Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes
The Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes contains a wide range of information required by both students and their academic departments from the point of registration on to a higher degree by research, to the point of award. You can download the Code of Practice .
Registration and fees
This section provides information on how new and continuing students can register; about the different registration periods and upgrade procedure; and on the different types of fees and how to pay them.
- Registration of new and continuing research students
- Periods of registration
- Tuition and continuation fees
Changes to your status, personal circumstances and time limits
Changing circumstances may mean that it is no longer appropriate for you to remain registered according to your original candidature. Common changes are from full-time to part-time and from student candidate to staff candidate. Alternatively, you may need to request a leave of absence from your studies, perhaps for personal, financial, or medical grounds. Some students need extensions to their time limit and in certain circumstances to withdraw from their studies.
- Upgrade from MPhil to doctoral level studies
- Confirmation Review (for students entering directly onto PhD)
- Change of candidature
- Leave of absence
- Time limit extensions
- Withdraw from the University
- Changes to personal details
Supervision
The relationship between a student and their supervisory team is a critical one. This section provides guidance on what is expected from students, supervisors and departments:
- Ethical approval
- Attendance Monitoring
- Induction
- Physical & social environment
- Supervision
- Responsibilities of the student
- Responsibilities of the supervisor
- Responsibilities of the department
- Ten top tips for new research students
- Ten top tips for research supervisors
- Change of supervisor
- Conflicts of interest in Postgraduate Supervision
Academic progress
It is important that students and supervisors regularly work together to review a student's academic progress towards their research degree. This section provides information on what reports are required and suggests a good practice schedule.
Working hours, holidays and employment
This section provides information on the required working hours and holiday entitlements for research students, as well as clear guidance on the rules governing the employment of students by departments:
Thesis preparation, submission and examination
This section gives students information on the required format and presentation of their thesis together with the process that must be followed for submitting it. It then guides students through the oral examination process and any changes that may need to be made to the thesis before the award and conferment of the degree.
- Use of unfair means in the assessment process
- Use of copyright material
- Preparation and format of theses for research degrees
- Reproduction and binding
- Submission of theses
- Appointment of examiners
- The oral examination (viva voce)
- After the oral examination: recommendations and reports
- Minor amendments
- Resubmission of a thesis
- Library copies (print and electronic)
- eTheses: Frequently Asked Questions
- Award and conferment of degrees
- Replacement degree certificates
- Complaints and appeals