Support and training for doctoral students

Our postgraduate students are working towards PhD, EdD, MRes and other research qualifications. Support comes from:

  • dedicated supervisory teams (typically of two supervisors)
  • specialist disciplinary environment of staff and student researchers
  • our specially designed researcher development programme
  • help with the administration process from an experienced team and supportive Doctoral College network
  • access to excellent university support services including advice and counselling, disability and dyslexia support.

Academic support comes through expert supervision and the introduction to disciplinary environments and networks. These include the disciplinary school to which you will belong, each of which has specialist research groups; you may also be aligned to one of our Centres of Research and Enterprise Excellence (COREs).  As well as the disciplinary support with dedicated facilities, there are events that help you to make cross-disciplinary contacts through our Doctoral College, which also organises research training.

All University of Brighton departments have strong connections to regional, national and international research networks, industry, public services and professional associations, and we can provide you with opportunities for collaborative working.

The university is recognised with the prestigious European Commission HR Excellence in Research Award. 

Find your research discipline 

Doctoral training programmes and opportunities

Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme (PRDP)

We offer a lively and challenging programme of workshops, seminars and events to support you through your doctoral journey. Our PRDP sessions take place across the academic year and are delivered by expert facilitators within the university. The programme offers a comprehensive suite of research skills and personal development training to enable our doctoral students to become well-rounded, skilled, efficient and successful researchers with strong career prospects. Weekly workshops focus on topics such as academic writing skills, presenting at conference, ethics and integrity, and publishing your work. These face-to-face sessions bring together students from different disciplines, helping to foster the university community of scholars. Webinars and online recordings to support doctoral milestone progression points are also available for students unable to attend campus sessions. 

The PRDP is informed by the Vitae Researcher Development Statement (RDS) and Researcher Development Framework (RDF), which are endorsed by all UK Research Councils, Universities UK and other leading national organisations.

Seminar and lecture series

Postgraduate research students are invited to join, and to present in, regular seminar series, featuring university-based researchers and international guest speakers. We actively encourage students to access seminars across all disciplines. Each year we hold a Postgraduate Festival of Research for students of all departments to come together to showcase and celebrate their work.

Support and training for teaching

During your research degree, you may be presented with opportunities to teach. It is compulsory for any student wishing to undertake teaching to complete a short course in Teaching in Higher Education.

To support you, the university’s Learning and Teaching Hub delivers a two-day  course, ‘Teaching and learning in HE‘, tailored specifically for our doctoral students.

Additionally, the university offers paid teaching placements through its partnership with The Brilliant Club, an award-winning charity that trains and places PhD tutors in state schools. 

Support for international students

Our research students form a community of international scholars, benefitting from connections and future colleagues with global interests, skills and networks.  

Our provision includes an international orientation programme, language support and international student advisors. Find out more about applying for a visa or to speak with an international student advisor.