Postgraduates need to develop a host of knowledge, skills and behaviours throughout their time at the University in order to be successful in their academic studies, research and in their chosen future careers.
The University Graduate School is dedicated to providing a framework in which students enhance their academic skills and develop those required to become effective researchers.
Dr Mark Rowan, PhD in Computer Science "I took part in training on writing skills and team building and am now working in a collaborative team to meet goals and am writing papers. I enjoyed the freedom to follow my own research path in my PhD"
Postgraduate development programme
There is a wide range of formal training available to postgraduates, including both face-to-face workshops and online courses. Although much of this is delivered by departments around the University, the University Graduate School works closely with those departments to ensure that postgraduates are aware of the wealth of opportunities available.
The Library Services Research Support webpages provide a point of access to research skills support and resources available at the University. This includes research skills, advanced digital skills, and writing skills.
For our postgraduate researchers, there is a specifically targeted programme of workshops which includes reading strategies, presentation skills, writing skills and increasing your productivity. Online courses include ethics, career planning and getting published.
There are a wide range of additional training opportunities available to postgraduates at the University of Birmingham. This includes opportunities for postgraduate researchers to develop skills and attributes in enterprise and entrepreneurship, public engagement, and teaching and learning in higher education. Similarly, there are opportunities for our postgraduate taught students to develop enterprise and consultancy skills.
Opportunities to develop transferable skills
The University Graduate School is committed to supporting and creating a vibrant postgraduate community where each postgraduate can access valuable opportunities to develop transferable skills for future careers and gain the most from their time at the University of Birmingham. As part of this commitment, we offer a range of development opportunities for postgraduates to practise their skills in a supportive environment such as the Research Poster Conference, the Three Minute Thesis competition, and the Images of Research competition for postgraduate researchers and Images of Study competition for postgraduate taught students. For more information about opportunities to develop transferable skills, please visit the University Graduate School Events page or the UGS intranet for current students.
Dedicated careers support
Out award winning Careers Network provides dedicated support for all postgraduates through dedicated support, guidance and training.
Dr Wilber Sabiiti, PhD in Bioscience "I took advantage of all the training opportunities on offer, for example in using software. The University is a great place to pick up lots of skills and the advantage of taking these courses while you are a PGR is that it’s all available for free!"