Regulations approval and ownership

Sign-off and ownership details

Document name:	Regulations for Awards (Research Degrees) 2022
Version Number:	V6.0
Equality Impact Assessment:	3 May 2023
Approved by:	Graduate Board and University Research Committee
Effective from:	01 August 2023
Date for Review:	Annually
Author:	Assistant Registrar (Student Regulations)
Owner (if different from above):	Director of Registry
Location:	https://www.hud.ac.uk/policies/registry/awards-pgr/
Compliance Checks:	A compliance check has been completed as this is available on request, email registryresearch@hud.ac.uk
Related Policies/Procedures:	There are a many regulations/regulations/policies/ procedures that may impact upon these regulations, in the main these are: • Regulations for Postgraduate Research Students 2023/24 • Quality Assurance Procedures for Taught and Research Awards 2023/24 • PGR Handbook (online) • A list of important student policies can be found in the Regulations for Postgraduate Research Students 2023/24 Section 1: Important information for all students

Revision history

Version	Date	Revision description/Summary of changes	Author
6.0	1 August 2023	Throughout the regulations Insertion of missing words and small spelling or grammatical changes throughout. Small clarification and formatting changes throughout.	Registry
6.0	1 August 2023	Section A – General regulations governing all research degrees Clarity provided around dual enrolment Introduction of ‘fit to submit’ regulation Introduction of the record of achievement (under 50 credits only) Clarification of revocation of award process Emphasis on student visa implications of student’s requesting additional time to complete Clarity on process for the request to increase wordcount Introduction of A.4.9 ‘The Examination Team’. The information used to sit in Section N within the Quality Assurance Regulations but has been moved to the Award Regulations for parity and process ownership by the PGR Team.	Registry
6.0	1 August 2023	Section B: Masters by Research Clarity on the period required for further editorial corrections to be submitted, given as an outcome of the revised submission.	Registry
6.0	1 August 2023	Section C: Master of Philosophy Clarity on the period required for further editorial corrections to be submitted, given as an outcome of the revised submission.	Registry
6.0	1 August 2023	Section D: Professional Doctorate, incorporating the Master in Research Clarity of the progression panel membership Introduction of second discretionary PM viva Clarity on the period required for further editorial corrections to be submitted, given as an outcome of the revised submission.	Registry
6.0	1 August 2023	Section E: PhD and EntD Clarity on the period required for further editorial corrections to be submitted, given as an outcome of the revised submission Clarity of the progression panel membership Clarity on restrictions of change of programme for PhD and EntD candidates	Registry
6.0	1 August 2023	Section F: PhD by Publication Clarity on the period required for further editorial corrections to be submitted, given as an outcome of the revised submission	Registry
6.0	1 August 2023	Section G: Higher Doctorates Insertion of outcome appeal outcome window Clarity provided on qualifying criteria Insertion of the usual requirement to submit all work electronically.	Registry
5.0	1 August 2022	Throughout the regulations Insertion of missing words and small spelling or grammatical changes throughout. Small clarification and formatting changes throughout. Some larger areas of re-wording to address providing additional clarity, which does not impact a regulatory change. Some areas of duplication have been deleted. Insertion of hyperlinks.
5.0	1 August 2022	Section A – General regulations governing all research degrees A1.10 Alternative formats of thesis submission Links provide to guidance that is now found in the appendices. Change of approval procedure from through validation to School Dean and Dean of Graduate School. Alternative formats should normally be declared at research support plan submission and be formalised at progression monitoring one. Inclusion that an alternative format may be required to provide a reasonable adjustment for a PGR with a disability. Confirmation that the appropriate guidelines will be made available to examiners. Updated to clearly define what is a campus based research degree to differentiate between research degrees that are delivered via distance learning. Clarity provided to explain ‘fit to sit’ in relation to submitting work for assessment and for attendance at progression and final viva examinations. New section created to support the revocation of degree A2.5 Candidates enrolled on a campus based research degree A4.1 Examination and assessments – candidate responsibilities A4.4 Application for the writing-up period Removal of point A4.4.10 which states that no further time will be allowed at the end of the writing-up period, as this contradicts that end extensions are permitted at this stage. A5 Revocation of a research degree	Registry
5.0	1 August 2022	Section B – Master’s by Research B1.4 Alternative formats of thesis submission Condense to reduce duplication from section A1.10. Addition section added to permit transfer to distance learning from a campus based degree or vice versa Change to the editorial outcome to allow minor content changes and one month allowed for corrections. B5.3 Transfer to or from a distance learning route B5.4 Final thesis examination	Registry
5.0	1 August 2022	Section C – MPhil C4 Final thesis examination Change to the editorial outcome to allow minor content changes and one month allowed for corrections	Registry
