At the heart of the HSDTC is our training programme, which includes online, blended learning, and interactive face-to-face and wet lab-based courses, across four broad areas:

1. Research Methods & Skills (divided into Clinical Research & Ethics; Bioinformatics & Statistics)
2. Communication & Research Impact
3. Careers & Employability
4. Doctoral Essentials

We recognise that for many researchers, online content and virtual workshops are the most accessible way to participate. As a result, most of our live workshops are delivered online via Zoom or Teams.

For PGRs who prefer to participate in-person, additional on-campus versions of many of our workshops are scheduled throughout the academic year. By offering both options we hope to maximise flexibility to meet the needs of our PGR community.

You can select each course title below for booking details, or head to How to Access our Courses to explore all the live workshops and online resources that are available to you.

Please email hs-dtc@kcl.ac.uk if you have any queries.

Please note King's login credentials is required to access SkillsForge to view module details on the links below.

Principles of Clinical Research (HSDTC2) 

Build a comprehensive understanding of the principles of clinical research best practice, from design to delivery to closure. For researchers who develop and deliver clinical research projects with human subjects.

Clinical Research Protocol Development (HSDTC3) 

Build a comprehensive understanding of research protocols and how to develop one in accordance with best practice. For researchers who develop and deliver clinical research involving human participants within the UK, including CTIMPs.

Managing Early Phase Clinical Trials: Principles and Practice (HSDTC121) 

This is an interactive course for doctoral researchers who want to learn about the principles and practice of managing early phase clinical trials.

Informed Consent for Research (HSDTC4) 

Explore the concept and principles of informed consent for research, from historical development to an understanding of legislative and ethical considerations for research practitioners.

Being Sustainable in Science Laboratories (HSDTC108)

This course for doctoral researchers in the health sciences introduces laboratory sustainability and provides context for its growing importance.

Please note King's login credentials is required to access SkillsForge to view module details on the links below.

DataCamp Subscription (HSDTC20) 

DataCamp is one of the leading online resources for learning to programme in the main languages used in data analysis, such as R, Python and SQL. The HSDTC provides free 12-month subscriptions to doctoral research students in the Health Faculties.

"The smartest way to Learn Data Science Online"

Introduction to Python for Biologists (HSDTC36)  

This introductory level course is for doctoral researchers in the Health health sciences with a biological background but with no previous programming experience, with an emphasis on practical problem-solving.

Advanced Python for Biologists (HSDTC26) 

A more advanced course for Health health sciences doctoral researchers with a basic knowledge of Python who want to write more complex programs, deal with larger datasets, or contribute to existing software projects.

"This course was excellent - well organised and with useful topics - and the examples were well broken down and well explained."

Analysing Qualitative Data (PGR316)

This qualitative data analysis course is for researchers who are engaging in qualitative research, and includes code generation, theme production, data management and retrieval, and data analysis and interpretation.

RNA-Seq Analysis with Babraham Bioinformatics (HSDTC116)

This course is for doctoral researchers in the health sciences and provides an introduction to the QC, processing and analysis of RNA-Seq data.

ChIP-Seq Analysis with Babraham Bioinformatics (HSDTC117)

This course is for doctoral researchers in the health sciences and provides a complete introduction to the theory and practice of the analysis of ChIP-Seq data.

Extracting Biological Information from Gene Lists with Babraham Bioinformatics (HSDTC118)

This course is for doctoral researchers in the health sciences and looks at the various software packages, databases and statistical methods which may be of use in performing gene list analysis.

Please note King's login credentials is required to access SkillsForge to view module details on the links below.

Writing a Literature Review in the Sciences (PGR259)

This session explores the relationship between your research and the literature, covers the key principles of organising and critiquing published work, and will help you structure your writing about others' work.

Turbocharge Your Writing (PGR270)

Learn the secret to high output, low stress scholarly writing, using clear and practical strategies that can greatly increase your writing productivity.

Publishing a Scientific Research Paper (PGR304)

Gain insights from a former journal editor who knows scientific journals from many angles, and learn how to choose a journal and then write and structure your paper and get it through peer review.

How to Write a Great Research Paper, and Get it Accepted by a Good Journal (HSDTC82)

This course is for PhD students and early career researchers in the health sciences who are seeking guidance and experience in preparing papers for publication in English in respected journals.

Presenting your Research with Confidence in the Health Sciences (HSDTC89)

This workshop will provide a clear step-by-step structure that you can use again and again to give high quality presentations. For doctoral researchers in the health sciences.

