Training and development
The PhD programme offers many opportunities for personal development and skills training in line with your doctoral research and career aspirations.
To support your development plans, you are encouraged to speak to your supervisory team about personal development and skills training periodically over the course of your studies.
The Training needs analysis (Word) tool may be useful when reviewing your training and development plans. This document can be a good basis for conversations with your supervisory team. ESRC/SGSSS Funded students are required to complete this Training Needs Analysis process on an annual basis.
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As a new postgraduate research student you must complete online matriculation, which includes training on good academic practice and research integrity. You can find out more about the process of joining the postgraduate research course at Research postgraduate.
There are numerous opportunities to develop your research skills and training during the programme, including MRes modules and University level training.
MRes faculty level modules
As a postgraduate research student, you are able to audit faculty level modules to develop your understanding of social science research.
You may audit MRes faculty level modules, which means attending and participating in them but not undertaking the assessed part of the modules. In order to do this, you need to be enrolled in these modules by the DoPGR at the beginning of the academic year. Your attendance will be recorded for each module upon which you are enrolled. If you successfully audit the module, by attending and participating for a minimum of 60% of the time, it will appear on your University transcript.
Modules that have been offered in recent years include:
Semester 1
- SS5101 Being a Social Scientist
- SS5104 Quantitative Methods in Social Science
Semester 2
- SS5102 Philosophy and Methodology of the Social Sciences
- SS5103 Qualitative Methods in Social Research.
University research skills and training
The University offers a range of research and skills training for postgraduate research students. The main routes are as follows:
- The Centre for Educational Enhancement and Development (CEED.) aims to help you improve your research capability and enhance your employability, through:
- development opportunities
- tailored careers support
- a single point of contact for postgraduate researcher development.
- The Scottish Graduate School for Social Science (SGSSS) provides skills training for doctoral students studying business and management across Scotland. There is an annual summer school, with training for all ESRC disciplines, held in Edinburgh each June. The summer school is the central part of social science research training available to PhD students in Scotland, and students should try to attend. It is residential and heavily subsidised. Finally, there is an annual colloquium, held in the Spring of each year. Students should regard SGSSS events as an essential part of their training. Funds will be available from the Departments to cover attendance.
- GRADskills courses provided through CEED (Centre for Educational Enhancement and Development) are generic research training courses open to PhD students from across the University.
- You may identify other external courses that are useful to your research or to develop your transferable skills. Please discuss these needs and possible courses with your supervisory team. Students can also apply to the Fieldwork Fund for funding to support attendance at these courses.
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The Departments of Management and Finance are committed to offering a supported, developmental programme for PGR students. Teaching is an important element of academic roles and developing good practice in teaching forms part of the PGR experience, aiding in career planning and labour market success.
Postgraduate research students have many opportunities to develop skills in teaching and learning as tutors on sub-honours modules and, towards the end of their studies, as guest lecturers on modules with support from their supervisor(s).
In line with University policy on doctoral students who teach, students must complete compulsory training before undertaking any tutoring. The essential components involve synchronous and asynchronous teaching, covering assessment, student support, teaching and diversity in the workplace. Students can find out more about the course and register at Essential courses for postgraduates who teach.
Students can apply to join the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP).
If you are interested in tutoring, please contact the DoPGR for more information.
Find out more about the Teaching scheme for School of Management PGRs (PDF).
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The University has a range of different opportunities to study abroad, including placements at UC Berkeley. Two placements are available each year for periods between one and three months to spend time at the Institute of European Studies as a Visiting Student Researcher.
Further details about the programme and the application process are available at Global partnerships: Berkeley.
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The Departments of Management and Finance are committed to supporting postgraduate students to develop awareness of career-related opportunities and support professional development.
See more about the Management Careers services available in the School at School of Management Careers.
Management Careers works in partnership with the University's Careers Centre , whose website includes:
- career options
- the application process
- graduate jobs
- internships and work experience
- postgraduate study
School of Management contact:
- Careers Liaison: Dr Giulia Giunti.