Teaching and Training Case Studies
The best possible learning experience
Newcastle University is a globally inclusive institution. We foster an environment that places international activities as central to our everyday working.
We establish European teaching and training partnerships. This means we can ensure that our students enjoy the best possible learning experience. They will also benefit from unique, career-building opportunities.
In engaging with their counterparts across Europe, our students hone new key skills. These include:
- cross-cultural understanding
- languages and adaptability
- social mobility
- educational outcomes
Being an international PhD student is demanding. Luckily, it was easy for me to get accustomed to the University’s culture here. Newcastle is definitely starting to feel like home.
European training network
Heriland is a pan-European Innovative Training Network. This is a unique collaboration of interdisciplinary specialists stationed at universities across Europe.
Heriland offers a training network to 15 PhD researchers who look at heritage through the lens of major themes, including:
- sustainability
- urbanisation
- the multicultural society
Heriland sees societal challenges in a spatial perspective, focusing on changing cultural heritage.
Our objectives
Heriland wants to empower a new generation of academics, policy makers and practitioners. This new generation must devise planning and design strategies to regenerate European heritage.
They must also foster social inclusiveness and create sustainable future landscapes.
We want to develop a research design to investigate how we can manage and plan heritage. We also want to develop a skill set with innovative analytical concepts, methods and tools.
A European master's
We offer a Hydroinformatics and Water Management (Euro Aquae) MSc. It applies advanced information and communications technology to the management of water.
Participants draw upon the resources and expertise of universities across Europe. The course offers a joint degree between five European universities as a part of our mobility programme.
This flexible degree offers delivery at many institutions, encouraging the mobility of students.
Course structure
The course spans four semesters over two years.
Semester one
This introduction brings students to a common level of ability in key technical areas. They can study this semester at any partner university except Newcastle University.
Semester two
All EuroAquae+ students come together for a semester at Newcastle University. They will learn about key Hydroinformatics concepts, methods and modelling tools. These include:
- climate change modelling
- flood forecasting
- computational hydraulics
Semester three
This includes thematic specialisation including:
- software engineering and modelling (Cottbus)
- groundwater management (Warsaw)
- decision support systems (Catalonia)
- urban waters management (Nice)
Students can study this semester at any partner university, except Newcastle.
Semester four
This involves a research development project or professional practice in industry. It is available to study at all partner institutions.
EuroAquae+ offers a state-of-the-art learning experience. Students learn about the use of hydroinformatic tools for smart water management.
Mobility opportunities
The School of Geography, Politics and Sociology gives students insight into Europe and the European Union.
They can experience life in European cities through a wide range of mobility opportunities.
International experts lead on modules such as ‘Social Invention of Central Europe’ (SOC2084) and ‘Integration in Europe’ (POL8003). Students can explore topics that include:
- the construction of regional identities
- the relationships between history, culture and society
- the political, social and economic development of the EU
Final-year undergraduates follow up their studies with field trips to a European destination. The options include Copenhagen, Berlin, Barcelona and Amsterdam.
Following their time spent abroad we ask students to produce focused reports and policy briefings. They act as valuable experience for their future careers.
Copenhagen fieldtrip (GEO2123)
The Geography field trip to Copenhagen, organised and lead by Professor Helen Jarvis, is very popular with students. They appreciate the chance to develop independent skills by planning and carrying out their own fieldwork.
Joe Herbert recently completed his PhD within the School. He points to his experiences on the field trip to Copenhagen as sparking his interest in pursuing postgraduate study.
He also credits his love of the city and Scandinavia to this visit. “The trip changed my perspective on exploring urban environments and different types of tourism,” he explains.