University of Salford: Postgraduate Research Guide 2025
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
BECOME UNSTOPPABLE
It’s an exciting time to be doing research at Salford. Building on our rich heritage of industry engagement, the University is now at the heart of 21st century creativity and learning.
We’re proud of our research expertise and diversity at Salford. Our results in the most recent REF (Research Excellence Framework) in 2021 demonstrate the excellence of our research, with 78% of our research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. Find out more at salford.ac.uk/research/ref-2021
Our Doctoral School brings together PhD researchers from across the University who come from a wide variety of backgrounds, adding their life experiences and unique journeys to our collective knowledge and expertise. The Doctoral School’s core values of diversity, inclusivity and equality are celebrated and embedded in all that we do, supporting a vibrant community in which collaborative and interdisciplinary working can flourish.
We offer an accessible, inclusive, and communitydriven training programme - to enable you to develop professionally and personally throughout your time at Salford. This includes a 12-week course in your first trimester, designed to embed you into your programme, and continues in Years 2 and 3 with initiatives to help develop your research skills and enhance your employability.
[Our] supportive research community will enable you to fulfil your unique potential.
We also host the Salford Postgraduate Annual Research Conference (SPARC), our free, two-day event which brings together postgraduate researchers from all disciplines to exchange ideas and celebrate students’ work. For more details on our training opportunities, see page 31.
A selection of start dates allow you to begin your study when it is most convenient for you, while our online doctoral programme enables researchers based outside the Greater Manchester area to complete their PhD studies with us.
Whatever your reasons for pursuing a PhD, our inclusive training and development opportunities and supportive research community will enable you to fulfil your unique potential.
OUR RESEARCH AT SALFORD
At Salford we have a large community of postgraduate research (PGR) students across our different research centres, which cover a range of topics based upon the specialisms of our four academic schools:
/ School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology
/ Salford Business School
/ School of Health and Society
/ School of Science, Engineering and Environment
The next few pages will give an outline of the expertise and research areas we offer.
You
have the best support system in Salford. There are resources and facilities available to help you, and the amazing team of people here are like your family.
Dr Vashti Gbolagun Suwa, Doctoral alumni in Literature and Creative Writing
ARTS, MEDIA AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Within the fields of Arts, Media and Creative Technology we are home to a vibrant research culture, with our PGR students undertaking research across a variety of disciplines, including:
/ Art and design
/ English and creative writing
/ Linguistics
/ Media
/ Music
/ Performance
/ Politics and contemporary history
Our research is supported by state-of-the-art facilities, which encourage innovative and collaborative exchange. The Salford International Innovation Studio at our MediaCity campus brings together research staff, artists, designers and other creative practitioners, while the New Adelphi Building on our Peel Park campus offers world-class exhibition and performance spaces, making Salford a great environment for researchers and practitioners from a wide range of disciplines. Our work is often in anticipation of and influenced by the needs of our media industry neighbours such as ITV, BBC and Dock 10, developing high impact technologies. Our research also helps the lives of people in the community, for example our ‘Design against Crime’ research unit which has helped to transform the design of our cities to make them safer and better suited for our communities.
WHAT NEXT?
Find out more about postgraduate research in arts and media.
For more information contact: Doctoral School Support Officer pgr-supportsam@salford.ac.uk
SALFORD IMPACT
In the REF 2021 results, 100% of our Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, and Library and Information Management research impact was judged to be outstanding or very considerable in terms of reach and significance. The academic conference, ‘Challenging Media Landscapes’ (part of Salford International Media Festival) embodies our approach. Organised by the University of Salford, it serves as a platform for academic discourse and debate, where academics contribute to panel discussions and papers on contemporary media. Visit salfordmediafestival.co.uk to find out more.
New
Adelphi Building on our Peel Park campus offers worldclass exhibition and performance spaces
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT AND LAW
If you’re thinking of studying for a PhD in business, management or law, Salford Business School is perfectly placed to help you. By studying at Salford, you will be joining an enterprising, award-winning business school with a vibrant international community, in a city-region of rapid growth and high economic investment.
