Student News

In this week's Student News:

Bright Red Triangle Freelance Academy (Online) – Wednesday 11 December

Master the art of freelancing with the Bright Red Triangle Freelance Academy!

Freelancing is more than just a career choice; it's a way of life that offers flexibility, empowerment, and the opportunity to turn your passions into income. The Bright Red Triangle Freelance Academy provides the tools and guidance you need to make the most of this exciting journey. Whether you're seeking to launch your freelancing career, enhance your existing skills, or explore a new venture alongside your studies, this event is your catalyst for success. 

When: Wednesday 11 December, 1pm – 3pm

Where: Online

Find out more and register here!

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TGIT Festive Edition on Thursday 5th December from 4:45pm - 6:15pm in Guthrie's

Hello Students! We will be holding a one-off TGIT event on Thursday 5th December from 4:45pm - 6:15pm in Guthrie's. For those of you who are new to QMU, TGIT (Thank Goodness it's Thursday) was a student support programme we ran in partnership with the SU over the previous two academic years to address the cost-of-living crisis and feelings of loneliness and isolation among our student community post-covid. We are reviving it for one night only in advance of the end-of-term assessment and examination period. Everyone is welcome! We will be serving up a delicious Christmas dinner (vegan, halal and gluten-free options available) as well as pudding! Come on down and take in the festivities, as Sir Paul Grice will be serving up turkey and trimmings in his Santa hat, along with a team of academic and administrative staff in their best/worst Christmas jumpers. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...!

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Boost your CV with a PAID summer research scholarship
 
Find out about the UG Carnegie Trust Vacation Scholarship Scheme
 
Are you an undergraduate student in 3rd year who’d like to undertake a period of PAID independent study or research for 2-12 weeks over the summer?
 
The Carnegie Trust Vacation Scholarship can pay you the equivalent of the Scottish Living Wage (£12.60 per hour) to support your research work!
 
If you are entitled to live and work in the UK, and you’re on track for a 2:1 or higher classification, why not give it a go?
 
With the help of the Carnegie Scholarship, you could boost your CV, get paid to do research in an area that really interests you, and use the opportunity to help shape your future career!
 
Check out the scholarship details in our Carnegie news release
 
Interested in going ahead? Complete this Initial Carnegie Trust UG Vacation Scholarship Application Form 2024/25, by Friday 20 December 2024.

In this week's Student News:

Are you interested in becoming a Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS) Leader?

• We have PALS Leader training scheduled for next Tuesday, 3^rd December from 10am – 4pm.
• You can book a place on Student Central.

Want to know more first? Here is some information about PALS:

PALS Sessions are student led learning sessions. They are a relaxed, fun and informal way to give and receive support for learning at QMU. As a PALS leader you will receive training and you will have the opportunity to help your fellow students in the years below you. PALS is an internationally recognised programme, and, as well as being rewarding, being a PALS leader will stand out on your CV as professional development: helping you build leadership skills and transferable skills. 

As a PALS leader, you work with other trained leaders (and a staff coordinator) to design and run supplementary support sessions for students in years below you in modules you have yourself completed. You would be joining our existing team of fantastic Leaders: you will be trained in designing and facilitating sessions before you start, and you will supported by the PALS coordinator and your PALS-Leader colleagues throughout. It is a volunteering opportunity, so all regular PALS sessions are unpaid, but we often have opportunities for paid work over the course of the year too. It’s also relatively flexible; on average PALS Leaders tend to spend approximately two hours every other week on their PALS work. 

If you would like to find out more about PALS, we have information in the following places:

· PALS QMU webpage

· QMU PALS YouTube channel

· Instagram palsqmu

· PALS@qmu.ac.uk

If you would be interested in becoming a PALS leader, or finding out what is involved and what you can get out of it, please email PALS@qmu.ac.uk.

If you are then still interested in becoming a leader, sign up to the training!

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Lunchtime event on "Academic Freedom, Academic Silence, Academic Responsibility"

The next lunchtime event of Decolonise Research NOW will be hosted on Thursday, 28th November, 12-1pm in room 2174. We want to take time to speak about the notion of academic freedom in the context of colonisation and explore questions such as: Which hierarchies are present within the concept of academic freedom? When do we enact them? Where does responsibility and care fit within the concept of academic freedom? 

Join us in-person and online. Staff and students welcome. Email RMosch@qmu.ac.uk if you would like to be added to the calendar invite. 

Decolonise Research NOW is a conversation and learning space at QMU, in which we interrogate the impact of colonialism on our institutions. As an informal, interdisciplinary collective space, we cultivate an intellectual environment to critique colonial and decolonial thought.

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QMU COMMUNITY GARDEN

Make a natural wreath! 

Join Us for a Social Activity!

Date: Wednesday 27th November
Time: 14:00– 16:00
Meeting Point: Room 0056

•    Create and decorate a natural wreath to take home!
•    Meet other students and join in with a crafting activity!
•    If you have materials you’d like to include (e.g., holly berries, dried fruit, ribbon), feel free to bring them along. We’ll start the session with a short foraging walk around campus to gather natural items, and all necessary supplies will be provided!
•    We will be going outside so please bring warm layers, waterproof footwear and a jacket!

Limited space available. This session is part of a student project. Please email Vicky Bell – 20002508@qmu.ac.uk to register interest.

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TGIT Festive Edition on Thursday 5th December from 4:45pm - 6:15pm in Guthrie's

Hello Students! We will be holding a one-off TGIT event on Thursday 5^th December from 4:45pm - 6:15pm in Guthrie's. For those of you who are new to QMU, TGIT (Thank Goodness it's Thursday) was a student support programme we ran in partnership with the SU over the previous two academic years to address the cost-of-living crisis and feelings of loneliness and isolation among our student community post-covid. We are reviving it for one night only in advance of the end-of-term assessment and examination period. Everyone is welcome! We will be serving up a delicious Christmas dinner (vegan, halal and gluten-free options available) as well as pudding! Come on down and take in the festivities, as Sir Paul Grice will be serving up turkey and trimmings in his Santa hat, along with a team of academic and administrative staff in their best/worst Christmas jumpers. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...!

