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Starting a doctoral degree can be a different experience from your previous study. Consequently, we have put in place a structured induction programme to help smooth the transition into doctoral level research and prepare you well for the journey ahead. Scroll down for FAQs about all things welcome related.
Induction
Approximately four weeks before your start date you will be sent information about registration and the welcome events taking place in October in your faculty and hosted by the Doctoral College. Please check below and save the date.
Faculty and departmental welcome events
This is an opportunity to hear directly from the associate deans, heads of department, postgraduate research directors, and PGR reps about your specific area of specialism. There will be information about library services, health and safety, and opportunities to ask questions.
2 - 3pm –A presentation – including introductions from Dr Ruan Elliott, Dean of the Doctoral College, Clare Wunderly, Head of Doctoral College Operations and Sarah Field from the Disability and Neuroinclusion Team. There will also be representation from colleagues in the Library, International Mobility, the Students Union, and our Postgraduate Researcher course reps.
3 - 4pm –An opportunity to talk to the University’s Student Support Services.
Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences (FABSS) PGR induction
Date: Wednesday 28 October, 10am until 11:45am
Location: Room 13 and 15 on the first floor of BA Building (13BA01). View campus map (PDF)
There will be an introduction from Prof Andy King, Associate Dean (Doctoral College) and Karen Collins/Lisa Sketchley from the Research Degrees Programme Management Team, and this will be dedicated to administrative information and what the PGR needs to know to achieve their PhD.
This will be followed by introductions from Daberechi Okedurum; FABSS Health and Safety Officer, Carley Stirups; FABSS Faculty Engagement Librarian and Tristan Harkcom; Researcher Development Training Officer.
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences (FEPS) PGR induction
Date: To be confirmed
Location: To be confirmed
Schedule: Timings to be confirmed
Health and Safety Induction with Dr Sian Berry (FEPS Health and Safety Officer)
Introduction to the Library with Paulina Czyz (FEPS Faculty Librarian)
Presentation by Prof Michelle Collins (FEPS Associate Dean for the Doctoral College). Introductions from Jackie Gallagher and Sarah Crawford (FEPS Research Degrees Programme Administrators), Dr Rose Holyoak (Researcher Development Training Officer).
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (FHMS) PGR induction
Date: Wednesday 14 October 2026, 10am until 12 noon
Location: In person, Room to be confirmed.
Schedule
10am – 11am: Presentation by Dr Kathrin Cohen Kadosh, Faculty Associate Dean, Doctoral College
A welcome talk providing information on administrative arrangements within the Faculty and what you need to know to achieve your PhD.
You will also meet:
Faculty Postgraduate Research Directors (PGRDs)
Faculty PGR Representatives
Researcher Development & Employability team
Emma Proctor and Renata Richardson, Research Degrees and Programme Management Team.
11am – 11:30am: Introduction to Library Resources - Information Retrieval by Erin Bloxsidge, Faculty Librarian.
11:30am – 12 noon: Introduction to Health and Safety by the Faculty Health and Safety Adviser.
Students' Union events
Please check here for updates on PGR events running towards the end of October/November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
These are some of the most common questions you might want the answer to, but if you have a specific issue at the start of your doctorate you can email researchdegrees@surrey.ac.uk for advice.
When do I need to register?
The following guidance relates to new starters at the OCTOBER entry point only: Once you have completed the admissions process for the PhD programme you will receive an automated email entitled “Complete your online registration”. Follow the instructions in the email for online registration and for setting up your IT account and ordering your campus card.
If you are a funded student, it is particularly important that you complete your registration as soon as possible. For information on when your funding will start, please see the terms and conditions on your funding offer letter.
UK/Irish nationals can complete their registration fully online.
Non-UK/Irish nationals need to complete online registration and register in-person. The optimum time to complete registration in person is between 1 October - 2 November 2026.
Please bring the following with you:
A passport
Your 'Confirmation of Pre-Registration' email
International students only: a valid share code (if you did not provide one during online registration). Further information can be found in the FAQs.
You can register between Thursday 1 October and Monday 2 November 2026 at:
For further information about registration and what documents to bring with you please read the Welcome FAQs below.
What happens at the 'in person' Registration?
Your personal information and ID will be checked. We strongly encourage you to complete online pre-registration before you arrive, as it will save you time and give you access to Surrey Support.
The process of the 'in-person' registration should only take a few minutes with a staff member as long as you have the correct documentation with you.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept scanned copies or photocopies of your ID or visa documents. We can only accept your original documents. If you hold a digital immigration status, you should generate a share code from your Gov.uk account.
International PGRs: please check the information on MySurrey Help first, or go via Surrey Support if you need to raise something more specific. Alternatively, book an appointment with the International Student Advice team.
