Staffordshire University

Based in the West Midlands, Staffordshire University has decades of experience providing first-rate postgraduate education across a broad range of disciplines. The award-winning institution offers courses designed in collaboration with learning industry experts in a bid to provide solutions to the challenges of tomorrow.

The main city campus is based in Stoke-on-Trent with the University’s dedicated Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education located in Stafford and Shrewsbury.

With a history dating back to the early part of the 20th century, Staffordshire University gained its university status in 1992 as one of the “new universities”. It is rated Gold for Teaching Excellence in the Teaching Excellence Framework.

The city campus is just a 15-minute walk from Stoke-on-Trent’s city centre, Hanley, and Stoke-on-Trent train station is a three-minute walk from the city campus, with London accessible in 90 minutes and Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham only 50 minutes away by train.

95.6% of students who graduated from Staffordshire University are employed or in further study within six months.

To help student job prospects, Staffordshire University provides support and guidance through its Careers Studio. Here, students can attend one-to-one sessions with employability coaches, get guidance on interview techniques, and talk through all their options in order to get the best start or boost to their careers as possible.

The department will also help students get work experience, which can be a huge bonus for CVs, as well as connecting them to professionals, such as employers, organisations and entrepreneurs who can help them along their career path.

The University also runs an annual employability and enterprise festival for further networking opportunities, and all students have access to the University’s in-house employment agency - Unitemps.

Postgraduate students at Staffordshire University are taught by some of the UK’s best professors and teaching staff. Many of them have solid industry experience and conduct research all over the world.

Staffordshire University has six schools offering a comprehensive range of qualifications. These are:

• Computing and Digital Technologies
• Creative Arts and Engineering
• Health and Social Care
• Law, Policing and Forensics
• Life Sciences and Education
• Staffordshire Business School

These schools offer courses in the following subject areas:

• Accounting and Finance
• Allied Health
• Art and Design
• Biological, Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences
• Business and Marketing
• Computer Science
• Cyber Security
• Drama, Performance and Theatre Studies
• Education and Teacher Training
• Engineering
• English, Creative Writing and Philosophy
• Esports
• Film and Media
• Forensics and Policing
• Games Design
• Geography and Environment
• International Studies and History
• Journalism and Digital Content Creation
• Law
• Music
• Nursing and Midwifery
• Psychology and Counselling
• Social Work and Social Welfare
• Sociology, Criminology and Terrorism
• Sport and Exercise

There are a number of different types of course students can take at the postgraduate level at Staffordshire University. These include taught courses such as Postgraduate Certificates (PgCert) and Postgraduate Diplomas (PgDip), and Master’s Degrees. There’s also Master’s by Research (MRes), Integrated Masters (IM) and Doctoral research degrees (PhD).

How each course is run is therefore quite different, with a mixture of lectures, coursework, and independent learning depending on which qualification students choose. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teaching training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

More detailed information about how each course is available on the Staffordshire University website.

The main goal of the Students’ Union is to represent the students of Staffordshire University. It’s therefore run by students, for the students. Providing a vital link between students and the University, the Students’ Union isn’t just a place to socialise, – it allows students to get involved in causes close to them by, for example by becoming a Student Academic Representative.

Along with representing students, the Students’ Union is also a great place to find hundreds of different clubs and activities to take part in and socialise, with new friends. Students can also find volunteering opportunities, or even work for the Union to earn a bit of extra cash.

The Union prides itself on being the biggest student employer in the area, with more than 200 students working there in a variety of roles, including the four students who are elected (and paid) to lead the organisation.

If students want somewhere to eat or drink, as well as let their hair down, then the variety of bars, clubs and restaurants in the Union building are is the obvious place to head. The Union operates a number of on-campus venues and recently came second in the country in the 'Best Bar None' scheme. These venues are:

Verve

By day, Verve provides a place to relax and enjoy freshly cooked food in front of HDTV screens. By night, it becomes a slightly more relaxed venue away from LRV. With an American diner feel, it's also a great spot for chilling out between lectures with milkshakes and freshly ground coffee.

LRV

Located right next to Verve, LRV is the University’s main nightclub, running two major club nights a week. With professional and student DJs in charge of the music, expect to see up to 1,200 students here on a big night. LRV has even played host to the likes of Zane Lowe, Example and Huw Stephens.

Ember Lounge

Specialising in fresh, locally sourced ingredients, Ember Lounge is the primary food and drink venue. With a 50ft projection screen, it’s the perfect place to enjoy any big event, with everything from pizzas cooked in a traditional pizza oven to brilliant barista-style coffee.

Squeeze Box

Perfect for keeping students going at any time of the day, Squeeze Box is a lifesaver for students, thanks to its fresh-fruit smoothies, juices and range of teas and coffees. Serving freshly prepared hot and cold food, from breakfast to lunch to early teatime, it’s a vibrant spot that’s packed full of great flavours and great deals.

The University’s halls of residence have recently undergone investment and renovation to provide a modern living space for students.

Staffordshire University has on-campus accommodation specifically for postgraduate students, offering both en-suite (which includes your own private shower bathroom) and standard (shared facilities) accommodation options. Postgraduates have a slightly longer lease period in order to meet the demands of their course. All halls have Wi-Fi, personal contents insurance and utility bills included in the rent.

The prices for on-campus accommodation range between £95-£125 per week and College Court (off campus, en-suite) accommodation is £130 per week.

