Induction resources

Note: 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.

February 2025 Induction resources and programmes

February 25 Induction presentations (includes powerpoints and programmes - sign in needed)

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.

Regulations and milestones

Graduate School Director's Welcome and regulations slides (Clare Warren talk; in February 25 Induction presentations - 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; in February 25 Induction presentations - 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; in February 25 Induction presentations - 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; in February 25 Induction presentations - sign in needed)
Introduction to OU online platforms slides (Emily Yossarian in February 25 Induction presentations - sign in needed)
Introduction to OU online platforms – Library Services (Yvette Howley in February 25 Induction presentations - 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; in February 25 Induction presentations - sign in needed)
International PGRs welcome slides (Susan Etchells; in February 25 Induction presentations - 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

Open University Graduate School, UK (@ougradsch.bsky.social) — Bluesky
OU Graduate School Facebook 
PGRS at the OU (FB group – not moderated by the OU)

Campus

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'