Our research areas broadly align to the University’s overall Innovation Strategy, with an emphasis on: / Business change / Entrepreneurial thinking / FinTech
/ Ethical and sustainable working / Digital transformation
Salford Business School inspires postgraduate researchers to be curious, think critically and challenge assumptions in ways that equip them with the personal and professional qualities valued by academic and industry employers alike.
Our students come from diverse backgrounds and countries across the globe, with many having previous work experience. At Salford Business School, we have established links with a range of businesses and organisations who offer exciting opportunities for industry-relevant research.
We want to encourage and develop the next generation of researchers who want to make a difference, bringing together disciplines, and challenging existing ways of thinking and viewing the world of business, organisations and beyond.
Engaging in research has opened up numerous opportunities for me, both within the Digital Financial Ecosystem industry and the academic sphere. It has significantly increased my interest in academia, broadened my networking opportunities, and expanded my knowledge-sharing horizons within the industry.
Dr Nafisa Usman, Doctoral alumni Financial Technology and Digital Intelligence
WHAT NEXT?
Find out more about postgraduate research in business, management and law.
For more information contact: Doctoral School Support Officer pgr-supportsbs@salford.ac.uk
HEALTH AND SOCIETY
In the fields of health and society, our expert teaching staff, strong industry links and excellent facilities will equip you with the knowledge and experiences to advance your research or career. Our PGR students undertake research across a variety of disciplines, including:
/ Nursing
/ Allied health professions
/ Sport
/ Psychology
/ Social sciences
/ Social work and social policy
/ Criminology
Our research is complemented by our innovative facilities including a Simulation Suite, which mirrors real-life clinical environments; the Centre for Medical Imaging, a £2.87 million facility creating a world-class environment for research; our Human Performance Lab, which contains an extensive range of biomechanical and physiological equipment; Movement Labs where students have the opportunity to conduct motion analysis; and our purpose-built counselling suites.
Construction has also started on our brand new Health and Wellbeing Building which will offer world class teaching, practice and research facilities, as well as public services for the community.
Our researchers have made positive change at regional, national and international levels and their work is fed back directly into our teaching so that you benefit from relevant, evidence-based lectures. This will allow you to develop skills relevant to the workplace along with the needs of your patients or clients.
Research in health and society is structured into three main research centres:
The focus of our Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation is to address global health challenges which limit mobility and prevent people from living independently. This includes research into rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, long-term conditions - such as limb loss, diabetes and strokes – as well as health problems associated with ageing.
The Centre for Applied Health Research is a multidisciplinary research centre involving experts in nursing, allied health, public health, diagnostic imaging, psychology, mental health and digital information systems. Our research is largely applied in nature and often uses technology and digital solutions to solve real world problems and make positive changes within society, both nationally and internationally. Our multidisciplinary themes cover broad areas including: Care across the Lifecourse, Digital Health and Medical Imaging, Health Equity and Inequalities, Long Term Conditions and Mental Health and Neurodiversity.
The work of our Centre for Research on Inclusive Society focuses on social inclusion and exclusion and advancing knowledge on inclusive policies and practices. Our research aims to influence policy development and social change to improve equality and inclusion. We explore this through six key thematic areas: Environment, Sustainability and Society; Work and Welfare; Criminal Justice Deviance and Victimology; Digital Society; Inclusivity, Equity and Belonging; and People, Space and Place.
WHAT NEXT?
Find out more about postgraduate research in health and society.
For more information contact: Doctoral School Support Officer pgr-supportshas@salford.ac.uk
The School of Health and Society offers an abundance of opportunities for personal and academic development, tailored to the needs of research students at every stage of their research journey. This support system has been instrumental in my progress.
Ivy Okereke, PhD student, Artificial Intelligence in Breast Imaging: Mammography Workforce Perspective
SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENT
The School of Science, Engineering and Environment is home to a large and vibrant research community of more than 300 PGR students, who form an integral part of our research and academic teams. Our research is structured into three overarching areas, including:
/ Computer science and engineering
/ Human and natural sciences
/ Sustainable built and natural environments
As a PGR student you will work together with our talented research staff in our world-leading facilities such as the Energy House performance test labs, Maker Space, our flagship additive and digital manufacturing facility, and the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre, as well as laboratories for acoustics, civil engineering, biomedicine, and environmental sciences to name a few.
