What a Research Degree Means For You
Be a part of The Graduate School at the University of Cumbria as a PhD Research student. Join a focussed and friendly group who will guide and support you through every step of your PhD journey.
By choosing to study a PhD, you will be making world changing discoveries within your subject area and working with experts to achieve your goals. As you come to an end of your studies, our PhD supervisors will help prepare you for your future whether you delve deeper into your subject or explore a career outside of academia.
Our planning resources and tools below will help you to enhance your experience at Cumbria.
Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions by emailing our team via graduateschool@cumbria.ac.uk.
The Training Needs Analysis Planning Tool
As a student, you can use this form to plan your activities for the upcoming year and subsequent years of your PhD.
At your first meeting with your supervisor you may discuss initial training needs for your research project and they may recommend further training.
Training Needs Analysis
The Researcher Development Framework
The Researcher Development Framework is a tool for planning, promoting and supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers in higher education.
Get an overview of the framework guidelines on the Vitrae website.
Discover our Research Workshops
Introduction
The Research and Knowledge Exchange delivers our Research Skills Development Programme, which provides a range of free workshops for all staff and postgraduate research students.
Take a look at our recommendations and find out about upcoming workshops.
First Year (FT) - Years 1 & 2 (PT)
Beginning your PhD is an exciting time to further develop your research aims and acquire specific skills or tools you need to carry out your research. The workshops will help you to make the most of the early phase of your PhD.
Second Year (FT) - Years 3 & 4 (PT)
As you immerse yourself in your research, this is a time to review progress and reflect on how far you have come, and examine if there are any skills to develop further. The workshops aimed at mid-stage will focus on managing your research and start to put it in a broader professional context.
Third Year (FT) - Years 4 & 5 (PT)
This stage is dominated by writing your thesis, and a key time to familiarise yourself with the thesis formatting, submission and examination procedures and regulations. This is also an opportunity to look ahead at what you want to do next, and setting aside time to communicate your research with others and the potential impact of your research.
On-Campus Study Facilities
We have three dedicated 24/7 access Postgraduate Research Study Rooms which you can use as part of your studies on our campuses:
- Lancaster - Bishop Cross (next to the library)
- Carlisle - Fusehill Street - Bowscale (ground floor)
- Ambleside - Charlotte Mason (ground floor)
If you wish to use the rooms please contact the graduateschool@cumbria.ac.uk for the key codes for Carlisle & Lancaster, and how to access Ambleside. All rooms are available to all research students. You can also update your personal details through the Student Hub.