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Would you like to spend a semester abroad as part of your degree?

If you are a student in one of the following subjects, you may be able to take a semester abroad at one of our selected exchange partners in Europe, Canada, USA, or Hong Kong:

If you would like more information about the exchange opportunities available, please email StudyAbroad@qmu.ac.uk.

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Create, Collaborate and Innovate at the BRT Tech Innovation Challenge! Prizes up for grabs!

Are you ready to make an impact? Join the BRT Tech Innovation Challenge, a free 3-day bootcamp where creativity, collaboration, and innovation take centre stage.

Why should you join?

Learn from the best: Workshops in design thinking, entrepreneurship, and prototyping led by industry experts.
Collaborate with peers: Work alongside students from Edinburgh Napier University, QMU, and 20 international peers joining us from Munich through the Academic Program for Entrepreneurship (APE) at the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship (SCE).
Explore and innovate: Tour Edinburgh while developing tech solutions to improve life in the city and beyond!
Have fun while making a difference: Pizza nights, a celebration dinner, and prizes for the best ideas await

When: 4th – 6th December 2024

Where: ENU Bright Red Triangle and CodeBase

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your skills, grow your network, and work in a global community.

Find out more and register now!

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Bright Red Triangle Freelance Academy (Online) – Wednesday 11 December

Master the art of freelancing with the Bright Red Triangle Freelance Academy!

Freelancing is more than just a career choice; it's a way of life that offers flexibility, empowerment, and the opportunity to turn your passions into income. The Bright Red Triangle Freelance Academy provides the tools and guidance you need to make the most of this exciting journey. Whether you're seeking to launch your freelancing career, enhance your existing skills, or explore a new venture alongside your studies, this event is your catalyst for success. 

When: Wednesday 11 December, 1pm – 3pm

Where: Online

Find out more and register here!

In this week's Student News:

Remembering Absent Friends – An Open Book 

Thank you to all who contributed ‘a page’ to the QMU To Absent Friends event as part of the 2024 To Absent Friends Festival.

Hans K Clausen visual artist, invited members of the university community to contribute ‘a page’ to a pop-up gallery of remembrance. The content may be written, drawn, collaged or any form of creative mark-making that commemorates an absent friend. The pages will be bound into a book, creating a permanent collective remembrance, to be kept and displayed in the university.

There were lots of conversations and reflections about people who have died and are missed. If anyone would still like to contribute, please send your ‘page’ to palliativecare@qmu.ac.uk by Tuesday 26th November.

·         To allow for binding please try to leave a leave a margin down the left-hand side.

·         By adding your page to the collection, you are giving consent for it to be included in the book.

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Generative AI and good academic practice workshop, Tuesday 3rd December

This session will look at the nature of generative AI, the relationship between generative AI, information literacy and academic good practice, considering use cases for generative AI in university study and whether it can be used in appropriate and ethical ways.

Date: Tuesday 3^rd December

Time: 2-3pm

Location: Room 3170

Click here to book a place. 

Please note this workshop is taking place in person. Future workshops will be online.

For a full list of upcoming Library sessions please see LibCal.

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Lunchtime event on "Academic Freedom, Academic Silence, Academic Responsibility"

The next lunchtime event of Decolonise Research NOW will be hosted on Thursday, 28th November, 12-1pm in room 2174. We want to take time to speak about the notion of academic freedom in the context of colonisation and explore questions such as: Which hierarchies are present within the concept of academic freedom? When do we enact them? Where does responsibility and care fit within the concept of academic freedom? 

Join us in-person and online. Staff and students welcome. Email RMosch@qmu.ac.uk if you would like to be added to the calendar invite. 

Decolonise Research NOW is a conversation and learning space at QMU, in which we interrogate the impact of colonialism on our institutions. As an informal, interdisciplinary collective space, we cultivate an intellectual environment to critique colonial and decolonial thought.

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Calling 3rd & 4th year IHTEM students

It’s the final week for applications for the Lord Forte Foundation Scholarships. 
All applications must be sent to development@qmu.ac.uk by 12 noon on Friday, 22nd November.  
 
6 scholarships of £2,500 are available to help you with your living costs and any other costs relating to your studies. 

Request an application form by emailing development@qmu.ac.uk

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ILP/Extension Submission Dates During Festive Period

The University will close during the festive period on the evening of Monday 23^rd December 2024 – reopening Monday 6^th January 2025. 

ILP/Extension Submission Dates

A standard submission date for both hard (as directed) and electronic submissions, for all students with an ILP or those granted an extension due to extenuating circumstances has been agreed. Where the submission date falls between Tuesday 24^th December and Friday 3^rd January 2025 you should now submit on Monday 6^th January 2025.  As an example, if your original submission date is 18^th December, and you had an extension (either due to an ILP, or extenuating circumstances) of 7 days, you would normally submit on 25^th December 2024. However, due to the closure over the festive period, your submission date is 6^th January 2025, when QMU reopens.

Please be reminded that there will be no technical support, with respect to electronic submissions, from 16:30 on Monday 23^rd December until 09:00 on Monday 6^th January 2025.

All the best for the assessment period!

Academic Administration

In this week's Student News:

QMU Entrants' Survey prize winner

We’re thrilled to announce that Alyssa Tinfina won the QMU Entrants’ prize draw. Congratulations!
 
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Entrants’ Survey, where new students shared their experiences of applying to and beginning studies at QMU. Your feedback is invaluable and will be reviewed by the Transition and Induction Working Group, which includes staff and student representatives from across the university. We are committed to using your insights to recognise what went well and identify areas for improvement.

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QMU Community Garden - Join Us for a Social Activity!

Date: Wednesday, 13th November
Time: 15:30 – 17:00
Meeting Point: Room 0056

• Create a natural bird feeder to take home or hang it up around the university!
• Meet Other Students, De-Stress, and Have Fun in a relaxed, social setting!
• Bring any materials you’d like to use—or just come as you are! We’ll have everything you need.

Limited spaces are available! This session is part of a student project!

Please email Vicky Bell  - 20002508@qmu.ac.uk to register interest :)

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Sport & Fitness Centre survey

Our annual QMU Sport & Fitness survey is now live and ready!