Within Computer Science and Engineering, our specialist research areas include aeronautical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, AI and data science, cyber security, networking and mathematics, and robotics.
PGR students are making significant contributions to their fields that often involve technological challenges and require a multidisciplinary approach. This setting promotes new ideas, knowledge sharing, and the development of innovative solutions to pressing issues.
We also have strong research and academic partnerships with industry, including organisations such as the BBC, Dyson, Apple, BT, Cisco and the Temporary Works Forum (TWf). These partnerships enable effective knowledge transfer and up-to-date awareness of topical issues.
Research in the Human and Natural Sciences covers the subject areas biology and wildlife, biomedicine and chemical and physical sciences.
Our research on ecosystems and environments is focused on advancing the understanding of key environmental challenges of major economic and societal importance, including biodiversity resource management, climate and environmental change and the spread of infectious diseases. We study the management and governance of living and non-living components of ecosystems and work globally in habitats ranging from oceans to tropical rainforests and the urban core of our major cities.
Our researchers in the field of biomedicine focus on cancer, inflammation, therapeutics and drug design, infectious diseases, pharmacology, physiology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, and cell biology. Much of our research underpins understanding and treatment of diseases and is developed with hospital and industry partners to generate better therapies.
Research interests in materials physics and chemistry of materials include the synthesis, characterisation, and modelling of materials with applications in the areas of nanotechnology, quantum technologies, photovoltaics, energy materials and materials under extreme conditions.
This diversity of disciplines empowers a community of ambitious and driven students and supervisors
Research in the Sustainable Built and Natural Environments falls into the fields of acoustics, architecture and design, construction and property management, geography and environment as well as property and surveying. This diversity of disciplines empowers a community of ambitious and driven students and supervisors, who create a dynamic and exciting research environment supported by world-leading facilities.
Among them, Energy House Labs, our globally unique facility addresses net zero, energy efficiency and fuel poverty in homes. Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Digital Built Environment is another pioneering research group that also organises an annual summer school. Our research in urban resilience against climate change is aimed at developing decision-making tools that can help both national and local agencies to reduce the detrimental impact of natural hazards on urban infrastructure and communities.
Our sustainable environments research spans the built and natural environments, including environmental pollution, the management of rivers, the role of green infrastructure in supporting sustainable urban futures, and technological advances to enhance monitoring and management of the environment. The acoustics research group investigates, among other things, electronic vehicles in our state-of-the-art laboratories, from the physics of the sound generation, through to the psychology of how people respond to the noise.
Our acoustics research will also benefit from our brand new Acoustics Building, which, when complete, will provide the University with stateof-the-art testing facilities and will house the teaching, research and commercial activities of our Acoustics Department.
I knew that I wanted my further study to be practically focused, where I would gain real-world skills that employers are looking for. As soon as I arrived in Salford, I knew I had chosen exactly the right place for this.
Paxton, Masters by Research Audio and Acoustics graduate
WHAT NEXT?
Find out more about postgraduate research in science, engineering and environment.
For more information contact: Doctoral School Support Officer pgr-supportssee@salford.ac.uk
HOW TO APPLY
WE HAVE ENTRY POINTS IN JANUARY, MAY AND SEPTEMBER FOR MOST RESEARCH DEGREES
THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
STEP 1
Formulate a niche research area.
STEP 2
Visit the ‘Our Staff’ webpage to discover whether we have a PGR supervisor in your field: salford.ac.uk/our-staff
STEP 3
STEP 4
Find out more about fees and funding opportunities, visit salford.ac.uk/ postgraduate-research/fees for more information.
STEP 5
Write your research proposal (see further information on the next page).
STEP 6
Contact the supervisor to see whether they have capacity to take on a PGR student.
Submit your application on our online portal.
STEP 7
Come along to one of our PGR events. Scan the QR code to find out more.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED?
