Regulations for awards (research degrees): Section B

Section B: Regulations for the Degree of Masters by Research (Including MA, MSc & MEnt)

The following regulations govern the specific rules for award for the degrees of Masters by Research (excluding the MRes). They should be read in conjunction with the General Regulations Governing all Research Degrees.

This section does not apply where a candidate is asked to write-up for a Master’s award as the outcome of a formal assessment.

 

B1. Learning outcomes

B1.1.1 Masters by Research degrees are awarded to students who have demonstrated:

  • A systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice.
  • A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship.
  • Originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.
  • Conceptual understanding that enables the student to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline and to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.

B1.1.2 Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:

  • Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements, often in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level.
  • Continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level.

 

B1.2 The MA by Research and MSc by Research

B1.2.1 The MA by Research or MSc by Research is awarded to a candidate who, having successfully completed an approved programme of training and research that combines advanced study, research methodology and a substantial research project, or series of research projects in a chosen field, has presented work to the satisfaction of the examiners. 

 

B1.3 The MEnt

B1.3.1 The MEnt is awarded to a candidate who has demonstrated business innovation and/or development. They will have successfully completed an approved programme of enterprise research that combines advanced study, research methodology and a substantial research project, or series of research projects in a chosen field, underpinning a new business, or social enterprise, or an innovation within an existing business and have presented work to the satisfaction of the examiners. 

 

B1.4 Alternative formats of thesis submissions

B1.4.1 This model of submission is only available to Master’s candidates where published guidelines exist, that have been approved by the School Dean and the Dean of the Graduate School and subsequently approved by the University Research Committee and the Senate through approval of the regulations.

B1.4.2 All approved guidelines are available in the Appendices.

B1.4.3 Further details regarding the requirements for alternative formats of thesis submission can be found in Section A1.10.

 

B2. Thesis length

B.2.1 The text of the thesis should not normally exceed 25,000 words (excluding references and appendices). 

B.2.2 This is the maximum allowable length for theses, not necessarily the preferred length. In some instances supervisors may recommend a shorter length. Supervisors should be able to advise on the usual length of theses in their subject area or topic.

 

B3. Admission criteria

B3.1 In addition to the general criteria specified in section A of the regulations, normally the minimum level of attainment required for entry is an upper second class honours degree from a UK university or a qualification of an equivalent standard, in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed programme to be followed.

 

B4. Period of enrolment

B4.1 The standard and maximum periods of enrolment for the Master’s by Research are as follows. This does not include any periods of approved interruption that the candidate had been granted:

Mode of Study

Standard Length

Maximum Length

Full-time

12 months

20 months

Part-time

24 months

32 months


B4.2 The standard period of enrolment reflects the amount of time that a candidate will ordinarily spend researching and writing their thesis.

B4.3 No later than three months before the end of the programme, candidates must:

  • Apply for additional time to complete the research of 4 months; OR
  • Apply to enrol for the writing-up period of 4 months, which allows candidates additional time to complete the writing of the thesis.

B4.4 Where a candidate fails to secure approval to enrol for the writing-up period or additional time, the candidate must submit work for examination by their course end date. Failure to do so will lead to a termination of the candidate’s registration on the grounds of non-submission.

B4.5 The maximum period of enrolment is the total amount of time a candidate is permitted to have before they submit their thesis for examination. This includes the time spent in active research (standard period of enrolment), any writing-up period and an additional 4 months that could either consist of a period of additional time or an end extension owing to extenuating circumstances. 

B4.6 In very exceptional extenuating circumstances, we may permit a candidate to exceed this maximum period of enrolment. This will be an evidence-based decision, determined on a case-by-case basis.

B4.7 At least one month before thesis submission, an ‘on track to submit’ meeting must take place between the student and the supervisory team.

B4.8 A candidate who is registered on a Doctoral degree (excluding Professional Doctorates) may choose to transfer to the Master’s award. The timeline for the transferred programme must be calculated as outlined in section B4.9. 

B4.9 The Masters by Research is a one year full-time programme or two year programme part-time. Normally a full-time candidate who chooses to transfer will be allowed one year, minus the time that has already elapsed on their Doctorate to complete the award when they transfer. Normally a part-time candidate who chooses to transfer will be allowed two years, minus the time that has already elapsed on their Doctorate to complete the award when they transfer. The time elapsed does not include any periods of approved interruptions that the candidate had been granted. Any requests for transfer after these times have elapsed will not be approved. Candidates may also apply for additional time and/or writing-up period.

