PGR Training Pathways

Find the right support, when you need it

Your postgraduate research (PGR) journey is not linear, and you may find that you need different support at different times, on a different schedule to your peers. This page helps you make sense of what is available, and when you might want to use it.

Some training, including careers and professional skills, is relevant across multiple stages of your PGR programme. You may therefore see some sessions appear in more than one place. This is intentional.

You do not need to complete all of this training. Use what supports your research, goals, and stage of study. You can return at any time.

Start here: what do you need help with?

 You do not need to follow a set order. You can return to this list and switch pathways at any time.

Choose what feels most relevant right now: 

Core Support: useful at any stage of your programme

(How you work, reflect and stay on track)

If you are unsure where to start, begin here.

This pathway brings together support for managing your PGR programme, developing effective working practices, and maintaining momentum. Many PGRs return to this training at multiple points.

Training included:

Starting your PGR programme: induction and orientation

(Understanding expectations and support)

This pathway brings together induction and orientation activities to help you understand expectations, progression requirements, and available support.

Induction sessions are organised by your College or School. The Colleges are:

  • College of Social Sciences (CoSS)
  • College of Arts and Law (CAL)
  • College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS)
  • College of Life and Environmental Sciences (LES)
  • College of Medicine and Health (CMH)

For further information, please contact your College or School PGR administrator.

Training included:

Academic English (International PGRs)

This pathway supports academic communication in English specifically for international students provided by Birmingham International Academy:

Designing your research: literature, methods, ethics, planning 

(Deciding what you will study and how)

This pathway supports you in shaping your research project, reviewing the literature, selecting methods, and addressing ethics and governance.

Training included:

Training for students within LES:

Training for students within CoSS:

Doing your research: field, lab, archives, data capture

(Collecting data and running studies)

This pathway focuses on practical research activity, including data collection, working in labs or the field, and using research infrastructure and specialist tools.

General training:

CoSS modules (open to students within CoSS):

EPS modules (open to students within EPS):

CMH modules (open to students within CMH):

Analysing your data: qualitative, quantitative, visualisation

(Making sense of your findings)

This pathway supports the analysis and interpretation of data using qualitative, quantitative, and computational approaches.

Writing and publishing: thesis or papers

(Producing written outputs)

This pathway supports academic writing at all stages of your programme, from early drafting to submission and publication.

Communication, engagement, and visibility

(Sharing your work and building your profile)

This pathway supports presenting your research, engaging different audiences, and building your professional profile.

Careers and professional skills

(Relevant throughout your programme)

Careers and professional skills training run alongside your research, not only at the end of your programme. You will see careers-related training embedded across the different pathways above. This pathway brings everything together for focused exploration.

Training included:

 

 

 

Colleges staff intranet

Professional Services staff intranet