We accept students who have a first degree (upper second class and above) in a relevant subject and preferably also a master’s degree. We also require a proven level of English language abilities for international students.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE SUPPORT
Our Pre-sessional English courses aim to improve your English language prior to starting your PhD. This also enables you to meet English language conditions for a Student Route visa. Once here, our Learn English for Academic Purposes (LEAP) Higher course offers in-sessional support to improve your academic English, studying a few hours per week alongside your PhD programme.
Find out more on our English language courses, visit salford.ac.uk/salford-languages email salfordlanguages@salford.ac.uk or give us a call on +44 (0)161 295 5990
If you are a UK applicant, please submit your application at least six weeks before your course starts. If you are applying from outside the UK, please submit your application at least ten weeks before your course starts.
You’ll need to submit your application through our online application portal at apply.salford.ac.uk
HOW TO PREPARE A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
The research proposal is a crucial part of your application. You should discuss your proposal with the postgraduate research admissions contact at the school you are applying to, in order to make sure you understand what is expected in your subject area.
A research proposal is an outline of your proposed research that is designed to:
/ Formulate and define a clear, interesting research question; this may take the form of a hypothesis to be tested, or an open-ended enquiry.
/ Establish the relevance and value of the proposed research question in the context of current academic thinking, highlighting its originality and significance.
/ Outline a clear and practical methodology which enables you to answer the research question, and to describe and evaluate any data or source material you will draw upon.
/ Suggest what you hope to discover at the end of your research and what new areas it might open up.
/ Provide a provisional timeline of your research.
INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If you’re an international student applying to study in the UK you’ll need a student visa. Our student support site, askUS, provides detailed instructions on how to apply for this, whether you’re based within the UK or outside.
Visit salford.ac.uk/askus/topics/immigration -and-visas/before-you-arrive for more details.
You can also find more details on the visa at gov.uk/student-visa
Find more information on all aspects of applying, including more detailed guidance on writing your research proposal.
FEES AND FUNDING
FEES
There are a range of funding and payment options that could reduce the cost of your postgraduate qualification and there is also the option of paying your fees in instalments to help spread the cost.
Fees vary depending on your programme of study and if you are a home or international student.
If you’re studying part-time, you are charged pro-rata based on the length of your course.
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis, please check our website for the most up to date information.
FUNDING SCHOLARSHIPS
We offer some scholarships to help students with the cost of tuition fees.
/ Widening participation scholarships Our Masters (MPhil or MSc by Research) Widening Participation Fee Scholarship and PhD Widening Participation Scholarship are available to UK candidates (or those eligible for UK fees) from groups currently underrepresented within research, including students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with a disability and those who are a first-generation university student.
The scholarships are applicable to all research areas and cover UK tuition fees. PhD students also receive a bursary and an annual research budget.
/ We also offer funded opportunities within specific research areas and topics across our schools.
All current opportunities and eligibility criteria can be found at salford.ac.uk/doctoral-school/ phd-studentships
RESEARCH DEGREE LOANS
There are two different types of loans available from the government, which can be used to help cover course fees and living costs.
/ Doctoral loan: If you are studying for a doctoral qualification (e.g. PhD/DPhil), you can apply for a postgraduate doctoral loan of up to £30,301*, weighted over three years.
/ Master’s loan: If you are studying for a master’s qualification (e.g. MPhil/MSc by Research), you can apply for a postgraduate master’s loan of up to £12,858*. If your course lasts for more than a year, the loan will be divided equally across each year of your course.
Currently, you’ll only start to repay your Doctoral or Master’s loan when your income is over £403 a week, £1,750 a month or £21,000 a year.*
Both students studying on campus and via distance learning (providing they live in the UK) will be eligible for the loans. Find out more, including full eligibility criteria and repayment information at gov.uk/doctoral-loan and gov.uk/masters-loan
LOYALTY DISCOUNT
We are pleased to be able to offer a 20% discount on your net fee if you are a University of Salford graduate and will be self-funding your course. To be eligible for the discount you must be progressing onto the next level.
