SPIR handbook
Dear Student,
Welcome to the School of Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary, University of London.
Whether you are studying a single honours programme of Politics or International Relations, taking the Politics and International Relations joint degree, or taking Politics modules as part of a joint degree with another subject, you are an integral part of our School during your undergraduate studies at Queen Mary.
In terms of the quality of our teaching, we have been officially recognised as delivering 'excellent' teaching in a friendly and supportive environment. Our modules cover a broad range of topics in politics and international relations: political theory, government, public policy, processes of democratisation, global development, globalisation, international security, US foreign policy and conflict management. We hope that you will find them informative, stimulating and enjoyable.
In the School of Politics and International Relations you will be part of a multicultural group of students, working alongside academic staff who are enthusiastic and innovative teachers, as well as active researchers. We will do our best to give you appropriate support and guidance throughout your undergraduate degree; it is also up to you to work hard to secure the maximum benefit from your time in the School.
Please take time to read through this Handbook which provides information relevant to your studies.
We hope that you will enjoy your time studying Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary.
Professor David Williams
Head of School
This handbook should be used together with the Academic Regulations. It provides information specific to the School of Politics and International Relations, while http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/students/ gives information common to all students at Queen Mary. The Academic Regulations provide detailed information on progression, award and classification requirements.
Nothing in this handbook overrides the Academic Regulations, which always take precedence.
You need to refer to the relevant Academic Regulations which are applicable to the year you started your undergraduate studies at Queen Mary. Additionally, the Assessment Handbook also provides important information on Queen Mary's assessment regulations.
The relevant Academic Regulations and Assessment Handbook can be assessed via the following link:
http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/policy/
The information in this SPIR Student Handbook is correct as of September 2020. In the unlikely event of substantial amendments to the material, the School will inform you of the changes.
QM cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of information given in third party publications or websites referred to in this handbook.
SOME SECTIONS OF THIS HANDBOOK ARE SUBJECT TO FINAL REVISIONS, WHERE THIS IS THE CASE, IT IS INDICATED.
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Absence notificationN/A | |
Academic Skills Enhancement (ASE)The Academic Skills Enhancement (ASE) service works in a number of ways with taught students at any level, undergraduate or postgraduate, from any subject discipline, to develop the skills and practices needed to become more effective in their academic work and excel at university. Areas covered include: writing for academic purposes, effective reading and note-making, presentation skills, time-management, critical thinking, understanding marking criteria, using feedback, revision and exam preparation and avoiding plagiarism. We also support the work of student mentors through providing resources and training to support peer and social learning Academic Skills Tutors offer support and developmental opportunities in the form of one-to-one tutorials, workshops, drop-ins, and self-access resources. In addition, we host Royal Literary Fund (RLF) Fellows who offer writing advice to both taught and research students. Academic Skills Enhancement (ASE) are part of the Library Teaching and Learning Service and are based on the Mile End Campus and online. For more information on the services and resources available, how to book, check https://www.qmul.ac.uk/library/academic-skills/ | ||
Advice and Counselling ServiceThe Advice and Counselling Service offers confidential, professional support services to all Queen Mary students. We have helpful advice and guidance for financial, immigration and other practical issues as well as emotional support on our website (welfare.qmul.ac.uk). You will also find information there about our services and contact details. Financial, Immigration and Welfare Advice Our Welfare Advisers can advise you on solutions and options relating to financial, immigration, practical and welfare issues. We provide specialist advice and support on all aspects of student finance (loans, grants, bursaries), hardship funds and welfare benefits. We can help you plan your budget and find out how to reduce your spending. If you are an international student we can advise you on your immigration rights. We can advocate on your behalf if you need help resolving an issue, for example with Student Finance England or the UK Home Office. We offer dedicated support for students who no longer have contact with their family (estranged), and students who have experience of local authority care, and students from a refugee background. We also provide support for students experiencing domestic abuse or forced marriage. Counselling Life can seem like a struggle at times, and it is normal to sometimes feel a bit low or anxious. Sometimes, though, emotional and psychological issues can become too challenging, and may have a negative effect on your studies and well-being. Our Counsellors can help you to make sense of difficult experiences and feelings by providing the opportunity to think and talk reflectively, which can bring relief and meaningful changes. The first step is meeting confidentially with one of our Counsellors to discuss what type of support might be most useful to you. This might be short term counselling, group therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy or a referral for longer term support or specialist services outside Queen Mary / in the NHS. For many students, just one or two sessions can really help. Our Counsellors are all highly experienced in working with students, and all types of issues. Contacting the Advice and Counselling Service For more information about available services and contact details please visit the Advice and Counselling Service’s website: Email: via website online form | ||
Adviser/Student Support MechanismsAdviser
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AppealsAn academic appeal