At QMU Sport & Fitness Centre, we are continually trying to provide a better service. We would love it if you could spare 10 minutes of your time to complete our survey to let us know your thoughts on the facility. This is your chance to tell us what you think we are doing well, and what we could do better.

So even if you have been with us for a day, a week, a month or a lifetime, please let us know what you think of our service.

Your feedback is very valuable to us and will play an important role in making improvements to the centre, so tell us what you would like to see.

Every completed survey will be in with the chance of winning a £20 Amazon gift voucher. The survey will be live until Saturday the 30^th of November.

To complete the survey, please follow the link below:

Sport & Fitness survey 2024

Thank you for your time.

The Sport & Fitness Team

In this week's Student News:

Print server maintenance 08/11/2024 13:30 to 16:30

Information Technology Services (ITS) will be performing an upgrade on the print server with our 3^rd party support vendor. The essential maintenance will be happening between 13:30 and 16:30 on Friday 8^th November.

During the maintenance window, you will not be able to print/scan/copy using the MFDs.  

We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused by this essential work.

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Workshop on 'accent bias, social class, and linguistic discrimination

In partnership with University of Edinburgh’s 93% Club, we are delighted to offer QMU staff and students the opportunity to take part in a short and impactful training session introducing the concepts of ‘accent bias’ and ‘linguistic discrimination’. Accent is arguably the primary signal of socioeconomic status and is a major indicator of many other aspects of a person’s social background, some of them protected characteristics, including gender, race, age, sexuality, and many others. Because accent and language cues to our social identities (e.g., social class, ethnicity), accent/language can often function as a proxy for other forms of discrimination (e.g., classism, racism). The goal of this student-staff collaborative workshop is to raise awareness of linguistic discrimination, as well as provide some research-led strategies for mitigating these issues. 

The workshop will run on Wednesday 4^th December in Room 2170 from 12.30pm to 1.30pm – refreshments will be available – in order to book a place, please email cmaguire@qmu.ac.uk by Friday 29^th November  2024. 

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UK Data Service workshop: Introduction to effective and practical research data management

Online, 6 December 2024, 10.00-11.30

Research data management encompasses all stages of handling data created during a research project, either primary or secondary. It is not only about adhering to principles but also about enhancing the efficiency, impact, and integrity of research.

Effective data management ensures that data are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR principles). The foundation of sensible data management lies in understanding and applying best practices across the data lifecycle from planning to sharing, while adhering to ethical standards and legal requirements.

During this free 90-minute online workshop, we will explore the key components of effective research data management, including data management planning, organising, and documenting data, ensuring data quality, storing and backing up data, as well as strategies for data preservation and sharing. The workshop will also cover practical tools and techniques for data management, such as metadata standards for documenting data, data quality semi-automated freeware, and best practices for data sharing and archiving. The workshop will conclude with a dedicated Q&A session.

For more information and booking please click here.

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Remembering absent friends – an open book 4^th-7^th November 2024

With thanks to the support of Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief and as part of the To Absent Friends Festival, members of the QMU Bereavement Charter working group have organised an event providing an opportunity for students and staff within the university to remember those important to them who have died.

Hans K Clausen visual artist, invites members of the university community to contribute ‘a page’ to a pop-up gallery of remembrance. The content may be written, drawn, collaged or any form of creative mark-making that commemorates an absent friend. The gallery will be displayed and developed for the duration of the week, near Guthrie’s from the 4^th - 7^th November. At the end of the four-day event the pages will be bound into a book, creating a permanent collective remembrance, to be kept and displayed in the university. The event will be hosted by Hans on the opening day. For the remainder of the week the space will be self-managed.

It will be an in-person event, with an opportunity to contribute electronically. If you are unable to create/write 'a page' while on campus but wish to contribute, you can send a photo of your page to palliativecare@qmu.ac.uk If you would like to contribute in this way please do so by 10^th November.

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Charity stall in Guthries 

The QMU based charity STEKAskills is holding a stall in Guthries’ dining are on November 5th, 7^th and 8th (12-2pm) selling Christmas gifts which make a big social impact. Everything being sold is made by poverty experienced people in Malawi where only 1%  can go to college.  All the profits fund education for some of the world’s poorest people - come and find out more about how QMU has helped this charity achieve great things for women and girls in Malawi as well as for young Scots  www.stekaskills.com

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Changes to MFA coverage

As part of our ongoing commitment to security, we are extending Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) requirements to include additional services. Beginning Wednesday November 6th, access to all cloud based applications will require MFA to enhance protection and reduce risks from unauthorized access.

You do not need to change any settings on your account.

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ELS Writing and Study Space

Do you find you study better when you’re working alongside others? Or with a hot cuppa to warm up your thinking powers?  The ELS Writing and Study Space is for you!

This semester, the Effective Learning Service is opening its doors, every Tuesday afternoon 1-4pm, as a Writing and Study Space.  Bring along an assignment you’re writing up, your dissertation draft, or something you’re reading through, and work alongside your peers in a focused, friendly and encouraging environment. You can pop along at any point in the three hours without booking but, if you can, please register your interest at https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/s/els/events. An ELS advisor will be on hand to facilitate the session, and support with quick queries about your academic work. Hot drinks are also provided, so come along and join us for a study session!

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the ELS team for more info by emailing us at ELS@qmu.ac.uk.

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CONSUMER PANEL – MEAD, AGE 18+

The food team at QMU are looking for people who are open to tasting mead (sweet, honey-based wine – CONTAINS ALCOHOL ) on Thursday 14^th November at QMU at the following times;

• 3pm – 4pm
• 4:15pm – 5:15pm
• 5:45pm – 6:45pm
• 7pm – 8pm

You will be tasting 3 mead samples and providing anonymous feedback on them. You will be provided a £10 Amazon or John Lewis voucher for your time and entered into a prize draw to win £200 Amazon or John Lewis voucher.

Interested in attending? Please complete this application form for more information

Any questions? Email: consumerpanels@qmu.ac.uk

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Registration open - free creative workshop - Being Human Festival 

Obituaries - Landmarks for Life and Living - is an experiential and reflective event facilitated by academics across several divisions within QMU. 