RESEARCH COUNCILS
The most important sources of funding for postgraduate students in the UK are the research councils. These bodies are government-funded agencies engaged in the support of research in different disciplines. The research councils do not generally make studentship awards directly to students, but usually allocate them to departments in universities. Visit ukri.org for details.
ANNUAL BURSARY COMPETITIONS
A number of other public and non-governmental organisations also hold annual bursary competitions. In some instances, the money is available for study anywhere; in others, you may be required to apply for study at a specific university or in a specific country. We update our list of annual bursary competitions on a regular basis.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Find more information on all of our funding options available, including specific eligibility criteria
*For the academic year 2025/26. The loan amount and repayment thresholds are subject to change each year.
MILESTONES
KEY STAGES TO UNDERTAKING A RESEARCH DEGREE
Throughout your research degree there will be opportunities to discuss your progress and evaluate your work through a series of meetings, assessments and annual reports.
The key stages of progression include:
/ The Learning Agreement - this is the focus of your first two supervision sessions, setting out your predicted progress and is reviewed regularly and updated annually with your supervisors.
/ Interim Assessment - a written report about your research project describing your progress and plans for the future. You will also have to attend an oral exam.
/ Annual Progress Reports - your supervisor provides a summary of progress to date, including any issues arising and research training requirements.
/ Annual Self-Evaluation Reports - a selfappraisal of your progress and the chance to comment on supervisor support and research facilities available.
/ Internal Evaluation - submission of a second written report, assessed by independent experts to determine your progression.
/ Viva exam - an oral exam giving you the chance to talk about your research project, followed by questions from examiners.
/ Completion - the final year(s) of your research degree during which you will have your thesis examined and the award ratified if you pass.
You can find out more about these key stages at salford.ac.uk/postgraduate-research/ progression-monitoring
EXAMPLE MILESTONES FOR A FULL-TIME PHD
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
INTERIM ASSESSMENT (MONTH 9-11)
ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT (APR)
ANNUAL SELFEVALUATION REPORT (SER)
REGISTRATION
ETHICAL APPROVAL
12 DOCUMENTED SUPERVISION MEETINGS
END OF YEAR 1
REVIEW LEARNING AGREEMENT
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
VIVA VOCE
INTERNAL EVALUATION (MONTH 21-23)
12 DOCUMENTED SUPERVISION MEETINGS
LEARNING AGREEMENT (BY MONTH 3)
HANDBOOK RESEARCH SUPERVISION RECORD
ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT (APR)
REGISTRATION
ANNUAL SELF-EVALUATION REPORT (SER)
END OF YEAR 2
END OF YEAR 3
SUBMIT THESIS
ANNUAL SELF-EVALUATION REPORT (SER)
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT (APR)
WRITE UP THESIS
REGISTRATION
REVIEW LEARNING AGREEMENT
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SUBMIT
12 DOCUMENTED SUPERVISION MEETINGS
TIMELINE FOR FULL-TIME PHD
3 YEARS + 1 YEAR COMPLETION
The next few pages contain example timelines for the different postgraduate research study options.
