Training and development
Take advantage of a range of opportunities to develop yourself both personally and professionally.
Equipping you with the skills you require to successfully pass your doctoral programme is just one of the aims of the Graduate School; we also want to ensure that you are well placed to progress your career following graduation. That is why we have developed a range of training and development opportunities, designed to support you from the moment you join us.
Your induction
We have a comprehensive induction programme so that, when you join us as a new postgraduate researcher, you will quickly settle in to your new role.
Core training
To provide you with the skills you need to carry out your research professionally and effectively, we have created the Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP).
online research training
In addition to the RRDP, doctoral researchers have access to flexible online training developed by Epigeum (part of Oxford University Press). The suite of online training complements RRDP and can be completed in bite-sized chunks to fit around you.
Academic language and writing support for international & EU doctoral researchers
The Graduate School, in conjunction with the University’s International Study and Language Institute (ISLI), has a range of courses designed to help international and EU doctoral researchers maintain, improve and develop their academic English.
Develop your leadership capabilities
The intensive, three-day Leadership Programme, run jointly between the Graduate School and Henley Business School, is designed specifically for you to experience and develop your skills in leadership.
Preparing to Teach programme
As a postgraduate researcher you may have the opportunity to support the teaching and learning of other students. Covering the essentials of teaching, marking and giving feedback, the Preparing to Teach programme will ensure you have the training you need.
PhD Plus
Our PhD Plus programme is designed to meet the specific needs of overseas lecturers who want to study for a PhD while also learning about higher education in the UK and improving their teaching skills.
Statistical support
Statistical courses are delivered as part of the Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP).
In addition to face to face training, doctoral researchers also have access to a Statistical Methods for Research Programme online course (see Online Research Training, above).
An Introduction to statistical packages resource list can be downloaded here
The Maths Support Centre, based in the Library, provides a Help with Statistics service. Full details can be found at www.reading.ac.uk/mathssupport
We regret to announce that the Graduate School Statistical Advisory Service (SAS) is currently suspended until further notice. This service provided support to doctoral researchers needing help with statistics during their doctoral studies.
Development for women
Aimed at women who are undertaking postgraduate research at Reading, our Sprint development programme aims to help you make best use of your talents, build your confidence and networking skills, become more career and goal orientated and achieve a better work-life balance.
Other development opportunities
Various other activities and resources are available that will enhance your personal and professional skills:
- Career development – see all of the resources available to you that support your career aspirations.
- Volunteering and outreach activities – find out more about the opportunities to work as an ambassador for the University or as a student tutor in a local school.
- Other training – look out for other useful courses run by other University departments, including the Library, IT Services and the International Study and Language Institute.
- Travel funding schemes – if you need to make a research visit or attend a conference, you may be eligible to apply for funding to support your travel expenses. The Graduate School runs a Travel Support Scheme and the University runs a Research Travel Grant Scheme.