What if obituaries were written in life rather than upon death? What if we wrote our own? In this workshop we will reflect on the stories of our lives and explore how obituaries might help us think about who we are and who we might be.

Saturday 16^th November 2024

1pm - 4pm UK time at the No17 conference venue at St Columba's Hospice Care (Edinburgh)

Registration link here: https://www.beinghumanfestival.org/events/obituaries-landmarks-life-and-living

This year's Being Human Festival run between 7-16 November 2024. The wider programme of events is linked here: https://www.beinghumanfestival.org/festival-events 

For further information or questions, please contact Dr Michelle Elliot (melliot@qmu.ac.uk). 

We hope we might see you there!

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City of Edinburgh Libraries - Future Libraries Consultation

Our colleagues in the City of Edinburgh Libraries are running a consultation exercise on the future strategy for the public library service within the city. They are doing this via an online questionnaire and have asked the libraries in the universities to help them reach the student community as there has been a lower response rate from 18-24 year olds. For those of you living within the City of Edinburgh the public library service offers lots of excellent resources to support reading for pleasure and listening for pleasure which are not areas that universities typically provide in depth.

Further information: A link to the online questionnaire and further details on the future strategy can be found here https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/futurelibraries

In this week's Student News:

For doctoral students and supervisors

Would you like some ideas and materials to help support students’ doctoral learning experiences? A team of doctoral supervisors and PGRs at Queen Margaret University, the University of Surrey, and Sheffield Hallam University have developed a Toolkit called Tasks for Doctoral Education. The tasks are organised into several broad themes: developing researcher identities, understanding the supervisory context, understanding doctoral literacies and working with doctoral genres.

The Tasks for Doctoral Education were co-constructed with doctoral students from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, resulting in a set of planned tasks for supervisors and students to use in supervision sessions, tutorials, research groups and as self-study. 

The toolkit has been developed as part of an ESRC Impact Acceleration Award (see here for a project summary). The team is looking for PGRs and supervisors to try out some of the tasks and resources over the next few months. After the piloting, the team will invite you to attend an interview (supervisors) or a focus group interview (PGRs) to get your feedback on the tasks. If you would like more information, or would like to try out some of the tasks, please email Helen Donaghue: hdonaghue@qmu.ac.uk

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Workshop on ‘accent bias, social class, and linguistic discrimination’

In partnership with University of Edinburgh’s 93% Club, we are delighted to offer QMU staff the opportunity to take part in a short and impactful training session introducing the concepts of ‘accent bias’ and ‘linguistic discrimination’. Accent is arguably the primary signal of socioeconomic status and is a major indicator of many other aspects of a person’s social background, some of them protected characteristics, including gender, race, age, sexuality, and many others. Because accent and language cues to our social identities (e.g., social class, ethnicity), accent/language can often function as a proxy for other forms of discrimination (e.g., classism, racism). The goal of this student-staff collaborative workshop is to raise awareness of linguistic discrimination, as well as provide some research-led strategies for mitigating these issues. 
To find out more and how to book a workshop, please contact either:

Dr. Christian Ilbury 
Lecturer in Sociolinguistics
Co-Director of Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion (PPLS)
School of Philosophy, Psychology, & Language Sciences
The University of Edinburgh
E: cilbury@ed.ac.uk 
or
Grace Mai Clark
President of the 93% Club
University of Edinburgh
E: G.M.Clark-4@sms.ed.ac.uk 

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Remembering absent friends – an open book 4th-7th November 2024

With thanks to the support of Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief and as part of the To Absent Friends Festival, members of the QMU Bereavement Charter working group have organised an event providing an opportunity for students and staff within the university to remember those important to them who have died.

Hans K Clausen visual artist, invites members of the university community to contribute ‘a page’ to a pop-up gallery of remembrance. The content may be written, drawn, collaged or any form of creative mark-making that commemorates an absent friend. The gallery will be displayed and developed for the duration of the week, near Guthrie’s from the 4th - 7th November. At the end of the four-day event the pages will be bound into a book, creating a permanent collective remembrance, to be kept and displayed in the university. The event will be hosted by Hans on the opening day. For the remainder of the week the space will be self-managed. 
It will be an in-person event, with an opportunity to contribute electronically. If you are unable to create/write 'a page' while on campus but wish to contribute, you can send a photo of your page to palliativecare@qmu.ac.uk If you would like to contribute in this way please do so by 10th November.

In this week's Student News:

LRC Tours

Dear Students,

We are excited to invite you to a tour of our library!

Discover our newly opened future spaces and learn how they are used.

Get information on how to book rooms, see a demonstration of printer usage, learn how to connect to Eduroam, and much more.

Dates & Time: Daily at 2pm Monday 28^th October to Friday 8^th November

Location: Meet at Helpdesk

To book your spot, please visit this link.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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For doctoral students and supervisors

Would you like some ideas and materials to help support students’ doctoral learning experiences? A team of doctoral supervisors and PGRs at Queen Margaret University, the University of Surrey, and Sheffield Hallam University have developed a Toolkit called Tasks for Doctoral Education. The tasks are organised into several broad themes: developing researcher identities, understanding the supervisory context, understanding doctoral literacies and working with doctoral genres.

The Tasks for Doctoral Education were co-constructed with doctoral students from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, resulting in a set of planned tasks for supervisors and students to use in supervision sessions, tutorials, research groups and as self-study. 

The toolkit has been developed as part of an ESRC Impact Acceleration Award (see here for a project summary). The team is looking for PGRs and supervisors to try out some of the tasks and resources over the next few months. After the piloting, the team will invite you to attend an interview (supervisors) or a focus group interview (PGRs) to get your feedback on the tasks. If you would like more information, or would like to try out some of the tasks, please email Helen Donaghue: hdonaghue@qmu.ac.uk

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Advanced Google Literature Searching - Online Workshop this Friday 2-3 pm

Do you want to know how to harness the power of Advanced Google Search (and other search engines) for literature searching? Advanced Google search is useful tool for discovering grey literature for a variety of research aims, from systematic and scoping reviews to dissertations and theses research. Join us at this workshop and we'll cover some of the most useful tips and tricks! This is not about Google Scholar which is covered in a separate workshop.

