MA (Social Sciences) Guide for New Students 2014-15
MA (Social Sciences) Student Support Contacts:
Chief Adviser of Studies (MA Social Sciences)
Mr Fred Cartmel
MA (Social Sciences) Advising Support Team:
Ms Liz Turner
Ms Fran Grimshaw
Ms Lauren Hoare
Mr Andrew Napier
College Undergraduate Administrative Officer
Mrs Fiona Webster
Email: socsci-ma@glasgow.ac.uk
Tel: 0141 330 4098/3359
MA (Social Sciences) Student Web pages:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/socialsciences/info/students/socialsciences/
Welcome to the MA (Social Sciences) degree programme in the College of Social Sciences
at the University of Glasgow. We hope that your studies with us will be both productive and
enjoyable. We are proud of our recognised teaching and research record across all the
Social Sciences subjects and want you to benefit from this excellence. The range of degrees
open to you, including Single Honours, Joint Honours and the MA (Social Sciences) Ordinary
degree, offer opportunities to study a number of topics, giving you both a breadth of study
and the chance to specialise in areas of interest.
This booklet is in two parts.
PART ONE - Registration, Enrolment and Advising. This covers actions you must take
before coming to the University. Please work through PART ONE and fully complete
your on-line academic and financial registration on MyCampus before coming for your
first advising meeting in September.
PART TWO is designed to guide you to the help and services available while you are at the
University and to ensure you can make the best use of your time while you are here. The
additional services and more detailed literature are available on-line to support you. You
should also read the relevant sections of the 2014-15 University Calendar under College of
Social Sciences (both the Generic Undergraduate Regulations and Master of Arts (Social
Sciences) supplementary regulations) available at:
http://senate.gla.ac.uk/calendar/
1
INDEX
PART ONE:
Preparation for your arrival at the University
1.
MyCampus Registration
2.
Enrolment in Courses/Classes and Your Responsibilities before Meeting
Your Adviser
3.
Advising
4.
Guide to the Degree Regulations
5.
Structuring Your Degree
6.
The MA (Social Sciences) Course Planner
PART TWO:
After you have registered
7.
The Advising Service : Continuing Support
8.
Your Responsibilities after Registration
9.
More about the Degree Regulations
10.
Progress Regulations
11.
Appeals Procedure
12.
Code of Student Conduct
13.
IT/Computer Resources
14.
Graduate Skills Programme (GSP)/Personal Development Planning (PDP)
15.
University Support Services
16.
Frequently Asked Questions
2
PART ONE
Preparation for your arrival at the University
1. MyCampus Registration
All new students are required to register online before starting at the University using
MyCampus, the University's student information system. MyCampus can be accessed from
any computer, at any time, from any location. The Registration process allows you to
register and confirm your personal, academic and financial information, and confirm that you
agree to observe the University Oath, regulations and requirements. Once academic and
financial registration is complete you will become a fully registered student at the University
of Glasgow.
Registration support information is available at
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/registry/support/registration/
MyCampus is used throughout the year by students to manage their personal, academic and
financial information.
MyCampus is accessed through the student portal – MyGlasgow. MyGlasgow provides
direct access to University Web services including MyCampus, Webmail, Moodle, Library
Account, IT Helpdesk and Sport Online. It also provides relevant student news, help, support
and guidance, and links to university and student web pages.
Getting Started:
A. Registration for new students will open on MyCampus on Thursday 20 August
2014. All students are sent an ‘Access to your Student Account’ email notifying you
when you are able to begin registration and enrolment via MyCampus. This email
includes your Glasgow Unique Identifier (GUID), temporary password and details of
how to access your student account, as well as links to support and guidance
materials and contacts. If you have not yet received this email by the start of
Freshers’
week
on
Monday
15
September
2014
please
contact
mycampushelp@glasgow.ac.uk.
Access MyCampus at:www.glasgow.ac.uk/students/myglasgow
You can also access MyCampus from the MyGlasgow link at the bottom of most
University Web pages.
B. There are two stages to registration and you must complete both stages of
registration:
 Stage 1 Academic Registration: You will need to check your degree programme
details are correct, update personal information, ensuring email and postal
addresses are current, and upload a digital, passport-style photograph for use on
your Student ID card.
 Stage 2 Financial Registration: You will need to provide details about how you
will pay your tuition fees. Financial Registration requires you to:
 Pay your fees in full, or
 Complete a Direct Debit agreement to pay your fees in instalments, or
3
 Provide details of an external sponsor or scholarship (including SAAS or SLC) that
will pay fees on your behalf. You may be required to scan/upload a digital copy of
your sponsor’s award letter into MyCampus.
C. Checklist of what you will need to complete MyCampus online registration at
www.glasgow.ac.uk/students/myglasgow:

