CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
Edition 11 September2010
REVISED RESEARCH DEGREES STRUCTURE
Effective Date 1 September 2007
Teesside University’s Mission:
“Providing Opportunities, Promoting Enterprise, Delivering Excellence”
(Working in partnership to enable individuals and organizations to achieve their potential through high quality learning, research and knowledge transfer)
Teesside University’s Vision:
To achieve wide recognition regionally, nationally and internationally as being among the top UK institutions for higher education for:
- a real and ongoing commitment to social inclusion and widening access to higher education;
- pursuing excellence and seeking to enhance academic standards and the quality of the student learning experience;
- contributing to the economic, social and cultural success of the TeesValley and to the wider regional, national and international communities we serve.
The University’s Research Strategy seeks to shift Teesside University to a position where it would, in the future, be regarded as research active modern University whilst maintaining its excellence in teaching.
The “Code of Practice” is dedicated to the memory of Dr Dick Richardson, Reader in Politics (School of Social Sciences), Chair of the Joint Research Degrees Committee of the Schools of Health, Social Sciences, and Law, Humanities & International Studies, member of the University Research Degrees Sub-Committee, who died tragically on 14 September 1997.A much valued colleague and friend.
He was co-editorwith Emeritus Professor Bill Hall (School of Computing & Mathematics) of the first edition of the Code’s predecessor, “Notes for Guidance for Postgraduate Research” (1996),
Changes to Editions are summarized below
Changes to Edition 9 September 2007
PagePara
043.3Modifications to Admissions process
043.4New para on Research Effort and Workloads, and re-numbering.
083.8Modifications to Enrolment and Start Dates
094.1Modifications to Registration procedures for students Enrolled 1 September 2007 onwards
144.9Amendments to Ethical Clearance for students enrolling after 1 September 2007
144.10Reference to Transfer process for students Enrolled prior to 1 September 2007
155.1Amendments to Directors of Study and min/max Supervisory Team.
185.2Modification to clarify duties of Supervisors following examination of theses.
185.3Modification to clarify Students’ responsibilities to engage with Research and Skills Training
39Appendix 3 amended acceptable English Language qualifications
47Appendix 6 amended to include Model Timetable of Events for Revised Structure 2007-8.
69Appendix 14 Modified Student Protocol
Changes to Edition 10 September 2009
New Logo and Title
3.3.3Modifications to include information on Training Needs Analysis at application and at Offer
3.3.5Modifications to clarify when Visa Letters or CAS will be issued
4.4Modifications to Extensions of Registration – funding implications
4.5Modifications to Withdrawal – funding implications
5.2Modifications to Supervisors’ responsibilities – re dyslexia
5.3Modifications to Students’ Responsibilities – re dyslexia and GP Certification of Sickness absence after 14 days.
5.4Log Books: Clarification on wording re applicability
8.1Modifications on monitoring student attendance for scholarship payments
8.4Modifications to advise new academic staff to defer research degrees if taking PgCTLHE
9New section onUse of Student Logos for Research
Appendix 6 (new) – Research Training Schedule 2009-10 (renumber remaining appendices)
Appendix 12 – Revised URDSC Terms of Reference 2009-10
Changes to Edition 1 September 2010
PagePara
083.8Inclusion of cohort entry dates and associated implications
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Code V11 Sept 2010
CONTENTS
Page
1INTRODUCTION1
1.1Purpose of Code of Practice1
1.2Data Protection Act, Confidentiality & Publicity1
2THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESEARCH DEGREES 2
2.1Master of Philosophy and Master in Professional Studies2
2.2Doctor of Philosophy2
2.3Doctor in Professional Studies3
2.4MPhil and PhD by Completed Work3
2.5“M” and “D” Level Descriptors4
3 ADMISSIONS,OFFERS AND ENROLMENT4
3.1Admissions Policy 4
3.2Entry Requirements4
3.3Enquiry, Admission and Offers5
3.4Research Effort and Workload7
3.5Students Working Overseas7
3.6Admissions Appeals Procedure8
3.7Response Times8
3.8Cohort Entry Start Dates, Enrolment & Re-enrolment8
3.9Change of School9
3.10Student Protocol10
4 REGISTRATION 10
4.1Initial Registration10
4.2Confirmation of level of degree at Progression Board11
4.3Suspension of Registration or Study12
4.4Extension of Registration12
4.5Withdrawal from Studyor Registration13
4.6Change of Mode of Study13
4.7Inward transfer of Registration (Advanced Standing) 14
4.8Lapse of Registration14
4.9Research Ethics15
4.10Transfer from Masters to Doctorate15
5 THE FRAMEWORK FORSUPERVISION, INDUCTION AND TRAINING 15
