Quality Assurance Regulations: Section I

Section I: Delivery of research degrees by distance learning (DL)

 

This framework applies where a School proposes a new research degree for delivery by distance learning (DL), or where a student is to be transferred to a DL mode of study in the absence of an existing validated DL route.

 

The framework applies only where no third party is involved in delivery (i.e. not joint or dual awards). The School retains full responsibility for all aspects of academic delivery and student support, and standard University of Huddersfield Regulations for Awards (Research Degrees) apply. Schools are expected to monitor DL provision through existing University quality assurance processes.

 

To ensure DL postgraduate research (PGR) students receive a comparable experience to on-campus students, Schools must demonstrate that:

 

• There is a clear market demand for the provision (confirmed by Marketing).
• Adequate academic and professional services staffing is in place to support DL delivery, including appropriate workload allocation (confirmed by the Dean).
• Appropriate Computing and Library Services (CLS) resources are available, including access to learning resources and journals (confirmed by CLS).
• Suitable facilities and resources are available to support online supervision and meetings.

 

Directors of Graduate Education must submit a Research degree by DL approval proforma approved by the Dean of School to the Graduate School and URC for approval. The submission must set out the proposed arrangements for delivery, student support, and monitoring, and include:

 

• A brief rationale for DL delivery.
• Confirmation that offers will be made only once a full supervisory team is in place.
• Proposed DL student numbers.
• Consideration of supervisory workload and the impact of supporting DL students.
• Arrangements for supervision, skills development, progression, and examination.
• Confirmation of how a suitable research environment will be maintained, including during periods of attendance at Queensgate.
• Ongoing pastoral support arrangements.
• Attendance and engagement monitoring processes.
• Student voice and representation arrangements.

 

The Research degree by DL approval proforma, together with supporting documentation, must be completed by the Director of Graduate Education and signed by the Dean before submission to Graduate Board for formal approval. The Director of Graduate Education and Graduate Board may request further clarification or impose conditions of approval where necessary.

 

Following approval, the School may request course codes from the Curriculum Data team and proceed with marketing and recruitment activities.