Your Responsibilities

As a research student you will greatly benefit from the advice and direction of your supervisor(s), but ultimately you are responsible for your own research and thesis. The University strongly advises you to submit your thesis before the expiry of your period of supervised study. Degree regulations require that you do so within twelve months from the end of this period. The timely completion of the degree will greatly enhance employment prospects. Extensions beyond the normal period of supervised study plus twelve months must be applied for, and are not granted without good reason.

Quality Assurance

You must:

1. be familiar with the requirements of the University's Postgraduate Structured Management Framework and discuss these with your supervisor(s) as appropriate
2. discuss the six-monthly Postgraduate Assessment Forms with your supervisor(s) and counter-sign as appropriate
3. submit six-monthly Postgraduate Assessment Forms to your Graduate School, and if deemed as “not satisfactory” with regard to progress meet with your Head of School and supervisor(s)
4. submit yearly supervision questionnaires to the Registry (at annual registration)
5. recognise that although the University aims to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for the conduct of research studies by postgraduate students, from time to time you will encounter academic problems and difficulties. In the first instance you should raise them with your supervisor(s), but if this is not appropriate you should contact your Head of School or Graduate School. If your Head of School is also your supervisor you may wish to contact the Graduate School or relevant College Postgraduate Officer (via the University Registry).
6. accept that when a your research interests diverge from those you originally intended, it might be appropriate to be allocated to a new supervisor (although all that may be necessary is to look for informal advice from other members of the University); again the correct approach is to discuss the situation with your current supervisor, then the Head of School/Discipline, Graduate School and then the relevant College Postgraduate Officer if necessary.

On Admission

You must:

1. Register at the start of your studies and do so annually even if you are studying off-campus or are part-time (if you do not register you will not be able to submit your thesis);
2. define the area of your research in consultation with your supervisor(s);
3. agree a research topic with your supervisor(s) as soon as practicable;
4. seek approval for your research topic via your supervisor(s) or Head of School;
5. ensure that you have understood the University’s guidelines on good research practice;
6. ensure that you have been introduced to your Personal Development Plan; and
7. ensure that you are thoroughly acquainted with all relevant safety regulations and procedures, and have received training before following any course of action or using any technique which might be deemed hazardous or dangerous.

During the Research Degree Programme

Studies

1. agree a timetable for the conduct of your research;
2. maintain progress in accordance with the plan agreed with your supervisor(s);
3. agree a schedule of meetings with your supervisor(s), write up notes of these meetings and agree them with your supervisor(s);
4. discuss work and progress with your supervisor(s);
5. submit written work as and when required by your supervisor(s);
6. keep a written record of your work in a research notebook that can be reviewed;
7. take the initiative with your supervisor(s) in defining and raising problems or difficulties;
8. attend courses as specified by your Graduate School with the agreement of your supervisor(s) and/or Head of School/Discipline; and
9. agree with your supervisor(s) a plan and timetable for the writing of the thesis.

 Ethical Issues

1. obtain approval of your research from ethics committees where appropriate;
2. consult with your supervisor(s) on the appropriate recognition of your contribution to research publications in accordance with the University’s policy on Intellectual Property Rights; and
3. attend training on the University’s Policy and Guidelines on Good Research Practice.

 Skills Training

1. define your training and educational needs and discuss them with your supervisor(s), as part of PDP planning;
2. undertake, with your supervisor(s), a skills audit within the first 3 months of embarking on your programme of study, and annually thereafter throughout your prescribed period of study in order to determine research, transferable and generic skills requirements; and
3. attend a programme of skills training as agreed with your supervisor(s). 

Nearing Completion

1. be aware that the thesis is your own work and responsibility;
2. accept that while your supervisor(s) will give advice, constructive feedback and other guidance, you must take ultimate responsibility for the final version of your thesis;
3. decide whether or not to accept any advice or suggestions given by your supervisor(s);
4. decide when to give notice of intention to submit, taking due account of the opinion of your supervisor(s) (which is, however, only advisory);
5. present the final draft of your thesis to your supervisor(s);
6. ensure timely submission of your thesis for examination; and
7. seek advice on preparation for the oral examination.