PhD blog

The dynamic research culture and environment at Birmingham City University allows you to join up with leading experts a...

Our PGR Hubs are designed to be a base for you throughout your postgraduate degree. These spaces are designed to suppor...

Live Page options When it comes to starting your PhD , you will no doubt be going...

Taking the plunge to study a PhD is a huge achievement, and a step closer to getting your unique research out into the...

In this edition, we speak to doctoral researcher Liam Miles about his project exploring youth engagement in community ...

Completing your doctorate is hard enough without the added pressures of working in higher education.

A graduate research teaching assistant (GRTA) position offers postgraduate researchers the chance to grow their skills...

Alan Taman discusses how the effects of Covid-19 have made a drastic difference to his PhD study.

Sally Bailey, PhD student rep and researcher at Birmingham School of Art, discusses the benefits of regular wri...

We spoke to prize-winning poet, Sarah Doyle, about her new release and how her research influences her writing.

Emily Arthur , Wellbeing Casework Coordinator at Birmingham City University, spoke to us about some of the issues doc...

Thinking about going green ? Neva Mowl, from BCU’s Environmental Team, provides some useful sustainable tips and he...

PhD student Michael Lane offers five valuable tips on becoming a more productive writer during your doctoral research,...

Life after a PhD can be overwhelming, from seeking a full-time job to returning to a normal routine. Dr Karen Patel...

Academic conferences may seem daunting, but they are a vital part of any research degree. Federica Mirra , po...

A research degree can provide you with the kind of transferable skills many industries seek. Alan Dolhasz, Researc...

If you’re about to begin your PhD studies, you may be feeling a little apprehensive about what lies ahead. To help you...

Starting a research degree during such an unpredictable time may feel daunting, but to help, we’ve compiled a few hand...

As a first-year research student, you will be entering the unknown. However, we’ve compiled ten essential things you s...

Whether you’ve settled upon a particular topic of research or are still tinkering with a few ideas, it’s vital to know...

We’ve put together six essential, inspirational podcasts that every PhD student should tune into.

Take control of your studies with five of the best free productivity apps for research students.

A research degree can be challenging and your mental health can take a toll, but there is support out there.

Can't get into a good routine? Too stressed to work? PhD student Andreea Blaga gives us an insight into her day-to-day ...

With the UK seeing an increase in remote working since Covid-19, you may find yourself working in your living room as w...

The Brilliant Club Scholars programme gave Rudolph the chance to gain invaluable teaching experience.

Postgraduate researcher Alan Dolhasz discusses the benefits of doing a part-time PhD.

Kirsty Devaney , who successfully completed her doctorate , provides five pieces of advice on passing the PhD viva...

Academic conferences are an important part of the PhD journey. However, they can also seem overwhelming. Here are five ...

A PhD is a unique experience, filled with exciting and unpredictable challenges. One of the most noteworthy is the PhD...

Three of our international PhD students discuss the benefits of studying your PhD abroad, from embracing a new culture ...

Afsana's research journey began by finding the perfect project through the STEAM scholarship programme. Now, she hopes ...

Jacqueline enjoyed undertaking research projects and discovering new information, and the idea of embarking on a PhD w...

David Osbaldestin is assessing the culture and heritage of the Sans Serif typeface.

Sometimes the path to a PhD can be unexpected. For Hannah Harvey, the initial decision to become a clinician changed w...

Student reps are here to make your learning journey as enjoyable, engaging and easy as possible. Three of our student ...

There was only place Emma Nenadic was ever going to study her music education PhD - BCU.

The PhD is a chance for you to make your own journey, one with many exciting and unpredictable paths.

PhD student Alan Taman discusses the challenges of developing your research question and explains why it's important t...

PhD blog

Newly refurbished PGR Hub opens at City South Campus

What is a research assistant?

Make the most of your PGR Hubs

Starting your PhD - a researcher's diary

Top Tips from PhD Graduates

PGR profile of the month – Liam Miles

Achieving Your Doctorate While Employed in HE

The benefits of being a graduate research teaching assistant

How Covid-19 radically altered my PhD study

The benefits of writing sessions

PhD student and prize-winning poet discusses new poetry collection

How to look after your mental health during your PhD

How researchers can go green

Five tips on becoming a more productive writer

Life after a PhD

Why academic conferences are essential

What transferable skills does a research degree give you?

Things I wished I'd known when starting my PhD

Keeping in touch with the research community

10 things you should do early in your research degree

Choosing your PhD supervisor

The PhD student podcasts you need to listen to

5 best free productivity apps for research students

Mental health support for research students

Diary of a self-isolating PhD student

10 tips for working from home during your research degree

The Brilliant way to gain teaching experience during your PhD

Why a part-time PhD could be right for you

Five top tips to pass your PhD viva

Five reasons why academic conferences are essential

Five tips for writing your PhD thesis

Studying your PhD abroad

Evaluating psychological therapy for minority groups

Making the leap from full-time work to full-time PhD study

Examining the Sans Serif typeface

Should I get a job or do a PhD?

Advice from our student reps

Being part of a research community

Creating an independent research strategy

Developing your PhD research question