Postgraduate accommodation options are:

Leek Road Houses

Terraced homes with standard bedrooms and shared bathroom facilities between six students. There’s a spacious open planned kitchen and living area, complete with flatscreen TV and comfy seating. There’s also a community garden area and courtyard.

Clarice Cliff Court

Based inside an enclosed courtyard and near a nature reserve, this chilled-out accommodation has full study bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms and shared kitchen facilities. Located 10 minutes away from the main campus with a chilled community feel, this accommodation is shared between 4-6 students.

Note: Postgraduate students are able to apply for all our accommodation options but the contract is a 39 week contract which is the same as undergraduate students and they are housed with other students.

University support is also available to help students find private landlord accommodation.

Over the past decade, Staffordshire University has invested £100m into new buildings, vibrant and dynamic teaching and learning spaces and state-of-the-art facilities in order to be “The Connected University”, and at the forefront of development in education.

Investments include:

• £30m Science Centre packed with laboratories designed for scientific innovation
• £11.5mCadman Studios housing industry-standard audio and visual technology
• £8.7m worth of specialist computing facilities in the Digital Kiln
• £5.5mteaching facility called Beacon
• £5.5m invested in the Centres of Excellence in Stafford and Shrewsbury
• £1.3m Smart Zone - a facility packed with the latest practical and digital designer-maker equipment

For more details about the subject specific facilities see the Staffordshire University website.

Staffordshire University’s city campus is just a 15-minute walk to Stoke-on-Trent’s city centre; Hanley. Stoke-on-Trent is home to six towns, Stoke, Fenton, Longton, Tunstall, Burslem and Hanley.

Stoke on Trent is a great place to live and study. There’s lots of things to do in the city itself, with facilities for shopping, restaurants and bars and entertainment.

If students fancy going a little bit further afield, Stoke is extremely well connected to other areas in the Midlands, as well as locations such as London, which is just a couple of hours away by train.

Students are also surrounded by beautiful Staffordshire countryside, giving them plenty of scope for long walks and outdoor sports.

There are around 100 clubs and societies which students can access via the Students’ Union. Whether students have an interest in the academic side of things, a hobby, or want to get fit and active, there's always something to do.

There’s also support and help given so students can set up their own club or society. Each club has three elected roles each year - which not only gives students the chance to get deeply involved, it’s also another plus for their CV.

There are a number of different support options for postgraduate students at Staffordshire University.

Students can find trained counsellors and wellbeing advisors who you can talk to in confidence about any problems they may be having.

There are around 180 support staff working at Staffordshire University, so students can be sure to find someone to help, no matter what the issue. There’s also a full day-care nursery for students who need help with childcare.

Aside from all that, students can also find support from the Students’ Union, who can help with all sorts of issues ranging from job opportunities on campus to financial advice.

Taught postgraduate fees bands 2020/21

UK students per year: £7,850 - £12,300

Research postgraduate fee bands 2020/21

£4,327 - £6,300

International students per year: £14,500 - £12,500

Alumni discount

If you have previously completed a Staffordshire University undergraduate or postgraduate taught degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your postgraduate course fees (terms apply). Please note, alumni discount cannot be applied to PGCE and Integrated Master’s courses.

If you would like information on how this relates to your personal circumstances, please contact Enquiries.

The maximum discount rate for students commencing new course registrations in 2019/20 is 25%*. To receive the full discount of 25% you must have progressed onto further study within two years of completing your previous studies.** Students who progress onto further study more than two years after completing their previous studies will receive 10% off their course fees.

*Continuing students already in receipt of the alumni discount will remain on their existing arrangements.

**Discounts will be reduced pro-rata if you leave the course and this results in a reduction in your fees.

Additional support and bursaries may be available through Charities such as The Leverhulme Trust and The Nuffield Foundation and from UK Research Councils, especially at Doctoral level.

Staffordshire University’s postgraduate experience is built around a tangible offering, split into four key areas: innovative, professional, global vision and change-makers.

Innovation is what we do. We drive new ideas and initiatives, are constantly adding revolutionary facilities such as the Smart Zone and are adapting our teaching methods to suit our students, whatever commitments and responsibilities they may have.

We enable students to graduate in possession of a complete professional profile based on our values, competences and attitudes, and we continue to provide opportunities to showcase and develop these attitudes.

Our students discover the world without leaving the campus. We have students from all over the world, and our physical, as well as digital, reach is extending every day with new opportunities like Staffordshire University London and a growing distance learning portfolio.

Our attitude as a community makes us stand out from the crowd and gives us the opportunity to make a difference. Plus, we make an impact with our research, offering students of all levels the chance to make their mark on the world and their growing careers.

Postgraduate study usually follows on from undergraduate study, but students don’t necessarily need a specific degree in order to be considered. If they have relevant industry experience, they may also be able to join a study programme.

Each course has its own individual entry requirements, so it’s worth double checking on the course pages for more detailed information.

Staffordshire University has a wide range of research courses. On these types of courses, more than half of the degree will be consist of an independent research project, which is usually directly related to current issues in professional life. There’s also the option to study for a PhD, as well as masters by research.

There’s a huge amount of different taught degrees at Staffordshire University. If a student already holds an undergraduate degree, the structure will be reasonably familiar. It’s likely to include seminars, practical assignments and lectures. Students can be assessed with exams, essays, dissertations, group projects and more.

Staffordshire University offers a number of courses via distance learning, whereby a student doesn’t need to actually attend the university to obtain a qualification. See the Staffordshire website for more details on how to apply and which courses are available.