Productive Postgrads Programme
Get Your Thesis Moving — Even With a Full-Time Job
Regain control of your research, meet your milestones with confidence, and finally feel supported in your postgraduate journey.
Join a flexible, high-touch mentorship programme designed for postgrads who work full-time and want to make consistent, meaningful progress.
What’s Different About This Programme?
From Stuck → To Submission
We support professionals balancing work & postgraduate study. You don’t need another time management tip or writing app. You need someone in your corner.
Someone who sees you, supports you, and knows what it takes.
We’re not here to replace your supervisor.
We help you engage more confidently with your work so you can make the most of your supervisor meetings, respond to feedback strategically, and write with clarity.
We help you move from fragmented drafts and feedback anxiety to consistent progress, clarity in research, confidence in meetings and milestone delivery.
Why this programme exists
Too many postgraduates spend years circling around drafts, feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure how to move forward. Supervisors can only do so much, and friends or family don’t always understand.
That’s why I created the Productive Postgrads Programme (PPP) — a proven mentorship programme that combines 1:1 academic coaching, strengths-based coaching, accountability, and writing retreats to help you finally make consistent progress.
Community - You don't have to do this alone.
When you join PPP, you join a small circle of postgrads who understand the late nights, the doubts, and the juggling act of working while studying.
Weekly accountability check-ins keep you moving.
You’ll never feel like “just another student.”
💬 “It was such a blessing to be able to talk about the 'soft' side of the experience of this journey because no one else has time to make students stop, reflect & correct their inner thoughts.” – PhD Candidate, NMMU
💬 “I never felt isolated during the process. Sandra made me feel that I am part of a community that values my progress and celebrates my achievements.” – Master’s Graduate, UFS
Confidence - Rekindle your belief in your ability to finish
Strengths coaching is woven into PPP because progress is not just about writing — it’s about the mindset you bring to your research. Together, we’ll help you shift from self-doubt to self-belief.
Learn how to harness your natural strengths.
Replace overwhelm with clarity and focus.
💬 “I thank you for rekindling the spark that I can push this paper and make it. I wish I could have encountered you earlier.” – PhD Candidate, UP
💬 “Sandra’s mentorship helped me believe in myself again. For the first time, I felt that my work had value and that I had what it takes to submit.” – PhD Graduate, UNISA
Completion - Practical support that leads to submission
Every part of PPP is designed to move you closer to completion — not just ‘feeling busy’ butgetting the right work done.
1:1 coaching to tackle methodology, theory, or data analysis.
Co-coding sessions to break through analysis blocks.
Fully catered writing retreats every 3 months to make big leaps.
💬 “I came into PPP with scattered drafts. Within months, I had structured chapters and a clear direction. Today, I stand proud with a completed dissertation.” – PhD Graduate, NWU
💬 “Working under an intense deadline, Sandra's guidance and encouragement helped me produce a high-quality dissertation that exceeded my expectations." – Master’s Graduate, UK
Ethical Support That Empowers, Not Replaces
We don’t do the work for you—we ensure your research remains authentically yours.
Every session is about equipping you with the tools and mindset to finish.
You gain skills and strategies you’ll carry far beyond submission.
💬 “What I appreciate the most about Research4You is that they don’t do the work for you.” – PhD Candidate, NMMU
💬 “Dr Sandra simply works with you to give you wings to fly. The services are professional, and she adheres to ethical protocol to ensure that as a client and student, you do the work yourself through her coaching, advice & mentorship. I would recommend her any day.” – PhD Candidate
Who It’s For?
This programme is for Master's or PhD students who:
Work full-time or juggle caregiving, family, life duties
Feel overwhelmed, isolated, or behind
Know what to do in theory, but can’t seem to do it
Want honest feedback and consistent support
You don’t have to do this alone. We meet you where you are and build from there.
💬 Like Lethabo*, a PhD student juggling work and family, who used her coaching sessions to get unstuck with her literature review when it felt impossible.
💬 Or Sam*, who used his consultations to clarify themes and make sense of supervisor feedback without spiralling.
What You Get Inside the Programme
Here’s what sits inside, month after month:
Two Strengths-Driven Coaching Sessions with Luan Krige
Coaching that keeps you moving forward when you hit setbacks or feel stuck. Use these sessions to keep your mindset and momentum aligned with how you work best.
