Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences PGR Induction

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences PGR Induction – Academic year 2019/20

Life as a Ph. D student Dr Alan Mc. Alpine PGR Induction – Academic year 2019/20

FEPS PGR portal https: //fepspgrportal. soton. ac. uk Online PGR Handbook 3

Admissions Issues

Enrolment Have you enrolled yet? • Go to www. southampton. ac. uk/enrol/ and follow the link for “start enrolling now”. • Enrolment involves: – Agreeing to be a student at the University, abide by the regulations, and pay your fees. – Check and update personal information in your student record. • Problems? First try enrolment helpline, THEN e-mail FEPS-Gradschool@soton. ac. uk with your student number and name to check records, or call in at the Faculty Graduate School Office in Building 13, Room 2047. 5

Identity Student ID card: UK/EU • You need to apply online. • If you have only just applied, wait 4 WORKING DAYS, then come to the Faculty Graduate school office. • You will need to bring two forms of identification and original copies of your degree certificates and transcripts. Student ID card: OS • These will be issued at visa check-in. 6

Fees Receiving a studentship from Southampton? • Enrol first • If you have already provided your bank account details, payment will be made directly into your bank account. • Otherwise your first payment will be sent by cheque to your term-time address. Please ensure that your address details are up to date, this is YOUR responsibility. Do you have an external sponsor? • Use Form SP 1 to arrange payment of fees by your sponsor. If you have a studentship letter from the University you do not need to do this. 7

Living in Southampton

Council Tax • Research students who are enrolled as a full-time student normally do not have to pay Council Tax. • However, if a house or flat is occupied by one or more non-students, you will be liable to pay Council Tax, but at a reduced rate. • Also part-time students are liable to pay Council Tax. • More detailed information is provided on the PGR Portal. 9

Bank Account • You may need to open a bank account. • Identification will be required, e. g. passport, driving licence, student ID card. • Banks also require proof of your period of study and local address. • A utility bill or other letter can provide evidence of your local address. • See instructions on the PGR Portal on how to obtain a Proof of Enrolment letter. Self generated letters are accepted by Barclays and HSBC. 10

Health Services • All students should register with a local GP (doctor). • The University has its own Health Centre where you can register, or alternatively register at a GP surgery near where you live. • More information about how to access health services is provided on the PGR Portal. 11

Public Transport • Information about the University of Southampton Uni. Link bus service is at: www. unilinkbus. co. uk/services • Southampton has two main railway stations: Southampton Central and Southampton Airport Parkway. • Also Southampton has a small international airport adjacent to Southampton Airport Parkway railway station. 12

Studying at the University

Working hours • Most buildings are open Monday-Friday 08. 00 to 18. 00. • Outside of these times you will need your ID card to gain access. • Buildings are closed from 23. 00 to 06. 00, and access is NOT permitted unless you have an authorised “Out of Hours” form. • We recommend aiming for a 9 am-5 pm working hours equivalent, 5 days per week. 14

Health and Safety • The H&S officer will give a talk at Induction. • All members of the Faculty are required to download and read the relevant H&S documentation for their School. • Furthermore, all new PGR students will be required to undertake some Health & Safety training. • All members of the Faculty must complete the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) online form. • Risk assessments are required for laboratory work and activities off-campus. 15

Absence from the University • Annual leave for Ph. D students is up to 26 days per year, plus public holidays and University closure days. • Agree annual leave dates with your supervisor in advance. Tier 4 students should submit an authorised absence request to the Graduate school BEFORE the start of a period of annual leave. • Illness - let your supervisor know if you are absent. • Long term sickness and parental leave entitlements are in line with university staff conditions and EPSRC guidelines. Documented proof required – register with a doctor now. 16

Travel expenses • The Travel Management Company (Clarity) provides a range of travel options for flights, trains, ferries and accommodation. • It is mandatory that all international flights are booked via the Travel Management Company. Finance will not reimburse flight tickets not booked via the TMC. • In general travellers should use the Travel Management Company wherever possible. • Normally Ph. D students should contact their local member of the Faculty Operating Service who will make their travel 17 bookings via the Travel Management Company.

