as they are designed to help you:

Learn about the structure of your course and opportunities available to you
Meet other students on your course
Get to know key members of staff in your department
Understand key concepts to underpin your studies, e.g. research integrity, interdisciplinarity etc.

You will be able to view the Welcome Week timetable from mid-September. Induction activities for your course will automatically appear in your bespoke Welcome Week timetable and you will have the option to add more University-wide events from the hundreds on offer.

Support with your studies

Together with colleagues across the University, we are committed to supporting your academic success and professional development. We have a range of support available for you to use both within our department and the wider University.

In the GSD Department we have a Postgraduate Programmes' Manager and Postgraduate Coordinator to support all administrative and practical elements of your programme. Our Director of Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Programmes will also support you, along with our personal tutors and Senior Tutor who oversees pastoral support for the School.

The Library offers a range of study spaces, subject specific resources, and a PG Hub just for Postgraduate studentsLink opens in a new window. You can find out more on the Get Started pagesLink opens in a new window and during the Library Induction in Welcome Week.

It's never too early to start thinking about what to do after graduation and the skills you need to do it, the Warwick AwardLink opens in a new window with Student Opportunity can help you do just that. You can find out more and see the full range of workshops available on the Student Opportunity websiteLink opens in a new window.

English language skills

If you are looking to improve your spoken or academic English, take a look at the following resources:

Disability support

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty, it is important that you contact the Disability Team in Wellbeing Support ServicesLink opens in a new window before the start of your course to discuss support requirements such as reasonable adjustments. There is a wide range of support options available that students can access for the duration of their studies.

Reading List

We do not expect students to do any particular reading in advance of the course. Reading lists for individual modules can be accessed through our Modules pageLink opens in a new window.

Timetabling and module registration

All of your Welcome Week activities will be available in the Welcome Week timetable. For the rest of your time at Warwick, you will use a system called Tabula to view your personalised course timetable. You will find out more about this once you have enrolled.

Careers

Our Careers ServiceLink opens in a new window is open to all students, including Postgraduate. Whilst this is the start of your time at Warwick, the service can help you start thinking about your career path through self-awareness and career planning resources.

In the GSD Department, you will also have the support of our Employability and Placement ManagerLink opens in a new window whose role is to help you develop your professional skills throughout your Masters. You can access one-to-one advice and guidance on any matters related to employability. You will also be supported by our Employability and Placement Manager if you undertake the Capstone Workplace ProjectLink opens in a new window.Link opens in a new window

Your department

To help find out more about what’s in store at Warwick, why not catch up with news of our latest researchLink opens in a new window and keep up to date with the department on FacebookLink opens in a new window and TwitterLink opens in a new window.

Hear from our students on OurWarwickLink opens in a new window

Our bloggers have lots of helpful hints and tips about life at Warwick. You can read their blogs, watch their vlogs and submit your questions to them.

More information will be added to the GSD Welcome PagesLink opens in a new window in the lead up to you joining us.

We will also be hosting an online live chat in September where you will be invited to ask us any questions you may have before you start your studies with us. You will receive an invite to this live chat via email in the near future.

Finally, if you are arriving earlier in September, you are very welcome to attend the launch of the University's Sustainability StrategyLink opens in a new window. This event will also include the launch of a new vision for the Institute for Global Sustainable Development (IGSD). This is a great opportunity to start getting to know our School's research institute and to build your network with people who play an important role in driving forward the sustainability research agenda.

We look forward to seeing you soon. If you have any queries in the meantime, please contact us at PGGSD@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window.

Best wishes,

Dr Nick Bernards
Director of Postgraduate Taught Programmes | Global Sustainable Development