Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find the answers to some frequently asked questions. This content is continuously being updated; please contact us if your query is not answered here.
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How do I book a Study Space in the Graduate School?
Study spaces are bookable via Queen’s Online up to two days in advance.
Click here to log into QOL. Once you are in QOL, navigate to:
Services > Administration >Graduate School Study Room Bookings > Choose Your Time > Submit. - What are the Graduate School's opening hours?
Please click here for the latest updates to the Graduate School's Opening Hours.
- How do I book onto Graduate School Events & Workshops?
You can view all upcoming training and events at the Graduate School here.
Please note: training & events are bookable 2 weeks in advance, and booking will close one working day before the event takes place, unless otherwise stated.
Training provided by the Graduate School can be booked via MyFuture. Once logged in go to:
Events > Workshops (Careers, Graduate School & LDS)
Type 'GS' into the keyword section to get a list of training and events provided by the Graduate School.
- How do I book a 1-2-1 consultation with the Graduate School?
Appointments can be booked via MyFuture. Once logged in go to:
Appointments > Book an Appointment
Career Consultations
A thirty minute confidential career consultation. Areas for discussion include: career choice, job hunting, LinkedIn profile, and further study or CV guidance.
Academic Skills Consultations
Guidance on general academic writing style and grammar. We aim to help you find your own voice within academic writing to ensure that you reach your potential. Each session will conclude with take-away action points to allow you to continue to develop your writing skills.
Enterprise Consultations
Guidance around business or enterprise start-up and information on opportunities for finance, investment and further support.
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I do not have my student card yet. Can I enter the Graduate School building using the QUB app?
Unfortunately, you cannot enter the Graduate School building using the app, but you can contact security@qub.ac.uk to request your 6 digit PIN code. This PIN will allow you access to the building and the Silent Study. Security will require your Student Number to process this request.
- Where can I get a new student card?
Lost your card?
- To disable the card. [go to QOL -> “My Smart Card” application-> select the option to Hotlist A Card]
- Report the lost card to the Information Desk in the Student Centre to see if it has been handed in:
Email: sgc@qub.ac.uk
Telephone: 028 9097 2727 - There will be a £10 charge for replacement cards
Found a card?
- please return it to the Information Desk (Level 1) of the One Elmwood Student Centre.
For the most up-to-date information regarding Student Smart Cards, please visit the Information Services Website.
- How do I connect to QUB wireless network WIFI?
Full wireless network instructions for both Windows and Mac devices can be found here.
Further assistance may be provided by the IT helpdesk at the Ground floor in the McClay library.
- How do I find postgraduate accommodation at Queen’s?
The Accommodation department are responsible for co-ordinating student accommodation within Queen's. The most current information regarding accommodation at Queen's, including the types of accommodation available, how to apply and their contact details, can be found here.
The Students' Union also offers advice on accommodation here.
Queen's can offer a brand new postgraduate and international student village. Information on Willow Walk is available here.
Guthrie House offers single sex apartments for postgraduate students, located right in campus.
Mount Charles is a historic street of postgraduate housing three minutes’ walk from the university.
Queen's offers advice on private sector accommodation as well.
A comprehensive list of letting agents can be found here:
The following websites are useful if you are looking for roommates or a single room in a house:
http://spareroom.com
http://flatshare.com
http://easyroommate.com
http://homesforstudents.co.uk
http://gumtree.co.uk
http://www.propertypal.com/ - What support services are available to postgraduate Students?
There are various Student Support Services at Queen's University which you can access. Please see a brief list (and links) for these below.
Postgraduate Student Support- General queries
- Postgraduate funding
- PhD/Postgraduate Research Development Programme
- Masters/Postgraduate Taught Training
- Immigration Advice
- Immigration Compliance
- General queries
- Financial Adviser - advises on grants, loans, fees, Support/Hardship Funds, the financial aspects of repeating years and course changes, Social Security Benefits and other general financial issues.
- Education and Welfare Adviser - advises on accommodation, including Queen’s accommodation, private landlords, deposits, repairs, checking leases/contracts.
- Money Management Adviser - advises on debt, this includes overdrafts, credit cards, loan agreements, arrears of payments, negotiating with creditors and any other debt issues. Guidance on budgeting and money management is available and students do not need to be in a ‘crisis situation’ in order to seek advice.
- Developing academic skills such as writing skills, referencing, exam preparation etc.
Careers, Employabilty and Skills
- Job opportunities
- Workshops
- 1 to 1 appointments
- Careers events
- Physical and mobility difficulties
- Visual impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Medical conditions
- Learning difficulties e.g. Dyslexia
- Mental health
- Adjusting to University life
- Personal growth
- Bereavement
- Relationships
- Family concerns
- Anxiety and depression
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What are the semester dates for the academic year?
For further information on Semester dates please visit this link: QUB Academic Year & Semester dates
- What is the University Student Charter?
