The Doctoral Development Programme (DDP) is the University’s training plan for all PhD students. The University of Sheffield wants to ensure that all PhD students receive the highest quality of training and acquire the necessary skills to become world-class researchers.
To get a general understanding of the DDP and how engaging will benefit your studies, please visit their webpages.
For more information on the DDP, please visit their Student Hub.
Training Needs Analysis
In collaboration with your supervisor, you will need to complete your first year’s Training Needs Analysis (TNA). This is an assessment of the current skills you have and any additional training you may require in the year ahead. At the beginning of each academic year, all students will meet with their supervisory panel, undertake a TNA and select research training courses/activities.
At your supervisory meeting, your TNA will form the basis of discussion, allowing you to reflect on your experiences and skills already gained against the training needs identified by your supervisor as critical to your area of research.
Continuing doctoral researchers should complete a TNA each year as part of reviewing skills development with supervisory teams.
Training Needs Analysis Guidance and Forms for students beginning their PhD after September 2020.
Training Needs Analysis Guidance and Forms for students who began their PhD before September 2020.
DDP Summary / Evidencing Development Summary
The University needs to know what learning and development you have achieved during your studies. Since the training does not rely solely on taught modules, you are required to record your learning and experiences, and to identify what you have learned through reflection. Details of this learning and development must be submitted to the University by 36 months of study (or equivalent for part-time students) as one of the necessary stages in obtaining your PhD. Please see below for the relevant information for your cohort.
Students who began their PhD before September 2020
To embed the eight Core Competencies, an updated Training Needs Analysis (TNA), Development Plan and Evidencing Development summary was introduced for new students from September 2020. As a continuing student you may choose to opt in to the new system or continue with the existing ePortfolio summary. Details of the existing ePortfolio summary for students who began their PhD after September 2020 can be found here. DDP ePortfolio summaries should be submitted by month 36 of a PhD.
The completion of reflective portfolios for the Doctoral Training Modules in the Faculty of Social Science Doctoral Training Programme fulfils the requirements for the DDP ePortfolio.
Students beginning their PhD after September 2020
At around 36 months, you should use your completed TNA to reflect on the training and development you have experienced throughout your research, and identify one example of development for each of the Core Competencies. These examples should be described on the Evidencing Development Summary, the purpose of which is to identify experiences to highlight in job applications and interviews. The Summary is then submitted to Research Services and the relevant Faculty Officer is required to confirm the successful completion of the DDP, based on the Summary.
All Social Science PGR students can book onto a wide array of Faculty-run training sessions via the Training page on our website. Here you will find information about all upcoming Faculty training sessions, as well as a range of training resources designed to address the diverse needs of PGR students
This University of Sheffield-based consortium brings together researchers in the social sciences from seven regional universities (Sheffield, Leeds, York, Hull, Bradford, Sheffield Hallam and Manchester Metropolitan Universities). The WRDTP is supported through the funding of ESRC studentships: the training it provides is, however, open to all social science PhD students at Sheffield regardless of funding. Working with the White Rose DTP offers important opportunities for you to develop interdisciplinary aspects of your research and access specialist research methods training.
To access the WRDTP VIRE area, use the following case sensitive username and password:
Username: sheffield@wrdtp.ac.uk
Password: vireMATERIALS2324
Students can also book onto training sessions available via the University's Learning Management System (LMS), including those provided by IT Services, Student Services and Research Services.