Our research students are expected to take full advantage of the training which we offer.  This is both face-to-face and on-line. Once you begin your studies you will be encouraged to participate in our training programme, as well as other appropriate professional and career development activities.

We expect all our research students to do the equivalent of 10 days training per year. Each training activity is assigned a points value with one point equaling approximately ½ a day of training. So research students aim to accrue 20 points per year (or 60-70 points over a 3-4 year studentship). We recognise that the training and learning programme will be unique for each student and recommend that at the beginning of each year students discuss their training needs with their supervisor.   Our training courses and training events cover the four main domains of the Researcher Development Framework which was launched by Vitae [link] in September 2010. This is a professional development framework for planning and supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers:

• Domain A: Knowledge and intellectual abilities
• Domain B: Personal effectiveness          
• Domain C: Research organisation and governance
• Domain D: Communication, influence and impact

The Researcher Development Framework (RDF) has been developed by Vitae [link]  in collaboration with the higher education sector and other stakeholders. Further details about the RDF are available at www.vitae.ac.uk/rdf