The University’s single biggest obligation is to ensure that the period between enrolment and graduation is one of personal growth and development for each and every student.
This Student Charter helps to create the environment where those expectations can be met and ambitions realised. It is the result of a real partnership between students and staff.
Click here to read more about The Student Charter.
- Is parking available to students?
Parking is only available for students who are disabled blue badge holders.
Alternatively, if the student does feel that a condition they have restricts mobility, they should get a letter stating this from their GP for referral to Occupational Health.
See https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/EstatesDirectorate/Services/CarParking for more information.
Queries should be addressed to permits@qub.ac.uk (ext 5005) or security via email: security@qub.ac.uk
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How many formal supervision meetings do I need to have per year?
If you are a full-time PGR student, you are required to have at least 10 formal recorded meetings with your supervisor per year. 5 of these meetings should include your supervisory team (including secondary and tertiary supervisors). If you are a part-time PGR student, you are required to have at least 6 formal recorded meetings with your supervisor per year. 3 of these meetings should include your supervisory team.
- How are supervisor meetings recorded?
You should keep a record of all your formal meeting (and you may wish to record your informal meetings) on QSIS. You can find support and step-by-step instructions here.
- What is the difference between a formal and informal meeting?
Any meeting during which you and your supervisor(s) have discussed your research can be counted as a formal meeting. This can include a meeting with your supervisor(s) via video chat e.g. Skype. Video chat should be recorded as a virtual meeting. You should speak with your supervisor and agree dates for your formal meetings. You are required to have at least 10 formal meetings with your supervisor per year (5 of these meetings should include your supervisory panel). The aim of these formal meetings is to discuss your progress.
Informal meetings can be unplanned throughout the year, they are usually short, ad hoc meetings or emails. You do not need to keep a record of informal meetings, although you may find it useful to record these meetings.
- My primary supervisor is on medical leave, and I have no indication when they will be back. What should I do?
You should contact your School and your second/third supervisor(s) to make them aware of your situation.
- Where can I get support with my academic writing?
Please refer to the Graduate School Events page for the Semester Programme and specific training events. There are also general writing resources you can refer to QUB Learning Resources
INTO also provide English language support for international students, see HERE.
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The details on my QSIS record are incorrect or incomplete, how do I update these?
It is important that your details, including your start date, are accurately recorded on QSIS. If you notice any errors with your record, or if there is any information missing, please contact your School Administrator who can update this information for you.
- Do Doctoral Training Programmes (DTP) have a different assessment format?
Doctoral Training Programmes follow the same study regulations for Research Degree Programmes, however, you should check with your School as there may be additional assessments or training requirements built into your Doctoral Training Programme.
- How will the University check my work for plagiarism?
Draft differentiation reports, papers or thesis chapters/sections should be submitted by your School to Turnitin prior to your APR. Your supervisory team should help you interpret your report and offer advice on improving your writing style and referencing if required. You can find more information about Turnitin here.
- Where can I find information about differentiation and APR requirements?
You can find detailed information on progress monitoring and APR here.
- When does differentiation take place?
Differentiation usually takes place 9 months after your start date, however, this can vary across Schools and is dependent on staff availability.
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Where can I find information about different training courses?
Please visit the Graduate School Events Page for the Semester Programme and upcoming training and events.
The Graduate School Weekly Update is sent out to all registered postgraduate student on a weekly basis. Our website is kept up-to-date with our training, events and activities. Your School may also host different training events throughout the year, please contact your school for more information.
With the exception of the Chartered Management Institute programme, all training provided by the Graduate School is free of charge.
- What counts as one full day training for PhD / PGR students?
One full-day training is 7-8 hours. For a full breakdown of training time allocation and a guide on how to upload additional training, please click HERE.
- How many training days should I complete each year and how do I record my training?
We recommend PGR students (full-time and part-time) complete 30 days of training throughout the duration of their studies (approx. 10 per year).
If you undertake training provided by the Graduate School, the Graduate School will update your QSIS training record (records are usually updated monthly), unless otherwise stated. If you undertake training outside of the Graduate School you and/or your School administrator should update your QSIS training record.
For instruction on additional training and instructions on how to update, please visit the PSTP Training Guide HERE.
- What constitutes additional training for PhD / PGR students?
We use 'training and development' in the widest sense and this might include online learning, volunteering training through your School or Students’ Unions. An opportunity that helps you develop and enhance your skills could be regarded as ‘training and development’. We do suggest that you do not record more than 5 days relating to one specific activity such as teaching, mentoring etc.
- What is the Researcher Plus award?
The Researcher Plus award is an opportunity for postgraduate research students to gain official recognition by Queen’s University for their range of skills and research achieved in addition to their research. As well as developing research expertise in their subject discipline, postgraduate research students have opportunities to develop a range of skills, which are transferable beyond their research degrees to both academic and careers beyond academia. You can find out more information about the Researcher Plus award here.