5.0	1 August 2022	Section D – Prof Doc D3 Admission criteria Updated to reflect change to the admissions policy which requires a master’s degree would normally be a merit of distinction classification Ethical approval will need to be confirmed at progression monitoring. Change to the editorial outcome to allow minor content changes and one month allowed for corrections D5.5 Assessment of progression D5.10 Final thesis examination	Registry
5.0	1 August 2022	Section E – PhD and EntD E2.2 Alternative formats of thesis submission Condensed to reduce duplication from section A1.10E5.6.1 Assessment of progression Confirmation that ethical approval will be considered at progression monitoring one and will need to be approved by progression monitoring two. E3 Admission criteria Updated to reflect change to the admissions policy which requires a master’s degree would normally be a merit of distinction classification Addition section added to permit transfer to distance learning from a campus based degree or vice versa E5.4 Transfer to or from a distance learning route E5.12 Final thesis examination Change to the editorial outcome to allow minor content changes and one month allowed for corrections	Registry
5.0	1 August 2022	Section F – PhD by Publication F4 Admission criteria Updated to reflect change to the admissions policy which requires a master’s degree would normally be a merit of distinction classification F5 Final thesis examination Change to the editorial outcome to allow minor content changes and one month allowed for corrections	Registry
5.0	1 August 2022	Section G – Higher Doctorates G3 Application for candidature Addition that registration will be on a part-time basis and normally for one year Addition that applications will be considered within 20 working days Addition that fees will be payable after the application is approved and before the work is submitted for examination G5 Examination Clarification that the candidate will propose three examiners which will be approved by the Higher Doctoral Board Clarification that the candidate must have no contact with the examiners between their appointment and receiving their examination outcome	Registry
5.0	1 August 2022	Appendix Creation of new pages (as an appendix) which include all approval alternative format thesis guidelines	Registry
2.0	1 August 2019	Change of wording: “submission pending” to “writing-up”	Registry
2.0	1 August 2019	Change of wording: “extension to time at the end of standard enrolment” to “additional time”	Registry
2.0	1 August 2019	Confirmation that 6 months is allowed to complete work for Master’s or MPhil following a doctoral progression exercise.	Registry
2.0	1 August 2019	Clarification of recognition of prior research	Registry
2.0	1 August 2019	Updated criteria for the appointment of research degree supervisors	Registry
2.0	1 August 2019	Addition of interim reports in years 3&5 of part-time doctoral degrees	Registry
	23 March 2020	Addition of Regulations for assessment in periods of emergency	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Insertion of missing words and small spelling or grammatical changes throughout	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Small clarification changes and re-ordering of text throughout	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Change of word from “end of standard enrolment period” to “end of active research period”	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Section A: A1 - Available Awards Clarification of non-standard programmes	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Section A: A1 – Conferment Clarity on ratification processes	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Section A: A2 – Admissions and enrolment Update to align with the new admissions policies	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Section A: A2 – Recognition of prior research Clarification on recognition of prior research	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Section A: A2 – Change of degree programme Clarification on what is required to transfer to another University	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Section A: A1 – Training and development Inclusion of training and development regulations	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Section A: A3 – Supervision Updated criteria for the appointment of supervisors Supervision to include an ‘on track to submit meeting’ Clarification on requirements when there is a major change to research area	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Section A: A4 - Application to enrol in the writing-up period Clarification on when candidates can apply	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Section B: Regulations for the Degree of Master by Research (inc MA, MSc & MEnt) Further clarity is provided for the MEnt award Addition that Doctoral students can elect to transfer to a Master’s award Clarification on requirements for the research support plan assessment point	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Section D: Regulations for the award of Professional Doctorate Update to align with the newly validated DBA/DPA To include that candidates can be failed outright after initial assessment at progression monitoring To include that candidates can be awarded an MPhil following the resubmission of the thesis after minor amendments Clarification on requirements and expectations of progression monitoring and the skills audit Inclusion that formal English language assessment and training may be required either prior to or as an outcome