is a request to review a decision about progression, assessment or award. Before you submit an appeal, speak to us about the decision you wish to appeal as many issues can be resolved without the need for an appeal. We will be able to provide you with feedback on your marks, or degree classification, and to answer any queries. Please note that an appeal cannot provide feedback on academic work. Appeals against academic judgment are not permitted, this means you cannot appeal simply because you think the mark you have received is too low. There are two grounds for appeal:
An appeal must be received within 14 days of the notification of the decision you want to appeal and should be submitted from your Queen Mary email to appeals@qmul.ac.uk. Further information about how to appeal and the appeal form can be found on the Queen Mary website: http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/students/student-appeals/appeals/index.html If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your appeal you may submit a Final Review for consideration by the Principal’s nominee. Once a Final Review is complete you will be sent a Completion of Procedures letter which outlines the final decision of Queen Mary and the reasons for the decision. | ||
Assessment typesTo be eligible for a Queen Mary degree you must complete an approved programme of study. Your programme of study is comprised of a selection of modules, and it is the final mark achieved in these modules that is used to calculate your overall college mark/final classification. You are expected to submit all elements of assessments for each of your modules, by the advertised deadlines. Failure to do so may result in your failing the module and will affect your final classification. Coursework Assignments You must submit one electronic copy of all assignments. Your electronic copy must be submitted via Queen Mary’s Virtual Learning Environment (QMPlus). The School has a policy of anonymous marking. Your name must NOT appear anywhere on your work, only your student number. Your electronic copy must be submitted by 11.55 pm on the deadline date, and will be retained and screened by anti-plagiarism software (Turnitin) You must ensure that you include the coursework feedback and cover sheet as the first page of your assignment. Coversheets are available alongside assignment links on QMPlus. REMEMBER:
It is your responsibility to
make sure that the assignment has been uploaded successfully. Make sure
that
you have uploaded the right file. You will receive an email confirming
receipt
of your assignment. The email will be sent to your QMUL account (please
check your
junk mail folder if the email does not arrive to your inbox). It is
important
that you give yourself sufficient time to check your submission has been
successful; this is another good reason for submitting well ahead of the
deadline. The time of submission is taken from QMPlus; the turnitin
receipt shows the time turnitin processed your assignment and not the
time of submission. If you are having problems uploading your assignment, please contact Helen Murray (spir-assessments@qmul.ac.uk). Coursework submitted late, will be penalised at the rate of 5 marks for each 24 hour period, or part thereof, after the set submission date. An assignment handed in 7 days or more late will not be marked and awarded a mark of zero (0FL) to indicate it was received too late unless there is an approved extension due to extenuating circumstances. College academic regulations state that students must complete all components of a module i.e. coursework and examination to pass that module. If you do not submit an item of coursework and do not have extenuating circumstances you may fail the module. Final year dissertation are due 24 April 2022. You must submit your project as a single file upload to QMPlus, remembering to include all appendices and bibliography in the single file. You are not required to use a coursework coversheet, but you MUST follow the template within the POL318 Research Project module outline for the layout of the first pages of your Project. Formative Assessment Formative assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning. It does not contribute to your final module mark, but it is an integral part of the learning process. You are expected to participate in these assessments which can be subject related quizzes, or exercises linked to module materials on QMPlus. Your seminar tutor is available to give assistance and guidance on what is expected with regards to module assessment and they are a vital source of feedback. Although they can recommend specific reading and discuss essay plans they cannot read and comment on complete rough drafts of essays. Summative Assessment Summative assessment contributes to the final module mark and is used to gauge your knowledge of the subject. Exams, essays and reports are just a few examples of summative assessment used in the School. You are expected to complete all summative assessments for each module as the marks received contribute to the overall module mark and ultimately your programme degree classification. Each piece of work that you submit will be subject to a strict deadline. It is important that you meet all deadlines. NOTE: The final deadline for all coursework is TBC** No extenuating circumstances will be given beyond this date. The Office and/or your tutor will refuse to accept any work handed in after this date. Extensions will not be given just
because you have to submit multiple
assessments on the same day. It is
your responsibility to ensure you
manage your time efficiently to meet the
demands for all of your modules. If you are unable to meet any of your deadlines due to unforeseen circumstances, such as medical problems or a family tragedy, you must contact the School Office who will advise you to complete an Extenuating Circumstances Form. You will need to submit this, complete with supporting documentation, to the Office. If your circumstances are genuine, and the Senior Tutor considers it appropriate, you may be granted an extension. NOTE: Extensions are not automatically granted; your form and supporting documentation need to be considered by the Senior Tutor You should expect to receive your coursework back within 3 weeks of submission complete with feedback and comments from your tutor. You should use this feedback to improve your next assignment. If you are unsure of any comments or feedback you should see your tutor, during their office hour, for further guidance. If you are experiencing genuine difficulties, of any kind, which are affecting your studies, let your Seminar Tutor, Personal Adviser, Senior Tutor or the School Office know immediately, before you fall too far behind.
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Bursaries, Grants and ScholarshipsStudent Loans If you have applied for funds from Student Finance then you will receive the first instalment once you have enrolled fully for the academic year. If your payments do not arrive and you cannot remedy the problem with Student Finance yourself,please contact the Student Enquiry Centre, http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/students/sec/. They will be able to assess for any actions needed by QMUL and advise you of the next steps.. Bursaries Queen Mary Bursaries are assessed using the household income information provided to us from Student Finance. If you do not wish to take out student funding, such as loans, but still wish to be assessed for a Queen Mary Bursary you will still need to apply for a household income assessment, full details on how to do this are on the Advice and Counselling Service website. Full details of the Queen Mary Bursary, including eligibility, amounts and payment dates can be found on our website - http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/students/finances/bursaries-grants-scholarships/qmul-bursaries-new/QMUL Financial Assistance Fund If you have exceptional or unforeseen costs or you are in financial hardship you could be eligible for help from the Financial Assistance Fund. The fund is there to help any eligible student who has a particular financial need but we cannot meet every application we receive and we cannot always meet all of the costs that you might apply for. Full details, guidance and an application form can be found on our website - arcs.qmul.ac.uk/QMFinancialAssistanceFund Contact Telephone: 020 7882 5079 Email: bursaries@qmul.ac.uk http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/students/finances/bursaries-grants-scholarships/ | ||
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Careers & EnterpriseLooking for part-time work or an internship? Need help with your CV or a job interview? Want to find out about your options when you graduate? Thinking about starting a business? The QM Careers & Enterprise Team provides a range of services that enable you to develop your employability skills, access work experience and graduate job opportunities, network with employers and decide on your next steps after graduation. Students in every School are able to participate in a diverse careers programme. This might include in-curriculum lectures, lunchtime workshops, professional career options panels, 1-to-1 careers guidance, application feedback appointments and mock interviews. This is supported by a wealth ofcareers information online. There are over 100 employer-led events on campus a year, from fairs to skills workshops. These offer you the chance to network with recruiters and get training on self-presentation skills for the recruitment process. We also provide a range of paid work experience opportunities, from real life consulting projects via QConsult to part-time or full-time internships via QInterns, as well as insight and taster programmes that give you understanding about different sectors and employers. For those who are aspiring entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs, our enterprise programme supports students in setting up their own businesses via seed funding, QAccelerate workshops, events, bootcamps and 1-to-1 careers guidance. Get the latest news on social media, search jobs on
our online jobs board, read our jobs blog or website for advice and insights
and use our practice interviews and psychometric test software. You can
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Changing modulesDuring the first two weeks of each semester, students on certain programmes of study are able to modify their choice of modules by reselecting your choices in MySIS. MySIS is the website you used to pre-enrol and is a portal to your student record. It shows you the personal details, such as addresses and finance, as well as your overall module results. You are encouraged to register for your modules as soon as possible as popular modules may quickly fill up. You can find out how to change your modules on the Student Enquiry Centre website (http://www.arcs.qmul.ac.uk/students/study/module-registration/index.html). | ||