Researcher Plus & Graduate Plus

Researcher Plus is open to PhD and MPhil students. The Researcher Plus award is an opportunity for postgraduate research students to gain official recognition by Queen’s University for their range of skills and research achieved in addition to their research. As well as developing research expertise in their subject discipline, postgraduate research students have opportunities to develop a range of skills, which are transferable beyond their research degrees to both academic and careers beyond academia. 

You can choose from one of two routes to gain the Researcher Plus award:

• Route A:  Complete 1 activity from the list for automatic qualification. Route A activities are substantial and will involve a significant input of time and work. 
  

• Route B:  Combine at least 2 activities and apply for accreditation.
  
  

ROUTE A APPLICATION
The award is free, although some of the qualifying courses in Route A do charge their own fee. Students who opt for Route A will automatically be put forward by the course provider to receive Researcher Plus at their graduation. This is subject to all the course criteria being met by the student.

ROUTE B APPLICATION
PhD and MPhil students can apply to receive the Researcher Plus award on graduation by submitting a portfolio during the course of their research degree, which demonstrates that they have met the criteria below: 

1. A brief outline and supporting evidence of significant involvement in two skills development activities and experiences that are not related to progressing your PhD.  

Examples of activities which could be included are:

• Coordination of Postgraduate-Led Initiatives 
• Substantive involvement in clubs and societies 
• Voluntary or part-time  work (if permitted by funding conditions)
• Conference or event organisation 
• Substantive participation in careers or enterprise competitions 
• Substantive involvement in a committee 
• Work shadowing or employer visits 
• Substantive participation in public engagement activity 
• Participation as a peer mentor 

*please note this list is not intended to be exhaustive - see Route B below

2. A Reflective Report demonstrating how these two activities have supported in the overall development and enhancement of your skills.

More information on Route B and an application form can be found here.

To register your interest in Researcher Plus, or if you have any queries please email  pg.skills@qub.ac.uk.

Graduate Plus is a vehicle for accrediting work-related learning and skills that current postgraduate taught students develop through extra-curricular activities including the range of skills development workshops offered by The Graduate School. The award is open to all postgraduate taught students. 

You can choose from two routes to gain the Graduate Plus award:

• Route A:  Complete 1 activity from the list for automatic qualification. Route A activities are substantial and will involve a significant input of time and work. 
  

• Route B:  Combine at least 2 smaller activities and apply for accreditation.

Graduate Plus is open to postgraduate taught students. The Award is free, although some of the qualifying courses do charge their own small fee.

For further information on the  Routes to Graduate Plus, click here. 

For some Frequently Asked Questions, please click here.