Research Training and Supervision

Students in a Modern Languages facility

Research training

We offer a comprehensive programme of research training. It begins with a structured induction that covers topics such as research codes and ethics, using:

  • the University Library
  • academic regulations
  • health and safety procedures

Your supervisory team will help you identify any training needs you may have and you will be encouraged to participate in our highly regarded research training and development programme which has been built within a nationally recognised framework endorsed by the UK research councils

It enables you to gain experience in new research areas and develop skills appropriate to your project. Experts and facilitators, drawn both from University staff and external consultants, deliver the training.

Most training sessions are on campus but where possible, distance learning or intensive blocks of training are offered to ensure researchers who work away from the main campus are able to attend sessions.

Further information on individual faculty research training and development programmes can be found at:

ePortfolio

The ePortfolio is essential for research students and you will be required to keep it up to date. It enables you to record and reflect on your personal and professional development. Features include:

  • My project enables you to write your research plan and record meetings with your supervisory team.
  • My skills is a quick and easy way to record and reflect on the skills you develop.
  • Self-assessment/ PDP (Personal Development Plan) is where you can assess your current skills and work up a plan for skills development.
  • CV is where you can keep your CV up to date and record all the workshops, conferences and presentations you attend and all the publications your papers are published in. 

Research supervision and support

As a research student, you will be supervised by a team of academics, who will guide and direct your studies. Usually, you also receive support from the other research students and staff. This may be informal support, for example because you share office facilities with them, or more formally, via training programmes or joint projects and presentations.

You will also receive support from one of our three, well-established Graduate Schools: Humanities and Social Sciences; Medical Sciences; or Science, Agriculture and Engineering. These dedicated Graduate Schools administer the academic side of student life – from admission to the award of your degree.