Your online days of PASS
2.5 days of the PARTNERS Academic Summer School will take place online via a platform called Canvas. All online content is compulsory to attend in order to meet the conditions of your reduced offer.
You will receive access to a dedicated bespoke course within Canvas. It's been created by academics within the subject strand that you've applied to study at Newcastle University. The content within this course is designed to introduce you to academic teaching methods. It also gives you a solid grounding within your subject area before you begin undergraduate study in autumn 2024. Typical online sessions may include:
- academic group seminars hosted via Zoom
- interactive tours of facilities
- remote experiments delivered from University laboratories
- collaborative design projects
- recorded lectures
- independent study
Internet connection
You will need access to internet connection during your online days of PASS. If you have any concerns about this, please get in touch with the PARTNERS team in advance and we can discuss the support available to you.
What is Canvas?
Canvas is Newcastle University's Virtual Learning Environment. This is the same platform used by undergraduate students to learn and collaborate remotely. You will get access to two courses within Canvas:
- the PARTNERS Hub
- your subject course
You be given access to Canvas once you've completed the Code of Conduct, access to your Canvas courses will happen in stages. You'll receive your login details to the same email address that you supplied via UCAS.
- Monday 24 June - PASS Induction Week - you will receive access to the PARTNERS Hub.
- Sunday 30 June - PASS - you will receive access to your academic subject strand.
How to access Canvas
Use your login details provided via email (the address you supplied on UCAS). If you think that you have lost your login details, please get in touch with us via the helpdesk.
As well as the browser-based version of Canvas, you can access it via mobile and tablet, via bespoke apps from your app store (Apple's iOS or Google's Android).
PARTNERS Hub
On Canvas you'll find all our extra-curricular activities that are designed to introduce you to University life. There's a range of activities to get involved in, including optional live sessions during the PASS Induction Week from 24 June onwards.
We would encourage you to take part in as much as possible within the Hub. Final timetables will be available within the PARTNERS Hub at the start of Induction Week. They will include more details about:
- room locations for on-campus sessions
- access details for online sessions
- confirmed timings for all sessions
Higher Education Study Skills Module
This module has been designed by Newcastle University staff from academic backgrounds and the Library Services. It introduces you to key elements of undergraduate study that you may not have experienced before, including:
- referencing at undergraduate level
- independent study
- undergraduate teaching methods, such as seminars and lectures
- how to make the most of academic feedback
There will be a short quiz and the end of the module to test your learning and confirm your completion.
Careers and Employability Module
This module has been designed by our Careers Service. There is one compulsory element, which is to attend an 'Ask the Experts' webinar live or catch up on one of the recordings. More details can be found on Canvas.
If you choose to complete the rest of the module (and we highly reccomend you do), you will learn how to:
- develop your LinkedIn profile
- network with graduate employers
- make the most out of the Careers Service while you're at Newcastle University
Introduction to Canvas
If possible, we'd reccomend attending this session live during Induction Week. Alternatively, the recording will be available within Canvas for you to watch in your own time. This session will guide you through the platform so you can familiarise yourself with Canvas and how it works.
PASS wrap up
This pre-recorded video will be shared via the PARTNERS Hub at the end of PASS. The PARTNERS team will wrap up the week and inform you of the next steps. Make sure you watch it by the deadline: 17:00 Monday 8th July.
Social activities
This section of the Hub is where you can browse the exciting selection of social activities, taking place on campus during PASS. The socials are designed to give you plenty of opportunities to meet other PASS students. They are run by our dedicated team of student reps, many of whom have completed PARTNERS before. Activities include:
- campus quiz
- movie night
- pizza and games
- city tour
Bookings for socials will open during PASS induction week.
Discussion boards
Use this section of the hub to:
- chat to other PARTNERS students
- ask our student rep team a question
- if you're local to Newcastle and will be commuting to PASS each day, organise travel with your peers
Support
There is a wealth of support for you on the PARTNERS Hub. This includes:
- information on Newcastle University's support services and how to access them
- funding opportunities
- PASS 2024 student handbook