Doctoral College

Focusing on all matters related to postgraduate research degrees
Postgraduate research students listening to a talk

Welcome to the Doctoral College

The Doctoral College works with staff and students across the entire University to ensure that our diverse community of postgraduate and postdoctoral early career researchers is offered the best possible experience.
Its primary purpose is to support excellence and employability across all stages of the researcher journey by facilitating and providing first class training and excellent supervision, cohort development, networking opportunities and mentoring. The Doctoral College acts as a centre of expertise in postgraduate research and is responsible for the quality assurance and enhancement of the University's research degree programmes .
The Doctoral College aims to stimulate and facilitate a vibrant intellectual environment across and between disciplines for all research degrees candidates, as well as postdoctoral early career researchers, allowing each individual to reach their full potential.
It runs training sessions for supervisors and examiners , University-level inductions for new students , as well as an established and successful Researcher development programme that includes a wide range of courses and sessions to help postgraduate and postdoctoral early career researchers develop and broaden their research and transferable skills. These are all free for research students and staff at the University.
Doctoral College staff are available to answer your questions about any aspect of postgraduate research, from eligibility to applying to funding opportunities to examination: doctoralcollege@plymouth.ac.uk
Postgraduate students studying together in the library.

Research students: all you need to know

International students completing application form
Induction for new postgraduate research students

Learn more about starting your research degree from procedures, milestones and training to library and international information.
Research students talking by a computer
Current research students

Explore the wide range of information and resources we have to help you with your research degree.
Bluebells in the sunset
Research Degrees Handbook

The Research Degrees Handbook is available as an e-book for postgraduate research degree students and the staff who support them (including supervisors).
Research student in lab
Frequently asked questions

Common questions asked when studying for a postgraduate research degree with the University of Plymouth.
Postgraduate society
Researcher development programme

Explore the wide range of skills courses we provide for research students and staff at the University.
Graduation 2014
Alumni research fellows

The University of Plymouth invites its qualifying doctoral candidates to apply to become an Alumni Research Fellow.

Information for examiners, chairs, supervisors and research coordinators

You will find all the essential information and forms you require to fulfil your role at the University of Plymouth.
Signing agreement, Courtesy of Shutterstock

Contact us

Our Doctoral College team

Find out about the people who lead, manage and support postgraduate research at the University of Plymouth.

Postgraduate research support and research degree admissions teams

Telephone: +44 1752 587640
4th Floor Nancy Astor, 9:00–16:30 Monday to Thursday, and 9:00–16:00 on Fridays. Closed on bank holidays.

Researcher development team

Telephone: +44 1752 587633
3 Kirkby Terrace, 9:00–16:30 Monday to Thursday, and 9:00–16:00 on Fridays. Closed on bank holidays.