New Starters Resources
Induction for New Doctoral Researchers
Welcome to the University of Westminster! As a new doctoral researcher, you will be invited to a Graduate School Induction where you will meet the Graduate School team, hear about how we support you and learn about your programme structure. You will also have the opportunity to meet and network with your peers.
Save the date: Thursday 18th September 2025 – In-person enrolment and Student ID card collection, Graduate School Induction and Welcome Reception.
Enrolment Information and the induction programme can be found here
Further updates and the latest presentations will be added to this page during September 2025
New Starter Checklist
We know the first few weeks can be a little daunting – a new place, new people, new processes – so we have put together the following checklist to help you get started.
The Virtual Research Environment (VRE)
The Virtual Research Environment (VRE) is the Graduate School’s online system that allows you to manage your doctoral researcher record from anywhere in the world.
This is the system where you will submit your Ethics Application and Annual Progress Reports
Disability Learning Support
If you have a disability, long term health condition or Specific Learning Difficulty (such as dyslexia or dyspraxia), we would recommend that you register with the Disability Learning Support (DLS) team in order to receive reasonable adjustments from the university.
You can either register online here by clicking on the Disability Support tab or book an appointment here: Disability advisor appointment , via email dls@westminster.ac.uk or by calling the team on 0203 506 8800
For further information about the support DLS offer, please look on our website here. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
Watch the introductory video from the team:
In partnership with AchieveAbility – Non Medical Helper (NMH) support for Doctoral Students who are neurodivergent and dyslexic
The charity AchieveAbility, is pleased to be working in partnership with the University of Westminster Graduate School to provide this support.
The support will be delivered by the Chair and Founder of AchieveAbility who are themselves neurodivergent and who have Doctorates in the Humanities. Both support tutors are accredited by PATOSS and the Dyslexia Guild and are DBS checked. Both tutors have had substantial experience of supporting doctoral researchers.
A Support Tutor will:
• Provide signposting and information to students rather than advice about academic and personal matters
• Refer students to a counsellor if needed
• Discuss the work to be completed with the student and allow time for feedback from the student on a regular basis.
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times
The support will help with:
• Research methods
• Structured writing
• Referencing
• How to signpost
• Academic writing
• Reading strategies
• Information retrieval
• Organising data
• Planning techniques
• Paraphrasing
• Time management
To access this service you need to apply for Disability Student Allowance (DSA). When attending the needs assessment we would recommend making the needs assessor aware you are interested in study skills support via Achievability. The decision about which provision you can access ultimately rests with SFE.
After applying for DSA you can arrange your needs assessment by booking online here: https://blog.westminster.ac.uk/class/contact-us/
If you require support with your DSA application or would like to discuss general support available from the university, please contact the Disability Learning Support team, email: dls@westminster.ac.uk phone: 0203 506 8800 website: https://www.westminster.ac.uk/current-students/support-and-services/disability-learning-support