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Graduate School

Induction Events

Students arrive in Colleges

All postgraduate students for programmes starting in October are advised to arrive on Wednesday 28th September 2011.  There are different starting dates for some programmes, such as the MBA. Your offer letter will include information on your start date.

Information on College registration - including verification of identity - for students on programmes which start before 28 September 2011 can be found below.

Verification of Identity

If you are a new student you are required to provide your College with proof of your identity when you arrive on campus before you can receive your Campus Card. 

Due to the large volume of postgraduate students, Ustinov College will be verifying identity at the following specific times:

  • Wednesday 28th September 9:30am - 7pm
  • Thursday 29th September, 9:30am - 4:00pm
  • Saturday 1st October, (AM only) 9:30am - 1:00pm

If you are not a member of a College, this process will be carried out with your department. However, there are a small number of postgraduate programmes where this process is dealt with by the department regardless of college membership. These programmes are mostly distance learning, distance taught or where teaching is carried out at weekends only.

We accept the following photographic identification as proof of identity:

  • Current passport*
  • Current driving licence
  • Current European identity card 

If you are a UK student and you do not have either of these forms of identification, you may supply your original Birth Certificate.

You will be required to show this documentation to a member of staff at your College during the first few days after your arrival on campus.

You must complete this part of the enrolment process before you can become a fully registered student.

*Under the new Points Based Immigration System (PBS), students with a visa to study in the UK will be required to show their passport to verify their identity.

Campus Card

Students who have sucessfully uploaded a photograph by the specified dealine and completed the online enrolment process before arriving at Durham will be able to collect their Campus Card (which will give them access to the Library and other University facilities) as part of the verification process.

Students who have not uploaded a photograph, or who do not complete the online enrolment process before arriving will need to report to the have their photograph taken at the ITS once they have had their identify verified by their College (or Department for part-time students).

Module Registration

Students will need to register their module choice as part of their enrolment with the University in October 2011, if they are studying on a taught programme or for a Professional Doctorate (research students do not need to register for modules).

Module registration is an online process and where applicable, you are able to provisionally select optional modules for your programme through DUO – details will be sent to you by your department.

If you require assistance through the online enrolment process, please contact your College.

If you have a technical problem, please contact the CIS Service Desk at itservicedesk@durham.ac.uk

Welcome Events in Colleges

Colleges are organising welcome events on either: Wednesday 28 September, Thursday 29 September or Friday 30 September for all new postgraduate students. Further details are available from the appropriate College.

International Student Information Fair

The International Office will be hosting an International Fair at which you will be able to meet with representatives from Durham's International Students' Association and the International Office. In addition a range of organisations will also be available to help you to settle into your new life at Durham University. These include:

  • Major banks who will help you to open a bank account
  • Durham Constabulary to assist you with Police Registration
  • University staff from the Library who will be happy to assist you with any enquiries about the Library facilities
  • University staff who can tell you about sporting activities
  • Durham University Language Centre staff who can tell you about the arrangements for on-going English Language support throughout your studies
  • Durham University Student Employment Service staff who can advise you on obtaining part-time work during your studies
  • Durham Tourist information bureaux
  • STA Travel

The International Student Information Fair will be held in the Calman Learning Centre from 12.30-15.30.

Welcome Evening at the Howlands Site

The International Office and the College’s Division will host a joint Welcome Evening at the Howlands Site based between Ustinov College, the Howlands Building and Josephine Butler College. Durham International and Postgraduate Students are welcomefrom 20.00, with music and dancing to follow until late.

A traditional North East Céilidh will be held in the Howlands Building, a Salsa Disco in Fisher House, Ustinov College. A mini-bus will be available to transport students to their Colleges at the end of the event. Non-alcoholic refreshments will be available on arrival.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to limited capacity this is a ticketed event and tickets will be available free of charge on the night. Please arrive on time to avoid disappointment.

Postgraduate Research Student Induction

An induction session for all new postgraduate research students is being organised by the three Faculties. Attendance at this session is required for all new Postgraduate Research students. The session will be split into several parts:

09:30 – 12:00   Faculty Induction Session for All New Postgraduate Researchers:

  • 9.30-11.30: Faculty of Social Sciences and Health (CLC203 - Calman Learning Centre)
  • 9.45-12.00: Faculty of Arts & Humanities (CLC407 - Calman Learning Centre)
  • 10.00-11.30: Faculty of Science (CLC202 - Calman Learning Centre)

14:30 - 16.00   Induction for International Postgraduate Researchers (CLC407 - Calman Learning Centre)

An additional induction session for all new international postgraduate researchers. 

All new postgraduate research students are expected to attend the appropriate induction sessions.

Matriculation

Matriculation for all new postgraduate students will take place in Durham Cathedral on Wednesday, 5 October 2011 at 2:00pm and last for approximately one hour. Students attending the ceremony are expected to arrive by 1:30pm. Further information about the ceremony is available from the appropriate College or from the Ceremonies Unit web-page. All new postgraduate students are very welcome to attend this event, though attendance is not compulsory.

Students will arrive in College groups; those students who are not College members and who would like to attend the ceremony should register on-line, using the on-line booking form. Students who are College members do not need to book using this form.

PG Teaching Induction

Induction sessions for postgraduate students involved in teaching and demonstrating duties will begin on Thursday 6 October 2011. These sessions are offered as part of the induction programme for postgraduates nominated by their academic departments to teach and/or assess. The programme involves taking an e-learning module covering health and safety, diversity and equality, and student support plus attendance at face-to-face workshops covering relevant teaching and assessment activities. Further details are available in the guide to the postgraduate teaching induction.

Early Programmes

Below are provisional College registration dates for students whose programmes start before the 29th September 2010:

  • Master of Social Work: Monday 5th September 2011 3.00-5.00pm

  • MSc New & Renewable Energy: Tuesday 13th September 2011 3.00-5.00pm

  • MBA: Monday 19th September 2011: 8:30am - 12.30pm

  • MSc Design and Operations Engineering: Monday 19th September 2011: 8:30am - 12.30pm

  • PGCE (Secondary & Primary): Monday 19th September 2011: 8:30am - 12.30pm

Registering with the Police

It is a requirement for many international students to register with the police. Your passport will say whether you need to register with police after arrival. This must usually be done within 7 days of arrival. If you are required to register, it is an offence not to do so.

For convenience, the police will be present at Howlands Farm on:

  • Wednesday 28th September 09.30 - 16.00 (in Howlands Building)
  • Thursday 29th September 09.30 - 16.00 (in Howlands Building)
  • Friday 30th September 09.00 - 16:30 (in Fisher House)

Additional dates for police registration will be publicised, once confirmed.

To register, you must provide:

  • your passport
  • your Biometric Residence Permit (visa)
  • 2 passport style photographs
  • confirmation of your University acceptance 
  • proof of your local address
  • £34 (cash only) registration fee

If you change your address or extend your visa, you must inform the Police

For more information, please visit: http://www.dur.ac.uk/immigration/police/ 

ISA Fresher’s Party

Saturday 2nd October (Location tbc)

The International Students’ Association (ISA) will host the ISA Welcome Party on Saturday evening which is said to be THE party of the year! Tickets will be available from the International Student Information Fair, and for more information on the ISA please see their website: www.dur.ac.uk/is.assoc/about.html. Even better involved even before you arrive by joining the ISA’s Facebook group at: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2203294303