To attend, you are required to register: https://qmu.libcal.com/event/4281011

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Open Access Week, October 21-27 2024

Open Access Week each year celebrates open access publishing, which is a publishing model that allows free access to published research online. To find out more about the benefits of open access, please see the library information page or sign up to tomorrow’s 3-4pm online webinar.

You can also find out more about the journal Approaches, which is a music therapy journal and is published open access on QMU’s own journal publishing platform. Giorgos Tsiris and Nicky Haire tell us more about the journal and the importance of open access publishing here.

For further information about open access publishing, please contact eResearch@qmu.ac.uk 

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Want to improve your Study Skills?

Enrol on QMU’s comprehensive Study Skills module which is available on Canvas for all matriculated students.

The module provides a sound starting point for all students at QMU. When you first start at University, it can help you find out what you need to know to make the most of your studies, and, as you move through your course, this module can continue to guide you and be a useful reference point for academic development. You can work through the course at your own speed and dip in and out of sections as and when you feel you need support in a specific area.  

The module has seven main sections:  

1. Introduction to academic reading 
2. Introduction to academic writing 
3. Critical reading 
4. Critical writing 
5. Reflective practice 
6. Referencing and citation 
7. Generative AI 

There are two further sections with links to additional academic support and wellbeing resources.  

The course provides information through a variety of media including text, images, videos and podcasts. Each section includes activities you can complete in order to track your understanding and progress, and there are also lots of opportunities for reflection.  

To access the Study Skills module, you can just go to Canvas  and sign up!

If you have any questions contact: Lauren, LSmith1@qmu.ac.uk; Eloise, EBicket@qmu.ac.uk; Lisa, lcruden@qmu.ac.uk; or Karen, kcullen@qmu.ac.uk

In this week's student news:

You are invited to QMU's annual Black History Month Lecture

Queen Margaret University is delighted to welcome its staff and students to our annual Black History Month lecture, this year delivered by Dr. Katucha Bento, Lecturer in Race and Decolonial Studies at the University of Edinburgh, the co-founder of the Free Afro-Brazilian University (UNAFRO), and Associate Editor of the academic journal Identities: Global Studies in Culture and Power.

The theme for Black History Month UK this year is: “Reclaiming Narratives”, marking a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture. Considering this theme, we are delighted to be welcoming Dr. Katucha Bento to deliver her lecture: "Being Black Facing the Surreal: Radical politics of refusal and the dreamwork".

The lecture will take place Monday, October 28 from 4:00 - 5:30pm.

This is an internal event and we welcome QMU staff and students to attend. Spaces will be limited and so we encourage registering early to avoid disappointment!

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Win £1,000 with the return of the Brighter Futures Grants Programme

We’re thrilled to announce the return of our Brighter Futures Grants Programme, in partnership with Santander, an initiative aimed at helping students focus on their studies.

Once again, we’ll be giving away 10 lots of £1,000 for Queen Margaret University students. All students can enter, including undergraduates, postgraduates, part-time and full-time students.

The grant, with its no-string-attached approach, aims to provide financial freedom and gives you the flexibility to use the funds where they’re needed most. Whether it’s investing in textbooks, upgrading your study space, or covering living expenses, the choice is yours.

The Brighter Futures Grants programme is not just a grant, it’s an investment in your academic journey, providing you with the tools you need to do well.

Entering is quick and easy:

1. If you haven’t already, register for Santander Open Academy - a free online learning platform

2. Follow the verification link in your confirmation email

3. Log in and choose ‘Get Started’ to complete your entry into the Brighter Futures Grants programme. From the menu you need to select Queen Margaret University.

4. Get your entries submitted by 11pm on 5 December 2024.

Whether you win or not, you’ll still have access to browse the Santander Open Academy website for free, on-demand learning content that can help support you in your studies.

⌛ Apply today before 5 December 2024.

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In this week's student news:

Scottish Government Student Accommodation Questionnaire

If you have ever stayed in purpose-built student accommodation or halls of residence, the Scottish Government wants your views. Please click on the link below to access the questionnaire which should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Note that the questionnaire closes on 31 October.

https://consult.gov.scot/lifelong-learning-and-skills/notice-to-leave-tenancy-students

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Loud Music Club: Thursday 6 -7 pm. Halle Lecture Theatre

Have you ever wanted to listen to music loud but cannot because 1) It will disturb the neighbours and 2) It’s just not the same with headphones? This is an inaugural opportunity (hopefully others will suggest more) to enjoy listening to something loud at the end of a working day in the glorious Halle Lecture theatre. Mogwai’s Happy Songs for Happy People that is ‘a trove of tunefulness that sometimes lulls and sometimes overwhelms’, will set us on the way. I’ll press play around 6.05pm!

Alan Bainbridge

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Dive into entrepreneurship with the SFF LEARN programme!

The LEARN programme is delivered by the Start For Future consortium and will enable you to develop your enterprise and entrepreneurial skills by working on solutions to some of the key challenges facing Europe.

Your student team will be connected to business coaches, domain experts, innovative start-ups and other student groups from across Europe to participate in a series of 5 online workshops (between 21^st October and 9^th December) during which you'll learn about business modelling, identifying target markets, creating prototypes, and more!

Don't miss out! Apply before 17th October 2024 and start your future, your way!

For more information, contact clow@qmu.ac.uk

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Business Gateway - Drop-In Session  - 10 October 2024  (12.30-1.30)

Business Gateway – Drop-in Session  -  12:30pm - 1:30pm, Thursday, October 10, 2024 – QMU Startup Studio (previously known as the Business Innovation Zone) 
 
This drop-in session is facilitated by our on-campus Business Gateway Advisors and is open to QMU staff and students who have an idea for starting a business.
Business Gateway is a Scotland wide service which offers impartial one-to-one advice and training to staff and students on enterprise creation including free workshops and seminars covering a wide range of topics on marketing, branding, and getting the best from your website and finance.   Your can book your place here.

