Training Needs Analysis

All postgraduate research students at Birkbeck are invited to complete a Training Needs Analysis (TNA). 

the benefits of Training Needs Analysis (TNA) 

• This process will help you: 
• create a framework to identify and assess your training needs 
• formulate a plan to meet your training needs 
• establish your priorities, so that you can identify and take advantage of relevant opportunities as they arise 
• develop high-level skills and experience, to strengthen your career prospects beyond your MPhil/PhD 
• record your training, to demonstrate and document your new skills 
• ensure the Birkbeck Graduate Research School (BGRS), schools and departments evaluate and develop the best training for MPhil/PhD researchers. 

Completing your Training Needs Analysis (TNA) form 

• Download a copy of the TNA form, including guidelines. 
• Please save your completed TNA form in the following format: TNA2018-department-surname-student number 
• Email your completed TNA form to your supervisor and to one of the following: 
• School of Arts 
• School of Business, Economics and Informatics 
• School of Law 
• School of Science 
• School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy  

Deadline 

• The deadline for submitting your completed TNA form is Friday 1 February 2019. 

Important note for funded MPhil/PhD researchers 

• If you are funded through a Doctoral Training Programme (eg if you are an ESRC UBEL researcher), check if you need to complete a different TNA process. 
• If there is a specific TNA process tied to your funding, complete that instead of the Birkbeck TNA process.  

Feedback about Training Needs Analysis 

• We are always happy to receive feedback, which will be anonymous, from research students and staff, to help us improve the TNA process. 

Vitae researcher development framework (RDF) 

• You should use the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) when completing your TNA, as it is aimed at researchers pursuing an academic career or planning to use their skills in another sector. 
• Find out more about RDF skills areas and training expectations and browse RDF resources on the Vitae website. 
• Read descriptions of training opportunities offered by the Birkbeck Graduate Research School that highlight RDF features.