School Welcome Talk
template (2015)
Abby Shovlin
Academic Transitions Advisor
Institute for Academic Development
abby.shovlin@ed.ac.uk
Welcome new
students!
• to the University of Edinburgh
• and the School of x
Plan for today/session aim
In today’s talk, we will cover:
• Who you are
• Who we are
• Brief introduction to the School
• Main points to get you started with your studies
• Who to contact if you have any questions
Who you are
Demographics of the room
e.g. :
• Student numbers
• Age range
• Gender
• Nationality etc.
Who we are
School of x
• Head of School- School structure/organigram
• Members of staff/students giving talk
• Introduce key staff members new students should
know: e.g. Personal Tutors, Student Support
Officers/Student Experience Officers
School of x
What we do here, what you can do here
• Some short snapshots of research interests of staff
and current projects in the School and
opportunities for new students to find out
more/engage with this research
• Students from this School have gone on to . . .
Introduction to programme
of study
Key features of programme of study
• Highlight the most important points for new
students in this talk and refer students to key
sections of the course handbook/Learn/School
webpages for further info (show students how to
access these in a demo)
More information on my programme of study
Core courses and option course information:
• PATH (ease Access), Academic Fair (in Welcome Week) and
Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study (DRPS)
Path programme builder screenshot
Managing expectations/ academic
contract/ partnership/ getting to
know each other/ student
contract
Student Contract covers:
• What students can expect from the University
• What we expect of students
What’s it like studying at
university?
It’s a journey/process: don’t expect to understand
everything right away
• Whilst some course content may be familiar, other
content will be new and will take some time to
understand/process.
• Give yourself time
• Problems/not understanding something are all
important parts of the learning process
What’s it like studying at
university?
• Advice from previous first years/older students e.g.
“My one piece of advice to new students would be to
seek out tutors and use the office hours that they
have given. They’re really useful to seek clarification
on things within the course, as well as with any issues
with feedback you don’t understand what they have
written or you want it clarified what you should be
doing. That’s really helpful."
What’s it like studying at
university
Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
12 levels, 5 characteristics:
• Knowledge and understanding,
• Practice, applied knowledge, skills and understanding
• Generic cognitive skills
• Communication, ICT and numeracy skills
• Autonomy, accountability and working withy others
• First year University = level 8
(NB this slide is not for Welcome talk, but suggested
follow up content for group meetings/course specific
workshops)
What’s it like studying at university?
 Characteristic Three: generic cognitive skills
SCQF Indicator:
Undertake critical analysis, evaluation and/or synthesis of
ideas, concepts, information and issues that are within
the common understandings in a subject/
discipline/sector.
Think about your existing skills in this area and those that
you would like to develop
Discussion around what ‘critical thinking’ means in your
subject
(NB this slide is not for Welcome talk, but suggested
follow up content for group meetings/course specific
workshops)
How the School of x can
help you to develop as a
student
• Staff e.g. Student Support Officers, Student
Experience Officers, PTs
• School resources e.g. study skills materials on Learn
or School workshops
• School Events
• Peer Support e.g. PALS
Other ways to develop my
skills
Institute for Academic Development
• Website with study advice, Learn Better (online study
skills course) and workshops
• ‘How to Succeed at University’ workshops in Welcome
Week and week one specifically for new first years UGs
• New student one-to-one consultations in week one and
week two
(self-book workshops/consultations via the University Events Booking
System using your EASE log-in)
Is it all about studying?
Extra curricular and co-curricular activities play a key
role in your student experience.
Use them as opportunities to:
• Make new friends, enjoy yourself, relax and have fun
• Try new things
• Gain valuable work experience
• Societies fair (in Welcome Week), 270+ societies
• Download the UoE app to view all Welcome Week
events and make your own programme
Who can I speak to if I have questions/need help?
Careers Service
Student Disability
Service
Accommodation
Services
Personal Tutor
and School
Support Staff
Me
Chaplaincy
Information
Services Helpdesk
Student
Information Point
Peer Support
in my School
e.g. PALS
Student Counselling
International Office
My
peers
My tutors and
lecturers
Edinburgh
University Students'
Association
Library
Institute for
Academic
Development
English Language
Teaching Centre
Good luck!
• Thank you and good luck with
your studies. Enjoy your time
here, we’re very happy to have
you with us.
• Next today is: . . .