Three Minute Thesis (PGR600)

Could you explain your doctoral thesis to an audience in just three minutes? The King’s College London Three Minute Thesis competition is open to all doctoral researchers at King’s.

Undertaking Radio, TV and Print Interviews (PGR334)

A comprehensive and engaging introduction to all aspects of the media, including ‘how journalists source stories’ and ‘using social media to become media aware’.

How Social Media Can Help Your Research Career (HSDTC105)

Learn about the power and effectiveness of social media as a researcher and develop your own tailored approach and manageable long-term social media strategy.

Benefits of Writing a Press Release and How to Do It (HSDTC106)

Get a journalist’s take on how to compose a press release with genuine impact. From headlines and embargoes to notes to editors, you’ll learn about every aspect of the press release and distribution.

Pitching to Journalists (HSDTC132)

A complete guide on how to get onto a journalists’ radar, and the benefits of building a strong network of print and broadcast journalists as your research careers progresses. In this entertaining and interactive session we’ll draw on observations from a range of producers and editors and give you space to build a personalised strategy for developing a media network. 

Visual Communications Pathway (KEATS)

The use of effective graphic design and the inclusion of well-designed and executed scientific figures can significantly improve your ability to communicate your work to peers and a wider audience. However, learning to use advanced graphic design and photo editing software without support can be challenging and off-putting.

All of the courses listed below form part of the Visual Communication Pathway for PGRs in the Health Faculties.

Good Graphic Design Practice for Scientific Visual Communication (HSDTC80)

A short theory session for doctoral researchers and research staff in the health sciences who want to learn how to create better figures for use in their work.

Creating Adaptable Figures Using Adobe Illustrator (HSDTC81)

A short practical course for doctoral researchers and research staff in the health sciences who want to learn how to create better illustrated figures for use in their work.

Creating Better Figures, Presentations and Posters in MS PowerPoint (HSDTC133)

Apply the basics of good graphic design when creating figures, presentations and posters in MS PowerPoint software. You will be provided with example posters and figures that you can then edit to improve their visual communication, with guidance and advice from the course trainer.

Adobe Photoshop for Scientists - Producing High-Quality Figures with Integrity (HSDTC95)

For doctoral researchers in the health sciences wishing to prepare and present figures containing image data in papers, grant applications, seminars, posters and theses.

"This has been one of the most useful workshops I have attended during my PhD."

Adobe Illustrator for Scientists (HSDTC96)

For doctoral researchers in the health sciences wishing to prepare and present diagrams, schematics, figures and data in papers, grant applications, seminars, posters and theses.

Please note King's login credentials is required to access SkillsForge to view module details on the links below.

What’s Next? Career Options after your Health Sciences PhD (HSDTC1)

This drop-in session is for PhD students in the Health Faculties at King’s. No need to book, just turn up for an informal discussion.

Health Professional Researchers: Managing Dual Careers Webinars (HSDTC112)

This series of three webinars is aimed at research-active Health Professionals at King’s College London, and will explore the challenges faced by being both a Health Professional and a researcher.

Advancing in Academia: Health Sciences (on-demand)

This course, for PGRs and postdocs, will help you consider whether an academic career is for you, how to think about and plan your career, and how to manage job applications.

Communicating your Research and Experience for Business (HSDTC123)

This course is for researchers in the health sciences looking for a practical communication framework and toolkit that will make them immediately more effective in industry-centric communications.

Discover Careers

Comprising short talks followed by a Q&A, these sessions focus on a particular sector such as mental health research or software engineering. Search ‘Discover’ in the events listings on King’s CareerConnect.

Careers Support for Researchers

Further online resources from the King’s Careers & Employability team have been specially curated for doctoral research students.

Please note King's login credentials is required to access SkillsForge to view module details on the links below.

Starting Your PhD in the Sciences (PGR100)

Get an overview of the PhD: what it is, what to expect and how to manage a research project effectively; aimed at first year students in biomedical and health sciences, medicine, dentistry, etc.

Preparing for the Upgrade in the Sciences (PGR174)

For PhD students in the sciences going into their upgrade, this session will provide guidance on how to construct your upgrade report and help to prepare you for your interview/presentation.

Writing Up the Thesis in the Sciences (PGR103)

For PhD students in the sciences who are entering their writing-up phase, this session will address the structure and content of a thesis and will explore writing strategies and how to cope with ‘writer's block’.

The Seven Secrets of Highly Successful Research Students (PGR237)

Find out what doctoral researchers do to finish on time, overcome isolation, doubt and writer’s block, and enjoy the process, while spending time with family and friends and perhaps even having holidays!