5.1The Structure15
5.2Responsibilities of the Supervisory Team17
5.3Responsibilities of the Student18
5.4Log Books19
5.5Misconduct20
5.6Cheating & Plagiarism20
5.7Induction, Research Skills and other Training20
6 PROGRESS AND COMPLETION 22
6.1Academic Progression22
6.2Special Review Meetings23
6.3Completion24
6.4Assessment Review25
7 MONITORING ANDEVALUATION 25
7.1Student Record25
7.2Monitoring Role of Director of Studies 26
7.3School Research Degrees Committee26
7.4Postgraduate Tutor26
8 FINANCE 27
8.1Research Assistantships and Research Studentships27
8.2Other Awards27
8.3Fees28
8.4University Staff undertaking research degrees28
8.5Part-time Teaching28
9GOVERNANCE – Use of University Logo 29
10COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE 29
11RESEARCH SUPPORT30
12UNIVERSITY LOUNGE31
13STUDENT REPRESENTATION 31
14STUDENT SUPPORT31
15PGR NETWORK 32
16BLACKBOARDTM32
17LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICES32
18UNIVERSITY ICT ACCOUNT AND E-MAIL ADDRESS33
19ENGLISH LANGUAGE SUPPORT and DROP- IN STUDENT SKILLS CENTRE (DISSC) 34
20LANGUAGES FOR ALL34
21 RESEARCH DEGREES PROFORMAS34
22FURTHER INFORMATION 35
23TERM DATES AND UNIVERSITY CLOSURE 35
APPENDICES
1ADMISSIONSPOLICY37
(To be reviewed)
2“M” and “D” Level Descriptors39
3MINIMUM ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS41
4 ADMISSIONS APPEALS PROCEDURE OF PANEL –
Research Degrees Admissions 42
5 SUMMARY OF FRAMEWORKS FOR SCHOOLS’ INDUCTION AND RESEARCH TRAINING AND OTHER TRAINING 44
(To be reviewed)
6 RESEARCH TRAINING SCHEDULE ACADEMIC YEAR 2009-1049
7MODEL TIMETABLE OF EVENTS52
New Structure Students from 1 September 200752
Old Structure Students – before 1 September 200754
8SUGGESTED INTRODUCTORY READING57
9UNIVERSITY RESEARCH DEGREES PROFORMAS LIST61
10 RESEARCH DEGREES COMMITTEES – OFFICERS 2007/2008 63
11 SCHOOL RESEARCH DEGREES COMMITTEES CONSTITUTION
AND TERMS OF REFERENCE 64
12 UNIVERSITY RESEARCH DEGREES SUB-COMMITTEE
CONSTITUTIONAND TERMSOF REFERENCE 66
13 UNIVERSITY RESEARCH DEGREESBOARD CONSTITUTION 70
14 RESPONSIBILITIES OF A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE 72
15 RESEARCH STUDENT PROTOCOL74
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1
Code V11 Sept 2010
TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
1INTRODUCTION
1.1Purpose of Code of Practice
The purpose of this Code of Practice is to provide information for postgraduate research students and supervisors of Teesside University in the following areas:
- the nature and scope of research degrees
- admission, enrolment and registration procedures, transfer and progression
- the framework for supervision
- progress and completion
- monitoring and evaluation
- complaints and appeals
- student support
- finance
All research, and particularly research aimed at producing an original contribution to knowledge, is an exciting, creative and rewarding activity, requiring hard work, dedication and consummate interpersonal skills. It is also likely to involve frustration, self-doubt and disappointment, though usually only of a temporary nature. A number of aspects of research may fall outside a student’s previous experience, such as the extent of individual study required, the close and extensive working relationship with a small Supervisory Team[1], and the extent of self-management required. But in most cases these new experiences merely add to the challenge of research and, on obtaining a higher degree, an extra sense of fulfillment. Named Professional Doctorates, D.Clin.Psy, D.Coun.Psy, DBA, D.Health.Psy, D.Prof Advancing Practice are not covered by this Code.
This “Code of Practice” has been reviewed to ensure (in conjunction with the University’s “Framework and Regulations for the Award of Higher Degrees by Research”) compatibility with the “QAA Code of Practice for Quality Assurance of Research Degree Programmes” (Jan 1999, updated Sept 2000), and reviews are undertaken bi-annually of the “Code” and the “Framework and Regulations”, to which, wherever possible, cross reference has been made to the appropriate Regulation.
1.2Data Protection, Confidentiality & Publicity
It should be noted that all personal information is provided in the strictest confidence and for authorized purposes only, in accordance with the terms of the University’s registration under the Data Protection Act. Internally, information will be known only to those members of Academic Staff, Committee Members or Officers, Advisors, Examiners or Referees, who need to know at each particular stage. Externally, this will include the Higher Education Statistics Agency, and any Research Council/Funding Body to which an enrolled Research student is connected. Additionally, at Enrolment, Students will be asked to indicate if they wish their name to be excluded from the Awards Ceremony Brochure or other publicity that the University may seek to generate in relation to its awards and research.
2THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESEARCH DEGREES
Five research degrees are awarded by the University: Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master in Professional Studies (M.Prof) and Doctor in Professional Studies (D.Prof). Named Professional Doctorates, D.Clin.Psy, D.Coun.Psy, DBA, D.Prof Advancing Practice are not covered by this Code.
Some projects will evolve from prospective students, who are looking for potential supervisors – this will be particularly so in the Professional Masters and Doctorate programmes; other projects will already have been formulated by prospective supervisory staff, who are looking for potential students.
The award of MPhil or PhD by Completed Work is for research work already undertaken prior to registration with the University, but not submitted for examination previously.
The requirements for the five research degrees are given below, although their interpretation may differ from discipline to discipline and should be discussed with the candidate’s Supervisory Team.
2.1 Master of Philosophy (MPhil); Master in Professional Studies (M.Prof)
The degree of MPhil is awarded to a candidate who, having critically investigated and evaluated an approved topic and demonstrated an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field, has presented and defended a thesis in oral examination to the satisfaction of the examiners. In the case of M.Prof, the work is based upon professional practice and investigative or creative work.
2.2 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The degree of PhD is awarded to a candidate who, having critically investigated and evaluated an approved topic, resulting in an independent and original contribution to knowledge, and having demonstrated an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field, has presented and defended a thesis in oral examination to the satisfaction of the examiners.
2.3 Doctor in Professional Studies (D.Prof)
The degree of D.Prof is awarded to candidates who have successfully completed an approved programme of study, which is based upon professional practice and investigative and creative work, culminating in the submission of an individual thesis, and if appropriate, other media formats. The outcome of the programme must represent an original contribution to knowledge in the area of professional practice in question and must be of an equivalent standard to that required of a candidate for the award of PhD. The work must be communicable, and the method open to rigorous critique.
2.4MPhil(MPhilCW) and PhD by Completed Work (PhDCW)
a)MPhil by Completed Work
The degree of MPhil by Completed Work is awarded to a candidate whose previously completed submitted workhas demonstrated an understanding of research methods appropriate to the overall theme, to the satisfaction of the examiners, and an assessment of its context in relation to the developing state of the art in the subject concerned.
The candidate must present and defend the thesis in oral examination to the satisfaction of examiners, the conduct of which will be in accordance with the regulations for the award of MPhil and the academic standard associated with the degree will be the same as a conventional MPhil.
b)PhD by Completed Work
The degree ofPhD by Completed Work is awarded to a candidate whose submitted work has demonstrated an independent and original contribution to knowledge, to the satisfaction of the examiners. This specialized route to a PhD is a retrospective assessment of the work submitted, of the research methodology employed in its creation, and assessment of its context in relation to the developing state of the art in the subject concerned. Candidates wishing to follow this route should apply to the University’s GraduateResearchSchool for a copy of the relevant regulations.
The candidate must present and defend the thesis in oral examination to the satisfaction of examiners, the conduct of which will be in accordance with the regulations for the award of PhD. The academic standard will be the same as for a conventional PhD.
2.5“M” and “D” Level Descriptors
In addition to the above, in framing their programmes of work, candidates registering with effect from 1 September 2003 onwards, and their Supervisory Teams will give consideration to “M” and “D” level descriptors of the outcomes of study as set out in Appendix 2 and developed from the QAA Framework of Qualifications for Higher Education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 2001.[2](See also Regulations A.1 B). Candidates registered before 1 September 2003 and their Supervisory Teams may wish to give consideration to the descriptors.
3 ADMISSIONS AND ENROLMENT
What qualifications are required? How does one become a research student? There are a number of academic requirements for admission to postgraduate research, together with standard procedures for enrolling with the University.
3.1Admissions Policy
Applicants will be admitted onto programmes of study on the basis of academic merit and the ability to benefit from such study, and the availability of the appropriate research supervisory expertise. Admissions decisions will be taken in light of University policies on access, equal opportunities and at the discretion of Schools Admissions staff in accordance with the policy in Appendix 1 which should be read in conjunction with paragraphs 3.1 – 3.8.
3.2Entry Requirements
The normal entry requirement for enrolment on a postgraduate research degree at Teesside University is an undergraduate degree in a cognate field of study with at leastan uppersecond class honours from a British university, Institute of Higher Education, CNAA, or recognized overseas equivalent. Exceptionally, consideration will be given to candidates with an alternative academic profile, for example if they have obtained appropriate professional qualifications, or obtained a Master’s degree, in a cognate field.
