PGT Focussed Classes
These classes are designed specifically for PGT students, to help you understand what it means to be a Master’s-level student and how you can successfully make the transition to postgraduate study.
Live classes (Semester 1)
These classes are especially recommended for international students, but students from all four colleges are welcome to attend as these sessions cover skills and knowledge relevant to all students.
Advanced Criticality (In-person and Online)
This course covers what do we mean by being critical in your academic work, a key skill in the Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences. The course introduces you to the key strategies to becoming a critical reader and writer. This course will run twice in Semester 1.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=24318
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Room No. (in-person class)/ Zoom Link (online class) |
| Tuesday 30th September | 13:00-14:00 | Critical Reading | What does it mean to be critical and how can we foster critical reading when we are researching our assignments or engaging with course materials? | 42 Bute Gardens: 916 LT |
| Tuesday 7th October | 13:00-14:00 | Writing Critically about Literature | How can we adopt a critical attitude not only when we read but also when we write about academic literature in our assignments? | 42 Bute Gardens: 916 LT |
| Tuesday 14th October | 13:00-14:00 | Using Theory | This class focuses on the purpose of theory in the Arts & Humanities and the Social Sciences, and how to use it in your writing to enhance criticality. | 42 Bute Gardens: 916 LT |
| Tuesday 21st October | 13:00-14:00 | Criticality in Argumentation | What are the key elements of a critical argument and how can you make sure you include them in your writing? | 42 Bute Gardens: 916 LT |
| Tuesday 28th October | 13:00-14:00 | Reflection | How can you use reflection as a critical tool both in your studying and in your writing? | 42 Bute Gardens: 916 LT |
| Tuesday 11th November | 13:00-14:00 | Critical Reading (repeat) | This class discusses defining the scope of your research question, critically reviewing your reading, and synthesising your research. | Online (Zoom link on course Moodle) |
| Tuesday 18th November | 13:00-14:00 | Writing Critically about Literature (repeat) | This class explains the purpose of evidence and how to employ it in your assignments. | Online (Zoom link on course Moodle) |
| Tuesday 25th November | 13:00-14:00 | Using Theory (repeat) | This class focuses on the purpose of theory in the Arts & Humanities and the Social Sciences, and how to use it in your writing. | Online (Zoom link on course Moodle) |
| Tuesday 2nd December | 13:00-14:00 | Criticality in Argumentation (repeat) | This class discusses what is argumentation, its purpose in academia, and what are some of its defining elements. | Online (Zoom link on course Moodle) |
| Tuesday 9th December | 13:00-14:00 | Reflection (repeat) | This class explores the different levels of argumentation in written assignments and how to build a coherent and cohesive argumentative piece of writing. | Online (Zoom link on course Moodle) |
Starting your Academic Citizenship (for International Students)
This particular course will be led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students. Every session will be run twice - once in-person and once online.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=27830
| Date | Time | Title | Description | Location/Zoom Link |
| Friday 26th September | 15:00-16:00 | Transitioning to Academic Study @UofG | How to successfully transition to new academic institutions by better understanding expectations and some strategies for effectively managing change. | |
| Tuesday 30th September | 09:00-10:00 | Transitioning to Academic Study @UofG (online repeat) | How to successfully transition to new academic institutions by better understanding expectations and some strategies for effectively managing change. |
https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/82229209188 (Meeting ID: 822 2920 9188) |
| Wednesday 1st October | 15:00-16:00 | Becoming an Academic Reader | Strategies for effective academic reading to enhance learning, including how to select reading, manage reading time and read evaluatively. | |
| Thursday 2nd October | 15:00-16:00 | Academic Integrity, Avoiding Plagiarism, and Artificial Intelligence | Explains the definitions of plagiarism at the University of Glasgow and how to avoid plagiarism in academic work as well as looking at some do's and don'ts for AI in academic work. | |
| Friday 3rd October | 15:00-16:00 | Understanding and Preparing for Assignments | How to effectively understand and fulfill assigment requirements. | |
| Tuesday 7th October | 09:00-10:00 | Becoming an Academic Reader (online repeat) | Strategies for effective academic reading to enhance learning, including how to select reading, manage reading time and read evaluatively. |
https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/85105229767 (Meeting ID: 851 0522 9767) |
| Tuesday 7th October | 11:00-12:00 | Introduction to Being Critical | What does it mean to be critical and analytical in academic work and how to achieve this. | |
| Wednesday 8th October | 09:00-10:00 | Academic Integrity, Avoiding Plagiarism, and Artificial Intelligence (online repeat) | Explains the definitions of plagiarism at the University of Glasgow and how to avoid plagiarism in academic work as well as looking at some do's and don'ts for AI in academic work. |