Full-time studies to include online doctorate PhD START
YEAR 1
Learning agreement and ethics checklist 0-3 months
Interim assessment 9-11 months
Annual progress report (by supervisor) 12 months
Self-evaluation report 12 months
YEAR 2
Internal evaluation 21-23 months
Annual progress report (by supervisor) 24 months
Self-evaluation report 24 months
YEAR 3
Annual progress report (by supervisor) 36 months
Self-evaluation report 36 months
Submission of thesis 36 months
YEAR 4
Completion year to include viva and award of PhD
TIMELINE FOR PART-TIME PHD
6 YEARS + 1 YEAR COMPLETION START
YEAR 2
Interim assessment 15-20 months
Annual progress report (by supervisor)
24 months
Self-evaluation report
24 months
YEAR
1
Learning agreement and ethics checklist 0-3 months
Annual progress report (by supervisor) 12 months
Self-evaluation report 12 months
YEAR 4
Annual progress report (by supervisor)
48 months
Self-evaluation report
48 months
YEAR
3
Internal evaluation 35-40 months
Annual progress report (by supervisor)
36 months
Self-evaluation report
36 months
YEAR
6
Annual progress report (by supervisor)
72 months
Self-evaluation report
72 months
Submission of thesis
72 months
YEAR
5
Annual progress report (by supervisor)
60 months
Self-evaluation report 60 months
YEAR 7
Completion year to include viva and award of PhD
TIMELINE FOR PHD BY PUBLISHED WORKS
1 YEAR + 1 YEAR COMPLETION
START
POST REGISTRATION
Submit application and prima facie report along with £500 fee Prima facie assessment
YEAR 1
Annual progress report 12 months
Self-evaluation report 12 months Submission of thesis 9-12 months
YEAR 2
Completion year to include viva and award of degree 24 months
TIMELINE FOR MPHIL, MSC BY RESEARCH, AND LLM
FULL-TIME 1 YEAR + 1 YEAR COMPLETION
START
YEAR 1
Learning agreement and ethics checklist 0-3 months
Annual progress report 12 months
Self-evaluation report 12 months
Submission of thesis 12 months
YEAR 2
Completion year to include viva (if required) and award of degree
PART-TIME 2 YEARS + 1 YEAR COMPLETION
FINISH
START
YEAR
1
Learning agreement and ethics checklist 0-3 months
Annual progress report 12 months
Self-evaluation report 12 months
YEAR 2
Annual progress report 24 months
Self-evaluation report 24 months
Submission of thesis
YEAR 3
Completion year to include viva (if required) and award of degree
FINISH
TIMELINE FOR PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE (DPROF) IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
ACCELERATED DPROF 3 YEARS + 2 YEARS COMPLETION
ACCELERATEDDIRECT ENTRY
Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) process
Level 7 - 180 credits and relevant experience (equivalent Research Methods and Dissertation module)
GRADUATE TAUGHT ENTRY
PGT master’s programme, 180 credits (must include Research Methods and Dissertation module)
Full-time – one year
Part-time – two years
YEAR 3
Research component. January, May and September intakes. Access to research training programme, peer support groups, monthly supervision.
Interim assessment
33-35 months
Annual progress report
36 months
Self-evaluation report
36 months
YEAR 4 Research component. Access to research training programme, peer support groups, monthly supervision.
Annual progress report
48 months
Self-evaluation report
48 months
CONTINUED
YEAR 5 Research component. Access to research training programme, peer support groups, monthly supervision.
Internal evaluation 50-55 months
Annual progress report 60 months
Self-evaluation report 60 months
YEAR 6
Additional completion year if needed.
Annual progress report
72 months
Self-evaluation report
72 months
Submission of thesis
YEAR 7
Additional completion phase to include viva and award of degree
TIMELINE FOR SPLIT SITE PHD
3 YEARS + 1 YEAR COMPLETION
YEAR 2
Internal evaluation
21-23 months
Annual progress report (by supervisor)
24 months
Self-evaluation report 24 months
** Students would need to spend a minimum of 3 months in the UK at Salford**
START
A Local Advisor option is also available which will be discussed at point of application.
YEAR 1
Learning agreement and ethics checklist
0-3 months
Interim assessment 9-11 months
Annual progress report (by supervisor)
12 months
Self-evaluation report 12 months
** Students would need to spend a minimum of 3 months in the UK at Salford**
YEAR 4
Completion year to include viva and award of PhD
** Students would need to spend a minimum of 3 months in the UK at Salford** FINISH
YEAR 3
Annual progress report (by supervisor)
36 months
Self-evaluation report
36 months
Submission of thesis
36 months
** Students would need to spend a minimum of 3 months in the UK at Salford**
STUDENT SUPPORT
SUPERVISORY TEAM
As a postgraduate researcher, you will be allocated an academic supervisory team as well as a personal tutor, whose responsibility will be to provide pastoral guidance.
WHAT WILL MY SUPERVISORY TEAM EXPECT FROM ME?
We view our PGR students as independent researchers, who lead on their own research, but are guided as necessary by their supervisory team. The ultimate responsibility for the work and the eventual thesis lies with you and it is vital that you participate fully in the planning and completion of the research project.
