Welcome to your Arts and Creative Technologies (by negotiated study) course

Hello Fledgling Postgraduate Researcher,

Welcome to the Masters by Negotiated Study (MaNS) Course community here at Staffordshire University! This is a unique programme that allows you to design your own Masters based on the specific professional development needs you have within your specific subject area. We know starting Postgraduate level research can be daunting, so we want to help you prepare in advance, which is why we have put together this short to-do list and information sheet to help you prepare for your exciting new course at the University.

We will run through how the course works during the induction session, but do drop Lou Reynolds an email if you have any questions before this date: l.reynolds@staffs.ac.uk

Your staff team

We want to make sure you know some of our team before you arrive. Hopefully this will help you recognise us and ensure you know who you can contact if you need any additional help and guidance.

Lou Reynolds

Work Based Learning Fellow

Lou is the MaNS course leader with 10 years’ experience working with employers across the Creative Industries to design Work-based Learning programmes.

Lou's profile

Course delivery

Your MaNS course will operate primarily via one-to-one supervision, with your nominated supervisor, so you will become adept at managing your own time and projects. However, you will be expected to attend a series of SIX whole group, class sessions in your first term, to help you adjust to this type of postgraduate study and assist you with developing your Learning Contract; you will also be invited to 2 one-to-one sessions with your course leader in your first term. These lecture sessions will take place on a Thursday, 3-5pm (3-6pm for the induction session).

Once the 6 core sessions are complete, you will be expected to work on assessment work, using online material from Blackboard. Full-time students will also work on their first Negotiated Project during this term.

After your first term, you will then continue to work your way through Negotiated Projects and your learning will be facilitated by supervisory sessions with your subject supervisor and course leader.

We will also use Blackboard to support you in your studies and you will be introduced to this in your induction session to the course.

Semester one activities

Your first term on MaNS will be all about getting you up and running on the course. You will undertake the following modules:

Approaches to Flexible Learning: Here, we ask you consider how you will manage the demands of the MaNS course, and your course leader (Lou Reynolds), will help you write your Learning Contract.

Research Methods Seminar: Here, you will have an introduction to postgraduate research skills, and you will be required to undertake a small-scale research project that is linked to the theme of your overall Masters.

FULL-TIME MaNS students will also undertake their first Negotiated Project module in the first term. Remember MaNS is about you designing your own course of study, so these modules will be specific to your needs and aims. Your course leader (Lou Reynolds) and subject supervisor will work with you in the first few weeks of the course so that you can transform your initial proposal form into a formal Learning Contract (please don’t be daunted by this, it is a straightforward process, which we guide you through so that you can flesh out the content of Negotiated Project modules).

Before you start

If you want to get a feel for the course by doing some reading before you start, you can explore the following texts to help you navigate on the Approaches to Flexible Learning & Research Methods Seminar modules:

Bell, J. & Waters, S. (2018) Doing Your Research Project. 7th Edition. (OUP). Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:

Read online

Cottrell, S. (2017) Critical thinking skills: effective analysis, argument and reflection. 3rd Edition. (Palgrave Macmillan). Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:

Read online

Denscombe, M. (2014) The Good Research Guide: for small-scale social research projects. 5th edition. (OUP). Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:

Read online

Moon, J. (2004) A handbook of reflective and experiential learning: theory and practice (Routledge Falmer.). Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:

Read online

Equipment and software

Access to equipment and software will be dependent on the subject area you are studying on the MaNS course. If you have been a previous undergraduate student with us, then you will continue to be able to use our facilities and equipment (though you may need some additional training if you require the use of new kit).

If you are new to Staffordshire University, we will help you identify the equipment you use and ensure you receive the proper training at the start of the course to allow you to access it.

Trips and events

Throughout the course, we will have symposium days, where people can share their practice and awesome project ideas (previous MaNS students have found these events useful to gain advice from their peers and test out their ideas in a safe environment). Don’t worry though, these are relaxed events where people volunteer to speak, and we will discuss the symposiums as your course progresses!

Academic skills

Whether you're joining us from school or college, or you're returning to education after some time away, everyone can benefit from the Academic Study Skills resources provided by the University library.

The Academic Skills team is here to support you throughout your academic journey and to help you gain the skills you need to reach your full potential. They can assist with academic reading and writing skills, give advice on how best to plan assignments, and help improve your time management.

The library's Academic Skills Guides offer the key information to make studying easier and give a comprehensive guide to the learning resources and services we offer.

Staffs CampusConnect

Staffs CampusConnect is our student-led community app for new students. Connect with other people from your course, hometown or country, and even those with similar interests.

To register, please ensure you use your Applicant ID (Student Number) that you received in your offer letter, and the email address you used in your application to us.

Register for CampusConnect

Welcome website

Our welcome website will provide you the link to your new student life. It's all about how you find your place at university, including everything from how to meet friends, feel confident in doing your academic work, being a member of your Student Union and getting involved in Union Societies, Academic Societies, Sports, Volunteering or representing your peers in your School.

Part of this Welcome Week - we have an exciting program of University and course level activities planned for you for your first week in September. We are also building an extended program for you to join a series of events throughout the first half of the autumn term. Further details will be shared with you via the Welcome website and Students' Union pages over the coming weeks.

Welcome website

Campus map

Use our campus map to familiarise yourself with our campus before you arrive.

Campus map (PDF)

Check your email

Please make sure you check your personal email account regularly over the next few weeks. We will be sending you lots of information about Welcome Week.

We look forward to welcoming you to the campus in September.

If you have any questions, please email them to your course leader, Lou Reynolds: l.reynolds@staffs.ac.uk