Your career and development

Two students working at a booth in the library with big screen presentation technology.

We are committed to supporting you to get the most out of your PhD and ensuring that you graduate with excellent career prospects, whether you plan to progress into academia, research or industry. 

Real world research experience

The University of Leeds is a Russell Group university and many of our academic staff are leading researchers within design-related fields such as fashion, textiles and graphic communication.

In the School of Design, we benefit from a strong relationship with businesses as well as staff who have a significant amount of experience working within the design industry. This means that during your PhD, you will have the opportunity to conduct research in the context of real-world design problems.

We regularly work with local, regional and national industry partners on live projects, conducting active research to help them to find solutions. This is an excellent way to gain relevant practical experience of working collaboratively with industrial partners and is also a great opportunity to network and build connections, which you will find helpful for progressing in your career. 

Your future career 

Our experts in the University’s Careers Centre will support you to make informed decisions about your career path. They can provide you with advice about the range of opportunities available to you and support you in taking the steps you need to take to pursue your choices. You’ll also be encouraged to attend on-campus events such as graduate recruitment fairs, employer networking and information sessions, and meetings with our alumni to help you understand and plan your career path.

Leeds University Union provides career-related support through the part-time job hub, student societies and other activities throughout the year.

Staff in the School of Design can also provide tailored advice on the types of careers that may be suitable to your skills and interests within the field of Design, they can also help you with applying for post-doctoral research and teaching posts if you are interested in pursuing an academic career. The Leeds Arts Humanities Research Institute (LAHRI) offers PhD graduates from Leeds support to advance their research and careers through the Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Leeds Doctoral College brings together all the support services and opportunities to enhance your research. You’ll have the opportunity to share your research and get valuable feedback at the annual Doctoral College Showcase.