Except with specific permission, candidates will be required to write and defend their thesis in the English Language [Regs B.1.2 viii); B.4.1 iv); B.5.1 i)], and for admission, candidates will be expected to have achieved an acceptable level of proficiency in the English Language which may be evidenced by a specific grade in one of a number of approved English Language Tests and Examinations, or by having undertaken a degree programme in which the medium of teaching had been the English Language. The list of acceptable English Language Tests and Examinations is shown in Appendix 3.Exceptions may be considered, and where necessary, facilities for English Language tuition identified for all identified as being in need of additional training.
3.3Enquiry, Admission and Offers
3.3.1Enquiry
Prospective students, including Staff, should address their initial enquiries to the University’s Graduate Research School (GRS), using the Research Enquiry form UTRD ENQ available from the Internet at The GRS will then forward the enquiry to the Research Secretary of the appropriate academic School in which the research is likely to be supervised, or provide general information and seek further information, particularly if the enquirer is undecided on a topic at that stage. The GRS may reject enquiries for subjects for which the University does not have the appropriate expertise to supervise a research degree, or for which enquirers are unqualified for entry.
It will be the responsibility of the office acting directly upon the enquiry to
- acknowledge the enquiry
- send the enquirer a copy of the University’s “Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research” and if not already submitted, an Enquiry for Admission to Research Degrees UTRD ENQ form
- inform the Post Graduate Tutor of the School of the enquiry
- send the enquirer any further information considered necessary by the Post Graduate Tutor. (For the role of the Post Graduate Tutor, see section 7.4)
If the Postgraduate Tutor is satisfied that an enquiry may proceed to the next stage, an Application form (UTRD APP) will be issued.
3.3.2Admission
It will be the responsibility of the Post Graduate Tutor of the academic School to ensure that all formal applications for admission, on the designated form, will be treated on their merits, through submission to the approved procedures for the School. Before any formal offer of admission can be made, it will be necessary for prospective students to haveprovided a project outline and for a Supervisory Team [3] designate to have been agreed. Schools may request to see a more detailed outline of a research proposal before making an admissions decision.
The School will also need to undertake a Training Needs Analysis with any student to whom they wish to make an offer and agreed initialTraining Needs must be included on the UTRD APP. This will then form part of the offer letter information and agreed Training Needs must be included on the subsequent Application for Registration – UTRD REG.
3.3.3Offer
Applicants or Enquirers should not accept verbal offers of admission. However, a formal written offer of admission to enrol on a postgraduate research degree at Teesside University may only be made by the School in which the student wishes to enrol, in accordance with the procedures for admission approved by the University, acting on the advice of the Post Graduate Tutor. Where the Student is to receive a University Research Doctoral Scholarship, the offer letter will be issued by the Dean of the GraduateResearchSchool, on behalf of the academic School with which the student will be registered.
The written offer must include conditions of acceptance, mode of study, fees, funding if relevant including the annual amount of studentship and method of payment, the names of all members of the Supervisory Team, indication of start date [see Para 3.7 ]target Registration Date, Induction Date, Training Needs, target Progression Date, Student Regulations, Student Protocol,and other matters relevant to the individual case(e.g. Studentship Regulations), as amended from the standard offer letter approved by the URDSC (revised May 2007 and annually). A further Training Needs Analysis form (UTRDTNA) will be issued with the offer and students will be advised to contact the Research Governance & Training Manager to discuss this on arrival. [See also Para 5.7a)].Schools must be sure that adequate resources exist for the entire period of a student’s programme, before making a formal offer.
3.3.4Inward Transfers of existing Research Students to the University
Applicants wishing to transfer their existing research study from another university to Teesside University must be aware that Teesside University will need to take action in accordance with section4.7 InwardTransfer . However, such applicants who are doing so on the basis that their current registration has expired will not be considered.
3.3.5Offers and Visa requirements (Points Based Immigration)
Letters for the purpose of visa applications (up to January 2010) and Certificates of Acceptance for Studies (CAS – February 2010) can only be issued to International Students once an Unconditional or Final offer has been accepted.
3.4Research effort and Workloads
Before embarking on a research degree, applicants should consider their current and potential commitments at home and work, and whether or notthey can commit the time required to study for a research degree over a continuous and prolonged period, taking into account the minimum and maximum registration periods. Full-time students should devote on average 35 hours per week to their research. Part-time students should devote on average 12 hours per week to their research. This will include requirements to attend Induction, Research Skills Training, andSeminars, as well as the Research and Supervisory Sessions. These amounts will vary from time-to-time according to the stage of the research. However, changes in family circumstances or employment may impinge upon study time and applicants need to discuss these issues with their families and employers where relevant, (whether they are employed outside or within the University) before committing to a research degree.