Our skills training programme is intended to help both in your immediate goal of obtaining a doctorate and in your future career. Some courses have obvious short-term benefits while others consider far wider issues, such as the ethical implications of medical research. Regardless of your career intentions, an ability to speak well in public or present an effective message in visual form could make a big difference to your prospects.
This programme is substantially funded by "Roberts money", provided by research councils in response to a Report by Sir Gareth Roberts. For PhD students the Report recommended, "the provision of at least two weeks" dedicated training a year, principally in transferable skills... over which the student should be given some control." In practice most students will undertake more training in year 1 than in year 3. However, we do expect attendance in each year of research. At your annual meetings for progress review, the interviewers will be provided with a list of the courses for which you registered. Please try not to feature on this list as a 'non-show', i.e. absence without good cause!
Finally, we need your help to make the programme better matched to your needs. Do take the time to complete a questionnaire after each course. You may also like to give feedback to your departmental postgraduate representative or postgraduate tutor. Suggestions for further course titles or topics are always welcome.
Dr Kate Nobes
Graduate Dean
Prior registration is essential for all courses. Students in the Medical and Veterinary Sciences and Medicine and Dentistry Faculties please book online using the Courses Online Booking System. Postdocs please email gsmvs-mail@bristol.ac.uk to be put on a waiting list. Any queries contact Lindsey Watson, Room 1.1, 65 St Michael's Hill, 0117 33 11535.
These courses are free for research postgraduates in MVS. For other members of the Faculty (e.g. postdocs) and postgrads elsewhere in the university, attendance will depend on space being available and may be subject to a small charge.
Unless otherwise stated, training will take place on the university campus in central Bristol, either within the Medical Sciences Building or close by. The School of Veterinary Sciences is mainly based at Langford, about 15 miles south-west of Bristol. Postgraduates from MVS who book at least two weeks in advance can apply to Lindsey Watson for free transport between Langford and the central campus (e.g. taxi, minibus), the cost being paid by the Graduate School. They can also apply for refund of travel costs.
If you have a disability that may affect participation, please tell Lindsey Watson at the time of booking. Wheelchair access is not available for all venues, but if the need arises we may be able to switch rooms.
