Information and guidance for staff who supervise and examine research students Essential information All supervisors should be familiar with the Code of practice for supervisors and research students. This is updated annually and covers roles and responsibilities, annual review, absences and concessions, thesis submission and examination and the student-supervisor relationship. Baseline training for supervisors All new supervisors at Edinburgh are expected to complete basic supervisory training. This should then be refreshed every five years. It is the responsibility of the School to ensure that supervisors are trained. Online training (Fundamentals of PhD Supervision) is provided centrally by the Institute for Academic Development (IAD) and this is complemented by local level supervisory briefings. Supervisors should check with their School or College for information on supervisor briefings. Supervisor professional development The Institute for Academic Development offers a number of additional workshops for supervisors. The UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) has an route to accrediting your supervisory practice through the Research Supervision Recognition Programme. Networks and community of practice Information on the UKCGE supervisor network and the University of Edinburgh Research Supervisor Community of Practice (CoP). Supporting student wellbeing Information on wellbeing services, helping distressed students, responding to issues and training available Support for examiners The Institute for Academic Development (IAD) has developed an online course for internal and external examiners at the University of Edinburgh. It is called Fundamentals of PhD Examination. Guidance on postgraduate research annual review Student Systems has guidance which explains the supervisory role in a student's annual progression review This article was published on 2025-05-22
