Postgraduate mentoring

MSc students within SSEHS have the opportunity to receive advice from current Doctoral Researchers about applying for and undertaking a PhD in the School, through our postgraduate mentoring scheme.

The scheme will pair MSc students with an SSEHS doctoral researcher with similar research interests. Mentoring will not be academic in nature, and instead should provide a deeper insight into life as a doctoral researcher.

The scheme aims to:

  • Increase confidence among MSc students in their abilities to apply for doctoral research, particularly among females and those from backgrounds less likely to complete a PhD.
  • Increase the number of current SSEHS MSc students who go on to do a PhD in the School.

The benefits of a mentor

Current Masters students have indicated that being mentored by a doctoral researcher is beneficial due to their career stage and understanding of being in their position. It also helps to build more connections and promote feelings of community within the School.

Feedback from last year’s MSc students involved in the scheme was that the most useful part of the scheme was the support provided by the mentor, and the insight provided into the lives of doctoral researchers. The mentees highlighted that they learned:

  • How PhDs work (i.e., thesis, timelines)
  • How to improve research proposals, CVs, personal statements and interview skills
  • More about the application process.

How to apply

If you are considering a PhD, or would just like to find out more about life as a doctoral researcher, then you may benefit from engaging in the PGT-PGR mentoring scheme.

To sign up for a mentor, please email pgr-ssehs@lboro.ac.uk, with the following information:

  • Your name
  • Current programme
  • Research themes of interest for PhD study
  • What you hope to achieve through participation in the mentoring scheme (200 words or less).
  • To take part in the postgraduate mentoring scheme from January 2024, applications are required no later than Friday 24 November 2023

Mentors and mentees will be provided with an induction session and guidance materials, and we anticipate six mentor-mentee meetings would then take place between January and October 2024.