Quality Manual
 

Induction and training

This page sets out the induction and training processes for Postgraduate research students. It's content is relevant to staff and students across all of the UK, China and Malaysia campuses.

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1.0 Purpose

Includes: training for registered students; role of supervisors

All registered research students must receive appropriate training to enable them to undertake and present research effectively and efficiently.

An induction programme, the timing and content of which reflects the diversity of needs of specific groups of research students (including part-time and newly arriving international students) must be delivered at the most appropriate levels (ie School or institutional level). Supervisors must ensure that new students will receive an induction programme appropriate to them.

The training programme must take account of an individual’s needs and comprise subject-specific training as well as training which leads to the acquisition of relevant transferable skills and generic research skills.

 

2.0 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Roles and Responsibilities

2.1 Identification of training needs

Includes: role of the Head of School; consideration of planning and timetabling

It is the responsibility of Heads of Schools, in conjunction with supervisors and School Postgraduate Student Advisers (SPSAs), to identify the training needs for individual students, to ensure that these needs are met and to determine the means by which they are met.

It is recognised that needs will vary according to the student’s registration status (MPhil or doctoral, full-time or part-time) and according to each individual student’s previous experience. The training needs of part-time students must be considered in planning and timetabling, and they must be encouraged to participate in suitable courses.

For more information about the SPSAs, please consult the Related Regulations, Policies and Procedures section below.

 

2.2 Subject-specific training

Includes: School requirements; responsibility of the School

Students must satisfy the School’s requirements for research training. Failure to do so may result in the submission of an unsatisfactory annual report to the Head of School.

It is the responsibility of a student’s School to provide subject-specific training by means of, for example, attendance at taught theory or practical courses (either undergraduate or postgraduate), seminars, colloquia, conferences, etc.

At UNM students must have undertaken a research methodology course (which must encompass the broad approaches, methods and analyses in the field or discipline) or show evidence of attendance of any equivalent courses which support research in the field. Flag of Malaysia

Schools must decide and inform the student at the outset of the training whether or not the student’s knowledge will be formally assessed at the conclusion of any subject-specific training.

 

2.3 Generic training

Includes: provision by the Researcher Academy; researcher development framework; central short courses

It is the responsibility of the Researcher Academy to provide training and development ​opportunities which span the needs of different disciplines. This provision will address the requirements identified by the Research Councils and Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) in the Researcher Development Framework. Normally the training and development training will not be formally assessed.

Students can download certificates confirming their attendance at courses and workshops run by the Researcher Academy and other University training providers such as Health and Safety from the Central Short Courses website. The Researcher Academy will provide Schools with annual attendance information on students registered within the School.

For more information about Central Short Courses, please consult the Related Regulations, Policies and Procedures section below.

 

3.0 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Procedural Steps

3.1 Training record

All research students, in collaboration with their supervisors, must establish a full training record or portfolio to keep a record of personal progress, assess skills needs, record development of research and other skills, and supplement their curricula vitae.
 

3.2 Induction programme

Includes: information to be provided 

The information to be provided as part of the induction programme must include:

  • general information about the institution and its postgraduate portfolio in the relevant subject(s);
  • the institution’s registration, appeals and complaints procedures, assessment requirements and research degree regulations;
  • the names and contact details of the student’s supervisor(s) and information about how supervisory arrangements work;
  • the institution’s research ethics and codes and those of relevant professional bodies and discipline groups, including consideration of issues concerning authorship and intellectual property;
  • the institution’s expectations of the independence and responsibilities of the student;
  • student support and welfare services such as counselling and advice centres;
  • a summary of the facilities that will be made available to the student, including the learning support infrastructure;
  • relevant health and safety and other legislative information;
  • where appropriate, a brief outline of the proposed research programme, together with the normal length of study and the facilities that will be made available to the student;
  • reference to the research and personal challenges that research students typically encounter during the course of their studies and where guidance may be sought in the event of difficulties;
  • an opportunity for the student representative body to introduce themselves, including specific postgraduate representation;
  • social activity, including that provided specifically for postgraduates;
  • opportunities for postgraduates to be represented by the student body;
  • details of opportunities and requirements for skills development.
 

4.0 Related Regulations, Policies and Procedures

 

5.0 Version Control Table

Version Control Table
 Version Number Purpose/Change Approving Committee Date
 1.0 Reformatted to align with new University of Nottingham Policy Management Framework based on content last modified on 18/06/2024  QSC May 2025
       
       
 
If you have any problems or queries relating to this page, please contact:

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Student Services

UNNC students Flag of China

Graduate School - PGR GS-PGR@nottingham.edu.cn Email

 
 
This content was last modified on 09 May 2025

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