Two Consultations with Dr Sandra Steyn
We work through YOUR research so you know exactly what’s working and what to improve. Use these sessions to tackle anything from proposal writing to literature review support to coding consensus, data discussions, theme development, or turning supervisor feedback into progress.
5,000-Word In-Depth Review
You will receive one content review from a critical reader per month. This could be an article, chapter or the sections you are working on. This review is not just for grammar but digs into argument strength, structure, and clarity.
Community Touchpoints
Monthly group check-in and a live skills lab to boost writing and research capacity.
Ongoing Access to Online Trainings
You’ll receive access to every online training run through Research4You (at least one webinar every second month).
A Fully-Catered Weekend Writing Retreat (Quarterly)
Deep work needs rest and reflection. These retreats create space for real breakthroughs. One retreat is included every 3 months!
Investment Options
We know that postgraduate research isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is our support.
Whether you’re committing for a focused 3-month sprint or preparing for the long haul, there’s an option that matches your rhythm and your budget. Each plan gives you full access to personalised coaching, content reviews, skills labs, writing retreats, and more.
✅ Want flexibility? Choose the monthly plan.
💰 Ready to commit and save? Pay upfront and enjoy exclusive discounts.
The longer your commitment, the more you save and the closer you move to submission with steady, structured progress.
Why It Matters for Master's & PhD Students
Buying these services separately can easily climb past R16,000/month.
Our founder-cohort fee makes the support more accessible:
R4,800/month (only for the first ten researchers)
Future cohorts enrol at R6,000/month
Minimum stay: 3 months
Pay 6 months upfront = 50% off one month
Pay 12 months upfront = 2 months free
💡 Finishing even one semester sooner can save ±R18,000 in tuition—and more importantly, set you up for earlier career moves with research that can stand up to scrutiny.
💰 Cost-effective support for researchers who need real ROI on every rand.
How it Works
We know that when you're working full-time, studying, and trying to make real research progress, you don’t need more noise. You need a clear, supportive path forward. That’s exactly what the Productive Postgrads Programme offers.
Here’s how we walk that path together:
1. Choose Your Plan
Pick the support package that suits your pace: 3, 6 or 12 months, monthly or upfront.
2. Book a Discovery Call
Let’s talk about where you are, what’s not working, and whether PPP is the right fit.
3. Onboard & Strategise
We create a personalised plan based on your timeline, needs, and strengths.
4. Meet, Write, Review
Coaching, content reviews, skills labs and retreats, all designed to keep you moving forward.
5. Submit with Confidence
You finish with clarity, structure, and research you’re proud to stand behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to attend weekly?
No. Your calls and coaching sessions are scheduled flexibly around your availability.
Is this for early-stage or advanced postgraduate scholars?
Both. From proposal stage to final chapters, we support every phase.
Can I join from outside South Africa?
Yes! All sessions are virtual and timezone-friendly where possible.
This is a lot of money. How can I ensure I get value from the programme?
We get it. This is a meaningful investment. That’s why the programme is designed to deliver high-touch, personalised support that translates directly into research progress. You’ll receive consistent feedback, coaching, and clarity tailored to your exact stage. The value lies not just in finishing faster but in finishing stronger, with work you’re proud of.
Will this replace my supervisor?
Not at all. Think of this as the support that helps you make the most of your supervision by clarifying your thoughts, improving your drafts, and building confidence in your own work.
What if I only need help with one section of my thesis or dissertation?
That’s okay! Many postgrads join the programme with one area in mind—like their literature review, data analysis, or writing up. You can focus your time with us on exactly what you need. You’ll still benefit from holistic support to make that section excellent and connected to the rest of your work.
Results from Real Postgrads
Liz, PhD Candidate
I had been stuck for nine months before joining. Within 2 weeks, I was writing again and I haven’t stopped.
Modise, PhD Candidate
Dr Sandra gets it. Her feedback is kind, constructive, and somehow exactly what I needed to hear.
Tshengo, Early-career researcher.
This programme helped me finish a full article draft in three months
Ready to get unstuck?
You don’t need to push harder. You need to work smarter—with support. Let’s build the system that works for you.
Not sure if it’s the right fit? Book a no-pressure call and let’s talk.
