Handbook

RESEARCH DEGREES:

STUDENT AND SUPERVISOR HANDBOOK

AND

GUIDE OF GOOD PRACTICE

May 2011

CONTENTS

Part 1 STUDENT AND SUPERVISOR HANDBOOK

Page No

The purpose of this handbook

1

Contacts

1

The purposes of a research degree

4

Qualifications needed to start a research degree

5

Allocation of a supervisor

5

Research methods and skills training for students

6

Supervisor Professional Development Opportunities

7

How to help ensure the quality of the research experience

7

W hat to do if things go wrong

8

The stages of a research degree

9

Submitting the thesis for examination

10

Examination arrangements

10

Part 2 GUIDE OF GOOD PRACTICE

1 Introduction

1.1 English language proficiency

1.2 Induction

13

13

13

2 Supervision

2.1 Appointment of supervisors

2.2 Change of supervisor

2.3 Frequency of supervisory sessions

2.4 Role of advisor

14

15

15

16

3 Application for registration (RD1)

3.1Timing

3.2 Structure and content of RD1

3.3 Submission of RD1

16

16

16

17

4 Student progress monitoring

17

5 Submission and examination

5.1 Appointment of examiners

5.2 Submission of the thesis

5.3 Extensions

5.4 Examination

17

17

18

18

19

20

6 Appeals

Part 2

GUIDE OF GOOD PRACTICE

continued

7 Problems and consultation

7.1 Supervisor

7.2 The FRD

7.3 Joint annual progress reports

7.4 Research Student Advocate

7.5 Student Services

20

20

20

21

21

21

Appendix

USEFUL RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS AND SUPERVISORS

22

1

PART I STUDENT AND SUPERVISOR HANDBOOK

The purpose of this handbook

This handbook provides information of relevance to research degree students and their

supervisors. Part 1 describes, under a number of broad headings, the general processes of

undertaking a research degree. Part 2 contains a guide to good practice relating to research

degrees.

This document has been written as a supplement to the Research Degrees:...