Sussex Researcher School

Postgraduate researchers (PGRs) and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) play a vital role in Sussex's vibrant intellectual culture. We support all PGRs and ECRs across the University to become part of our wider research community and want to make your time here as productive and stimulating as possible.

From January 2024, the Doctoral School commenced the transition to become the Sussex Researcher School (SRS). This rebrand arose from internal consultation during the development of our Enabling Plan, which aims to enhance provision and support for emerging researchers at Sussex. Our new, more inclusive name more accurately reflects the three key communities of emerging researchers we support: undergraduate Junior Research Associates (JRAs), PGRs and ECRs. We are currently in the process of updating our webpages to reflect the change; we expect all updates to be complete by Summer 2024.

Stay in touch

New PGRs are encouraged to explore our welcome pages.

Keep up to date with the latest news on our PGR Connections blog and follow us on Twitter @SussexDocSchool.

ECR information can be found on our Research Staff webpages.

If you can't find what you're looking for get in touch with us at researcher-school@sussex.ac.uk.


Funding scholarships and grants

Visit our funding pages for information about:

  • Doctoral scholarship schemes at Sussex
  • Finding funding during your doctorate
  • Support for organising professional development and public engagement activities

Your can also find details on the AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership & ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership

Training and development

Our Researcher Development Programme (RDP) is open to all postgraduate and early career researchers and provides year-round training in essential research skills and professional development opportunities.

Researcher community

Networking and collaborating beyond your School can be an important part of a research career. Find out how to make the most of your time here on the Researcher Community pages.

New PGRs are also encouraged to explore our welcome pages.

Research Student Administration Webpages (Handbooks, Regulations and Forms)

The Research Student Administration Webpages provide advice for PGRs, academic staff and colleagues across the University. The webpages are a single point of contact for all administration associated with a student's journey from application through to graduation. Services include:

  • Monitoring and recording the academic progress and assessment of PGRs
  • Administration of the examination process from thesis submission to the viva outcome
  • Advice to current international PGRs
  • Admissions for PGRs in partnership with the University's Schools

Visit our homepage for more information relating to postgraduate research at Sussex, or see below to access the Handbook and Regulations for Doctoral Researchers, the Handbook for Visiting Research Students and the Handbook for Research Supervisors and Directors of Doctoral Studies.

Governance of Sussex Researcher School (SRS)

SRS's work is overseen by a Board, chaired by the Dean of the Doctoral School which offers a focal point for all aspects of the PGR agenda at Sussex. The board is supported by the Doctoral Studies Committee, which oversees the educational and career development of Sussex's doctoral researchers.

  • To raise items for consideration by the Doctoral Studies Board, please contact: Susanna Broom, Head of the Doctoral School  E: s.broom@sussex.ac.uk
Your career

The Careers and Employability Centre support PGRs during their time at Sussex and for up to three years after graduation. They can help you explore your career ideas and find out more about the career pathways available both within and outside academia. Find out more about the support available from the Careers and Employability Centre.

Coronavirus and postgraduate research

We understand that these are testing times for those conducting postgraduate research. For the latest information, see the University's Advice page for PGRs and supervisors, which will be updated as the situation continues to develop. It covers topics including remote supervision, travel and fieldwork, online training, submission, studying outside the UK, and what to do if you become unwell.

In addition, the Student Hub has specific advice for international PGRs (scroll down to Research Students section) and guidelines have been issued for anyone approaching a Distant (Online) Viva.

Sussex Researcher School

E: researcher-school@sussex.ac.uk