Postgraduate and early career
The proportion of PhD students in England expected to obtain degrees has risen slightly, but at some institutions around a fifth may never qualify.
But NUS says commercial loans are not the answer to ‘crisis’
There are some important dos and don’ts to bear in mind when choosing someone to oversee your doctoral thesis, advises Tara Brabazon
Clear, engaging and jargon-free: years of research explained in 180 seconds
The government has announced a fund worth up to £125 million to support disadvantaged students into further study, as a new report reveals postgraduate numbers fell last year.
Groups of universities could raise funding for postgraduate student loans by issuing bonds, a report by the thinktank CentreForum has suggested.
Postgraduates recount ill-treatment by academics as well as bosses
More than 350 people, including several academics, have signed a petition protesting against the University of Leeds’ treatment of an international postgraduate student
Survey finds median wages and employment rates are holding steady
Blog posts reveal a lack of ‘socio-academic’ confidence among doctoral students paying their own way
Fewer than ten graduates each from Black Caribbean and Bangladeshi minority groups make the transition to a research degree each academic year, a study has found.
The viva, the final hurdle to gaining a PhD, is labour-intensive, not conducted to any national standard and is dreaded by students who fear an examiner will capriciously halt their career. Is it still fit for purpose? asks Elizabeth Gibney
Many doctoral candidates do not make clear their work’s scholarly contribution
Doctoral training centre model poses international challenge for institutions
Arts and humanities PhD graduates from the US are more employable than their UK counterparts, a conference on doctoral education has heard.
V-c aims for more international and postgraduate action
The University of Oxford is set to review its policy on postgraduate admissions after a college reached a settlement with an applicant who claimed it discriminated against poorer students.
A fellowship award for postgraduate students at 10 universities will encourage them to develop thinking that will promote a more “circular economy” – a school of thought that aims to increase the amount of financial and physical waste that is converted into resources.
Government loans may not be the answer, Hefce director argues. Elizabeth Gibney reports
NUS finds ‘illegal’ pay conditions in some universities. Elizabeth Gibney reports
Aberystwyth University is to re-launch a “pioneering” master’s degree that was withdrawn after it failed to attract any students.
Salary boost from master’s degree rises while profile of students narrows, says Sutton Trust report
Institution says students will be safe as it considers moving or closing specialist department
Regrets? They’ve had a few…but with the frustrations have come joys and satisfaction, too. Six scholars reveal what they wish they had known at the beginning of their careers and offer some sage advice to would-be professors
A university education department has warned that it may have to make redundancies as a result of government cuts to allocations of teacher training places.
LHC maintenance crew turn into zombies in film by Cern-based student. Matthew Reisz reports
Third of sector expects staff to hold qualification, FoI request shows. Elizabeth Gibney reports
Live tweeting at conferences is on the rise as audience members share with online followers, but some think it improper, impolite and plain rude. Chris Parr navigates the new-media rules
Internationally diverse departments outperform others, study finds. David Matthews writes
The perception among science, technology, engineering and maths PhD students that any career outside academia is akin to failure is denying industry access to high-quality, PhD-educated employees, a leading neuroscientist has claimed.
End ‘immoral’ barriers to access on grounds of wealth, union urges. Elizabeth Gibney writes
Essential discipline threatened by declining domestic and foreign interest
Longitudinal study adds to concerns raised about the future of UK research. Jack Grove reports
Analysis of doctorates prompts concerns over adequacy of scholars’ training, reports Jack Grove
UK’s future prosperity ‘relies on boosting the quality of master’s and PhD research’. Paul Jump reports
The system of examination for PhDs in the UK is a “scandal”, a conference on postgraduate issues heard last week.
