Fundamentals of PhD Supervision

This course is for anyone who is currently supervising University of Edinburgh PhD students, or who will be supervising University of Edinburgh PhD students in the near future.  This applies whether you are a Principal, Co- or Assistant Supervisor.  It is suitable both for University of Edinburgh staff and supervisors who are external to the University.

It is a mandatory University expectation that all new PhD supervisors complete this course and that it is repeated every 5 years.  If you are new to PhD supervision, or new to PhD supervision at the University of Edinburgh, you will ideally complete this course before you begin supervising a PhD student.  

If you are an experienced supervisor you are required to complete the training every 5 years. The course is always available so you can dip back into it at any time to refresh your knowledge of specific areas. 

We estimate that it would take 3-4 hours to complete the course without watching the additional videos. The course is self-paced, you can leave and return to where you left off at any time. 

To complete the course, and in order for your completion to be recorded, you must work through all modules and complete the required activities.

Fundamentals of PhD Supervision is made up of 7 modules. These are aligned to the UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE) Good Supervisory Practice Framework.  

1. Introduction to PhD supervision at Edinburgh 
2. Recruitment and selection 
3. Supervisory roles, responsibilities and approaches
4. Setting expectations and monitoring progress
5. Completion and final examination
6. Supporting wellbeing
7. Supporting professional and career development 

Each of these modules summarises key information for supervisors. This includes signposting relevant policies, codes and regulations, and support and training available for you and your student. In each, there is a strong emphasis on encouraging self-reflection and further reading. The next steps section offers some pointers to further professional development.  

The development of each module has been reviewed and/or supported by the Doctoral College and relevant Support Services.

Yes, but this online course should be supplemented by a local, in-person supervisor briefing or training run by your College or School.

This course may help supervisors to meet funder requirements as there is usually an expectation that you will meet your institutional training requirements for PhD supervisors. 

However, your student's funder may require additional training beyond what is expected by the University of Edinburgh. You should check with the funder directly to ensure you are complying with any specific requirements for supervisors. 

To complete the course successfully, and in order for your completion to be recorded, you must work through all sections. People and Money will automatically track completion of the training modules.  

The Academic Development team will keep a record of attendance and completion of this course. Attendance updates will be provided to your school.  

You will not be issued a certificate of attendance on completion but please email phdsupervisors@ed.ac.uk if you require certification of your completion.

Fundamentals of PhD supervision undergoes a biannual review each year in August and December. These reviews will address any broken links or typos as well as updates to relevant policies and information contained within the course.

If there is an extraordinary update required outwith this normal timeline, for example if a crucial policy is changed that affects supervision, information about this update will be shared with those enrolled on the course and with Schools.

If you have any issues accessing the course, please email phdsupervisors@ed.ac.uk.

We welcome comments on how we might improve the course, so please contact us with any feedback. You are also encouraged to complete the feedback form included in the final module of the course.

Please email phdsupervisors@ed.ac.uk and we will be able to grant access.

Your first point of contact should be the relevant postgraduate staff in your School or Centre.  This may be the PG administrative staff or the PG(R) Director or Head of the Graduate School. You can find contacts on the relevant School website:   

List of University of Edinburgh Colleges & Schools 

If you have problems identifying the relevant contact please email us, letting us know which School or Centre your PhD student is part of, and we will put you in touch with the relevant staff. Please email phdsupervisors@ed.ac.uk