Induction resources

Some of these resources are refreshed for each induction and will only be uploaded close to the start of the Induction event. Some links will not work until you have OU sign-in details which you receive at registration.

Induction programmes

5-6 February 2024 Induction programme (Graduate School induction)

Faculty programmes:

FASS Induction Programme 7 Feb 2024

FBL Induction Programme 7 Feb 2024

STEM Induction Programme 7 Feb 2024

Key links

Forms and Guidance
Contains all the links for the Handbook (specific versions for PhD, Professional Doctorate and Affiliated Research Centre), PGR Manager guides, the Regulations and information about fees and funding.

PGR Manager (sign in needed)
The administration system that you will use to keep track of your maximum submission deadline, submit your upgrade and progress reports, and submit your final thesis. You can also request annual leave and study breaks.

Induction - Frequently asked questions: a guide for new PGR students

Regulations and milestones

Graduate School Director's Welcome and regulations slides (Lindsay O'Dell talk; sign in needed) 

Research Degrees Regulations
Lays out the regulations that govern research degrees at the Open University.

Research Degrees Handbook (under ‘H’ on Forms and Guidance | Graduate School Network (open.ac.uk))
An introduction to research degrees at the Open University, structures and services that will support you.

Wellbeing

Getting started on your PGR journey slides (Helen Bowes-Catton; sign in needed) 

Student wellbeing | Graduate School Network (open.ac.uk)  (sign in needed)

Community

PGR Community Team (access code thh1sgn) (sign in needed)

OU Club affiliated clubs (for OU Staff and PGRs) 

OU Students Association Clubs & Societies (for OU students)

Training

• Introduction to Core Research Skills and Methods Training for New PGRs slides (Jude Taylor; sign in needed)
• Introduction to Professional Academic Communication in English (PACE) (Julia Molinari; sign in needed) 
• PGR Manager Events calendar (also next month of training emailed to students in fortnightly Graduate School Digest email – you will be automatically subscribed) (sign in needed)
• Graduate School Network MS Team (access code ir2smh0) Current GS training takes place here, includes recordings (sign in needed)
• Research skills Standalone training modules and videos (sign in needed)
• Library research support training and Library training
• Core research training printable programme

IT and websites

• Introduction to PGR Manager slides (Ellie Milnes-Smith; sign in needed)
• Introduction to OU online platforms slides (Emily Yossarian and Yvette Howley, sign in needed)
• IT advice for PGRs | Graduate School Network (open.ac.uk) (sign in needed)
• Postgraduate Research Students | IT (sharepoint.com) (sign in needed)
• Wi-Fi at the OU  | IT (sharepoint.com) (sign in needed)

Student Route visas and Accommodation

• Accommodation talk slides (Efrat Marcu; sign in needed)
• International PGRs welcome slides (Susan Etchells; sign in needed)
• UKCISA
• Information and advice for international students (sign in needed)
• Getting started at the OU as an international research student, OU research students - YouTube (28 minutes 30 seconds)

Social media links

• OU Graduate School Twitter 
• OU Graduate School Facebook 
• PGRS at the OU (FB group – not moderated by the OU)

Campus

• Short visits to campus | Graduate School Network (open.ac.uk)
• 150/250 Aylesbury to Milton Keynes Bus Route & Timetables | Arriva Bus UK
• Travel Advice at Walton Hall | Estates (open.ac.uk) 
• SHL Open University campus tour - YouTube

Videos

• PhDs and Professional Doctorates at the Open University, UK (3 minutes 19 seconds)
• Research Student Perspectives (6 minutes 30 seconds)
• PhD Survival Guide (9 minutes)
• Making your research degree work away from campus video (26 minutes)

Professional doctorate students

Forms and Guidance contains the 'Handbook - Research Degrees Handbook: Professional Doctorates' and 'Professional Doctorates: Graduate School at-a-glance for Professional Doctorate students'

Affiliated Research Centre students

Forms and Guidance contains the 'Handbook - Research Degrees Handbook: Affiliated Research Centres' and 'ARC: Graduate School at-a-glance for Affiliated Research Centre PhDs'

October 23 induction resources

Specific to October 2023 starters; links will not work for other cohorts.

• Graduate School Induction October 23 Team (access code: 57c989h); we do not pla to run an MS Team for future inductions.
• Graduate School Director's Welcome and regulations slides (Lindsay O'Dell talk; Oct 23 version) 
• Getting started on your PGR journey slides (Helen Bowes-Catton; Oct 23 version) 
• Introduction to Core Research Skills and Methods Training for New PGRs slides (Jude Taylor; Oct 23 version)
• Introduction to Professional Academic Communication in English (PACE) (Julia Molinari; Oct 23 version) 
• Introduction to PGR Manager slides (Ellie Milnes-Smith; Oct 23 version)
• Introduction to OU online platforms slides; Oct 23 version (via PGR Manager listing) and meeting recording 
• Accommodation talk slides (Efrat Marcu; Oct 23 version)
• International PGRs welcome slides (Susan Etchells; Oct 23 version)

Any extra information you need, please feel free to get in touch.