Introductory description

The Warwick Postgraduate Orientation Programme is intended for students who are going onto either taught postgraduate programmes or a research degree at the University of Warwick and have not previously studied in the UK Higher Education context.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The Warwick Postgraduate Orientation Programme will be delivered face to face on the main Warwick campus.
You will learn in seminar groups and tutorials of up to 16 students and have the opportunity to collaborate with other students and your teacher to develop your academic skills. You will complete a variety of authentic academic tasks.

During the programme, students will receive 15 hours contact time per week and are expected to actively engage in:

• Seminar activities and discussions with the class.

• Collaboration on set tasks within a study group.

• One-to-one or small group tutorials.

• Independent study as directed.

There is no formal assessment on this programme; however, all students will receive formative feedback on their work (and a certificate of completion).

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Recognise the cultural practices of UK higher education at postgraduate level at Warwick.
• Recognise and apply the principles of academic rigour and integrity within the UK higher education context and in particular at Warwick.
• Demonstrate the communication skills expected at postgraduate level at Warwick.
• Analyse and evaluate the epistemic and discourse practices of your discipline at postgraduate level at Warwick.
• Critically reflect on the culture, conventions, and expectations and practices of UK higher education.

Interdisciplinary

Students will study in an interdisciplinary cohort which will engender cross disciplinary interaction. Students will apply principles of EAP to their postgraduate disciplines.

Subject specific skills

Textual analysis to include epistemic and discourse practices, identify and apply disciplinary academic conventions, academic communication skills, Critical engagement with complex texts, Identifying and using relevant information from academic source texts to incorporate into academic texts, enhance linguistic knowledge of academic texts, the writing process: generating ideas, planning, drafting and editing, Reading strategies and comprehension skills, Paraphrasing, summarising and synthesising from sources, Be an active, reflective and critical participant in small and large group discussions

Transferable skills

Interpersonal and Seminar skills, Critical Reflection, Citation Practices, Academic communication