About The Graduate School
The College of Physical Sciences Graduate School is the focus for postgraduate education, continuing professional development, and research training in Engineering, Physical Sciences and Geosciences.
The Graduate School manages postgraduate admissions to taught and research programmes; in addition we are responsible for several aspects of research training including generic and transferable skills, and monitoring of research student progress. We also play a vital role (in partnership with the academic schools) in overseeing academic quality, and gathering and evaluating feedback on all aspects of the postgraduate student experience. The current Director of the Graduate School is Dr Judith Masthoff, a Computer Scientist.
Admissions
The Graduate School Admissions Unit deals with the processing of applications for all taught and research postgraduate programmes within the College of Physical Sciences. The unit works closely with academic selectors, one for each of the taught programmes, and with the research postgraduate co-ordinators, one in each academic discipline, who make decisions on entry. The Admissions Unit is able to provide advice on programmes of study, as well as admissions procedures.
Generic & Transferable Skills
Generic skills training plays an important role in helping research students to successfully complete their PhD and also provides a strong platform for future employment. In 2001/2, the UK Government initiated a review into the supply of science and engineering skills in the UK, led by Sir Gareth Roberts. The final report SET for Success was published in 2002. One of its most significant recommendations was that all research degrees "should include the provision of at least two weeks' dedicated training a year, principally in transferable skills...". At the University of Aberdeen, responsibility for design and delivery of training in these areas is shared by the Graduate Schools and the Researcher Development Unit.
Quality Assurance
The Graduate School oversees all new postgraduate programme developments, working closely with the University's Postgraduate Academic Standards Committee. To enhance the quality of our provision, a variety of forms of student feedback are considered, including reports from external examiners, and analyses of survey results. Progress monitoring of all research students is considered vital in ensuring both the success of individual students and in enhancing the quality of our research degrees. Student representatives sit on the College Postgraduate Committee, providing a direct link between the student body and the Graduate School.
