Essential Skills

Essential Skills

Your postgraduate research degree will have milestones and critical stages where extra support might be helpful. Resources in this section will help you navigate this process with confidence.

You can find our live courses and online resources in the dropdowns below, including information on how to access

Live Courses

Go to the A-Z Course List to find further information including how to book.

  • The PhD Journey Sessions: Stage 1: Getting started with your PhD
  • The PhD Journey Sessions: Stage 2: Managing the middle stage of your PhD
  • The PhD Journey Sessions: Stage 3: To the finish line, and beyond 
  • Preparing for you Viva 
  • Thinking critically about your PhD 
  • Working with your Supervisor (for PhD Year 1.) 
  • Writing a Literature Review
Online Resources

For online resources, please go to the Online Resources Access page (University of Aberdeen students only).

Getting Started with your PhD 

Using the first 3 months of your PhD to set yourself up for success.

Format: Online Course. 


Keeping Going with your PhD 

What to do in the middle years to make sure that you keep going and avoid the perils of the procrastination trap.

Format: Online Course. 


Finishing Up with your PhD 

Getting to the finish line, and preparing for life after your PhD.

Format: Online Course.


Strategies For Managing Your Part Time PhD 

Helping you to manage the challenges facing you when working on your research alongside the other key priorities in your working and home life.

Format: Online Course. 


Practical Project Management for Research 

The least you need to know and do to manage your PhD as a project.

Format: Online Course. 


Preparing for you Viva 

How to get ready for your viva.

Format: Recording of a live session. 


Immigration and Student Visa Information

Information for our International students.

Format: Website resource.


Using the Library

Aln introduction to the library and how to utilise it.

Format: Video Recording


Writing a Literature Review 

The course will help you develop a system that will save time, clarify focus and build confidence.

Format: Recording of a live session. 

PhD Coach

PhD Coach is a unique opportunity for postgraduate researchers to ask any questions about their PhD. Questions will be answered at a live webinar every Friday 10:30am GMT, via Zoom.

You can register for the PhD coach on the Online Resources Access page (University of Aberdeen students only).

This will allow you to:

  • Submit questions and queries anonymously,
  • Receive invitations to upcoming webinars,
  • Access the searchable Q&A Archive.

All webinars are recorded, and you can watch them afterwards. So, if you cannot attend the session, you will still get an answer to your question!