Postgraduate researcher services, funding and support

We are committed to helping our postgraduate researchers to become future research leaders, producing impactful researchers who benefit society.

To find out more about our plan to grow and support postgraduate researchers, view our Commitment to Postgraduate Research.

Our Commitment to Postgraduate Research (PDF, 1.7MB)

We offer a range of support, funding opportunities and programmes. Find out more using the links below:

• Postgraduate researcher induction
• Virtual Graduate Centre
• Postgraduate Researcher Project Fund
• Conference, Exhibition and Performance Fund
• Postgraduate Research Skills Programme
• Library and Learning Services

For questions about any of the support we offer, email us at ResearchOffice@yorksj.ac.uk.

Postgraduate researcher induction

York St John University York campus
First Monday and Tuesday of February, June and October

We run a tailored induction for postgraduate researchers (PGRs). During the induction you will meet other PGRs across a range of disciplines, find out what it's like to be a PGR at York St John University, and discover the support available to you from our professional services teams. This includes the Library, Digital Training, Wellbeing, Careers and International Student Support teams.

You will also learn about the postgraduate research student lifecycle. This tracks the key milestones throughout your degree and the information you will need to succeed at York St John. It also includes details of useful research policies and documents.

Within the induction, you will have the chance to meet the Research Office team who provide support throughout the PGR lifecycle. You will also meet your PGR Representatives who are here to make sure that your voice is heard.

The induction takes place on our York campus on the first Monday and Tuesday of October, February and June. This is in line with the 1 October, 1 February and 1 June start dates for postgraduate researchers. 

All October, February and June intakes will be sent the Induction Programme prior to starting your course, with all the relevant details on timings and locations.

Virtual Graduate Centre

We provide resources for postgraduate researchers in our Virtual Graduate Centre on SharePoint.

In the Centre you will find training and skills development sessions, information on policies, guidance and regulations, and forums for you to share top tips with your peers.

Virtual Graduate Centre (SharePoint)

Postgraduate Researcher Project Fund

As a doctoral postgraduate researcher (PGR), you can apply for funding of up to £500 (full time) or £250 (part time) for the current financial year from the PGR Project Fund. Funding can be used for the following activities:

• Fieldwork
• Specialist equipment
• Technical training
• Materials for Practice-Led PhD
• Participant incentives
• Exceptional requests

All applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Research Office. To apply you need to complete and submit a Project Fund application form:

PGR Project Fund application form

Any purchases made without approval cannot be reimbursed.

Before you apply, please familiarise yourself with the following documents, particularly RO07 PGR Project Fund Guidance 2023-24.

Associated documents:

RO07 PGR Project Fund Guidance 2023-24 (PDF, 0.2MB)

RO08 - Payments to Participants (docx, 43.6 kB)

PGR GTA Expense Claim Form (xlsx, 46.7 KB)

YSJ Travel Domestic Booking Form - PGR Travel (docx, 47.4 kB)

YSJ Travel International Booking Form - PGR Travel (docx, 55.1 kB)

Postgraduate Researcher Absence Request Form (Student Visa holders) (docx, 23kB)

Postgraduate Researcher Conference, Exhibition and Performance Fund

In addition to the PGR Project Fund, the Research Office is also happy to support you by offering the opportunity to apply once per academic year for up to £1000 towards presenting at an in-person conference, exhibition or performance (international or domestic) or up to £250 for an online conference.

To apply you need to complete and submit the below application form to ResearchOffice@yorksj.ac.uk.

Any purchases made without approval cannot be reimbursed. Before you apply, please familiarise yourself with the following documents

Associated documents:

PGR Conference, Exhibition and Performance fund application form (docx, 70KB)

RO35 PGR Conference, Exhibition and Performance Fund guidance (PDF 0.2 MB)

YSJ Travel Domestic Booking Form - PGR Travel (docx, 47.4 kB)

YSJ Travel International Booking Form - PGR Travel (docx, 55.1 kB)

Postgraduate Research Skills Programme

We support the University's diverse research community by organising training and development opportunities, events and conferences for postgraduate researchers.

Our PGR Research Skills Programme offers a range of essential and additional sessions structured around the following themes:

• Communicating your research
• Research ethics and integrity
• Methods, tools and techniques
• Wellbeing for researchers
• Career development

For more information, please visit the Virtual Graduate Centre (SharePoint)

Associated documents:

PGR Research Skills Programme 2023-24 (PDF, 1.5MB)