Sign up for a postgraduate evening

The School of Social Sciences & Law is to host a wine and cheese evening for potential students interested in postgraduate courses full and part-time.

Come along on Wednesday 20 May, from 6.00pm to 8.00pm and discover the postgraduate courses in:

• criminology
• education
• crime & investigation
• law
• sociology
• psychology (including taught doctorate)
• sport & exercise
• sports therapy
• youth work.

Staff will also be available to talk about fees and funding, including the University’s postgraduate bursary worth £2,400, which some students may be eligible for.

For more information on the evening please call 01642 234227 or email sssl-pg@tees.ac.uk

Successful master's graduate Debbie Simmons is one of the School’s successful master’s graduates. Debbie, 43, from Darlington, achieved an MSc in Contemporary Issues in Drug Use, following two years of part-time study. Debbie is originally from Holland and moved to the North East in her teens. She works for DISC (Developing Initiatives Supporting Communities), a charitable organisation. She is presently the manager of the four Young Peoples’ Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services across the Tees Valley.

The projects provide pharmacological interventions, psychosocial interventions, needle exchange, outreach and structured activities for young people up to the age of 18, who have problematic drug and or alcohol use. Debbie first learned about the MSc while in a previous post working within the local prison service. Debbie said: 'I didn’t realise the course was out there until someone brought me the information. I felt I needed to enrol on it, for my personal development and to further my career. The course explored the regional, national and international picture behind drug use, which was invaluable for my work. Most of my experience was through my work with my clients, now the master’s gave me the academic learning and theory I was looking for. 'Doing the master's while working full-time with two children was a challenge but I had the support mechanisms in place. The University’s communications for part-timers, such as blackboard and email were very helpful as well. The MSc has helped me to further my career, having worked for many years with adults I’m now working with young people and providing them with the opportunity to not become an adult with problematic substance use. I am presently undertaking a CMI (Chartered Management Institute) Diploma.'

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