All Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) at DMU are part of the Doctoral College and we will be with you every step of the way during your time with us. We are there to provide specialist information, guidance, support and advice from the time you apply right through to when you graduate.
We are also there to help you develop your skills and knowledge alongside your PhD, which will be vital for your future career, whether that be within or outside of academia. We run a year-long training training and development programme that is free of charge to all PGRs.
At DMU, we are guided by and embed its principles into the many training activities and events we offer.
You can expect a supportive and stimulating academic experience, guided by experienced faculty and immersed in a thriving research community. You'll collaborate closely with your supervisor, receiving comprehensive mentorship from start to finish.
The university offers numerous opportunities for professional development, from networking events to research conferences. The faculty’s encouragement, combined with access to a wide range of resources, and colleagues who are always ready to help, allows me to grow both academically and personally.
Ways to get involved
We offer many ways in which to get involved and be part of the researcher community.
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Careers Support
DMU’s Postgraduate Researcher Careers Advisor offer 1-2-1 and workshops to help research degree students with questions about careers and applying for posts, both academic and non-academic.
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Doctoral College Showcase
This is our end of year event which showcases the amazing research of our students. You can learn more by visiting
our Doctoral College Showcase.
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Doctoral College Support and Development Fund
All research degree students are able to apply for up to £500, which can be used for conference registration, research training, and purchasing of key research equipment.
There are 3 calls for applications each academic year and past research activities that the fund has support include:
- Attendance of a summer school in Lausanne, Switzerland
- Purchase of holographic equipment for research purposes
- Travel funds to support attendance of an international conference
- Purchase of memberships to scholarly and academic bodies
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Faculty Drop-ins
All research degree students are support by Faculty Head of Research Students who organise their own drop-ins as a place for students to raise questions about support and resources available to them from the Faculties.
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Library training and support
offer a range of support for postgraduate research students and deliver regularly on our researcher development programme.
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Practice-based researcher events
At DMU, many of our doctoral researchers are doing their research by practice. Practice-based study involves a broad category of research that includes designing or making objects, the staging of performances or events and the documentation of artefacts. The definition of an artefact is broad, ranging from a physical entity, such as a painting or telephone, to an abstract entity, such as a novel or a computer program, to a transient entity such as a performance.
In partnership with the Institute of Creative Technologies, events are hosted to focus on supporting practice-based researchers. These events include practical workshops to practice-sharing’s where researchers can share their progress and experiences.
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Research and Teaching Assistantships
Research degree students are made aware of opportunities to take on research or
teaching assistantships alongside their studies. These designed to allow students to gain working experience while working on their research projects.
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Researcher Development Programme
Each year a researcher development programme is developed to enable you to carry out advanced study, develop research skills and enhance your career development. It features workshops, seminars, and courses on a range of subjects delivered by expert researchers and other staff at DMU.
Most of our sessions are 1.5-2 hours long and are offered in both face-to-face and live online settings. The sessions are designed to be interactive and often include independent and group work.
The programme also includes events and special events, such as roundtable discussions and special lectures.
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Research Institute seminars
Our research institutes regularly organise seminars and lectures available to all researchers at DMU.
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Roundtable Discussions
Organised by faculties and the Doctoral College, roundtable discussions are opportunities to learn from DMU experts on a range of topics including publication, researching sensitive topics, and more.
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Student-Supervisor Relationship Masterclasses
This series brings together experienced supervisors and their students to explore their approach to developing great relationship to support the research degree journey.
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Writing support
Research degree students can get involved in writing groups including the Writing Circle, a group of academics and students who meet up bi-monthly to write or the Writing Group for Research Students.
Support from the wider university
As a Doctoral College Researcher, you also have access to ‘The Student Gateway’. The Student Gateway is DMU’s one-stop shop for non-academic enquiries and offers advice and support on:
- Health and Wellbeing
- Disability Support
- Careers advice from a dedicated Postgraduate Researcher Career advisor
- Academic writing support
- English Language Support
- International Student support
Contact us
Our Doctoral College team is here to answer any questions you might have.
You can either drop in and visit us at Room 0.02, Portland Building, Leicester, LE1 9BH, or send us an email: