School of Social and Political Science

Get ready for postgraduate study

If you want to start preparing for academic life as a postgraduate student here in SPS, take a look at some of these helpful resources below.

 

School resources

Learning and Academic Skills Handbook

Learning and Academic Skills Handbook for MSc students

Academic writing course

The School offer academic writing course in the first few weeks of the semester.

Workshops and events

Institute for Academic Development

The University's Institute for Academic Development (IAD) supports students and staff across the University in their teaching, learning and research. They offer a range of pre-arrival and on-programme resources and workshops specifically for postgraduate students.

For postgraduate students, more targeted information can be found on the IAD Postgraduate Students webpages

Welcome Week (Postgraduate Taught)

We strongly recommend all our students participate in the welcome events organised by the School and the University. These give you the opportunity to hear key information, meet key staff members, and get to know your peers.

SPS Postgraduate Taught Welcome Events

SPS Postgraduate Taught Welcome Meeting

Monday 9th September 2024. 
40 George Square, Lecture Theatre A
2pm – 3pm

The Director of Learning and Teaching will lead the SPS Postgraduate Taught Welcome Meeting to introduce you to your journey within this School. This will include presentations from other relevant School and University departments who will support you on your journey.

Each Postgraduate Director will provide an in-person welcome event to provide programme-specific information as detailed below:

Title of eventDateTimeRoom  
MSc Talk - Conflict, Security and DevelopmentTuesday 10 September 202410:00 - 11:30 BST50 George Square, G.02
MSc Talk - Social Research Programme Monday 9 September 202415:30 - 17:30 BST50 George Square, G.02
MSc Talk - African and International DevelopmentWednesday 11 September
2024		10:00-11:00 BST40 George Square, LG.10
MSc Talk - International RelationsWednesday 11 September 202410:00 - 11:30 BST7 George Square S.1
MSc Talk - Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance & Science Technology in SocietyTuesday 10 September 202414:00 - 17:00 BSTHigh School Yards Classroom 2
MSc Talk - Social AnthropologyWednesday 11 September 202410:00 -11:00 BST40 George Square, LG.11
MSc Talk - Global Health PolicyWednesday, 11th September 202411:00 -13:00 BST40 George Square, LG.11
MSc Talk - International and European PoliticsWednesday 11 September 202411:00 - 12:00 BST40 George Square, LG.10
MSc Talk - Medical AnthropologyWednesday, 11th September 202411:00-12:00 BST40 George Square, LG.10
MSc Talk - Sociology and Global ChangeWednesday, 11th September 202412:00 - 13:00 BST50 George Square, G.06
MSc Talk - The Middle East in Global PoliticsWednesday, 11th September 202411:00 - 12:00 BSTViolet Laidlaw Room
MSc Talk - Global Environment, Politics and SocietyWednesday, 11th September 202412:00 - 13:00 BST50 George Square, G.05
MSc Talk - Master of Social WorkWednesday, 11th September 202411:30 - 12:30 BST7 George Square, S.1
MSc Talk - International DevelopmentWednesday, 11th September 202412:00-13:30 BST40 George Square, LG.09
MSc Talk - Global Crime, Justice & SecurityWednesday, 11th September 202413:00-14:30 BST50 George Square, G.01
MSc Talk - Public Policy and MSc Comparative Public PolicyWednesday, 11th September 202413:00-14:00 BST40 George Square, LG.11
MSc Talk - Nationalism in a Global PerspectiveWednesday, 11th September 202412:30-13:30 BST40 George Square, LG.11
MSc Talk - Digital SociologyWednesday, 11th September 202414:00 - 16:00 BST7 George Square, S.1
MSc Talk - Global Mental Health and SocietyWednesday, 11th September 202415:00 - 16:30 BSTG.02 16-20 George Square *(access at 19GSq)*

 

You can also download the UoE Events App, and view the New Students website for full access to University-wide events and resources.

Welcome Week (Postgraduate Research)

We strongly recommend all our students participate in the welcome events organised by the School and the University. These give you the opportunity to hear key information, meet key staff members, and get to know your peers.

SPS Postgraduate Research Welcome Events

 

SPS Postgraduate Research Orientation Day

Tuesday 10th September, 9am - 5pm
Seminar Rooms 1 & 2, Chrystal Macmillan Building, 15a George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LH


Each Postgraduate Advisor (PGA) will provide an in-person welcome event to provide subject area specific information.

The Director of Postgraduate Research Programmes will lead an interactive PhD Orientation Day to introduce you to your PhD journey within this School. This will include presentations from other relevant School and University departments who will support you on your journey.

Title of eventDateTimeRoom  
PhD Talk - Centre for African StudiesWednesday 11 September 202410:00 - 11:00 BST40 George Square, 9.01
PhD Talk - Politics and International RelationsWednesday 11 September 202410:00 - 11:00 BST50 George Square, G.02
PhD Talk - Social WorkWednesday 11 September 202410:00 - 11:00 BST40 George Square, 7.01
PhD Talk - South Asian StudiesWednesday 11 September 202411:00 - 12:00 BST40 George Square, 9.01
PhD Talk - International DevelopmentWednesday 11 September 202411:00 - 12:00 BST40 George Square, 7.01
PhD Talk - Social PolicyWednesday 11 September 202411:00 - 12:00 BST40 George Square, 9.18
PhD Talk - Science and Technology StudiesWednesday 11 September 202410:00 - 11:30 BST1.06 Old Surgeons Hall
PhD Talk - Sociology and Socio-Cultural StudiesWednesday 11 September 202412:30 - 13:30 BST50 George Square, G.02
PhD Talk - Social AnthropologyThursday 12 September 202411:00 - 12:00 BSTChrystal MacMillan Building, Seminar Room 4

 

You can also download the UoE Events App, and view the New Students website for full access to University-wide events and resources.


Semester Dates 2024-25

Semester 1 for the academic year 2024-2025 runs:

Monday 16 September 2024 - Friday 20 December 2024

Semester 2 for the academic year 2024-2025 runs:

Monday 13 January 2025 - Friday 23 May 2025

Preparing to study