The EDEPI Competency-Based Admissions Framework
EDEPI (Equity in Doctoral Education through partnership and innovation) is one of 13 Research England and Office for Students funded programmes, created to tackle persistent inequalities that create barriers to access and participation in doctoral education for racially minoritised groups.
The EDEPI project seeks to tackle inequality at scale by framing PGR admissions in the context of the competencies required to successfully undertake PGR study, reducing over-reliance on narrower measures related to degree classification and previous degree-awarding institution.
Last year, LJMU’s Prof Julie Sheldon, in partnership with the UK Council for Graduate Education, carried out a comprehensive survey to explore current PGR admissions practices. Based on the analysis of this study, ten barriers in the PGR admissions process for individuals who were from racially-minoritised groups were identified.
One key barrier was the use by some supervisors of applicants’ Master’s degrees and the degree-awarding institution as the main assessment criteria. This was considered a potential barrier to access for some individuals from racially-minoritised groups because of systemic inequalities in access to higher-tariff universities, attainment gaps at undergraduate level, and unequal access to loans for postgraduate study.
The EDEPI Competency-Based Admissions Framework has been developed following the UKCGE study, focus groups, and consultation with the wider sector.
EDEPI Postgraduate Researcher Admissions Report
Postgraduate Researcher Competency-Based Admissions Framework and Guidance
If you would like advice about using the framework in LJMU, please contact edepi@ljmu.ac.uk.
Numerous studies have shown research supervision to be crucial in determining the quality of the postgraduate student experience and the chances of timely completion. The Supervisor Development Programme, run by the Doctoral Academy, is a suite of workshops where participants learn more about institutional processes for research degrees and explore case studies drawn from our experiences of postgraduate support. The aim of the programme is to help participants to refine and develop their practice, to improve the quality of doctoral support, and to establish a productive and satisfying supervisory relationship both for the doctoral candidate as well as for the supervisor.
Follow the links below for more information on workshops and to book a place. The link for sessions delivered online will be circulated by email one day in advance.
Please contact DoctoralAcademy@ljmu.ac.uk or PGRExaminations@ljmu.ac.uk if you have any queries at all.
PhD Supervisor Induction
All sessions take place on campus.
Thursday 19 March 2026, 9.30am to 1pm (Tithebarn Building, room 502)
Wednesday 3 June 2026 - 9.30am to 1pm (Student Life Building, room 304)
The session gives staff an overview of the University’s Research Degrees Framework and the provision for postgraduate research across LJMU. It is mandatory for all new supervisors of PhDs, and for academic staff new to LJMU and intending to supervise. Experienced supervisors who would value a refresher are very welcome to join too. Some of the content may also be of interest to supervisors of Professional Doctorates, but the regulatory focus is on PhD programmes.
Training for the Independent Chair
Tuesday 10 February 2026 - 2 to 3pm
Thursday 21 May 2026 - 2 to 3pm
The use of Independent Chairs to oversee the PhD Viva Voce examination is increasingly common in the sector. At LJMU, Independent Chairs can play a crucial role in ensuring and witnessing that examinations are conducted fairly and in accordance with University regulations. This session outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Independent Chair and allows participants to learn from 'this really happened' case studies.
Research Degrees Examiner Workshop
Monday 23 March 2026 - 10 to 11am
Tuesday 12 May 2026 - 2 to 3pm
Thursday 25 June 2026 - 10 to 11am
This workshop aims to prepare staff to act as internal examiners for a PhD candidate at LJMU. It provides information on processes, procedures and approaches, as well as acting as a forum for discussion and sharing practice.
eDoc for Supervisors
Monday 23 February 2026 - 11am to 12pm
Tuesday 21 April 2026 - 10 to 11am
Thursday 11 June 2026 - 2 to 3pm
eDoc is a comprehensive online progression system for the LJMU PGR community. It keeps all your PGRs in one place and streamlines:
- Supervision meetings
- Training and events
- Progression monitoring
- Confirmation of Registration
- Changes to registration for example, Leaves of absence
- Examinations
The session will provide an overview of the system and highlight key functionality from a supervisor's perspective.
Outside of these times, if you require any specific support you can request a one-to-one session via DoctoralAcademy@ljmu.ac.uk.
Privacy notice for Supervisor Development Programme events
When you sign up for and attend certain supervisor development events, the Doctoral Academy will use this information to manage PGR progression on eDoc. This relates to your role on a current Supervisory Team. The lawful basis we rely on for storing this information is that we have a contractual obligation.
For further information as to how we handle your data, please see our information relating to employment.