Facilitator: Steve Newlin, Business Advisor, East Lothian Business Gateway
Location: QMU Start-Up Studio (formerly known as the BIZ) –(This is the glass room above the atrium – next to the LRC)

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In this weeks Student News:

Would you like to be a QMU Student Ambassador? Applications Close Today!

Are you looking for a part-time, flexible job that fits around your studies on campus?

QMU’s Student Recruitment department is looking to appoint approachable individuals to its expanding team of diligent Student Ambassadors.

If you consider yourself to be friendly and enthusiastic about student-life at QMU, becoming a Student Ambassador could be for you! Students from all years and subject areas, both Undergraduate and Postgraduate, are encouraged to apply to join our team of Student Ambassadors and get stuck in with a range of activities in collaboration with several of the university’s services.

Successful Student Ambassadors will be involved in lending a helping-hand to various events. These could include:

•             Delivering campus tours to prospective students.

•             Facilitating workshops on student life at QMU.

•             Raising awareness of QMU opportunities amongst local school and college pupils.

Work will be ad-hoc throughout the year both within and outside of term time and shifts can be picked up based on your availability. Appointed applicants will be paid at £12.20 p/h for any work they do.

If you would like to become a more active member of QMU’s community and gain valuable work experience alongside your studies, apply for the role of Student Ambassador today by clicking the following link:

 https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/form.aspx?id=152082

Applications OPEN on Friday 6^th of September. Applications will CLOSE at 23:59pm on 2^nd of October.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact our Student Recruitment team via studentambassador@qmu.ac.uk

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Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS) 

We are currently recruiting and training PALS leaders from across the University. The Peer Assisted Learning Scheme has been running at QMU since 2017. PALS provides study sessions designed and delivered by students in higher years for students in the years below them. In order for PALS to work, we rely on having a good group of student leaders to run the sessions. We are currently looking for leaders from Levels 2, 3, and 4 from all Programmes in Psychology, Sociology & Education, Business Management & Hospitality, Media & Communications, Drama, Performance, Theatre & Film, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Sports Rehab, and Radiography.

You can find out more about PALS at QMU on our QMU webpage, our Instagram, and our YouTube channel.

If you think you would make good PALS leader, please get in touch at: PALS@qmu.ac.uk. If you are interested and want to be involved, there is a training session scheduled:

• Wednesday 9^th October 10am – 3pm
• You can book a place on Student Central
• Training is on campus and we will provide lunch.

All students need to complete the initial training before leading PALS sessions.

If you are interested in being involved, but cannot make it to this training, you should email PALS@qmu.ac.uk, and we can try to arrange alternative training.

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Patient actors required 7th October 

The paramedic programme at QMU is looking for some people to play patients between 1pm and 3pm on Monday 7^th October. Anyone interested should contact rmatheson@qmu.ac.uk or fill in this form: https://forms.office.com/e/v7bNEMrhdW

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Scottish Islander Network Gathering

Did you know there is a network for students from the Scottish islands who are working or studying at QMU?  We, your lecturers from the islands, are hosting a gathering 29^th October 1-2pm in room 2170 and all islanders are welcome.  Can't make it?  Let us know where you are from and any thoughts you have on what the network can do for you by emailing us at islandernetwork@qmu.ac.uk 

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8-week ‘Compassionate Mind Training’ course

Thursdays, 3.30-5.30pm starting on the 3^rd October 

Do you ever feel that you are your own worst critic? Or that sometimes you get in your own way?  Do you sometimes find it hard to regulate your emotions?  If so, this course might be helpful!

What’s it about?

• We will learn more about our ‘tricky brains’ and how difficult it can be to be human. 
• We will learn more about self-criticism and how to balance strong negative emotions (e.g. anger, anxiety, sadness or shame).
• We will learn to develop and practice a compassionate mind with the intention of being helpful, not harmful, towards ourselves and others.

What’s involved?

• Each session will involve a mixture of taught content and experiential exercises and practices (e.g. mindfulness, imagery).
• The sessions will be IN PERSON on campus.
• It is important that you aim to attend all 8 sessions.
• Please bring an open mind and a readiness to listen to others with kindness.

Compassion?!! 

Don’t worry – this isn’t touchy-feely nonsense!  Our definition of ‘compassion’ is wise, kind, courageous, strong and pretty helpful.


Book a place:

If you would like to book a place, email Sophie on smacleod@qmu.ac.uk giving your name and matriculation number. 

Spaces are limited.

If you are interested but cannot make these dates, please let me know and I can add you to a list for next semester.

_____________________________________________________________

Dive into entrepreneurship with the SFF LEARN programme!

The LEARN programme is delivered by the Start For Future consortium and will enable you to develop your enterprise and entrepreneurial skills by working on solutions to some of the key challenges facing Europe.

Your student team will be connected to business coaches, domain experts, innovative start-ups and other student groups from across Europe to participate in a series of 5 online workshops (between 21^st October and 9^th December) during which you'll learn about business modelling, identifying target markets, creating prototypes, and more!

Don't miss out! Apply before 17th October 2024 and start your future, your way!

For more information, contact clow@qmu.ac.uk

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Works in Queen Margaret University Drive (14th – 28th October)

Between the above dates, works are taking place in Queen Margaret University Drive (the main public road outside the university).

This will involve temporary traffic management systems being in place including traffic lights, signage and personnel directing traffic.

The traffic management systems will be in different locations relevant where the work is being done.

JDG Walker

Head of Estates & Engineering

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Your LEAD Newsletter is back!

After our summer break, we are ready for our new academic year and have lots of teaching and learning news, events and opportunities to share with you. This month we congratulate our five colleagues who have gained Fellow, Senior Fellow and Principal Fellow of AdvanceHE. You can take part in our upcoming INSIGHTS talks, sign up for our first fully online delivery of the post graduate short course TLA in TE starting in January and read about LEAD Centre research outputs.

As October marks Black History Month, we are pleased to update on the work of the Decolonising the QMU Curriculum Working Group.

Vikki Hill has taken up the role of Interim Director of LEAD with effect from 2nd September.

LEAD Newsletter October 2024

In this weeks Student News:

Would you like to be a QMU Student Ambassador?

Are you looking for a part-time, flexible job that fits around your studies on campus?