 

B5. Programme timeline and milestones

Full-time

 

Part-time

 

Month 1

Registration and Induction

Month 1

Registration and Induction

Every month (minimum)

Supervision meeting: complete online log

Every second month (minimum)

Supervision meeting: complete online log

Month 2

Research Support Plan complete

Month 4

Research Support Plan complete

Month 9

Submit :

Application for Writing-up Period

OR

Apply for additional time

Month 21

Submit :

Application for Writing-up Period

OR

Apply for additional time

Month 12

Submit thesis

OR

Enter writing-up

OR

Complete active research during additional time

Month 24

Submit thesis

OR

Enter writing-up

OR

Complete active research during additional time

On Track to Submit meeting: at least 1 month before thesis submission an ‘on track to submit’ meeting must take place between the student and the supervisory team 

Examination Phase: see Thesis Examination below


B5.1 Research support plan and skills audit

B5.1.1 The research support plan and skills audit is a formal requirement of the programme. It must be reviewed and signed off by the candidate’s supervisory team and ratified by an academic external to the supervisory team. Approval of the plan should ensure the project is appropriate and viable.

B5.1.2 The Research Support Plan Submission deadline is:

  • Two months after enrolment for full-time candidates.
  • Four months after enrolment for part-time candidates.

B5.1.3 The candidate and the supervisor must document the proposed research support plan. This plan must set out the programme of related studies necessary for the attainment of competence in research methods and of knowledge related to the subject of the work. 

B5.1.4 The plan should include consideration of research ethics and integrity, Health and Safety and resources or facilities that are required in relation to the research project.

B5.1.5 The plan should include a completed skills audit where the candidate has assessed their individual training requirements. This should become a working document that reflects the candidate’s skill level.

B5.1.6 The plan should include confirmation that Research Integrity training has taken place.

B5.1.7 The plan may include registration for a maximum of 30 credits of Master’s level modules.

B5.1.8 Failure to complete the research support plan satisfactorily by the required deadline may lead to the termination of a candidate’s registration.

 

B5.2 Transfer from Masters by Research to PhD

B5.2.1 Candidates who enrolled initially for an MEnt, MA or MSc by Research and who wish to transfer to PhD must apply to transfer when they have made sufficient progress on the work to provide evidence of the development to PhD. For candidates enrolled on the MEnt, transfer to the EntD may also be available.

B5.2.2 In support of the application, the candidate shall prepare a full progress report on the work undertaken. The progress report should typically:

  • Be 3,000 to 6,000 words in length.
  • Include a brief review and discussion of the work already undertaken.
  • Include a statement of the intended further work, including details of the original contribution to knowledge which is likely to emerge.

B5.2.3 The transfer assessment will consider the candidate for entry onto the PhD at the start of year two (for full-time candidates) or the start of year three (for part-time candidates).

B5.2.4 The transfer viva is pass/fail and no opportunity for amendments is allowed.

 

B5.3 Transfer to or from a distance learning route

B5.3.1 Candidates who enrolled initially for an MA or MSc by Research, and were based on campus, may be able to transfer to a distance learning route.

B5.3.2 Candidates who enrolled initially for an MA or MSc by Research and were studying by distance learning, may be able to transfer to a campus based research degree.

 

B5.4 Final thesis examination

B5.4.1 The examination usually consists of the assessment of the written thesis alone. The requirement for a viva examination of the work is at the discretion of the examiners.

 

B5.5 Recommendations following examination:

  • Award (without amendments).
  • Award subject to the completion of editorial, presentational and minor corrections. The revised submission must be presented to the satisfaction of the internal examiner normally within one month from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination.  No award will be conferred unless the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made.
  • Award subject to minor amendments. The resubmission addressing all amendments must be completed to the satisfaction of the internal examiner within six weeks from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred unless the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made.
  • Referral to complete major amendments. The resubmission addressing all amendments must be completed to the satisfaction of all examiners within four months from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. On receipt of the resubmitted work, the examiners reserve the right to require a viva examination.
  • Referral to re-write the submission. The resubmission must be completed to the satisfaction of all examiners within six months from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. On receipt of the resubmitted work the requirement for a viva examination is at the discretion of the examiners.
  • Fail so that the candidate is not awarded a degree.

 

B5.6 Recommendations following the submission of minor amendments:

  • Award (without amendments).
  • Award subject to the completion of editorial, presentational and minor corrections. The revised submission must be presented to the satisfaction of the internal examiner normally within one month from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred until the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made. Any further editorial corrections, given as an outcome of the revised resubmission, must be completed within 2 weeks from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination.
  • Fail so that the candidate is not awarded a degree. Where a candidate who has been required to complete minor amendments and resubmits work that is not to the satisfaction of the internal examiner, the work must be presented for consideration by all examiners before a recommendation can be made.

 

B5.7 Recommendations following the submission of referred work:

B5.7.1 No further opportunity will be permitted for referral to complete major amendments or for referral to re-write the submission.

B5.7.2 Following the examination of referred work (including a viva examination where required), the examiners may recommend:

  • Award (without amendments).
  • Award subject to the completion of editorial, presentational and minor corrections. The revised submission must be presented to the satisfaction of the internal examiner normally within one month from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred until the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made. Any further editorial corrections, given as an outcome of the revised resubmission, must be completed within 2 weeks from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination.
  • Award subject to minor amendments. The resubmission, addressing all amendments, must be completed to the satisfaction of the internal examiner within six weeks from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred until the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made.
  • Fail so that the candidate is not awarded a degree.