The Postgraduate Training Scheme (PGTS)

It is now widely recognised by employers, professional bodies and research funding agencies that specialist expertise alone is not sufficient preparation either for research or a subsequent career. With this in mind, the University of Hull requires all its postgraduate research students to follow a research training programme relating both to their particular field of study and to generic skills; for example, information technology and communication skills. This is something the University of Hull has recognised since 1992, when it first implemented a system of training modules which laid the foundation of what was to become the Postgraduate Training Scheme (PGTS) in 1995. In recent years, the UK Research Councils have also acknowledged the importance of this and have now laid down a set of training requirements which it expects all Universities to implement, a copy of which can be found in the current PGTS manual. Hull, of course, with its well established and pioneering scheme is well equipped to cope with the demands this makes upon institutions. An example of this is the recent introduction of the Personal Development Plan (PDP), of which the PGTS now forms an integral part for all Research Students at the University of Hull.

Within the programme, all research students (full-time and part-time) registered for a PhD are required to acquire during their period of study a minimum of 60 credits which will qualify them for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Research Training. Students should note that the submission of their thesis is not permitted until they have accumulated sufficient credits. Students following one or two-year research degrees (by full-time and part-time study) are required to obtain 20 and 40 credits respectively. With the agreement of the supervisor, a research student may take a maximum of 120 credits and be awarded, if successful, the Diploma in Research Training. In exceptional circumstances, partial exemptions can be given for previous research training which can be used to satisfy the requirements in order to allow submission of the thesis but would not count towards either the certificate or diploma.

Part-time and Off-Campus Students

Part-time and students based outside the Hull Campus have the opportunity to attend the annual week long “Easter School” or "Summer School", run every spring and summer respectively, which will give them the opportunity to undertake a number of modules in some basic but key areas. These are always popular. Eligible students will be contacted in advance with further information in addition to the updates that will be posted on this site at the appropriate time. Any enquiries regarding the school are welcome by contacting us at gs@hull.ac.uk, quoting “Easter School” or "Summer School" in the subject line.

Many PGTS modules are self-directed or distance taught and are therefore potentially available to all Research Students regardless of their location.