Students supporting students on the PhD journey: An evaluation of a mentoring scheme for international doctoral students

This qualitative study presents findings from the evaluation of a pilot mentoring scheme developed in Liverpool Business School. The majority of studies on university mentoring schemes have focussed on undergraduate or taught postgraduate students, less attention has been given to doctoral students. The purpose of this scheme was to enhance peer support mechanisms for a group of international doctoral students to enable them to adapt to a new cultural, educational and social environment. Data obtained from two focus groups demonstrated that the scheme was broadly successful and provided benefits to both mentors and mentees. The evaluation raised some general issues concerning cultural integration and the way in which higher education institutions support doctoral students and international doctoral students in particular