https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/84912567920 (Meeting ID: 849 1256 7920) |
| Wednesday 8th October | 15:00-16:00 | Academic Discourse | Explains academic discourse and discusses how to identify the ways your academic community communicates. | |
| Thursday 9th October | 09:00-10:00 | Understanding and Preparing for Assignments (online repeat) | How to effectively understand and fulfill assigment requirements. |
https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/87332937663 (Meeting ID: 873 3293 7663) |
| Wednesday 15th October | 09:00-10:00 | Introduction to Being Critical (online repeat) | What does it mean to be critical and analytical in academic work and how to achieve this. |
https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/84409973217 (Meeting ID: 844 0997 3217) |
| Thursday 16th October | 09:00-10:00 | Academic Discourse (online repeat) | Explains academic discourse and discusses how to identify the ways your academic community communicates. |
https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/81422457351 (Meeting ID: 814 2245 7351) |
Academic Community Workshops (for International Students)
This particular course will be led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=27830
| Date | Time | Title | Description | Room |
| Thursday 9th October | 15:00-16:00 | Managing Your Time in University | Developing skills to effectively plan your time to complete assignments and study effectively wihile maintaining work-life balance. | James McCune Smith Building: Room 641 |
| Tuesday 14th October | 11:00-12:00 | Becoming a Critical Reader | Developing skills to analytically read and evaluate academic texts to enhance your learning and assignments. | James McCune Smith Building: Room 641 |
| Wednesday 15th October | 15:00-16:00 | Incorporating Evidence in Academic Writing | How to incorporate evidence in academic assignments as a foundation for effective analyses and arguments. | Joseph Black Building: B419, Main Lecture Theatre |
| Thursday 16th October | 15:00-16:00 | Reading for Language | How we can use our academic reading to develop and strengthen our academic writing, style and tone. | James McCune Smith Building: Room 641 |
| Tuesday 21st October | 11:00-12:00 | Creating Context in Essay Writing | How to effectively contextualise and frame your academic work to strengthen its coherence and argumentation. | James McCune Smith Building: Room 641 |
| Wednesday 22nd October | 15:00-16:00 | Demonstrating Authority in Writing | Explores why and how to demonstrate your authority and credibility in your work to produce convincing assessments. | Joseph Black Building: B419, Main Lecture Theatre |
| Thursday 23rd October | 15:00-16:00 | Constructing an Effective Argument | Developing skills to construct an effective argument in your academic writing. | James McCune Smith Building: Room 641 |
| Tuesday 28th October | 11:00-12:00 | Skills to Succeed Throughout Your Studies | Developing skills for furthering your development as a scholar in your field and academic problem-solving. | James McCune Smith Building: Room 641 |
Dissertation Classes: Arts & Humanities/SocSci - Part I (In-Person)
This course walks you through the process of writing a dissertation for the Arts & Humanities or the Social Sciences. It consists of a combination of lectures and workshops where you will have a chance to practice the skills you learn. This series is timed to support undergraduate dissertation writing, but postgraduate students are welcome and will find classes useful.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=12843
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Location |
| Tuesday 11th November | 12:00-13:00 | Succeeding in Your Dissertation | This class introduces you to the Dissertation as a project and outlines some key strategies to succeed in its completion. | McIntyre, 201 Flat Hall |
| Tuesday 18th November | 12:00-13:00 | Organising Your Research | This class explains what it means to create a research space for your Dissertation and discusses how to organise your research. | McIntyre, 201 Flat Hall |
| Tuesday 25th November | 12:00-13:00 | Managing Your Research Project | This class introduces you to some strategies to manage your time and research to make sure you make progress at an adequate pace with your dissertation. | McIntyre, 201 Flat Hall |
| Friday 28th November | 11:00-12:00 | Workshop: Managing Your Research Project (sign-up in advance) | This workshop will allow you to test some strategies and tools to manage your dissertation research and the timeline of your project. | Click here to sign up (Moodle login required) |
Navigating Semester 1
This particular course will be led by the team of Induction & Transitions Advisers
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=52555
| Date | Time | UG/PGT/ All |
Class | Class Description | Location / Zoom Link |
| Wednesday 8th October | 13:00-14:00 | PGT | Demystifying the Step Up to Postgrad Learning | What does the step up to PGT-level study look like? What does it mean to be a Master's student? This session focuses on transition to and expectations of Master's-level study, introduces the concept of 'mastersness', and discusses how it can help you understand and evaluate your strengths and development areas relating to postgrad study. | https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/82951165039 |
