Researcher Plus & Graduate Plus

As a current postgraduate student of Queen’s University, you will have the opportunity to gain official recognition by the University as a result of developing your own skills and research in addition to your studies.
Researcher 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:
- Provider Verified (formerly Route A): Complete at least one experience from the list to gain the award (although some students do complete more than one). Activities are listed under 4 strands (Work Experience, Global, Professional and Citizenship). These activities offer substantial and intensive development.
The award is free, although some of the qualifying courses in Route A do charge their own fee. Once the student has fully completed requirements set down by the provider, they automatically qualify for Researcher Plus accreditation at graduation.
- Combined Experience (formerly Route B): Combine at least 2 different extra-curricular activities and have them accredited for Researcher Plus by filling out an application form.
To register your interest in Researcher Plus, or if you have any queries please email pg.skills@qub.ac.uk.
Graduate Plus
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:
- Provider Verified (formerly Route A): Complete 1 activity from the list for automatic qualification (you will not need to apply). Route A activities are substantial and will involve a significant input of time and work.
- Combined Experience (formerly Route B): Combine at least 2 smaller activities and apply for accreditation.
To apply for Graduate Plus, Combined Experience, students should apply via MyFuture.
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.