School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Training requirements for a Maths PhD

About your PhD training

Your PhD is examined solely on your thesis and viva.

However, you are expected to undertake additional training.  It is intended to broaden your subject knowledge at an advanced level and enhance your career opportunities.  We hope you agree it is beneficial to you, especially as it can be tailored to your career needs.  

You are expected to keep a continuous record of your training, which you provide as a document at your main Progression Review held at intervals of one year.

Your completed and proposed training will be reviewed as part of the Progression Review.

What to do next
Discuss your training needs

Firstly, discuss your training needs with your supervisors within a wider discussion of your broad career objectives.  Decide how your training will meet the Departmental training requirement above.  You should have this discussion when you first arrive at Sussex. 

Review your training each year at your main Progression Review.  Decide on the next steps to take.

These discussions will help you plan your training and book any courses or Summer Schools in good time. You may find the Training Needs Analysis (TNA) form [ .pdf ] [ .doc ] helpful for the discussion.

Training suppliers

The training requirement can be met by using these training providers:

  • the Sussex Mathematics PhD level (level 8) module "Advanced topics in Mathematics" (24 hours).  Some earlier modules are here.
  • any Sussex Mathematics MSc module (level 7) (36 hours)
  • courses supplied by any of the EPSRC Taught Course Centres (TCC), usually taken over the internet.  This includes MAGIC; Sussex is a member.
  • Masters level courses supplied by recognised universities in the UK or Europe, taken over the internet.  
  • MPS is a member Department of SEPnet.  You may take courses offered by other SEPnet Departments via GRADnet.  Obtain a GRADnet login to the VRE (via the OU pages) to see the available courses.

 All students may take informal training with the agreement of their supervisor from these providers:

  • We encourage you to make use of the Researcher Development Framework offered by Vitae via the Doctoral School.  These courses are oriented to PhD research methodologies (all subject areas) and on the skills needed by early career researchers.
  • MPS modules at Masters level are available to you in Mathematics.
  • The School recommends all researchers take the Research Integrity course by Epigeum.
  • You can take courses offered over the internet by any other UK or European university.
  • Arrange your own training event !  Request funding to support it from the Sussex Researcher Led Initiative Fund.
Arranging and paying for your training
  • If you are taking Sussex modules, use the Module Choice form [ .doc ] and hand it in at the School office who will book you on the module.  You will see your study timetable on Sussex Direct
  • For all other courses, book the training course yourself, directly with the training supplier. 
  • If your training course runs over the internet, you must check lecture times and access.  If you need the facilities of the SEPnet room, book them with the Research Support Team in the School Office (mps-pgrsupport@sussex.ac.uk)
  • If there is a course fee, see the "Travel and attending conferences and events" section of the Research Student webpage for how to find funding and reclaim your expenses.
Update your Training Record

Keep your own record of Training.  Please use this form.  Supply the full record with your other documents when you do your main Progression Review each year of your study.