Postgraduate Research School
Your PGR journey
A comprehensive guide to your research journey.
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Throughout your research degree, you will have set milestones and key points to help guide you in the right direction.
This page outlines each step of your journey, from enrolment and induction to reviews, thesis submission, and graduation. You'll find essential information about what to expect as a PGR at York St John, including guidance on your working week, formal assessments, and the support available to ensure your success.
Induction
After you enroll, the PGR School will send you information about our PGR induction, which typically takes place shortly after your start date, which is usually on the first Monday and Tuesday of the month you begin (October, February, or June).
During the induction, you'll learn what it's like to be a PGR at York St John and discover the support available to you from our professional services teams, including the Library, Digital Training, Wellbeing, Careers, and International Student Support.
A PGR working week
Full-time PGRs are expected to dedicate time to their research project and related activities, such as conference attendance or research skills training, equivalent to a full-time academic role which is approximately 40 hours per week.
Part-time PGRs should allocate the equivalent of an average of 20 hours per week to their research.
PGRs are encouraged to maintain a healthy work/life balance and are entitled to up to 25 days of holiday per year, in addition to official University closures, in consultation with their supervisory team.
Reviews and transfer assessment
Throughout your research degree, you will have formal review points to monitor your academic progress.
These are separate from your supervisory meetings and occur at regular intervals, depending on your programme.
If you are on a PhD programme, this will include a Transfer assessment at the end of Stage 1.
Our university offers Professional Doctorates part-time over 4 to 6 years, structured in two stages. We offer two types: one that is entirely taught and another that combines taught elements with an additional research stage.
Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) is the taught component, requiring you to complete and pass four 45-credit modules (two each year).
During Year 2, you will develop a research proposal, which will be reviewed by a transfer panel at the end of the year. On successful completion of all four modules and the transfer panel review, you will progress from the taught stage to the research stage of the doctorate.
Annual reviews will be held until you submit your thesis, with opportunities to attend relevant University training sessions. These reviews will consider your training needs and will be organized by our PGR School.
For any queries regarding Professional Doctorates, please contact the PGR School at pgr.school@yorksj.ac.uk, and they will direct you to the appropriate contact.
Thesis submission and examination
Towards the end of your programme, you will submit your thesis for assessment. An oral examination (viva voce) will be arranged for Doctoral PGRs, typically taking place within 3 months of your thesis submission.
Graduation
York St John graduation ceremonies take place in York Minster in November each year. You will graduate in the November following your award.