I enjoy seeing students grow and develop from the start of their PGR journey to a confident researcher at the end of their studies.
Dr Carina Price, Research supervisor, School of Health and Society
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY SUPERVISORY TEAM?
Your supervisory team are there to support your postgraduate research journey. They are responsible for facilitating your academic progress and developing you as a researcher. They will provide you with the guidance and help that you need to complete your research project. At the start of your journey you will discuss with your supervisory team your learning styles and preferences and together you will develop a supervision arrangement, which will include regular meetings and milestones. This arrangement will be included in the learning agreement which you create at the beginning of your study, and can be updated as needed. As well as regular meetings and guidance, supervisors support your academic development though feedback on work, training in specific skills, providing networking and other development opportunities as appropriate.
RESEARCHER TRAINING, DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT
Researchers at Salford have access to the PGR training programme COMPASS (our Community Model for Postgraduate Achievement, Skills and future Success), which is designed to support and guide you through your research training journey by providing an extensive range of development activities which:
/ Build confidence, capability and encourage collaborations through bespoke cohort-based and community-driven training
/ Develop the skills needed for effective research
/ Provide transferable skills to enhance employability
/ Support thesis writing and the submission process
/ Provide exposure to the wider professional research environment through conferences and dissemination
This programme is complementary to your core research activity and is designed to help you develop as a researcher. It includes an extensive range of online support, available at any time, as well as face to face workshops and one to one support. This community-centred programme supports you to achieve success both in your studies and beyond.
COMPASS is continually reviewed and enhanced to fit around your core research and is tailored towards your specific researcher requirements. For more information about our training and development, visit salford.ac.uk/doctoral-school/ training-and-development
SALFORD POSTGRADUATE ANNUAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE (SPARC)
SPARC is a forum for developing research, offering a space for postgraduate researchers from all disciplines to exchange ideas and share their research.
The free two-day conference gives research students the opportunity to hear from influential keynote speakers and take part in a range of workshops and training sessions. You will also have the chance to present your own work to the PGR community, helping to develop your confidence and presentation skills.
Our SPARC event takes place in June and is open to all. Come along to find out more about postgraduate research at Salford, and chat to our current students and academics.
Find out more at salford.ac.uk/postgraduate-research/research-events
SPARC brings the whole of the University PGR community together. Regardless of discipline, everyone takes the time to appreciate the incredible research that our postgraduates are doing on a day-to-day basis, pushing boundaries and furthering advancement within their fields.
Professor Katherine Yates, Director of the Doctoral School
Photos courtesy of Adam Battersby
CONFERENCE FUNDING
WIDER UNIVERSITY SUPPORT
We offer postgraduate research students in Year 2 or 3 of their PhD the opportunity to apply for funding to attend international and UK conferences if they are presenting a paper, poster or other form of presentation. Successful applicants will receive a contribution to travel and accommodation costs up to a maximum of £1,000, and students can also apply for funding to cover additional nonstandard costs, such as childcare.
We have dedicated staff here who can help at any point during your time at Salford, offering information and advice on matters such as finance, wellbeing and counselling, accommodation and more.
For further information visit salford.ac.uk/student-support-services
GET IN TOUCH
We encourage prospective students to contact us so that we can put you in touch with specialist staff to explore your research ideas and the opportunities we offer.
We are here to support you through your PhD:
SCHOOL OF ARTS, MEDIA AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY pgr-supportsam@salford.ac.uk
SALFORD BUSINESS SCHOOL pgr-supportsbs@salford.ac.uk
SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND SOCIETY pgr-supportshas@salford.ac.uk
SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENT pgr-supportssee@salford.ac.uk
COME AND VISIT US AT ONE OF OUR EVENTS!
OPEN DAYS: / WEDNESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2025 / WEDNESDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2026 / WEDNESDAY 24 JUNE 2026
Find out more at salford.ac.uk/postgraduate/open-days
SPARC PGR
/ JUNE 2026
CONFERENCE
Find out more at salford.ac.uk/ postgraduate-research/research-events
STUDENTS’ STORIES
Find out what it’s like to study at Salford from our PGR students. Scan the QR code.
