Information for supervisors

The Birkbeck Graduate Research School (BGRS) provides essential information and guidance to support supervisors. 

THE MPHIL/PHD APPLICATION PROCESS 

• Read more about the application process for prospective MPhil/PhD research students. 

BIRKBECK EXPERTS' DATABASE 

• Prospective MPhil/PhD research students can search the Experts' Database for potential supervisors. 
• If you need to amend or update your details on the Experts' Database, please contact your departmental PGR administrator and/or team leader, or, if you're unsure who to contact, get in touch with the BGRS. 

STUDENTSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

• The BGRS maintains a list of current Birkbeck PhD studentship opportunities which includes an overview of PhD studentship funding at Birkbeck. 
• If you have a PhD studentship opportunity that you would like to highlight, or which you would like to advertise, please contact us. 
• Arts and Humanities Council (AHRC) studentships are available for MPhil/PhD research at Birkbeck for October 2019 via the Consortium for the Humanities and the Arts Southeast England (CHASE) doctoral training programme. 
• Details of the application process will be made available in late October 2018. 
• In the meantime, you can: 
• Read the CHASE admissions and recruitment briefing notes (2018-19). 
• Read the CHASE selection panels terms of reference (2019-20). 
• Read the CHASE application guidance notes (2019-20). 
• Read the CHASE call for projects (2018-19). 

MPHIL/PHD SUPERVISION AND THE SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP

• Read the Birkbeck Code of Practice for Postgraduate Training and Research for MPhil and PhD degrees, which describes the responsibilities of supervisors and research students at Birkbeck and outlines the expectations for supervision arrangements and supervisory roles (including the roles of Principal Supervisor, Joint Principal Supervisor and Second Supervisor). 
• Read about MPhil/PhD supervision and the supervisory relationship from the student's perspective.
• Read our guidance notes on appointing an external supervisor. 
• MPhil/PhD supervisors should read about the Training Needs Analysis (TNA) process. The TNA allows research students to establish and document their training priorities. 

IMPORTANT MPHIL/PHD STUDENT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

• Birkbeck takes its responsibilities towards its students very seriously and has formal policies, procedures and regulations in place with you must familiarise yourself with: 
• Regulations: read Birkbeck's regulations for research degrees. 
• Policies: many of Birkbeck's policies apply to students at all levels of study, but some are specific to research students. 

RESEARCH TRACK

• Research Track is a centrally accessible system supporting postgraduate research student activities at Birkbeck. Further information about Research Track is available on the BGRS Moodle site.
• As a supervisor, you can view details of your current Birkbeck PhD students on Research Track. To do this you should log in to My Birkbeck for Staff, look for the blue container titled ‘Research Track’ and select ‘My Research Students’. 

BGRS Moodle site  

• MPhil/PhD students and supervisors can access the BGRS Moodle site (please contact the BGRS if you can't), which includes: 
• highlighted information for new research students 
• a detailed overview of training and professional development available to research students 
• lecture capture, slides and handouts from BGRS training sessions 
• details of Birkbeck Postgraduate Research Student (PGR) Reps 
• a summary of careers and employability resources for research students 
• information about potential funding sources for current PhD students 
• information about internships, teaching and demonstrating opportunities 
• video resources and other useful information.  

Training for supervisors

• The Birkbeck Graduate Research School (BGRS) Training Programme includes training sessions for new and more experienced PhD supervisors. These usually take place twice per year. 
• The Learning and Organisational Development team in HR also offer useful training for MPhil/PhD supervisors. 
• The BGRS Moodle site contains video resources, including a useful video on 'Outstanding Supervision'. 

Vitae resources for supervisors 

• Vitae is a non-profit organisation that has been enhancing the skills and supporting the professional development of researchers for over 45 years. They provide research, training, events, consultancy and resources. 
• Birkbeck is an institutional member of Vitae, so you can access their online materials to support MPhil/PhD supervisors (note: you will need to log in). They also have extensive information on part-time researchers, which may be of use. 

the PhD examination process

• The examination and awarding process for all MPhil/PhD researchers is overseen by the Birkbeck Graduate Research School (BGRS). If you have queries, please contact the BGRS. 
• Regulations and guidelines 
• Supervisors should read Birkbeck's regulations for research degrees to understand the requirements for entry to PhD examination and how the candidate will be examined. 
• Research students should read our guidelines on how to enter a thesis for examination. 
• Statement of Contribution guidance is available for work done jointly by the research student and their supervisor(s). 
• Nomination of examiners
  
• PhD supervisors are responsible for nominating examiners. Read our guidance for appointing PhD examiners. 
• Once you have identified two examiners, you should complete the Nomination of Examiners form and email it to us at least four months before the anticipated thesis submission date. 
• Guidance and forms for external examiners 
• External examiners can find all the forms and guidelines they may need during the examination process. 
• Read about the PhD examination process at Birkbeck for external examiners.