End-to-end support throughout your postgraduate research journey.
The Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy (DA) is a dedicated hub designed to support you throughout your postgraduate research career, from application to graduation and everything in between.
Located in the Doctoral Academy hub in the Simon Building, the Doctoral Academy comprises academic directors, senior and division tutors, cohort advisors and professional services colleagues.
Together, they lead the direction of postgraduate research in the Faculty and support postgraduate researchers and their supervisors 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 cohort advisor.
Your advisor is responsible for providing support, signposting to University support services and peer mentoring to your cohort group throughout your research.
Counselling and wellbeing.
You can access confidential help with personal issues affecting your work and general wellbeing through our counselling and mental health service. We provide a range of workshops, groups, one-to-one appointments and resources to support you.
Researcher 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 the Faculty, University and Students’ Union.
Societies and groups.
Explore societies available to postgraduate researchers in the Faculty, including our Doctoral Academy Graduate Society (DAGS), PGR Parents and Carers Society, Part Time and Distance Learning Group, Challenging Research, International Student Network, and more. Or join one of the many societies across the University through the Students’ Union.
Sports and activities.
With more than 60 sports, Manchester offers opportunities for all, from beginners to elite athletes. Find a welcoming community and stay active with rugby, netball, running, and loads more.
PGR Student Reps.
Become a Postgraduate Research Student Rep and support colleagues from across your research group and division, voicing their concerns and acting as a link between PGRs and the Doctoral Academy, as well as helping to provide feedback on and shape the University's decisions relating to PhDs.
Doctoral Academy Society (DAGS) PhD Conference.
Join the annual Doctoral Academy PhD Conference. Submit an abstract for a talk or poster, present your work, network with colleagues from across the Faculty, and celebrate PGR research at the Doctoral Academy Awards.
Research Hive Blog.
Join the Research Hive, led by PhD students, showcasing groundbreaking research at Manchester and fostering collaboration across research areas.