Your Registration Email with your GUID number, temporary password and links to
guidance materials

A digital, passport-style photograph

If you are sponsored (including SAAS, etc) you will require your sponsor letter
with your personal reference number

If you are personally liable to pay all or part of your tuition fees you will need to
either make payment in full (using a debit or credit card) or know your bank details
to set up a Direct Debit instruction to pay your fees in instalments

International students with Tier 4 visas only will be required to attend a Tier 4
'check-in' event organised by Registry before the start of studies to complete
registration. Failure to attend this event will mean that you are not fully registered
and your access to University facilities will be restricted – see the following link for
further information: http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/registry/support/tier4/#tabs=2
D. Registration support and advice is available from the following:

MyGlasgow student portal www.glasgow.ac.uk/students/myglasgow

Student Services Enquiry Team www.glasgow.ac.uk/students/sset

Advisers of Studies http://www.gla.ac.uk/students/sset/studysupport/#tabs=1

Helpdesk: email: mycampushelp@glasgow.ac.uk or click the Helpdesk link in
MyGlasgow www.glasgow.ac.uk/students/myglasgow

MA (Social Sciences) Advising Support Team: Email: socsci-ma@glasgow.ac.uk
IMPORTANT: Students are expected to complete full registration (both academic and
financial) prior to starting study and no later than 30 September 2014
After registration your student ID card will be available for collection during orientation week
and the timetable for collection is at Student ID collection timetable. The Student ID card
grants you access to University facilities such as the library and sports facilities, and will
entitle you to student discount in a wide variety of shops, bars, cinemas and online.
Once you have completed Registration you will be required to enrol in classes (see below).
2. Enrolment in Courses/Classes and Your Responsibilities before Meeting a Senior
Adviser during Freshers’ week
Before you arrive at the University, you must come prepared for your group advising meeting
with a Senior Adviser of Studies and have registered on-line using MyCampus, the
University of Glasgow student records system (see above). Enrolment in courses and
classes will only be available to you following successful completion of academic and
financial registration.
Further enrolment support information for new MA (Social Sciences) students is available at
http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/socialsciences/info/students/socialsciences/guidenewstudents/
4
Self-Service Enrolment
You are responsible for choosing suitable courses and ensuring you enrol in the correct
number of credits for the year (120 credits per year), making sure you choose courses for the
whole year, not just for the first semester. You must enrol on courses and classes through
MyCampus.
You will be permitted to enrol on courses and classes once registration and enrolment opens
for new students on 20 August 2014. You must make sure you have completed enrolment
no later than 3 October 2014.
Places in classes will be available on a first-come-first-served basis so early enrolment is
recommended.
Further information and guidance on the MA (Social Sciences) degree programme
regulations, the structure of the degree and details of how many courses and credits you
must choose are included at Sections 4 and 5 of this handbook below to assist you in making
your course choices for first year.
MyCampus also provides guidance to help you select suitable courses according to your
programme of study. To ensure that you enrol on appropriate courses select ‘My
Requirements’ and click on Search. The ‘My Requirements’ tab gives you a detailed list of
the overall course, grade and credit requirements required to successfully complete the year
on your chosen Plan.
Note: If you want to change your Academic Plan for any reason you must email the
MA (Social Sciences) Advising Support team socsci-ma@glasgow.ac.uk asking to
change it before you enrol on courses/classes, as your course requirements may be
different
Once you have selected your courses, you must then select the classes you wish to attend
(e.g. lectures, tutorials, seminars, etc). As you begin to select your options you will be able
to see how these classes fit into your timetable in ‘My Choices’. This will help you to identify
potential timetable clashes before completing your enrolment. You can also use the “check
suitability” button in ‘My Choices’ which checks your class selections against your timetable,
allowing you to make any necessary adjustments before completing enrolment.
Step by Step How to Enrol:
Step 1
Login into MyGlasgow and
select MyCampus > Student
Centre > Enrolments
Step 2
Check and confirm your
Academic Program and
Plan
Step 3
Step 4
If you wish to change your
Academic Plan you must
email the MA (Social
Sciences) Advising Support
team socscima@glasgow.ac.uk before
you go any further
Select your courses – first
year students must choose
three level 1 subjects and
enrol in these for both
Semesters 1 and 2
If you have completed Registration you
will have already done this and this
step will not be shown.
The email for the Advising Support
Team (‘Chief Adviser’s Office’) is in
your MyCampus Student Centre along
with contact details for your Adviser
‘My Requirements’ shows you a
detailed list of the courses you can
choose from to successfully complete
the year of study
5
Step 5
Enrol on classes (e.g.
tutorials, lab sessions).
As you select classes these will be
added to ‘My Choices’ from where you
will then confirm your selections and
enrol.
Step 6
View your timetable
The timetable is created as you enrol
and you will be able to see this as you
select classes.
You can find your timetable in the Enrol
tab or directly from your Student
Centre.
Add/Drop Courses
After you have enrolled on courses you are still able to drop courses/classes and select other
course/class options up until 3 October 2014. Remember, you must be enrolled for the
correct number of credits for the year (120 credits) so if you drop a course you must then
enrol on an alternative course and ensure that your credits for the year still total 120.

To make this change go to MyGlasgow > MyCampus > My Enrolments and select
Drop Courses.
My Timetable
Your timetable will be automatically created in MyCampus as you enrol on classes. If you
change any of your courses or the times/dates of your classes change your timetable will be
updated. Your timetable will show the class, the type of class and the location of the class.

To view your timetables go to: MyGlasgow > MyCampus > Student Center >
MyEnrolments.
Support
Support will be provided throughout the registration and enrolment period. Guidance and
FAQs are available online to help you to navigate the enrolment process in MyCampus. This
support and guidance material can be found at your MyGlasgow portal at:

www.glasgow.ac.uk/students/myglasgow
MyCampus also provides guidance to help you select a suitable curriculum for your
Academic Level and Academic Plan. The ‘My Requirements’ tab describes overall course,
grade and credit requirements.
For further assistance or specific queries you can use the ‘log a support call’ link under Help
and Support on the MyGlasgow homepage. The support team will then be able to respond.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please note that you will have a meeting with a Senior Adviser of Studies during
Fresher’s Week i.e. in the week beginning Monday 15 September 2014. You will
receive an email letter that provides the exact date and time for your group advising
appointment.
In advance of that meeting, once you have entered your course and class choices on
MyCampus, please either print out TWO copies of your MyCampus timetable, or
complete TWO copies of the Course Planner in section 6 of this handbook, and bring
these with you to your Advising meeting in September.
6
You may be unsure about which subjects/courses you want to study in Year 1. If that
is the case then you can consult with the Senior Adviser at this meeting and complete
your course/class enrolment after that. Further information on Advising is available in
Section 3 below.
3. Advising
All undergraduates are allocated an Adviser of Studies at the start of their academic career
and, if possible, you will have the same Adviser throughout your degree. Advisers have two
main functions: to help and guide you towards a suitable graduating curriculum and to
support you with any problems you may experience while you are at University. Your first
meeting will be with a Senior Adviser in a group advising session where you will be able to
meet other first year students. At your first group advising meeting, the Senior Adviser:
Explains the structure of the MA (Social Sciences) degree