QMU’s Student Recruitment department is looking to appoint approachable individuals to its expanding team of diligent Student Ambassadors.

If you consider yourself to be friendly and enthusiastic about student-life at QMU, becoming a Student Ambassador could be for you! Students from all years and subject areas, both Undergraduate and Postgraduate, are encouraged to apply to join our team of Student Ambassadors and get stuck in with a range of activities in collaboration with several of the university’s services.

Successful Student Ambassadors will be involved in lending a helping-hand to various events. These could include:

•             Delivering campus tours to prospective students.

•             Facilitating workshops on student life at QMU.

•             Raising awareness of QMU opportunities amongst local school and college pupils.

Work will be ad-hoc throughout the year both within and outside of term time and shifts can be picked up based on your availability. Appointed applicants will be paid at £12.20 p/h for any work they do.

If you would like to become a more active member of QMU’s community and gain valuable work experience alongside your studies, apply for the role of Student Ambassador today by clicking the following link:

 https://studentcentral.qmu.ac.uk/form.aspx?id=152082

Applications OPEN on Friday 6^th of September. Applications will CLOSE at 23:59pm on 2^nd of October.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact our Student Recruitment team via studentambassador@qmu.ac.uk

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QMU Sport & Fitness: student & staff Pickleball sessions

Dive into the exciting world of Pickleball with QMU Sport & Fitness!

Ready for a thrilling experience? Join us for our new Pickleball sessions, open to both students and staff!

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a fantastic blend of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, suitable for all skill levels! It's easy to learn and incredibly fun!

When?

Every Thursday from 12:15pm to 1:45pm. You do not need to play for the full session, so whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious beginner, drop in whenever suits you best!  Sessions start on Thursday 26th September 2024.

Who's Leading?

Meet Christos Theodorakopoulos, QMU academic and Pickleball Scotland Ambassador, who will guide you through the ins and outs of this exhilarating sport!

First Session FREE!

We're offering your first session on the house! Come along, join the fun, and discover the joy of Pickleball with us! 

All following sessions are £3.00 for non-members or free with your Sport & Fitness membership.

Equipment Provided!

No need to worry about gear – we've got you covered with all the necessary equipment!

Ready to smash, volley, and have a blast? Don't miss out – mark your calendars and join us for a session packed with fun and fitness! 

Please register your interest by email to sportsreception@qmu.ac.uk

See you on the court!

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QMU Sport & Fitness Centre

Looking for a great way to stay fit and healthy while studying?

QMU Sport & Fitness Centre is offering student memberships starting from just £12.50 per month! Whether you want to hit the gym, join a class, or use our sports hall, we’ve got you covered. With flexible options and full access to our facilities, it’s the perfect way to stay active during your time at University.

Come join our welcoming community and take the next step towards your fitness goals. We can’t wait to see you at the Centre!

For more info, just drop us a message, visit our website, or pop by the Centre.

See you soon!

QMU Sport & Fitness Team

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Updated Extenuating Circumstances Policy and Guidance

The updated Extenuating Circumstances Policy and Guidance have been published on the University’s Quality website following approval by the University Senate in June 2024. 

Students applying for extenuating circumstances should follow the instructions on the Student Portal.

The key changes are noted below and will apply with effect from the start of the academic year 2024-25. There will be a further review in the academic year 2025-26 to evaluate implementation. 

• Students can self-certify for extensions of up to seven days.
• Students are permitted to apply retrospectively up to seven days following an assessment deadline or examination.
• The Extenuating Circumstances Panel (ECP) has been removed and applications are now considered by Programme Leaders only. Programme Leaders may seek advice from the student’s PAT and/or Student Services for more complex cases.
• The Policy and Guidance now include references to QMU’s partner institutions and advice on how to manage extenuating circumstances, where there is variation from students studying at QMU.

If you have any questions about this message, please contact June Ross, Assistant Secretary, Registry and Academic Administration.

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Harvest festival  QMU Atrium  Thursday  26th  Sept 12 -2pm

Harvest festival QMU Atrium Thursday  26th Sept 12 -2pm

On Thursday there will be an indoor showcase of the QMU community garden produce and samples of preserves.

Calling all QMU home gardeners – staff and students

Do you grow your own produce? make your own preserves?

Please do bring in a small sample of your own produce to add to our showcase.

Label with your name and the ingredients. Leave on the table by 12noon Thursday.

1pm there will be a produce and preserves judging competition

Come along to taste test the produce and add your vote to the competition.

#BigFoodShare

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Scotland's Climate Week

Scotland’s Climate Week Lecture - Climate Breakdown: Capitalism’s greatest achievement. Dr Alan Bainbridge

Thursday 1-2pm. Room 3164

This lecture on capitalism and climate breakdown will not have an extended discussion of capitalism, nor will there be an interminable list of impending disasters. I will be suggesting that climate change is a distraction that hides from awareness the damaging products of capitalism. I shall make my claim that climate breakdown is one of capitalism’s greatest achievements through the novels ‘People of the Black Mountains’ by Raymond Williams.

Come along – It will be fun.

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Parking Around Campus

It is important that staff and students respect our neighbours and adhere to the restrictions on parking around our campus. Please be reminded that parking on Queen Margaret University Drive is not permitted and enforcement is carried out by East Lothian Council on all roads surrounding campus. Additionally, parking on kerbs, footways and verges is not permitted as it is unsafe and causes damage.

Musselburgh Railway Station Car Park

Parking is only for Scotrail customers using Musselburgh Station. Non-customers using the station car park may be subject to enforcement action by British Transport Police under The Railway Bylaws. Those parking outwith marked bays, on double yellow lines or within disabled bays without a blue badge will be fined.

Musselburgh Controlled Parking Zone

In order to ensure that our neighbours can access their homes, parking within the residential streets adjacent campus is controlled by East Lothian Council by limited waiting times and permits. To avoid receiving a £100 penalty charge notice drivers should comply with the restrictions indicated by the signs and lines displayed on the street. Further details can be found here. For the benefit of our neighbours please respect these restrictions and refrain from parking in residential areas around campus.

