As a PhD graduate, your skill set will naturally include the advanced research and analytical techniques required to undertake high-level research in your field. You will also be expected to possess a range of transferable skills relevant to the successful completion of your research project and to your broader professional development. Workshops assisting you with aspects of your PhD programme such as the Stage Transfer Assessment, Research and Professional Development Planning and the Viva Voce are provided. In addition, workshops on leadership, time management and presentation skills are available.
You can now book a place on workshops available in Trimester 1.
Please note: These workshops are developed with considerable resources specifically for research students. If you register for a workshop and find you cannot attend, please cancel your booking or contact us via the Graduate Studies Connector as soon as possible.
UCD Graduate Studies invites all incoming graduate students on a research programme (i.e Doctoral, MD and Research Master’s degree programmes) to attend our graduate orientation programme on Wednesday, 18th September 2024 from 10:00- 13:00 in Sutherland School of Law, A&L Goodbody Theatre, L023. (Coffee will be served from 9:30am. Light lunch after 12:00)
This event is intended to give research students a helpful overview of key information and supports at UCD as well as an opportunity for you to meet other incoming research students from across the University.
Register for the Graduate Research Student Orientation 2024/25
The Stage Transfer Assessment is a pivotal point in the PhD at UCD, which allows students to take a moment and consider the progress they have made to date and the trajectory of the research activity going forward. Research students present their progress and planning to a Transfer Assessment Panel (TAP) who determine if the research is on track and if the student’s progress is in line with expected norms. The TAP can recommend a number of outcomes to this important, examination process. This workshop highlights the key stages, requirements and possible outcomes of the Transfer Assessment at UCD
Suitable for anyone in Stage 1 or preparing to transfer to Stage 2
The final examination of your PhD takes place at the viva voce or oral defence. This examination focuses on the quality of the research undertaken, whether this research is original and contributes to the body of work and whether you can demonstrate a broad expertise in your specific field of study. This workshop focuses on what to expect and how to prepare for each stage of the process, including what common questions normally arise from examiners, what the outcomes of the viva can be and the examination process in UCD.
Suitable for anyone at submission stage of their PhD research
Thesis Boot Camp is an intensive writing programme for late-stage doctoral students. It supports participants to:
Achieve significant progress on their thesis draft
Address and overcome their writing challenges
Build an effective and sustainable writing practice
Find out more on Thesis Bootcamp
The UCD Writing Centre provides free, one-to-one tuition and a range of workshops on all aspects of the writing process for UCD students. The Centre runs specific supports for research students, such as Writing on Wednesdays (WOW) starting October 2024.
Suitable for all stages
The UCD Library offers a plethora of supports to help students become accomplished researchers. The Library has developed a bespoke suite of workshops for research students called the Research Toolkit, covering topics such as:
Suitable for all stages
UCD has a dedicated Careers Consultant for Graduate Research Students. This position is currently occupied by Tara Hughes (tara.hughes@ucd.ie). Tara offers one-on-one consultations and a suite of career-focused workshops across the academic year, which support research students in identifying their career path, their strengths and skill sets as well as tools and tips for enhancing CVs and interview skills. These workshops are advertised on the Career’s Network and Graduate Studies Website. Tara can be contacted directly for one-on-one careers sessions.
Suitable for all stages
23 Things International is a unique global collaboration of research universities (11 in 2022) in the northern and southern hemispheres. This online programme introduces researchers to powerful online research tools for all disciplines, has targeted blogs, podcasts and pods, where research students from around the world can get to know each other by working through the activities. 23 Things opens for registration in February each year.
Suitable for all stages
Useful documents for graduate research students
View details on all research programmes offered at UCD
Summary of guidance and policies for graduate research students
Advice on building a good working relationship
