Support for final year students

The university 'your next steps' guide for undergraduate students covers practical advice for your transition after university, getting a graduate job and details of the graduate outcomes survey.

If you are interested in postgraduate study, below are links to further information:

• Explore postgraduate study at CCCU
• Prospects offers information on postgraduate study
• The Complete University Guide offers independent university rankings and course information
• Explore our postgraduate study skills collection by searching on LibrarySearch

Graduate College

During your studies, you will develop the knowledge, skills and competencies required to become an independent researcher. The Graduate College’s Researcher Developer Programme (RDP) offers sessions, including core modules and training days that cover subject specific training, research methods, and professional development. In your final year of PhD study is a training day that explores:

• Moving to completion – how to finish a PhD
• Selecting examiners, ‘intention to submit’, and preparing for final review
• Preparing for the viva
• Planning for publication
• Career planning

Check the RDP Session Catalogue on the Graduate College Blackboard for more details and book via the calendar on Research Space. You can also view recordings of previous sessions on Recap within Blackboard (CCCU students only).

Post Graduate Research Association (PGRA)

The PGRA is a community of postgraduate research students who organise the PGRA conference, lunchtime seminars, writing bootcamps, and social events. You can engage with their activities at any time during your studies. Search for their Facebook group ‘CCCU PGRA’

Vitae

As a researcher, Vitae can support your professional development. As a current student of CCCU you can access more content by logging in with your university email. Highlights of their website include:

• Developing as a researcher
• The Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF)
• Vitae Career development for researchers

External links

• The Postgraduate student support web page, which includes key information for your studies
• Vitae – professional development for researchers
• jobs.ac.uk – Careers and job search for positions in UK universities
• Jobs on Toast – guidance on transitioning from PhD to non-academic professions and how to describe your skills

If you are an international student, you may have specific questions regarding your transition to life after university. You can access support from:

• The International student support webpage
• UKCISA UK Council for International Student Affairs, a charity who supports international students with information and advice

‘One in four adults and one in 10 children experience mental illness, and many more of us know and care for people who do.’

National Health Service England (no date) Mental Health. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/ (Accessed: 11 April 2022).

Support

It is natural to feel anxious with any big life change, but there is support available for you:

• The University’s Mental health and Wellbeing webpage includes information on accessing support within the university and links to charities
• Mind: The mental health charity
• Student minds – the UK student mental health charity with information on where to seek support and resources
• The Wellbeing Thesis - An informational website designed to support you through all stages of your postgraduate journey
• Explore mindfulness as a technique to enhancing wellbeing
• Explore our Learning Skills Hub wellbeing modules, such as ‘Using a journal to improve your wellbeing’

The Citizens Advice Bureau offers support including advice on debt, housing and legal issues