When and where do I get my campus card?
The following guidance relates to new starters at the OCTOBER entry point only:
Your campus card serves as an identity card and confirms you are a student at the University of Surrey.
Your campus card will enable you to access the Library and its services, access buildings on campus, use photocopiers/printers and enter the Surrey Sports Park (if you are a member).
Once you have completed your online pre-registration and have an IT account you will be able to request your campus card. You will need to provide a recent passport-style photo in jpg format.
You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully uploading your photo. Your card will take five working days to be produced, and you will receive a notification email when your card is ready to collect from the MySurrey Hive (Stag Hill).
How do I access and protect my IT account?
Accessing and protecting your IT account before you arrive means that you can start receiving important University emails, use My Dashboard on your phone and get early access to many IT services and systems. Before you can access and protect your IT account you will need to complete online registration.
Please be aware it can take 24–48 hours after completion of online registration before you can access your IT account and all our online services and apps.
The username email address (e.g. ab12345@surrey.ac.uk) is your university email address where you can send and receive emails. Your primary email address is likely to be initial.surname@surrey.ac.uk (if available) or forename.surname@surrey.ac.uk’ (if available). As a PhD student, you get a named email address, rather like staff. Please check your inbox regularly to keep up to date with important information from the University.
To access most University services, PGRs should use the username (e.g. ab12345) and password.
When should I expect my first tuition fees invoice (if self-funded)?
The following guidance relates to new starters at the OCTOBER entry point only: A tuition fee invoice for the balance of your 2026/27 fees (covering the October 2026 – September 2027 period) will be sent to your university e-mail account during November/December 2026 and will detail the exact amount due, due dates and methods of payment. If you have any questions regarding your tuition fees, please contact Fees and Funding: feesandfunding@surrey.ac.uk.
I am experiencing visa issues and will not be able to Register in person by the deadline
Those that are unable to register in person due to visa issues then please contact the Admissions team (admissions@surrey.ac.uk) and request a Late Registration form or deferral to the next entry point.
Who can help me with my visa?
Please check the information on MySurrey Help first - you can find the answers to the most common questions here. Should you need to ask further questions, you will find a link to Surrey Support.
Alternatively, you can book an appointment with our International Student Advice team.
Where do I find key information about my doctoral programme?
Important information is in the PGR handbook and the following webpages are specifically designed for PGRs:
Once you are fully enrolled, you will have access to SurreyLearn. SurreyLearn is our virtual learning environment (VLE). The Doctoral College Common Room SurreyLearn page is where you will find a range of dedicated resources.
Links to key information, guidance material and support web pages, you will receive as part of your welcome – induction email that is issued by your Faculty Programmes team.
I am on a dual programme, do I need to attend site to register?
No, not if as part of your dual agreement you are not due to attend site until later in the year.
Please notify the Admissions team (admissions@surrey.ac.uk) so you will be able to register remotely.
I am a collaborative PGR do I need to attend site to register?
No, if your collaborative arrangement is that you are not due to attend the University of Surrey until later in the year or next year.
Please notify the Admissions team at admissions@surrey.ac.uk so you will be able to register remotely.
Do I have to attend the health and safety session even if I don’t use laboratories?
Yes - health and safety training is not exclusive to laboratory users, with our online risk assessment training providing training for low-hazard areas, such as office spaces.
For high-hazard areas, such as laboratories, we run a ‘classroom’ course and the refresher course is hosted online. Health, safety and fire induction training is applicable across all University of Surrey work areas.
What should I ask in my first supervisory meeting?
Make sure you are clear on your responsibilities and those of your supervisors
Log the agreed outcomes and actions in your monthly supervision report on Surrey Self-Service.
Set a date for your next meeting and stick to it (no later than one month from your first meeting).
I am a visiting/occasional PGR
Visiting students are managed by the school/department/centre to which you are associated to.
The instruction and advice is to contact your academic host, which would usually be your supervisor. An alternative contact would be your centre/dept/school administrator.
What will my working arrangements be?
Please ensure you liaise with your supervisors as soon as possible in order to make a start on your research.
Ensure that you also confirm arrangements regarding supervisory meetings. Unless you are on a collaborative or dual degree programme then you should not be distance learning.
Your department or centre administrator can advise you regarding local support available to you, including arrival preparations.
I am a Practitioner Doctorate in Sustainability (PDS) student do I need to attend the faculty or doctoral college welcome event?
No. PDS students registered on this programme are not expected to or need to attend the welcome events.Please do contact your PDS programme centre administrator for any induction events relating to this specialist programme.
I am a Clinical Psychology student
Students registered on this programme do not attend the Doctoral College induction events. For further details of induction activities relating to this programme, please contact the centre (PsychD) administrator.
