PhD Training

Training and other events

What training do I have to do?

In addition to your research activity, you need to undertake approximately 10 days a year of appropriate training which includes some mandatory activities. These are summarised here: PGR requirements and training catalogue

Mandatory training mainly occurs during Induction (weeks 1 to 3), Spring Skills week (the first week of the undergraduate Easter vacation) and at the Graduate Symposium (week 5 of the undergraduate Summer term).

You undergo training by:

Participating in departmental postgraduate research student events.
Undertaking courses delivered centrally by the Research Excellence Training Team (RETT).
Participating in events required as part of your PhD programme (for example, NERC ACCE or BBSRC White Rose DTP programmes).
Participating in a wide range of other activities that meet your training needs.

You should record the training you have undergone by creating a Development Record on Skillsforge.

Spring Skills Week

Spring Skills week is an event for Year 1 and Year 2 students held in the first week of the Undergraduate Easter vacation each year. Term dates.

Year 1 students including late starters are expected to attend training on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and at least one session of Year 2 talks on Friday.

Annual Graduate Symposium

The Graduate Symposium showcases the full spectrum of research carried out by our PGR students and is held in the 5th week of the Undergraduate Summer term each year. Term dates. Attendance is is compulsory for all research students in the Department.

Final year students deliver a 20-minute talk and first year PhD and MSc by Research students present posters over an extended, catered lunch.