Welcome and start of year

Message from the Dean of Humanities

Welcome to the Faculty of Humanities

As Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all students joining The University of Manchester.

We have over 21,000 students across four Schools which embrace disciplines as diverse as business and management, social sciences, law, education, languages, arts, and environment and development. As a postgraduate researcher in Humanities, you will join a strong academic community that boasts a range of thriving interdisciplinary groups, institutes and partnerships. The relationships we have developed cross borders – engaging with and learning from colleagues across our campus as well as overseas. We are tackling global challenges such as environmental sustainability, climate change, business innovation, social justice, poverty and conflict response.

Studying within the Faculty of Humanities gives you direct access to leading scholars and a diverse group of doctoral students from across the globe, from which you can gain support and inspiration. We hope you will take every opportunity to build friendships and alliances that may well last a lifetime. You will also benefit from world-class training and professional development from leaders and experts who are dedicated in supporting you in your research studies journey. Opportunities for development and collaborative working include Methods@Manchester and Artsmethods@Manchester, knowledge exchange and placements and partnerships. Please take time to explore the range of opportunities on offer to you.

In this online handbook, you will find material specific to the programme of study or the discipline area in which your research will be based. Your School postgraduate research support team will be able to help if you have further queries and guide you throughout your time with us. 

I wish you well in your research studies.  

Professor Fiona Devine

Vice-President and Dean Faculty of Humanities

Message from the PGR Director for School of Environment, Education and Development  

I am delighted to welcome you to the postgraduate research community at The University of Manchester’s School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED). Whilst we are now living through some exceptionally challenging times, it is clear that the need for high-quality academic research has become more salient than ever. Your development as a doctoral researcher is key to living in the ‘new normal’ since it is you who will become future leaders in your relevant disciplines and professions and your work will be central to the way we learn to live in this new world.  SEED is home to more than 300 postgraduate research students across five related disciplines: Architecture, Education, Geography, International Development, and Planning. This presents opportunities for inter-disciplinary learning and collaboration as we engage in our shared objective to deepen our understanding of the world we live in and change it for the better. We examine the uneven relationships between societies, economies and the environment, acknowledging that a complex and interconnected world presents many challenges for researchers and policy analysts at local, national and international levels.

Researchers in SEED are pioneering new concepts, theories and measures in order to better understand and address the challenges facing global societies. SEED’s high-quality research is rooted in the places and spaces of everyday life, yet remains international in relevance and scope, empirically addressing social, economic and environmental concerns across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the United States.

In joining SEED, you have become part of a successful, energetic, committed, and supportive academic and postgraduate community.

Our PhD and professional doctorate research communities, grouped around a range of research centres and themes, are a central, dynamic part of the SEED research agenda across all of our disciplines. Postgraduate research for a PhD, or a professional doctorate degree, is a unique opportunity to engage in an intellectual enquiry, which will be absorbing and fascinating and at the same time practically challenging and demanding. You will need to be focused and organised, but the achievement will be worthwhile.

Your academic and professional support colleagues in SEED greatly look forward to sharing and assisting you on your journey.

I hope that your time with us is enjoyable and stimulating, as well as very productive.

Best wishes,

Professor Tanja Muller, Director of Postgraduate Research

Key information

The University Welcome website has a range of key information to help you get ready for the start of your studies including:

• Registration
• IT account and student card
• Accommodation
• Health and wellbeing
• Finance and funding
• Travel and visa
• Healthcare
• Support and services

How to register

Please read this start of year registration information in conjunction with the advice below.

• Registration information

Faculty of Humanities Postgraduate Research Welcome Event (January 2024)

Further information

• PGR Transitions
• PGR Handbook
• Wellbeing and Mental Health
• Course unit selection form
• Getting started in Pure (instruction guide)
• Searchable map 
• Visit the Welcome to Manchester website for information on IT account set up, accommodation arrangements, study preparation, exploring the campus and much more.
• Computer request. After your supervisor has authorised the request form, please email it to hums.doctoralacademy@manchester.ac.uk.