New Student Guide PGR 2020 Everything you need to know to get started with your research degree About your university 2019 Over Founded in SCOTTISH 220 UNIVERSITY 130+ SPORTS CLUBS OF THE YEAR NATIONALITIES 1495 and societies Ranked in the OLYMPIC TOP 30 UNIVERSITIES STANDARD in the UK Aberdeen Sports Village Associated with 75% FIVE of research classified as 15,000 NOBEL PRIZES WORLD LEADING STUDENTS Hello and welcomeBy joining us at the University of Aberdeen you will This will fundamentally change the way you view the become part of our global student community and world and allow you to understand fully the value of our vibrant research environment. Here we will help your role within it. In addition, by engaging with our guide you with all the information you need for a comprehensive training programme, we will help you smooth transition to joining our Aberdeen Family. develop the skills, knowledge and attributes you need to navigate your PhD journey and provide you with The University of Aberdeen has a long heritage and the opportunity to communicate the importance of excellent reputation for producing ground-breaking your PhD to a wide-ranging audience. research with international societal impact. We appreciate that you are investing your future in our The importance of this is reflected in five Nobel hands. By working together with your supervisors, we prize winners associated with the University and our aim to ensure that you achieve your goals. research today continues to make major contributions to global issues. You will become an integral member We look forward to welcoming you to the University of our PGR community, an essential and highly-valued of Aberdeen. part of this vibrant research environment. Through our research programmes you have the opportunity to make a significant contribution of original knowledge to your field. Lucy Leiper Graeme Nixon Postgraduate Research Dean for School Manager Postgraduate Research Getting Accommodation Your Registration Here University Meet the PGR Student Health and School Team Academic Wellbeing AUSA Resources Frequently Asked Explore Stay Induction and Questions Aberdeen City Connected Orientation & Shire Discover your place in Aberdeen Personal Hygiene Public Transport It is important that good personal hygiene is Everything you need is available within walking Our commitment maintained. distance. However, should you wish to use public transport, there are plenty of options available. • Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Travel providers across Scotland are adhering • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with to Scottish Government advice to ensure that unwashed hands. passengers can travel safely. First Aberdeen have • If you have any symptoms of coronavirus (a implemented several safety measures on all buses in high temperature, a new continuous cough, to you Aberdeen City including mandatory face coverings or a loss or change to your sense of smell Your safety is our primary concern. As we continue to We want to assure you that we are committed to and reduced capacity to ensure correct distancing. or taste) you should self-isolate and arrange follow Scottish Government guidelines, the University create a safe and enjoyable experience for you for The First Bus App has also been updated so you can a test as soon as possible. You can do this and the city of Aberdeen are putting a variety of when you join us on campus. check when the next bus is, and how many seats through contacting the NHS. We can help you measures in place to ensure your welfare. are available. Bus and taxi services in Aberdeen also with this, just contact student support. offer card payment options to minimise contact. As part of your PGR mandatory training, the Health • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and Safety module will provide you with all the then throw the tissue in the bin, and wash More detailed information travelling within information you need to ensure your safety and that of your hands. Aberdeen can be found in the Travel section within others on campus. this guide. A Safe Campus Hygiene Off-Campus Safety Face Coverings Physical distancing measures and enhanced hygiene Regular cleaning will be in place across all University Aberdeen city has adapted to ensure that everyone We are following Scottish Government guidelines procedures will be in place to help protect our buildings. Hand sanitising gel will be available upon can still access the resources they need in a safe way. on face coverings. The University will be providing community. Sanitiser will be provided at entrances to entry to all buildings and within each of the cafe The Aberdeen City Council website offers up to date all students and staff with two, 3-ply face coverings buildings and key locations. There will also be additional and dining areas. We will also provide forehead strip advice and support as well as a 24-hour which students and staff will be expected to wear cleaning schedules particularly of communal areas and thermometers so that you can easily check your own crisis line. these. At the time of publication face coverings are a touch points. temperature. During the first few weeks of term, requirement in shops and on public transport. Retailers and restaurants are working to national compostable utensils will be used almost exclusively One-way systems will be used where appropriate to guidelines and the city centre has been The University of Aberdeen continues to monitor for the service of food and drink. If guidelines change ensure physical distancing. Signage across campus will temporarily pedestrianised to allow space for physical Scottish Government advice regarding the coronavirus as term progresses, the option of using reusable glasses, remind people of the need to keep their distance and distancing. (Covid-19) outbreak. cups, plates, bowls and cutlery will be reintroduced. wash their hands regularly. Appropriate adaptations will The advice is changing rapidly, the most up to date be made to teaching spaces to ensure as safe a learning Scottish Government information can be found here experience as possible. Cafes, dining areas and shops and the latest University FAQ’s here. will have physical distancing measures in place, allowing them to open and provide a safe and friendly service. Everything you need Gettingto here know A Nurturing Environment Blended Learning More information can be found on our Travel All of our student support services will be available We understand how important on-campus information pages with this guide. to you. Our community is compassionate and will learning is to you. We will ensure you receive the always work to foster a positive environment in same high-quality Aberdeen student experience, Remember if you are using public transport you will which you can thrive. We know that the University albeit delivered differently. We will be open and require a face covering. Once you arrive at your experience reaches far beyond that of academic ready to welcome you to campus very soon. on-campus accommodation, most facilities including study. We have a broad co-curricular offering, If you have applied for an on-campus research shops and cafes are within walking distance, meaning centered around student interest and supporting a degree, when you join us on-campus your you won’t have to take public transport if you don’t sense of belonging. programme will, in the first instance, be a blended want to. programme of research-related training activities For students arriving from outside of the UK, current involving time spent in research facilities on The Student Experience Scottish Government guidelines require a 14-day campus and working online where face-to-face quarantine period for many countries. You can see a The Aberdeen University Student Association contact may not possible. full list of exempt countries here. (AUSA) and the University are working in partnership Your experience will be individual to you and you to deliver on campus activities, that are in line with A Caring Community will receive more details of access to building Scottish Government physical distancing and ‘stay and facilities in due course. There will be some safe’ guidelines. Society and club membership will be Our students, staff and community are our main access to study spaces where physical distancing possible though some activities may be delayed until priority. We’re adapting our teaching spaces, libraries, measures can be observed, and most importantly, later in the academic year. student spaces, cafes and sports centre in line with you will be able meet with your supervisor(s) to physical distancing guidelines, so you can still enjoy The advice is changing rapidly, the most up to date discuss your PhD. campus life and the sense of community that is part Scottish Government information can be found here of being a member of the Aberdeen Family. We are and the latest University FAQ’s here. committed to creating a supportive environment which students feel part of. Visa Requirements If you are an international student, you are likely to require a visa to study in the UK. Guidance for Tier 4 visas is different during the Covid-19 pandemic but our immigration web pages will be updated regularly with any guidance. Get in touch with our International Student advisers who will gladly guide you through the process. abdnGradSchool Your steps to Registration Step 1 Step 2 • Complete your student registration by completing • Get in touch with your School PGR administrator these steps before your arrival in Aberdeen. and supervisor to let them know you’ve arrived in • Activate your IT account, email and password* Aberdeen. Key contacts can be found here. *This can only be done 30 days before course start • Once you have met with your supervisor, you can date.