- Welcome
- How the Doctoral College communicates with you
- Support available during your research degree
- Health and safety
- Your responsibilities and what you can expect from the University
- Key stages of a research degree
- Working effectively with your supervisors
- Research degree regulations
- Researcher Development Programme (RDP)
Welcome
Welcome to the University of Hertfordshire research community.
This page explains what you need to know as a new Postgraduate Research (PGR) student, including communication, support, health and safety, supervision, regulations and researcher development opportunities.
Before you begin, visit the PGR Directory of Services for useful information about University facilities, services and support.
How the Doctoral College communicates with you
The Doctoral College communicates with PGR students through:
- Microsoft Teams (PGR Community)
- X/Twitter (@UHDoctoral)
Make sure your preferred email address is up to date in your student record. You can update your contact details through Student Record.
Support available during your research degree
As a PGR student, you belong to both the Doctoral College and your School.
Your supervisory team is your main source of support throughout your research degree. Additional support is available from:
- School Research Tutors
- Research Centre and Department staff
- Your Doctoral College Administrator
- The Doctoral College team
If you have questions or concerns about your research degree, support is available both within and outside your supervisory team.
Health and safety
You share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment while carrying out your research.
You must:
- Understand the health and safety risks associated with your research
- Follow University health and safety requirements
- Read the student health and safety guidance
Your responsibilities and what you can expect from the University
The University's expectations and responsibilities are set out in the Doctoral College Handbook and the relevant Codes of Practice for students and supervisors.
Your responsibilities
As a research student, you are expected to:
- Take ownership of your research degree
- Work independently and think critically
- Follow University regulations
- Raise concerns and ask questions when needed
- Manage challenges and seek support when appropriate
- Decide when you are ready to submit and defend your thesis
The University's responsibilities
The University will:
- Support and advise you throughout your degree
- Maintain appropriate academic standards and quality processes
- Help address concerns and difficulties when they arise
Key stages of a research degree
There are six key stages in the research degree journey:
- Enrolment
- Induction
- Registration
- Monitoring
- Progression
- Examination
Working effectively with your supervisors
Every supervisory relationship is different, but clear communication is essential.
Tips for working with your supervisory team
- Communicate regularly
- Schedule meetings in advance
- Prepare for meetings and attend on time
- Record meetings and agreed actions in RSMS
- Agree how and when feedback will be provided
- Raise questions or concerns early
- Keep your supervisory team informed of important plans and deadlines
- Use wider University support when needed
Research degree regulations
Research degrees are governed by University Policies and Regulations (UPRs). In your Doctoral College Handbook you will find a copy of UPR AS10 Research Degrees – Generic Institutional Regulations.
Your Doctoral College Handbook contains:
- Research Degree Regulations
- Award criteria
- Notes of Guidance
- Information about registration, supervision and assessment
- Programme-specific schedules and requirements.
To check which Schedule you are enrolled on, please see your record on RSMS, under student details.
It is important that you read and understand the regulations that apply to your research degree.
If you need help interpreting any regulations, contact your supervisory team, Doctoral College Administrator or email research-degrees@herts.ac.uk.
Researcher Development Programme (RDP)
The Researcher Development Programme (RDP) helps you develop the skills and knowledge needed for your research degree and future career. It is open to all research students and is free to attend.
The programme:
- Supports researchers from all disciplines
- Develops research and transferable skills
- Covers the Researcher Development Framework areas of knowledge, personal effectiveness, research governance, and engagement and impact
Mandatory induction training
All PGR students must complete two online induction sessions within their first month of study:
- Plagiarism
- Research Integrity
Once completed, record them on your RSMS induction checklist.
Additional training opportunities
- Research skills workshops
- Professional development sessions
- Spring School
- Summer School
- Online learning resources
Discuss with your supervisory team which RDP events are most appropriate for you to attend. Remember that the RDP is not the only way to meet your training needs, so think more broadly and find out what is offered by your School and external professional organisations, for example Vitae.