You will be assigned a supervisor with whom you will work closely. You will also attend research seminars and take part in other research related activities in your research group, the department and more widely in the University of London. We do not specify fixed attendance hours, but we expect a good level of attendance, and our research students benefit from informal interaction with each other. You will be provided with access to working and storage space, as well as a laptop. On arrival you will discuss your research programme with your supervisor, and you will attend general induction sessions.

Postgraduate training

Carrying out research is learned in apprenticeship mode as PhD student works with a supervisor. Our PhD students receive various forms of training during their period of research, e.g., attending courses in the London Taught Courses Centre, attendance at EPSRC summer schools; provision of advanced lecture courses; College training courses for graduates who will give tutorial teaching to undergraduates; weekly seminars in the area of your research; frequent research group meetings; attendance at national and international conferences and research meetings.

Communication skills are developed by preparing and presenting seminars in the department, assisted by your supervisor, apprenticeship in writing papers and, in due course, the PhD thesis.

To build your teaching skills and experience, you are strongly encouraged to apply to become a Graduate Teaching Assistant, giving tutorials to our undergraduates