The aim of this course is to provide guidance to students on the differentiation process from MPhil to PhD registration. It will highlight some of the different practises amongst Schools and Faculties and frequent issues and problems encountered. In particular, it addresses the difficult areas of setting aims and objectives, the wider context of research and the preparation of an appropriate report. As part of preparation for differentiation, students will be able to discuss with fellow students their areas of research and learn to justify why their research is important and worthy of further investigation, as well as strategies to use during the differentiation process itself.

Learning Outcomes:

• To have a clear appreciation of what Differentiation is about, when it happens, its format and what its purpose is
• Be aware of possible differentiation scenarios and actions
• Have an appreciation of different strategies with which to approach differentiation
• Have had an opportunity to practice discussing their research with others

Course aim:

This course will discuss what constitutes a PhD thesis and its different stages, paying particular attention to the important role played by good day-to-day planning. By emphasising the importance of having well-defined research questions or aims, students will be asked to identify the tasks associated with addressing their research questions or aims, the sequence and duration of those tasks and draw these up as a final plan to use in their research. Students will be provided with assistance in formulating and refining good research questions for those students who are still establishing their research topics.

Learning outcomes:

• Students will have been able to practice the formulation of good research questions;
• Understand the difference between aims and objectives;
• Have an appreciation of planning research work and the timescales involved in research;
• Have developed an initial plan of action for their research at a scale which is appropriate to the individual researcher

The aim of this course is to provide guidance to students on the differentiation process from MPhil to PhD registration. It will highlight some of the different practises amongst Schools and Faculties and frequent issues and problems encountered. In particular, it addresses the difficult areas of setting aims and objectives, the wider context of research and the preparation of an appropriate report. As part of preparation for differentiation, students will be able to discuss with fellow students their areas of research and learn to justify why their research is important and worthy of further investigation, as well as strategies to use during the differentiation process itself.

Learning Outcomes:

• To have a clear appreciation of what Differentiation is about, when it happens, its format and what its purpose is
• Be aware of possible differentiation scenarios and actions
• Have an appreciation of different strategies with which to approach differentiation
• Have had an opportunity to practice discussing their research with others

The aim of this course is to provide guidance to students on the differentiation process from MPhil to PhD registration. It will highlight some of the different practises amongst Schools and Faculties and frequent issues and problems encountered. In particular, it addresses the difficult areas of setting aims and objectives, the wider context of research and the preparation of an appropriate report. As part of preparation for differentiation, students will be able to discuss with fellow students their areas of research and learn to justify why their research is important and worthy of further investigation, as well as strategies to use during the differentiation process itself.

Learning Outcomes:

• To have a clear appreciation of what Differentiation is about, when it happens, its format and what its purpose is
• Be aware of possible differentiation scenarios and actions
• Have an appreciation of different strategies with which to approach differentiation
• Have had an opportunity to practice discussing their research with others

The aim of this course is to provide guidance to students on the differentiation process from MPhil to PhD registration. It will highlight some of the different practises amongst Schools and Faculties and frequent issues and problems encountered. In particular, it addresses the difficult areas of setting aims and objectives, the wider context of research and the preparation of an appropriate report. As part of preparation for differentiation, students will be able to discuss with fellow students their areas of research and learn to justify why their research is important and worthy of further investigation, as well as strategies to use during the differentiation process itself.

Learning Outcomes:

• To have a clear appreciation of what Differentiation is about, when it happens, its format and what its purpose is
• Be aware of possible differentiation scenarios and actions
• Have an appreciation of different strategies with which to approach differentiation
• Have had an opportunity to practice discussing their research with others

Course aim:

The viva voce examination which every PhD student must take is in effect the summit of the PhD research programme and can thus be very stressful. This course aims to demystify the process and provide practical advice for candidates.

Learning outcomes:

1. know exactly what the process involves; 
2. will know how to prepare for the event itself; 
3. will have been given practical advice about what to do during the viva; and
4. have been given strategies for coping with each of the possible results.

Course aim:

The viva voce examination which every PhD student must take is in effect the summit of the PhD research programme and can thus be very stressful. This course aims to demystify the process and provide practical advice for candidates.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of the course participants will:

1. know exactly what the process involves; 
2. will know how to prepare for the event itself; 
3. will have been given practical advice about what to do during the viva; and
4. have been given strategies for coping with each of the possible results.