Doctoral Development Programme Modules

The English Language teaching Centre offers two modules for the Graduate School Research Training Programme:

GSC6050 - Thesis Writing: Principles & Practice

The course is intended principally for students whose first language is not English. It aims to develop students' awareness of different approaches to structure and style in thesis writing.

The process of completing a PhD thesis is considered from the initial stages onwards. Various strategies for reading, planning, focusing, drafting and revising are discussed. We examine possible sections of a thesis in detail and consider effective citation practices.

An important focus of the course is that participants have the opportunity to develop the ideas discussed in relation to their own research topics and the writing conventions of their field.

GSC6060 - Speaking Skills for Research Purposes

The course is intended principally for students whose first language is not English. It covers the skills involved in the design, preparation and execution of oral presentations of the kind given by research students within their study programmes. This includes practice in answering questions during and after such presentations.

Other oral skills to be developed during the course are those required in more formal situations, such as the interviewing of subjects, and in less formal situations such as academic discussions with colleagues and supervisors.

Applying for DDP modules

Research students wishing to take GSC6050 or GSC6060 must register with the Graduate Research Office using the University DDP registration form in accordance with the guidelines in the DDP handbook (available from your Department or the Graduate School).