Taught Postgraduate Student Experience

The current Learning from International Practice (LFIP) work is looking at the Taught Postgraduate Student Experience. 

The project aims to explore what the defining attributes of Masters-level study are, i.e., “What does it mean to be a Masters’- level student and how are they supported in making that transition?”

 The work will look at:

• What are the defining attributes of Masters-level study? 
• How to support the transition to Masters-level study.

The project is managed by a Working Group, Chaired by Professor Roni Bamber, Queen Margaret University.

Several workshops have been held within the Scottish sector to explore the characteristics of Masters'-level study or 'Mastersness'.   The latest workshop was held in November 2012 and explored:  'Mastersness: will I know it when I see it?'.  

Outputs from the project include:

• a briefing paper examining the concept of ‘Mastersness’ drawing on practice in Scotland and elsewhere
• a briefing paper on international trends in induction and PGT attributes, including pointers to good practice and recommendations for future action     
• case studies demonstrating 'Mastersness' practice from Scottish HEIs and elsewhere

Facets of Mastersness: a Framework for Master’s level study

In order to help us make sense of some of the different dimensions of ‘Mastersness’ the Working Group has developed a framework, tentatively titled 'Facets of Mastersness'.  We are keen to get feedback about how useful this framework might be and if you wish to get involved in the discussion and debate, please visit our blog.

Case studies

We are always pleased to receive case studies from practitioners from Scotland and all over the world.  If you would like to submit a case study then please get in touch with Heather Gibson, who will send you a template for you to complete.

• Case study: MA in Luxury Brand Management, Regent’s College London
• Case study: MA Childhood and Youth Studies at University Campus Suffolk
• Case study: Master’s Internship Module, Coventry University Business School
• Case study: Masters of Science in Geographic Information Systems Technology
• Case study: Recognising M-Level, James Atherton, Doceo
• Case study:  MSc Psychology of Sport at the University of Stirling
• Case study: Learning Methodologies
• Case study: Making the Most of Masters: Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Stirling

PGT Community of Practice

A Wider Consultative Group (WCG) has been established to work as a wider community of practice for the PGT student experience.  Its purpose is to keep the working group in touch with the issues that affect the sector and more importantly, help to share good practice from within and outwith Scotland.

The WCG is open to all who are interested.  Most of the activity of the WCG is likely to be mainly through online methods, although face-to-face meetings may be organised throughout the lifetime of the project at key milestones.

We also have a project blog which aims to update the sector about the project and also encourage debate and discussion.

If you are interested in joining the WCG or you want to find out more about the project then please contact Heather Gibson.