of progression monitoring Removal of the requirement for an end of year report for part-time candidates in years 3 and 5	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Section E: Regulations for the award of PhD and EntD (excluding PhD by Publication) Further clarity is provided for the EntD award To include that candidates can be failed outright after initial assessment at progression monitoring To include that candidates can be awarded an MPhil following the resubmission of the thesis after minor amendments Clarification on requirements and expectations of progression monitoring and the skills audit To include that formal English language assessment and training may be required either prior to or as an outcome of progression monitoring Removal of the requirement of an end of year report for part-time candidates in years 3 and 5	Registry
3.0	1 August 2020	Section G: Regulations for the award of Higher Doctorates Change “Head of Registry” to “Director of Registry” Clarity on ratification processes	Registry
4.0	1 August 2021	Throughout the regulations • Insertion of missing words and small spelling or grammatical changes throughout. • Small clarification and formatting changes throughout. • Some larger areas of re-wording to address providing additional clarity, which does not impact a regulatory change. • Some areas of duplication have been deleted. • Clarified what constitutes referred work throughout where applicable. • Addition of reference to maximum period of enrolment throughout where applicable • Insertion of hyperlinks.	Registry
4.0	1 August 2021	Section A – General regulations governing all research degrees • A1 Alternative formats: changed non-standard formats to alternative formats throughout. • A2 Admissions and enrolment: o recognition of prior learning can include a break in study normally not more than two years. o change of degree programme to another University removed and transferred to the Regulations for Postgraduate Research Students • A3 Supervision: clarification that supervision will take place at least once every two months after an outcome of referral to re-write the submission or referral to complete amendments to re-submit for the award of MPhil as well as during writing-up. Frequency of contact for other examination outcomes is subject to agreement between the candidate and the supervisor. • A4 Examinations and assessments: o Confirmed that a PGR cannot undertake the same research again if they re-enrol on the same degree after failing. o Removal of specific criterion for the appointment of examiners, and insertion of link to the full criteria in the Quality Assurance Procedures, to prevent duplication.	Registry
4.0	1 August 2021	Section B – Master’s by Research • B4 Period of enrolment: o Incorporated reference to part-time transfer from doctorate o Addition of reference to on track to submit meeting	Registry
4.0	1 August 2021	Section C – MPhil • C3 Period of enrolment: incorporated reference to part-time transfer from doctorate • C4 Examination of final thesis: confirmed that a viva will be required where the examiners wish to fail referred work.	Registry
4.0	1 August 2021	Section D – Prof Doc • Introductory statement: confirm that a Prof Doc candidate will be governed by taught regulations until they have completed the taught phase. • D2 thesis length: inserted text regarding availability of procedure to request additional word count. • D4 Period of enrolment: o Clarified that a Prof Doc candidate cannot submit their thesis until the minimum programme length has been satisfied. o Confirmed that a viva will be required where the examiners wish to fail referred work. • D5 Transferring out of the University: clarified that if transfer out of the University normally will be entitled to any credit passed. • D5.1 Progression monitoring: clarified that if studies are terminated following progression outcome then they cannot re-enrol for the same programme to complete the same research topic. • D5.2 Final thesis examination: o The award of MPhil as an examination outcome has been updated to clarify that major, minor and editorial amendments are available. This will reflect the examination outcomes available for PhD. o Confirmed that a viva will be required where the examiners wish to fail or downgrade referred work.	Registry
4.0	1 August 2021	Section E – PhD and EntD • E2 thesis length: inserted text regarding availability of procedure to request additional word count. • E4 Period of Enrolment: clarified that a PhD/EntD candidate cannot submit their thesis until the minimum programme length has been satisfied. • E5 Change of programme: o Incorporated reference to part-time transfer to MPhil. o Incorporated confirmation that they cannot transfer to a Prof Doc. • E5.2 Progression monitoring: clarified that if studies are terminated following progression outcome then they cannot re-enrol for the same programme to do same research topic. • E5.4 Final thesis examination: o The award of MPhil as an examination outcome has been updated to clarify that major, minor and editorial amendments are available. This will reflect the examination outcomes available for PhD. o Confirmed that a viva will be required where the examiners wish to fail referred work.	Registry
4.0	1 August 2021	Section F – PhD by Publication • F5 Thesis examination: confirmed that a viva will be required where the examiners wish to fail referred work.	Registry
5.0	1 August 2022	Appendix Creation of new pages (as an appendix) which include all approval alternative format thesis guidelines	Registry

{{subitem.title}}

Sign-off and ownership details

Revision history