Computing • Full-time research students are provided with a personal computer. • The computer is for your use but is the property of the University. • The computing department is called i. Solutions www. southampton. ac. uk/isolutions/index. page • The University has site licences available for a wide range of software. • For all I. T. issues and queries, please contact Service. Line. 18

Southampton University Student Union • SUSU is available for undergraduate and postgraduate students, including research students. • SUSU provide a wide range of services including student representation, social spaces, clubs and societies, support services, sport and recreation facilities and much more www. susu. org • PGR research students also can use the Staff Club adjacent to the Student Union. 19

Library • The Hartley library is situated on the Highfield campus www. southampton. ac. uk/library/index. page • Other satellite libraries are available around the University. 20

Other activities Nuffield Theatre Sport and Well-being Turner Sims Concert Hall 21

Information, Advice and Communication

FEPS PGR portal https: //fepspgrportal. soton. ac. uk Online PGR Handbook 23

SUSSED sussed. soton. ac. uk 24

Careers and Employability • The Careers and Employability service offer information, advice and guidance www. southampton. ac. uk/careers/index. page Student Services • Student services is a team committed to providing student focused services in partnership with others in and around the University www. southampton. ac. uk/studentservices/index. page 25

Research Group • Supervisory team • Research group administrative staff • Head of Research Group • Other research students Department and/or School • Head of Department and/or Head of School • Local Faculty Operating Service staff 26

Faculty Graduate School • Postgraduate admissions & studentships • Help with issues connected to PGR programmes • Signposting to other University services • Pastoral support Faculty Graduate School Office • Building 13, Room 2043 • Opening hours: 09. 00 – 17. 00 (excluding Wednesdays 10. 30 – 17. 00) • Email: FEPS-Gradschool@soton. ac. uk 27

Doctoral College • “The University of Southampton Doctoral College provides a focal point for doctoral training and researcher development. It provides high-quality training and resources for postgraduate researchers from all disciplines and acts as a hub for Southampton’s vibrant and inspiring doctoral research community. ” • “A comprehensive professional development programme is available to postgraduate students to further enhance their personal and transferable skills. The development programme is delivered by courses and workshops designed to improve key professional skills and aptitudes, communication and awareness of your work, and future career prospects. ” 28

How do we communicate with you? • Check University e-mail • Respond to PGR Tracker • Check the PGR Portal • University news on SUSSED • Research group representation on the PGR staff-student liaison committee • Supervisory team • Informal PGR lunchtime training sessions • Graduate school team 29

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Complaints and Appeals • Where possible we believe that every attempt should be made to resolve complaints and appeals informally and closest to the point of when the issue emerges, however we have a formal complaints and appeals procedure through which students may be supported. • For contact details and links to the forms and regulations see www. southampton. ac. uk/studentadmin/appealscomplaints/for-students. page 31

Welfare and Support Services

Student support • Other Ph. D students, Research Group reps. • Supervisory team • Research Group (local home), Head of Group • Doctoral Programme Directors • Graduate school staff • Head of Department/School • New – Graduate School drop-in sessions 33

University Support Services • Enabling Services encompasses a wide variety of support for students who have disabilities, mental health issues or specific learning difficulties www. southampton. ac. uk/edusupport • Southampton University Student Union (SUSU). The SUSU Advice Centre offers a range of support services including advice on academic, financial, housing and well-being www. susu. org/support/index. html 34

More information

More information • Calendar www. southampton. ac. uk/calendar/ • Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidature and Supervision www. southampton. ac. uk/calendar/sectionv/index. page • Quality Handbook www. southampton. ac. uk/quality/index. page 36

Thank you for your attention Questions?