| Thursday 9th October | 12:00-13:00 | UG | Demystifying Undergrad Learning | Starting university can feel like stepping into a whole new world. In this session, we’ll demystify the 'hidden curriculum': the unspoken rules and expectations of university life, so you can build confidence and succeed as an independent learner. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Wednesday 15th October | 13:00-14:00 | All | Demystifying Independent Learning: Tools and Strategies | This session looks at what 'independent learning' means, its practical challenges, and some organisational and time management tips and tools to boost your learning. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Thursday 16th October | 12:00-13:00 | All | Demystifying Independent Learning: Overcoming Procrastination and Perfectionism | This session will help you to identify and tackle common barriers to managing your time and learning effectively. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Wednesday 22nd October | 13:00-14:00 | All | Demystifying Assessments: Approaches & Expectations | Not sure what university assessments will be like? In this session, we’ll compare how you’ve worked before with what’s expected now, then explore practical strategies, from using Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) to making the most of tutors' feedback, to help you approach assessments with confidence. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Thursday 23rd October | 12:00-13:00 | All | Demystifying Assessments: Writing as a Process | Struggling to start writing or feel you need the perfect idea before you can begin? In this session, we'll explore writing as a process, working from the basis that the best work isn’t written once, but rewritten. We’ll look at how to break free from the fear of the blank page, get your ideas flowing without worrying about perfection, and turn rough drafts into polished work. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Wednesday 29th October | 13:00-14:00 | All | AI & Academic Integrity: How Do You Use AI? | AI is constantly evolving and changing how we learn and work, but what does this mean for you? In this open, discussion-based session, we’ll unpack your experiences with AI so far, and start to explore how it will look at UofG. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Thursday 30th October | 12:00-13:00 | All | AI & Academic Integrity: How You Can Use AI at UofG | AI is evolving fast, and so is the guidance around how universities expect students to use it. In this session, we’ll look at the current UofG guidance, why it may change throughout your studies, and how to use AI tools effectively and responsibly at university. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Wednesday 5th November | 13:00-14:00 | PGT | Considering a PhD | Thinking about undertaking postgraduate research after your postgraduate taught degree? This session will discuss what PhD research looks like, how to choose a topic, how you can look for funding, and writing a research proposal. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Thursday 6th November | 12:00-13:00 | PGT | Considering Your Career | Starting to think about your career after you complete your postgraduate taught degree? This session will help you set your career goals, align these with your learning, skills, and experiences, and how to find CV-boosting opportunities. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Wednesday 12th November | 13:00-14:00 | UG | Navigating Key Relationships & Communication | University isn’t just about study: it’s also about the people you’ll meet and work with. In this session, we’ll explore how expectations around relationships and communication with staff and peers as an undergrad student may look different to those you've experienced in other learning contexts. We'll discuss how to handle these confidently, and to thrive in an intercultural learning community. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Thursday 13th November | 12:00-13:00 | PGT | Navigating Key Relationships & Communication | In this session, we’ll explore how expectations around relationships and communication with staff and peers as a postgrad student may look different to those you've experienced at undergraduate level. We'll discuss how to handle these confidently, and to thrive in an intercultural learning community. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Wednesday 19th November | 13:00-14:00 | All | Making Feedback Work for You | Tutors' feedback is a valuable tool to help you direct your learning. In this session, we’ll show you how to understand and use feedback from essays and other work to strengthen future assessments, including exams. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Thursday 20th November | 12:00-13:00 | All | Preparing for Your Exams: Revision Strategies | Find out about the revision strategies that actually work, and how to organise your time to use them. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Wednesday 26th November | 13:00-14:00 | All | Making Feedback Work for You (repeat) | Tutors' feedback is a valuable tool to help you direct your learning. In this session, we’ll show you how to understand and use feedback from essays and other work to strengthen future assessments, including exams. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
| Thursday 27th November | 12:00-13:00 | All | Preparing for Your Exams: Navigating the Exam Period & Dealing with Stress | Feeling stressed about exams, or experienced exam stress in the past? Come along to this practical and supportive session for guidance on getting through the exam period. | Boyd Orr 611 (LT E) |
Building Community
This particular course will be led by the team of Induction & Transitions Advisers
