Starting out

Setting milestones

These are the sorts of actions you will need to consider taking in your first year .

Getting started:

• attend your school and college level induction
• meet other researchers in your area
• find out about local research seminar series, and research student societies / clubs
• plan family, work or other commitments, and how your research will fit around this
• plan what seminars and conferences you may need to go to
• ensure you read and understand the appropriate guidance notes and policies (see link below)

Your supervisor:

• set a meeting schedule with your supervisor(s)
• agree a supervision process with your supervisor(s)

Your research:

• write a research plan
• start/complete literature review
• define methodology
• begin data collection
• complete your first year report

Your development:

• review the Vitae Researcher Development Framework
• Discuss development opportunities with your supervisor
• find suitable training opportunities and book on

Remember to add your own additional actions that relate to your own personal circumstances and project

A Development Needs Analysis (DNA) is a framework that enables postgraduate researchers to reflect in a holistic way on their research-specific training needs; their professional development needs; and their career ambitions. 

This DNA has been co-created by a cross-University group, taking into account the views and experiences of postgraduate researchers and supervisors. 

The result is a two page form which uses visual prompts to encourage and support self-reflection and planning. It is accompanied by a handbook for postgraduate researchers and a guide for supervisors. These contain further information and prompt questions. 

Your supervisor is usually with you throughout your PhD. It is vital that you meet with them early as they will be your first point of contact on any academic and research matters.

In the first weeks discuss:

• your project and research methods you might use
• topics, skills or techniques you might need to learn
• equipment you might need to build or access
• research ethics and intellectual property issues including keeping research records

It's also good to discuss generally how you are settling in and any concerns or difficulties you might have.

Your School will be your academic home for the next few years. They are there to support your throughout your PhD and manage the administrative aspects of your doctoral programme.

It's important to attend your School's induction session for new postgraduates as it will include information about:

• the nature of postgraduate research in your field
• the facilities available within the School
• health and safety issues
• the School programme of graduate seminars and training courses

The responsibilities of the University and Graduate Schools to PhD students are set out in the Code of Practice for Supervisors and Research Students:

Writing a first year report

The University's English Language Education unit (ELE) offer a 'Writing Your PhD First-Year Report' course. It can be studies online or on campus. The course is designed to support University of Edinburgh research students in their first year as they prepare their First-Year Report. It focuses on enhancing academic literacies essential for scholarly writing. Through lectures, analysis of authentic reports, and weekly tasks, you will learn about the typical structures and language features of these documents.

You can find out more at the ELE website:

Writing up a first year report

International Students

Get help with English language skills; sign up to some of the training offered by English Language Education.

Vitae

It is also worth looking at the advice and resources available from Vitae, the UK’s national body for supporting research students and staff.