Regular staff and student seminars are held which enable students to keep abreast of leading-edge research throughout the School and not just within their department or area of interest. In addition, research students are encouraged to broaden their training through participation in specialist courses, including those available through the Masters programme, attendance at appropriate national and international meetings, and involvement in topic-specific journal clubs. They are encouraged to present their own work at departmental poster days and unit seminar programmes within the School, as well as at national and international conferences. In general, the international nature of the School's staff and student body provides an excellent opportunity to mix with people from different backgrounds and experiences in a stimulating multicultural environment. The School seeks to provide appropriate facilities to match its status as an international centre of research excellence.
Research laboratories are well equipped and many have been upgraded in recent years.
The School's facilities are detailed in the general information section of this Prospectus. Research Study Leave Research students do not need to spend the entire period of their research degree registration at the School. Many students collect data 'in the field', often in their home country or another institution. Such periods away from the School are called Research Study Leave and can enrich a student's experience. Because a lower fee is payable while on Research Study Leave these periods can have a significant impact on the total cost of the course and some examples of these are included in the general information section of this Prospectus.