Summarises the Regulations of the MA (Social Sciences) degree
Explains how these Regulations affect your opportunities
Discusses the subjects you have chosen




Shows how your choices fit into the structure of the degree
Points out how your choices this session can create opportunities in future sessions
Makes sure that your choices have avoided timetable clashes, both in the current session
and in the future
Checks your curriculum on MyCampus. This can only be done after you have fully
completed registration using MyCampus, including entering your course selection.
4. Guide to the Degree Regulations
The MA (Social Sciences) Degree
The MA (Social Sciences) degree has a flexible structure for the first two years. The
decision on which degree route you decide to follow; Single Honours, Joint Honours or the
MA (Social Sciences) General Degree; is taken at the end of the second year.
Year 1
40 credits at
Level 1
40 credits at
Level 1
40 credits at
Level 1


Year 2
40 credits at
Level 2
40 credits at
Level 2
40 credits at
Level 1

Years 3 / 4 Choices
Single Honours

Joint Honours
General Degree
In your first year, all MA (Social Sciences) degree students must select three subject areas,
at least two from the core Social Sciences (Group A). All subjects selected in year 1 should
have a clear route to Honours. The Social Sciences Group A core subjects with progression
to Honours are:
Business & Management
Central & East European Studies
Economic & Social History
Economics
Geography
Politics
Psychology
Public Policy
Sociology
7
Please make sure you are aware of the Degree Regulations that apply to the MA (Social
Sciences) degree programme by reading the relevant sections of the 2014-15 University
Calendar under College of Social Sciences (both the Generic Undergraduate Regulations
and Master of Arts (Social Sciences) supplementary regulations) available at:
http://senate.gla.ac.uk/calendar/
The key point is that each year of fulltime study must contain courses adding up to 120
credits.
5. Structuring Your Degree
The MA (Social Sciences) degree requires that students study three subject areas in year 1,
and two of these subject areas are carried through to year 2. The modular structure of the
degree requires you to select courses that add up to 40 credits for each subject. In some
subjects this will involve selecting one 40 credit course whereas in other subjects, for
example, Business & Management, it will be necessary to select two courses of 20 credits
each e.g. Business & Management 1A and Business & Management 1B.
There is no standard curriculum. These curriculum examples are designed as examples
only. They are designed to show the route through the degree and not any preference for
subjects. You can use the “What If” function in MyCampus to see what combinations of
courses might be available to you.
You should note that if a combination of courses is not available on MyCampus, it is
generally because there is a timetable clash in years 1 or 2.
Example 1
Year 1
Sociology 1A
20 credits
Sociology 1B
20 credits
Public Policy 1
40 credits
Politics 1A
20 credits
Politics 1B
20 credits


Year 2
Sociology 2A
20 credits
Sociology 2B
20 credits
Public Policy 2
40 credits
Geography 1
40 credits


Years 3 / 4
Sociology
Joint Honours
Public Policy
Joint Honours
Note: There are three Honours options possible from this course selection. These are:



Sociology Single Honours
Public Policy Single Honours
Public Policy and Sociology Joint Honours
Example 2
Year 1
Business &
Management 1A
20 credits
Business &
Management 1B
20 credits
Economics 1A
20 credits
Economics 1B


Year 2
Business &
Management 2A
20 credits
Business &
Management 2B
20 credits
Economics 2A
20 credits
Economics 2B
8

Years 3 / 4
Business &
Management Single
Honours
20 credits
Geography 1
40 credits
20 credits
Central & East
European Studies 1
40 credits
Note: There are three Honours options possible from this course selection. These are:



Business & Management Single Honours
Economics Single Honours
Business & Management and Economics Joint Honours
Excluded Combinations
The available degree combinations for Joint Honours are given in the University Calendar.
Most degree combinations are available but, where combinations are not available, it is
generally because a timetable clash exists. Below are some courses which are not offered
together for this reason.
Geography and Psychology (Year 2)
Geography and Italian (Year 2)
Any combination of Central & East European Studies, Business & Management and Spanish
Public Policy and Philosophy (Year 2)
Public Policy and History (Year 1)
9
6. The MA (Social Sciences) Course Planner
You can print your timetable from MyCampus or copy your curriculum choices into the
course planner below. Please bring two copies of your timetable to your first Advising
meeting.
Year 1
(120 Level 1 credits)
Level 1
Subjects
Total
credits
Semester
Time
Year 2
(120 Credits - at least 80 credits at Level 2)
Credit
Level 2
Subjects
120
10
Semester
Time
Credit
Level 2
credits
80
Level 1
credits
40
Total
Credits
120
PART TWO:
After you have registered and enrolled
7. The Advising Service: Continuing Support
The MA (Social Sciences) Advising Support Team (‘Chief Adviser’s Office’)
If you have any queries or issues at any time during your studies please email the MA (Social
Sciences) Advising Support team in the first instance - email: socsci-ma@glasgow.ac.uk



The MA (Social Sciences) Advising Support team can offer advice and guidance on
University’s procedures and systems relating to your studies eg the requirements of the
Degree and Progress Regulations, where to find further information or direct you to other
University support services
The Team will send out regular emails to students with guidance and information
The Team will make any necessary changes to your MyCampus student record
Your Adviser of Studies will provide you with advice on your course choices and will offer
pastoral support throughout your University career. Some examples of the assistance that
Advisers can provide are as follows:





