Being a Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) is about more than producing a thesis. Discover events and activities designed especially for you as a PGR, from developing your skills and building a community, to taking the next steps in your career. You can also find events for all students and events for the whole University community.

The University Doctoral School is here to support and enhance the postgraduate research experience at Birmingham, working with Colleges and teams across the University like Careers Network, Library Services, and Registry, to guide PGRs from induction to graduation.

Postgraduate Research (PGR) programmes include: PhD, PhD with integrated study, MPhil, MMus, MRes, MA by Research, MSc by Research, MLitt, EngD, DDS, MD, Higher doctorates and Professional doctorates.

a student working on a tablet in a coffee shop Postgraduate Researcher Writing Summer School
14th July 9:30am - 16th July 4:30pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
The annual Postgraduate Researcher Writing Summer School is back for 2026, and we are in person exploring writing for your thesis and writing for publication. Network, practice your writing, and build your confidence. Enrol now!
A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
16th July 2pm - 4pm
Room 112, Muirhead Tower
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.
A person sits at a table Preparing for your viva
17th July 11am - noon
Online
The viva is an important part of the assessment for your programme. Attend this workshop in the months approaching your viva to do some practical activities to help you prepare.
A student working on a laptop Summer Thesis & Dissertation Writing course: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
20th July midnight - 24th July midnight
Online
Improve your understanding of academic conventions and writing when preparing longer, research-based texts at postgraduate level (e.g. PhD thesis or Master's dissertation) with these summer sessions for international students.
A student working on a laptop outdoors Summer Thesis & Dissertation Writing course: Technology, Engineering and Medical Sciences
20th July midnight - 24th July midnight
Online
Improve your understanding of academic conventions and writing when preparing longer, research-based texts at postgraduate level (e.g. PhD thesis or Master's dissertation) with these summer sessions for international students.
Metal structures stand between trees in a forest seen from above BIFoR Annual Meeting 2026: The Remembering Forest
22nd July midnight - 23rd July midnight
Alan Walters Building
The BIFoR Annual Meeting 2026 marks ten years of CO₂ enrichment research at the FACE facility and brings together international researchers, policymakers and practitioners to explore how forests “remember” environmental change.
A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
10th August 10am - noon
Online
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.
A person sits at a table Preparing for your viva
12th August 3pm - 4pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
The viva is an important part of the assessment for your programme. Attend this workshop in the months approaching your viva to do some practical activities to help you prepare.
The Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room Shut Up and Work for early career researchers
14th August 9:30am - 4:30pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
Work on your own writing, planning or literature discovery in a quiet but supportive environment. There will be time to set targets at the beginning of the day and there will be regular planned breaks to enable you to network or take a walk.
A person sits at a table Preparing for your viva
10th September 4pm - 5pm
Online
The viva is an important part of the assessment for your programme. Attend this workshop in the months approaching your viva to do some practical activities to help you prepare.
A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
15th September 2pm - 4pm
Online
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.
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