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=52555
| Date | Time | UG/PGT/ All |
Class | Class Description | Location / Zoom Link |
| Monday 6th October | 12:00-13:00 | All | Early semester check-in for Commuting/Local students | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow students who are from or were already living in Glasgow, and/or commute to campus. In the session, you'll discuss your first weeks at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life. | Southpark House 202 (Seminar Room) |
| Tuesday 7th October | 17:00-18:00 | All | Early semester check-in for Mature students | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow mature students. In the session, you'll discuss your first weeks at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life. | Clarice Pears 103AB |
| Monday 13th October | 18:00-19:00 | All | First month check-in for Online/Distance Learning students | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow online and distance learning students. In the session, you'll discuss your first month at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life. | https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/87418868070 |
| Tuesday 14th October | 17:00-18:00 | All | First month check-in for Part-Time Students |
A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow part-time students. In the session, you'll discuss your first month at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life. | Clarice Pears 103AB |
| Monday 20th October | 12:00-13:00 | UG | First month check-in for Undergrads | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow undergrad students. In the session, you'll discuss your first month at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life. | Southpark House Teaching Room |
| Tuesday 21st October | 17:00-18:00 | PGT | First month check-in for Postgrads | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow new postgrad students. In the session, you'll discuss your first month at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life. | Clarice Pears 103AB |
| Monday 3rd November | 12:00-13:00 | All | Mid-semester check-in for Commuting/Local students | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow students who are from or were already living in Glasgow, and/or commute to campus. In the session, you'll reflect on your first half semester at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life through the rest of the semester and beyond. | Southpark House Teaching Room |
| Tuesday 4th November | 17:00-18:00 | All | Mid-semester check-in for Mature students | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow mature students. In the session, you'll reflect on your first half semester at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life through the rest of the semester and beyond. | Clarice Pears 103AB |
| Monday 17th November | 18:00-19:00 | UG | Late semester check-in for Online/Distance Learning students | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow online and distance learning students. In the session, you'll reflect on your first semester so far at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life through the rest of the semester and as you look forward to the new semester. | https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/85660750861 |
| Tuesday 18th November | 17:00-18:00 | PGT | Late semester check-in for Part-Time Students | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow part-time students. In the session, you'll reflect on your first semester so far at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life through the rest of the semester and as you look forward to the new semester. | Clarice Pears 103AB |
| Monday 24th November | 12:00-13:00 | All | Late semester check-in for Undergrad students | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow undergrad students. In the session, you'll reflect on your first semester so far at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life through the rest of the semester and as you look forward to the new semester. | Southpark House Teaching Room |
| Tuesday 25th November | 17:00-18:00 | All | Late semester check-in for Postgrad students | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow postgrad students. In the session, you'll reflect on your first semester so far at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life through the rest of the semester and as you look forward to the new semester. | Clarice Pears 103AB |
| Monday 1st December | 12:00-13:00 | All | End of semester check-in for Commuting/Local students | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow students who are from or were already living in Glasgow, and/or commute to campus. In the session, you'll reflect on your first semester at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life as you look forward to the new semester. | Southpark House Teaching Room |
| Tuesday 2nd December | 17:00-18:00 | All | Late semester check-in for Mature students | A friendly, welcoming space to meet and connect with fellow mature students. In the session, you'll reflect on your first semester at UofG and find out more about advice and support to help you in your studies and wider student life as you look forward to the new semester. | Clarice Pears 103AB |
Pre-recorded classes and online material
These classes offer a mix of online materials and resources you can work through at your own pace. Some are classes held in the previous semester. All contain useful resources, sometimes including recordings of past live classes. Check back regularly for updates.