Academic advice and information if you get into difficulties affecting your academic
performance, eg if you fail examinations, or feel that you have made the wrong course
choices or do not satisfy the Progress Regulations
Personal advice, eg if you find it difficult to adjust to University life, you become ill or your
personal circumstances change
Financial advice, eg if you find it impossible to make ends meet, your Adviser can support
any requests for financial or other assistance
Guidance on making the most of your time at University
Information about other sources of assistance or relevant specialist support services in
the University such as the Student Counselling and Advisory Service
Although the University can sometimes seem an impersonal and large place, staff are keen
to ensure that you have a rewarding and enjoyable time as an undergraduate student, both
academically and personally. The University puts a lot of effort into providing support when
things don’t go as expected so please do not be reluctant to use these services.
When should you see your Adviser of Studies?
1)
2)
3)
4)
Your first meeting with a Senior Adviser is in September, in a group meeting, and you
are sent an appointment for this meeting by email.
Before the beginning of each session after Year 1 when you confirm your course
choices on MyCampus your Adviser will check these are suitable.
During the first two weeks of Semester 1 (this year - until 3 October 2014) if you feel
you have made the wrong choices of subjects you can change courses freely, but
from the third week onwards (from 6 October 2014) you must see your Adviser to
approve any change you decide to make to your curriculum.
At any time if a serious problem of any kind develops.
Your Adviser will inform you of his/her availability and office hours. To see your Adviser just
email him/her. Your Adviser’s name and contact details appear in your Student Centre on
MyCampus.
11
Your Adviser will routinely be informed by Course Co-ordinators about students in difficulties
and may therefore get in touch with you but it is better for you to take the initiative and make
an appointment with your Adviser if you are having problems with your studies.
Please Note:
Your Adviser of Studies is an academic member of staff from a particular School and
Subject, which may not be from the subject areas in which you choose to study.
However, your Adviser is still able to give you the kind of information you need to
make an informed choice at this stage. Once courses are underway, any detailed
questions you may have about course content and procedures will be answered by
Tutors and Course Co-ordinators. Please do not hesitate to ask your Adviser for
further information if you feel you need it; if necessary your Adviser can put you in
touch with a relevant member of staff/Subject area.
The MA (Social Sciences) Advising Support Team co-ordinates the work of the MA (Social
Sciences) Advising Service, and any student can make an appointment to see a Senior
Adviser or the Chief Adviser by emailing socsci-ma@glasgow.ac.uk or calling 0141 330
4098/1990. If you need advice on studies, your courses, or personal matters you should first
contact your own Adviser. If your Adviser is not available or you then need further advice
please contact the MA (Social Sciences) Advising Support team email socscima@glasgow.ac.uk. Please remember all Advisers of Studies are academic members of
staff and have other commitments, but they will always try to make time to see you.
8. Your Responsibilities after Registration/Enrolment
It is YOUR responsibility to keep your records up to date on MyCampus. You must use
MyCampus to update your address and/or phone number if they change.
You must update your course or class selection on MyCampus if you change course. Please
note that your exams and course results are published directly to you on MyCampus.
Your Adviser of Studies will offer you the best advice s/he can and will support you
throughout your studies. However that advice and support will always be dependant on the
information you provide. Please make sure you keep your Adviser and any other
relevant staff such as the MA (Social Sciences) Advising Support Team, Registry
and/or Course Co-ordinators informed of any changes to your circumstances or any
problems or concerns you may have.
9. More about the Degree Regulations
This list is taken from the University and Degree Regulations, the on-line version at the
following web address mentioned above.
1. In order to graduate with an Honours degree you must take 240 credits at Honours and
have 240 credits at levels 1 and 2.
2. Criteria for entry to Joint or Single Honours for 2014-15 is:
240 credits at levels 1 and 2 with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 9; at least 140
of these credits must be derived from the list of recognised courses for the degree; a
grade D or better in 200 credits, 80 credits of which must be at level 2. Each Social
Sciences subject requires 40 credits at level 2 with a GPA of 12 (equivalent to a C3
grade) for Subject Honours programme entry but check for details in your level 2 course
handbook. (Note that Psychology and Geography come under other Colleges, and both
of these will specify their criteria in the information you receive at the start of your second
year.)
3. A graduating curriculum for a General Degree must contain a minimum of 360 credits and
an overall grade point average of 9. Within the 360 credits at least 120 must be at level 2
12
4.
5.
6.
7.
or above and at least 280 must be at grade D or better, including at least 60 at level 3 or
higher and with not more than 120 credits derived from non-core Social Sciences group A
courses.
Honours students may, after commencement, elect to take to convert their degree and
graduate with a General MA (Social Sciences) degree – a form is available for this on the
College Web pages.
Students who have A-Level results at A or B grade may, with the Subject’s agreement,
gain exemption (not credits) from a Level 1 class, to allow them to proceed to Level 2 in
the Subject concerned.
In the case of examination re-sits, the results are capped in terms of grade points as
opposed to grade. Candidates are therefore advised of the alphanumeric grade achieved
(A2, B3, C1, D2, etc.) but the grade point awarded is capped at 9 (the grade point
awarded for a grade D3). Student transcripts will indicate where grade points have been
capped. When candidates are sitting re-sits to achieve a graduating curriculum,
individual grade points will not be capped, but instead the overall Grade Point Average
(GPA) will be capped at 9 to allow graduation where the level of performance in
reassessments brings the GPA to at least 9.
Students selecting the General Degree will be offered selected Level 3 non-Honours
courses and must achieve at least a D3 grade at Level 2 before entry to the Level 3
classes.
10. Progress Regulations
All undergraduates are subject to the Progress Regulations for the MA (Social Sciences)
degree, which can be found in the University Calendar (see web address above) under
"College of Social Sciences".
Full-time students must obtain:


At least 80 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at grade D or better, and a grade
point average of at least 8 by the end of first year to allow progress to second year
At least 160 credits, of which at least 120 must be at grade D or better, and a grade point
average of at least 8 by the end of second year for progress to third year
After three years of study the candidate must be in a position to complete the
requirements for the award of an ordinary degree in one further session of full-time study
Notwithstanding the above, any student entitled to progress but whose achievement falls
short of the requirements set out below will have their curriculum approved by the MA (Social
Sciences) Progress Committee:
a)
b)
c)
80 credits at grade D or better after one session;
160 credits, 40 of which must be at Level 2, at grade D or better after two
sessions;
In the case of candidates for the Degree of Master of Arts (Social Sciences), a
minimum of 260 credits at a grade point average of at least 9 after three sessions.
Part-time students must obtain 40 credits at grade D or above in each academic session to
progress.
If you have failed to meet the progress requirements, then you will be referred to the MA
(Social Sciences) Progress Committee. Since there is only a short time between the August
resit diet and the meeting of the Progress Committee in mid-September each year, you may
not have very much notice that you have been referred to the Committee. You will be
informed by email letter that you are subject to the progress regulations and consideration by
the Progress Committee once the August resit diet results are published in early September.
Students should be aware that the progress procedures take place out with the usual term
time dates. If referred to the Progress Committee, you have the opportunity to submit a
13
statement outlining any mitigating circumstances or illness that may have affected your
academic performance. First year students are also provided with the opportunity of an
interview with the Progress Committee.
11. Appeals Procedures
There is a College Student Appeals procedure for any student who might wish to appeal
against an academic decision, e.g. appeal against a grade awarded for an
assessment/examination or refusal of entry to Honours. Details and deadlines for the Code
of Procedure for Appeals by Students against Academic Decisions and the Code of
Procedure for Appeals to a College Appeals Committee can be found in the University
Calendar under "University Fees and General Information" at:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/senateoffice/calendar/
If you think you have grounds for an appeal you should read the relevant chapters. You
must notify your intention to appeal to Mrs Fiona Webster, College Undergraduate
Administrative Officer, College Student Support Office, within 10 working days of
receipt of the result or decision that you wish to appeal against.
The College Appeals Committee can consider an appeal against a decision of an academic
body only on the following grounds:
i)
unfair or defective procedure;
ii)
iii)
a failure to take account of medical or other adverse personal circumstances.
there are relevant medical or other adverse personal circumstances which for
good reason have not previously been presented.
Mrs Fiona Webster (College Undergraduate Administrative Officer), the Students’
Representative Council (SRC) Advice Centre, and your Adviser of Studies can offer you
further advice on the appeals procedures.
12. Code of Student Conduct
The University has a Code of Student Conduct, which includes powers to deal with general
matters of inappropriate behaviour by students, which includes plagiarism. Details are in the
University Calendar and at:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/senateoffice/workingwithstudents/studentconduct/studentcodeo
fconduct/
13. IT/Computer Resources
All undergraduates are expected to have a certain level of computer literacy; there is a
Certificate of Basic IT Competence which can be taken by students in the first year of study if
they so wish. For your information, there are four computer labs on the third and fourth floors
of the Adam Smith Building containing computer facilities giving access to word-processing,
spreadsheets, email, the Internet and other training packages specific to academic subjects.
On registration you will receive the necessary instructions to access the University
computers.
Email is normally used by the University to contact students with both routine and urgent
information. You are strongly advised to read your University email regularly and at
least once a week.
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The University uses Web-based Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) to assist learning on
many courses and the most widely used University VLE is MOODLE. For courses where
MOODLE is used you will be able to login from either the College Web site or the central
University MOODLE Web page using your GUID and password. The system can be
accessed from anywhere on or off campus. More information about MOODLE and how to
use it can be found at: http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/moodle/.
Further details about some of the IT facilities available in the University are available at
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/it/training/.
14. Graduate Skills Programme (GSP)/Employability Skills
The Graduate Skills Programme (GSP) is the College of Social Sciences' employability
award. It has been designed to help undergraduate students and postgraduate taught
students in the College make the most of their time at university and enhance their
transferable and employability skills.
In an increasingly competitive job market leaving university with a good degree may not be
enough on its own to land you that first graduate job. The GSP will help you to develop the
skills you need to succeed in your academic studies and your future career, and will help you
to market yourself effectively to potential employers. It will allow you to reflect on all of your
university experiences and consider how they contribute to your personal and professional
development.
The GSP gives students recognition for activities and experience not traditionally covered by
their particular degree programme. The GSP is free to join and open to undergraduate
students of any level in the College of Social Sciences. Further information can be found at:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/socialsciences/info/students/employability/gsp/
15. University Support Services
The University and the College both offer support throughout your academic career. Most
services have their own information packs and Web sites. A summary of the main support
services is available at:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/studentlife/support/
The Student Learning Service
The University’s Student Learning Service (SLS) offers study skills advice, guidance and
support to all students. If you would like to make your learning techniques more effective,
you can attend workshops which take place regularly in the McMillan Reading Room, or
contact Barbara Weightman, the Effective Learning Adviser (ELA) for MA (Social Sciences)
students. Popular topics for discussion include improving essay writing, revision techniques,
exam techniques and note taking. The College view is that all students would benefit from
using this service.
Further information about
www.gla.ac.uk./services/sls
the
Student
Learning
Service
is
available
at
Student Welfare and Support
Unfortunately, some students do encounter serious problems for a variety of reasons over
which they may have no control. The University operates a Student Counselling and
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Advisory Service, to which your Adviser can direct you for assistance. Early appointments,
if appropriate, are more likely if your Adviser can secure a cancellation time for you. Other
welfare services include:

