First month checklist
Your first month establishes access, support, supervision and the timetable for your research.
Essential actions
- Complete registration using your welcome message.
- Check your University email regularly; this is where official communications arrive.
- Meet the whole supervisory team on your first day, or as soon as possible afterwards if it is a weekend or holiday.
- Identify your Director of Studies and Independent Panel Chair.
- Complete your Supervision agreement within the first month.
- Attend supervisory-team, School and Doctoral College induction.
- Agree preparation and meeting dates for RD4 proposal review and RD5 confirmation review.
Your formal start date is the first of the month stated in your offer. A delayed first supervision meeting does not move it.
Doctoral College induction
It is mandatory and takes priority over other research-degree activities. The in-person course is two hours a week for eight weeks. An asynchronous online version is intended for distance-learning and part-time students who cannot feasibly attend campus. Non-standard starters must attend the next available course.
Arrange what you need
Check Facilities and resources, Tuition fees and sponsorship and, if applicable, Studentships and stipends. Discuss Disability support and adjustments early, although you can disclose needs at any point. Establish how ethical approval will be obtained before research is carried out.
Sources: Framework §§2.11–2.12, 3.6, 4.5, pp. 21–22, 28–29, 45. Read the source.