The University Graduate School supports Birmingham’s postgraduate researcher (PGR) community. The aim of our Graduate School is to ensure that you are equipped to do the highest quality research during your time at Birmingham and have the skills you need to pursue your chosen career.
Skills Development Programme
Postgraduate Researcher on Presentation Skills "The presentation was enjoyable and the speaker is very apprachable and confident. I always learn something valuable to take away"
The University Graduate School offers a dedicated training programme to help you become an effective researcher, develop your transferable skills and enhance your CV.
Whether you need to practice for a conference presentation, improve your writing skills or get to grips with project management our extensive training programme has courses and events that can help you successfully complete your research degree.
Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Research Methods and Skills (PGCARMS)
The Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Research Methods and Skills (PGCARMS) provides enhanced advanced training in research and transferable skills to social science doctoral researcher as part of the University's ESRC Doctoral Training Centre. PGCARMS candidates complete 60 credits of advance training modules which include formally taught short courses in advance research methods, internships on research projects and volunteering placements, as well as credit-bearing central provision in advanced transferable skills areas such as entrepreneurship and research consultancy.
Developed and managed by the University Graduate School, in collaboration with the College of Social Sciences, this is an innovative new approach to doctoral researcher development PGCert of its kind in the UK and it is available exclusively for University of Birmingham doctoral researchers. Find out about PGCARMS.
Professor Brian Ford Lloyd: ''We also recognise that employers (including universities) place a high value on transferable skills. The University Graduate School will be on hand to support your skills development, through training, networking and participation in practical fora, to give you the best possible chance at succeeding in your chosen career''
For more information on the UGS diverse programme of courses and events please visit our website.
Online courses
Postgraduate researchers are often time poor from having to balance research with other life commitments. You are also advanced learners so we know that it is important for you to be able to control and manage your own development. To facilitate this we offer a range of on-line courses, including Project Management, Ethics for Researchers, Career Development and Viva Preparation. This enables you to learn at your own pace, and to suit your own schedule. Additionally, our Doctoral Researcher Essentials induction package provides an online guide to your first year as a doctoral researcher. This can be a particularly valuable tool if you starting your PhD degree in-year.
Training to teach
Most schools and departments at the University offer opportunities for postgraduate researchers to teach, providing valuable experience, transferable skills, as well as a source of income. The University provides a range of development opportunities and support for PGRs that teach, including:
Introduction to Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (ILT001)
The programme addresses core aspects of teaching and supporting learning which aim to underpin any subject or context specific training that is received within school settings. It consists of a series of half-day courses which should cover the full range of teaching and learning support activities undertaken by postgraduate researchers.
Part One provides a general introduction to teaching, and participants must attend this course before they can progress onto the second part of the programme.
Part Two offers a selection of courses to enable postgraduates to develop their skills in ways that relate to their individual teaching responsibilities.
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a Pathway Module leads to associate membership of the Higher Educa tion Academy.
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an annual Learning and Teaching Conference for all doctoral researchers that teach.
For more information please visit An introduction to learning and teaching in HE
Career and business skills
Our Careers and Employability Centre offers a range of skills training courses that are designed for postgraduate researchers looking to find their niche in the jobs market. Initiatives such as our Enterprise Summer School and Talent Pool offer practical opportunities for you to gain an understanding of business and develop your entrepreneurial flair during your time at Birmingham.
Information and advice
Our Research Student Administration team is available to answer all your questions about the rules and regulations governing doctoral research at the University of Birmingham, including how to present and submit your thesis, how to prepare for your viva and how to request a leave of absence or an extension.
Postgraduate Researcher community
As part of this community you have the chance participate in and contribute to the organisation of University-wide events such as the annual Research Poster Conference. These events celebrate the achievements of Birmingham’s postgraduate researcher community, giving you a chance to meet other researchers and promote the exciting research taking place at the University.
Laura Snook, PhD, Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity “One of the reasons I chose to stay at Birmingham after completing my MPhil was the community of postgraduates in the IAA.”