End-to-end support throughout your postgraduate research journey.
The Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy will provide you with support throughout your postgraduate research career, from application to graduation and everything in between.
The Doctoral Academy team provides postgraduate researchers and their supervisors in the Faculty with the training and development opportunities, progression and wellbeing support, and vibrant research environment needed to inspire research excellence, personal growth, and career progression.
On this page:
"My experience as a PGR has been incredibly positive. It has provided me with the invaluable opportunity to build on my clinical expertise while being fully supported, ultimately leading to significant growth in my knowledge and skills."
Alison / PhD student
Wellbeing and support
Your wellbeing is important to us.
We place a strong emphasis on support and wellbeing for our postgraduate researchers through every step of the journey.
Dedicated supervisory team.
Each postgraduate researcher is supported by a dedicated supervisory team including academic supervisors, a postgraduate tutor and a pastoral advisor.
Your advisor.
Your advisor is responsible for providing support, signposting to University support services and peer mentoring to your cohort group throughout your research.
Training and development
Develop your transferable skills.
We provide comprehensive training and development opportunities that will help you to develop as a researcher and build transferable skills for your future career in academia, industry or research.
Training opportunities available to you.
Training and development activities include our Doctoral Academy Training Programme and further training across four key areas: ‘Doing Research’, ‘Managing Research’, ‘Communicating Research’, and ‘Personal and Career Development’. We work closely with the University’s Researcher Development team to ensure you have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities.
Community
Become part of our research community.
As part of our Doctoral Academy, you'll join a vibrant and active research community of over 1,200 postgraduate researchers within our Faculty, and countless more across the University.
You’ll have access to a range of different benefits and activities organised by both the Faculty, University and Students’ Union.
Explore a variety of societies tailored for postgraduate researchers within the Faculty and become an active member of our PGR community:
- Doctoral Academy Graduate Society (DAGS)
- PGR Parents and Carers Group
- PGR Part Time and Distance Learning Network Group
- Challenging Research (Disabled PGR Group)
- International Student Network
- University of Manchester Postgraduate Association
As well as PGR specific groups in the Faculty, there are a huge range of societies for you to get involved in through the Students’ Union, from the African-Carribean Society to the Dental Research Society, and the Dodgeball Society to the Coffee Society.
With over 60 different sports available, Manchester offers opportunities for everyone, from beginners to elite athletes. Whether your sport is rugby, netball, running or something else, you’ll find a welcoming community and loads of ways to stay fit, active and involved during your time with us.
Become a valued PGR student rep and be heard as the voice for colleagues within your division or research group. You could help contribute to shaping the University’s decision-making processes, ensuring that all concerns are heard and addressed.
Don’t miss the annual Doctoral Academy PhD Conference, organised by the Doctoral Academy Society (DAGS).
All PGRs will be invited to submit an abstract for a talk or poster and present their work to students and staff from across the Faculty. The conference is a great opportunity to network, discover the breadth of postgraduate research taking place across the faculty, share ideas and build collaborations.
Postgraduate research in the Faculty is celebrated following the conference with the annual Doctoral Academy Awards where PGR Excellence Award winners are announced across eight categories.
Join the Manchester Research Hive, where early career researchers showcase the work of early career researchers.
The blog is led by a team of dedicated PhD students and has been created to shine a spotlight on the groundbreaking research happening at Manchester, enhancing visibility of the work that takes place and fostering collaboration across research areas.
Enjoy access to dedicated spaces for postgraduate students within the Faculty, complemented by the University’s comprehensive learning facilities. These environments are designed to support your academic pursuits and personal growth throughout your research journey, and help you meet and collaborate with other postgraduate researchers.
