Preparing for Postgraduate study at the School of Medicine
Last updated: 06/08/2025 14:03
Here you can find tips and resources to prepare you for starting your chosen programme or standalone module, to help you in the first few weeks of being a postgraduate student.
The links will be available throughout your programme so you can go back to them if you need to.
How the Student Charter can help you
Whether you are attending Cardiff in person or joining us on one of our distance learning programmes, the Student Charter outlines what you can expect from Cardiff University and our Student's Union, as well as what is expected of you as a student. We strongly recommend reading it before you arrive or start your programme. Read our Student Charter in full.
Preparing for your postgraduate studies
We are conscious that for some of you it may be a while since you have studied formally, and that many of you will be studying in addition to other work and home responsibilities.
We have prepared a short video that will introduce you to some useful tips to prepare you for academic study at postgraduate level. Watch for more information on what you can do now to get ready for your programme.
Learning to write at an academic level is a key skill for any postgraduate student. In addition to the guidance you’ll receive from the study skills support team when you start, we’ve put together a video with lots of handy tips for developing your academic writing skills below.
Preparing for postgraduate academic writing at the School of Medicine
Using Cardiff University Library Resources
You have access to a wide range of resources and services from Cardiff University library services to help you as a postgraduate student. Our specialist subject librarian, Mari Ann has put together a video to help familiarise you with what will be available when you start studying. Don’t worry if you don’t have much previous experience with library resources - you'll be provided with time with the librarian for training when you start your studies.
Assessing your study skills
We know that many of our postgraduate students join us sometime after their last experience of academic life. To study effectively, you’ll need some essential academic and digital skills. Understanding and reflecting on your current skill level will allow you to prioritise your learning and focus your efforts where they're needed most.
Our assess your academic skills tool will help you do just that. We really recommend that you use it before you start with us, to get a clear picture of which skills you already possess, and identify which of the many resources may suit any additional needs that you identify.
Developing the right study skills
Previous students have told us that having support to develop the right study skills makes a real difference to their postgraduate experience. Find resources to help you develop skills in the following in our study skills guide:
- reading and researching
- thinking analytically
- critically evaluating evidence
- citing references correctly
- writing to an academic standard
Masters’ level marking in the UK
One of the questions that many new students have when their course starts is about how their work is assessed.
The pass mark for assessments is set at 50%. Assessments within a module may be weighted differently and it is the overall weighted module mark that counts. If a module is not passed, students may have the opportunity to resit/repeat components that were not of a passing standard. Some assignments may have a ‘qualifying mark’ of (normally) 50% as that component is essential to passing the module overall.
We differentiate between the following grading bands:
- 50%-59%: Pass
- 60%-69%: Merit
- >=70%: Distinction
If your prior higher education experience was in a different context, you may be used to different grades. A mark of 70% in the UK is excellent.
For some assessments, such as coursework, there will be marking ‘rubrics’ (marking schemes) with specific categories. The categories and their weightings may differ between assessments in a programme, but the marking principles are the same. Rubrics generally look at various areas relevant to the specific assignment, such as (for example): Content/Knowledge, Comprehension, Analysis, Synthesis, Originality, Presentation, Referencing.
The exact categories and the weighting assigned to each category will vary between different types of coursework, depending on what learning outcomes are intended to be demonstrated in completing the coursework. Some of the key skills to learn at master's level include the ability to critically analyse and evaluate information yourself and to demonstrate synthesis of evidence, comparing, contrasting and integrating information from different sources, demonstrating how evidence relates to other evidence and/or to the workplace.
Some courses may also use tests, exams, presentations and other varieties of assessment. You will receive further information about your assessments once you have enrolled on the course and commenced your studies.
Equipment and software guide
To make sure you are ready to go on day one of your course, we recommend making sure you have the right equipment and software now and testing it out to make sure it’s ready to go. Our getting started guide is a handy checklist to do just that.
The role of your Personal Tutor
Personal Tutoring: Your responsibility
When you start your studies with us, you’ll be allocated a Personal Tutor who will support you throughout your course. Watch our video to find out more about how they can help you.
Your Student Life
Cardiff University is a place where you can develop academically, grow as a person and expand your social circle. You'll belong to a community that cares about your wellbeing, with help available to you at any time. Find out more about student life at Cardiff University. There will be opportunities for you to advocate for your student colleagues, and help to shape your course and its development by becoming a student representative.
Student Support
We’re here to help you succeed and make the most of your student life. Our free, confidential student support services are based in the Centre for Student Life and can be accessed virtually or in person. Examples of some of the services that you can access include health and wellbeing support, disability support, visa support, learning support and academic study skills, and the advice and money team. Find out more about student support at Cardiff University.
Contact us
We look forward to seeing you at the start of your chosen programme. If you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to your course team who will be happy to help. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us via the email below.