The Student Disability Service
The Chaplaincy Centre
Further details are available on the web at:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/studentlife/support/
Financial Support
Information on the following can be found in the University's “Guide to Registry Services”,
which is issued at the commencement of a student's course, and also in the Registry's web
pages at:
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/registry/support/finance/funds/
The main sources of additional and emergency financial support are:

HEI Hardship Fund
University Hardship Fund
Scholarships
The University offers a selection of scholarships under the designation of the “Club 21
Business Partnership Programme”. Some of these scholarships are for £1000 per year,
include work experience, and are generally available in your second year at the University.
They are offered by local and national companies.
Application details are available from the Careers Service at 3 University Gardens. Other
University scholarships are detailed on the Registry website.
Students’ Representative Council (SRC)
The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) provides a variety of services for students
including: A Student Advice Centre, representation on student issues, nightline (a free and
confidential service from 7pm to 7am every night - 0141 353 1050), jobshop, clubs and
societies, photocopying facilities, campus-to-halls minibus service. The SRC is located in the
John McIntyre Building.
Telephone enquiries: 0141 339 8541
Email: enquiries@src.gla.ac.uk
Web site: http://www.src.gla.ac.uk/
16. Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the questions most often asked of Advisers or the College Office are listed below.
Please check this list before you start to worry.
Where is the MA (Social
Sciences) Advising
Support Team?
Who is my Adviser of
Studies?
How do I make an
The team is in Room 206, Lilybank House (behind the
Adam Smith Building)
The name and contact details of your Adviser are
available on your MyCampus Student Centre.
By emailing your Adviser in the first instance. Most
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appointment to see my
Adviser of Studies?
Where can I find more
information on courses?
Where is the Student
Services Enquiry Team?
How do I register?
Where can I have my
Council Tax Exemption
form signed?
I am short of money; is
there any help
available?
What should I do if I
have personal
problems?
I am not getting good
marks for my
assignments or class
tests. What should I do?
Advisers have a set weekly advising period - you
should make yourself aware of this. If your problem is
urgent you should contact your Adviser immediately by
telephone or email or email the Advising Support Team
socsci-ma@glasgow.ac.uk to make an appointment to
see the Chief Adviser or a Senior Adviser.
Information is available from the University, College,
School or Subject Web pages, please use the search
facility.
Level 2 in the Fraser Building, 65 Hillhead Street, for
more information please see
http://www.gla.ac.uk/students/sset/
Please see section 1 above in this handbook
Please see
http://www.gla.ac.uk/students/sset/documents/#tabs=1
You should take your completed Council Tax form to
the Registry Enquiry Office in the Fraser Building once
you have your student card.
Yes, there is a University Hardship Fund. Consult the
Registry's web pages on financial matters and discuss
your eligibility for assistance with your Adviser of
Studies. Please see
http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/registry/support/finance/fu
nds/#tabs=3
The University offers a range of support services – the
Student Counselling and Advisory service and the
Chaplaincy, among others. If you need further help,
please see your Adviser of Studies.
There is a Student Learning Service available to
students who may be having trouble with their studies.
Please see http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/sls/. Advice is
also available from your class tutor or course coordinator for the relevant course/subject.
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