If you drive and cannot park on campus please consider the use of the local Parking & Ride facilities at Newcraighall which is within walking distance to campus and connected by direct bus services.

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8-week ‘Compassionate Mind Training’ course

Thursdays, 3.30-5.30pm starting on the 3^rd October 

Do you ever feel that you are your own worst critic? Or that sometimes you get in your own way?  Do you sometimes find it hard to regulate your emotions?  If so, this course might be helpful!

What’s it about?

• We will learn more about our ‘tricky brains’ and how difficult it can be to be human. 
• We will learn more about self-criticism and how to balance strong negative emotions (e.g. anger, anxiety, sadness or shame).
• We will learn to develop and practice a compassionate mind with the intention of being helpful, not harmful, towards ourselves and others.

What’s involved?

• Each session will involve a mixture of taught content and experiential exercises and practices (e.g. mindfulness, imagery).
• The sessions will be IN PERSON on campus.
• It is important that you aim to attend all 8 sessions.
• Please bring an open mind and a readiness to listen to others with kindness.

Compassion?!! 

Don’t worry – this isn’t touchy-feely nonsense!  Our definition of ‘compassion’ is wise, kind, courageous, strong and pretty helpful.

Book a place:

If you would like to book a place, email Sophie on smacleod@qmu.ac.uk giving your name and matriculation number. 

Spaces are limited.

If you are interested but cannot make these dates, please let me know and I can add you to a list for next semester.

_________________________________________________________________

INSIGHTS: Teaching for Regenerative Mindsets with Alice McGrath 

(Fellowship Dimensions: V3, V4)

1st October 2024 | 14:00 – 15:00

Dear Colleagues

The LEAD Centre invite you to join us for a talk by Alice McGrath. Alice is a Lecturer in Arts Management and Cultural Policy, within the Media, Communication & Performing Arts Division at Queen Margaret University and is also the Programme Lead for the Arts, Festivals and Cultural Management course.

The issue of sustainable development is a complex one, and although there is increasing good practice in the area, it is now argued that sustainability and net zero is not enough. Some argue that a new paradigm is required to move beyond sustainability and to aim instead for net positive, regenerative outcomes (Stafford et al, 2018; RSA, 2021; Ichioka and Pawlyn, 2021). Creating and sustaining a paradigm shift is a complex process that requires collective action and new ways of being. What does this mean for teaching and learning now and in the future?

In this session Alice will discuss what is meant by a ‘regenerative mindset’; what skills, competencies, and ways of being are needed to address this paradigm shift; and share the early developments of a framework for teaching for a Regenerative Mindset. 

This session will be of particular interest for course teams going through validation and considering how to embed sustainability within the curriculum.

Book Here: https://qmu-ad.libcal.com/event/4279823

For more information, please contact academic@qmu.ac.uk

In this weeks Student News:

Updated Assessment Regulations 2024-25

The updated Assessment Regulations for 2024-25 have been published on the University’s Quality website following approval by the University Senate in June 2024.

As can be seen below, the changes are minimal and mostly reflect the addition of new types of programme provision to the University’s portfolio. A more extensive review of the Assessment Regulations will be conducted during 2024-25 under the auspices of the Student Experience Committee.

Key changes are noted below:

• Regulations have been incorporated covering the following new types of programme provision: Undergraduate Masters, PGDE, and online postgraduate asynchronous carousel degrees. The PGDE and Undergraduate Masters regulations replicate those already detailed in the respective Definitive Documents.

• Minor amendments have been made to reflect arrangements for programmes with multiple intakes within an academic session or programmes which follow non-standard structure/delivery.

• The positions of Sections 17 and 18 (Reassessment and Progression) have been swapped around from the existing regulations.

• Regulation 17.10: This regulation has been updated as follows: Where a student is reassessed in only a pass/fail component of a module which involves other graded components, the mark will not be capped at reassessment. The attempt number will be incremented to reflect the reassessment. This update reflects that the student was unable to compensate between components at first attempt due to the pass/fail nature of the failed component.

• Regulation 18.10f: This regulation has been changed to require postgraduate students to complete the final project within a maximum of two years from completion of the taught modules This is to support students to complete a full Masters qualification in a timely manner.

• Regulation 18.13: This regulation has been updated as follows: Where a postgraduate student is unsuccessful in a third attempt of a taught module but has accumulated 120 credits across other postgraduate modules (which may include the final project), they may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. This may be a named or unnamed award, depending on the validated awards for that programme. Adjustment of this regulation allows the dissertation/final project to be considered as part of the total credit accumulation.

• Regulation 20: Guidance on limits for non-written assessments has been added to reflect the diversity of assessments.

If you have any questions about these updates, please contact June Ross, Assistant Secretary, Registry and Academic Administration.

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Parking Permit Applications

Parking permit applications for the 2024/25 academic year are now open.

You’ll find more information, including permit costs and how to apply, on the Parking on Campus section of our website.

Application Processing Timescales & Deadline

The application window will close on Friday 13 September 2024 at 5pm.  

Please allow up to 14 days for your application to be processed.

Your application may take longer to process if you do not provide the correct documents to support your application. Staff and students are therefore advised to submit their application as early as possible.

Submission of an application does not mean that your permit request has been approved. There is no guarantee that submitting an application will result in a parking permit being issued due to limited availability.

Once an application form is received and processed, applicants will be notified by email whether their application has been successful or not. If your application is successful, you will receive guidance on how to accept your permit offer and make payment. Your permit is only valid once you fully complete this process.

Parking Policy, Rules & Regulations

Prior to submitting an application for a parking permit please ensure that you review the Parking Policy and Rules & Regulations Governing the Use of the QMU Car Park. When you submit an application, you are agreeing that you have read and understand the policy, rules and regulations.

Enforcement

Enforcement of parking permits will commence on Monday 16 September 2024. An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is in operation in the car park which detects cars entering and exiting the car parking using an ANPR camera. All staff and students using the car park will need to ensure they have a current valid permit or paid the daily parking rate to avoid being issued with a parking charge notice.

Parking, Travel & Transport Options​

If you require further information on travel, transport and parking options please visit the Location and Getting Here section of our website or contact parking@qmu.ac.uk.