Dissertation Classes: Arts & Humanities and SocSci PGT (Online)
This course walks you through the process of writing a dissertation for the Arts & Humanities or the Social Sciences. This is aimed at PGT, but all students are welcome. This course meets in person in June, then repeats online in July.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) -https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=10313
| Monday 7th July | 13:00-14:00 | Succeeding in Your Dissertation | This class introduces advanced academic research and writing approaches and tools to get you started on a successful dissertation project. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Tuesday 8th July | 13:00-14:00 | Organising Your Research | This class discusses how to work with sources for your research. It outlines different strategies to scope, critically review and map the literature or data relating to your research question. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Wednesday 9th July | 13:00-14:00 | Writing Your Literature Review | This class focuses on the literature review: what is it and what purpose serves in your dissertation. It also discusses how your literature review should link to your methodology. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Thursday 10th July | 13:00-14:00 | Using Theory and Writing About Methodology | This class discusses what is a methodology, the difference between methodology and methods, how to justify your methodological approach and using theory as a methodological tool. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Friday 11th July | 13:00-14:00 | Developing Your Dissertation's Argument | This class explains how to construct a convincing argument that successfully answers your research question. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Monday 14th July | 13:00-14:00 | Your Dissertation's Structure | This class explores how to link the different chapters of your dissertation together to ensure your thesis is coherent and cohesive. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Tuesday 15th July | 13:00-14:00 | Editing Your Dissertation | This class discusses how to effectively edit and proofread your dissertation, with tips on how to prepare the dissertation document for submission. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Wednesday 16th July | 13:00-14:00 | Referencing and Academic Integrity | This class introduces the principles of academic integrity and discusses how to properly reference your dissertation so that it adheres to these principles. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
Dissertation Writing for International Students (In-person)
This particular course will be led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=15181
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Location |
| Tuesday 24th June | 11:00-12:00 | Reading for your Dissertation | This class explores strategies for selecting and completing reading for your dissertation. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
| Wednesday 25th June | 11:00-12:00 | Being Critical of Literature | This class discusses how to write about academic literature in a critical and analytical way in your literature review. | Davidson Building, 208: Mian Lecture Theatre |
| Tuesday 1st July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing about Methodology | This class discusses how efffectively to plan and write the methods/methodology section in your dissertation. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
| Wednesday 2nd July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing about Data and Findings | This class discusses writing about data and findings in your dissertation and osme elements of presenting data in graphs and figures. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
| Tuesday 8th July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing a Discussion Chapter | This class explores the aims and writing of the discussion section/analytical sections in your dissertation. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
| Wednesday 9th July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing an Introduction Chapter | This class discusses dissertation introductions, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
| Tuesday 15th July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing a Conclusion Chapter | This class explores dissertation conclusions, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
| Wednesday 16th July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing a Dissertation Abstract | This class discusses dissertation abstracts, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |