Research Training Programme (RTP)

Registration for the Summer Term 2020 Programme is now open, and must be done on the Summer Term Registration Form, which is available from this website. 

Under the current Lancaster University remote and reduced operating model, Summer Term RTP modules will be delivered ‘at a distance’. There will be changes to the expected delivery mode (online activities) and perhaps to the timetable. Thus, registered students are encouraged to regularly access the relevant Moodle page for up-to-date information, notably closer to the scheduled starting date of their respective module/s.

The Research Training Programme (RTP) consists of modules and short courses on research methods, theories and philosophies of the social sciences and humanities, thesis writing and other generic skills relevant to PhD study. The RTP is designed to complement more specialised subject or discipline-based training modules offered by departments.

The RTP offers:

  • On-site modules and short courses
  • Distance learning modules (please note that these are provided for part-time and away students in the first instance, and they will be given precedence on these modules)

The RTP includes:

  • Modules for PhD students in the early stages of their studies, for example on research design and research methods
  • More advanced modules and short courses that are intended for more experienced research students already well into their research project

All our teaching is designed to help you considerably with aspects of your research, from design, to data collection and analysis, to writing up and successfully defending your thesis.

Who teaches on the Programme?

To ensure that all aspects of research training that you may need are covered, academic colleagues and suitably qualified researchers from across the Faculty offer modules in specific areas, including quantitative methods, data analysis, textual analysis and others.

There is a list of all modules on the Modules page.

Who are the RTP modules for?

All our modules are designed for research students. Some modules may also be attended by Masters students (who intend to study for a PhD the year after) or research staff (colleagues who are employed as researchers on projects). Students from other faculties can also attend our modules.

Do I pay to attend these modules?

No, the modules are free to both FASS and non-FASS students (but FASS students will be given precedence if modules are oversubscribed).