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News article

York St John University opens new Postgraduate Research School   

Published: 10 October 2024

  •   Featured
  •   Research
Students sitting on tiered seating chatting and working

York St John University has officially opened its new Postgraduate Research School, a major milestone for the University and its wider community.  

The new PGR School was formally opened at a celebration ceremony on campus last night (Wednesday 9 October) by Professor Karen Bryan, OBE, Vice Chancellor of York St John. 
 
It is hoped that the creation of a dedicated PGR School will improve the experiences of PGR students from the outset and offer more opportunities to undertake research degrees at York St John. 
 
The new school now brings together all the support for PGR students into one place, which will make the experience for students easier and more efficient to navigate their journey throughout their degree. 
 
York St John awarded the first master’s in Research and PhD awards in 2017. Now the University has over 300 postgraduate researchers completing their professional and practice-based doctorates, PhDs by Publication, and master’s by Research degrees. 
 
Professor Andrew Hill, Head of Postgraduate Research at York St John, said that with the University’s  postgraduate community growing, now was the right time to launch a PGR School that encapsulates the University’s values and mission.  
 
“Postgraduate researchers are a unique part of our University community,” said Andrew.  
“They work towards obtaining their award by completing original research and making a novel contribution to knowledge in their discipline. 
 
“Our new school will house dedicated support for our postgraduate researchers for admissions and applying for our research degrees. It will help them identify funding and scholarships to support their research and it will provide a comprehensive training programme of essential skills for researchers. 
 
“This will ensure the needs of all PGRs are placed at the heart of their experience, and that they have the opportunity to develop the skills they need for success in their research and their career ahead.” 
 
Speaking at the PGR School’s launch, Vice Chancellor of York St John University, Professor Karen Bryan, OBE, said: “The launch of our new Postgraduate Research School reflects our dynamic, and growing, PGR community.  
 
“Our postgraduate research students make a vital contribution to deepening our understanding of the world around us, and help to shed light on some of the most pressing challenges facing our society today.  
 
“As the University for Social Impact, York St John is dedicated to creating a supportive environment in which this research can flourish.”  
 
The PGR School will offer comprehensive support and direction to postgraduate researchers from the start to the completion of their research degree. This will include: 
 

  • A dedicated research skills training programme 
  • Admission support for domestic or international students 
  • Scholarships and funding support and advice for PGRs and PGR supervisors 
  • Events and opportunities to come together with others on their postgraduate research journey 
  • Training and guidance for postgraduate research supervisors 
  • Flexible workspace in York St John’s Graduate Centre on campus. 

 
The new PGR School does not replace any of the previous academic schools, meaning that current PGR students will not notice any change or disruption to their research. The school will also enhance the support provided to York St John’s academics who will join a new PGR Supervisor Network for support, mentorship, and training. 
 
York St John alumni Michael Grugan, now Lecturer of Psychology at Northumbria University, said: “In the period between 2015 and 2022 I completed both my Masters’ by Research and PhD at York St John University. For me, it was an easy choice to return to York St John after completing my undergraduate degree in 2014. 
 
“Highlights for me during this period include travelling to an international conference to present my research, publishing work from both my MSc and PhD programme of research and, forming important collaborations for future research activity.” 
 
York St John University has been ranked in the top 10 UK universities for postgraduate research student experience for part time students for three years running. In the 2024 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES), York St John saw its 5th consecutive increase in overall satisfaction amongst PGRs. The University also ranked 5th for both satisfaction with the quality of supervision and the research skills programme, and 8th for overall satisfaction among PGRs with declared disabilities and first in family.
 
Read more about the York St John University Postgraduate Research School.

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