Student guide to the research degree process

Student toolkit

This toolkit has been designed to guide students through the research degree process and the associated paperwork:

The Research Degrees Handbook is regularly updated to include the latest regulations and policies.

Research degree planners are available to project your milestone dates for your programme.

Committee dates

Committee dates are available for Senate, Research Degrees Committee, Research Ethics Committee and Research Degree Boards.

For information on paper submission deadlines and paper distribution dates please download Senate and research-related committees key dates.

Supervision

All supervisory meetings must be logged on the Supervision logging sheet. Students are responsible for submitting completed sheets to the Senior Research Degrees Administrator.

Registration as an advanced postgraduate student

Registration as an Advanced Postgraduate Student (APG) should take place four months after enrolment for full time students and eight months after enrolment for part time students. The APG forms, a research proposal (2500 words) and the timetable of work should be submitted to the Senior Research Degrees Administrator for consideration by the Research Degrees Board (RDB) and Research Degrees Committee (RDC). The Director of Studies should ensure that the APG Forms are completed and duly signed.

Download Guidance notes for completion of documentation for APG registration.

Ethical approval

Part of the APG Registration process is gaining ethical approval of the proposed research. The Ethics Code and Procedures are available for researchers and Research Ethics Committee Guidance has been prepared to help researchers to prepare a submission for ethical approval. Proposals for APG Registration will simultaneously be considered by the Research Ethics Committee. The Research Ethics Committee will wish to see extra documents such as participant information sheets, participant consent forms and draft questionnaires or interview questions where appropriate. These should also be submitted to the Senior Research Degrees Administrator. Where such documents have not been produced ethical approval can be given in principle with the student expected to submit further paperwork at an appropriate time.

Direct registration as a PhD student by means of published works

Students working towards a PhD by Means of Published Works should apply to register as a PhD student three months after initial enrolment.

The application forms, an outline of the proposed research (2500 words) and a timetable of work should be submitted to the Senior Research Degrees Administrator for consideration by the RDB and RDC. The Director of Studies should ensure that the Registration as PhD by means of published works forms are completed and duly signed.

Transfer of registration

Students' registration should be transferred from APG to a named degree (PhD or MPhil). This should take place one year after APG Registration for a full time student and two years after APG Registration for a part time student. The discipline-based training requirements for Transfer are contained in Section C of the Research Degrees Handbook. The transfer forms, a case for transfer and an updated timetable of work should be submitted to the Senior Research Degrees Administrator for consideration by the RDB and RDC. The Director of Studies should ensure that the Transfer forms are completed and duly signed.

Download Guidance notes for completion of documentation for transfer of registration.

Writing up

Students who have completed the minimum period of registration for a research degree and for whom the main activity is writing up (rather than collecting or analysing new information) may, with the support of their supervisor, apply to transfer to writing up status. Students who have transferred to writing up status are entitled to a reduction in fees. The Writing up request form should be completed by the Director of Studies or First Supervisor and submitted to the Senior Research Degrees Administrator for consideration by the RDB and RDC.

Submission

Students should declare their intention to submit at least three months before their planned submission date. The intention to submit form should be completed by the student and submitted to the Senior Research Degrees Administrator. Receipt of this form will trigger the nomination of examiners process.

Two soft bound copies of the thesis should be submitted to The Graduate School for examination on or before the latest submission date. For the format of the title page, use the title page template.

Four other thesis forms should be submitted with the thesis for examination:

• Address for Notification of Results
• British Library Form
• UN Statement of Originality
• UN Thesis Author Consent Form

You should also read You and your thesis: Copyright

After a successful examination outcome, one hard bound copy of the final thesis should be submitted to the Graduate School for the University library. The cover should be dark green with no text on the front cover. The binding of your thesis template should be used for the lettering on the spine.

Intercalation (suspension of studies)

Students can suspend their studies for a maximum of twelve months during their period of registration. Students put their request to intercalate in writing along with evidence of their illness of changed circumstances to the Senior Research Degrees Administrator for consideration at the appropriate RDB and RDC. The student's Director of Studies or supervisor will be asked for written support for the request.

Extension of registration

Students can request an extension to the maximum period of registration of up to six months. The student, director of studies and supervisors should complete the Request for extension of registration and submit it to the Senior Research Degrees Administrator for consideration by the RDB and RDC.