Policy sign-off and ownership details

Document name:

Regulations for Procedures for Postgraduate Research Students

Version Number:

V5

Equality Impact Assessment:

03 May 2023

Approved by:

Graduate Board and University Research Committee

Date Approved:

Graduate Board - 17 May 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/regs-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/policies/procedures that may impact upon these regulations, in the main these are:

  • Regulations for Awards (Research Degrees) 2023
  • Quality Assurance Procedures for Taught and Research Awards 2023
  • PGR Handbook (online)
  • A list of important student policies can be found in the Regulations for Postgraduate Research Students 2023 – Section 1.16: Important information for all students

 

Revision history

Version

Date

Revision description/Summary of

changes

Author

4.0 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 or material change.
  • Some areas of duplication have been deleted.
  • Name change: restriction has been changed to the new definition of precautionary measures throughout.
  • Insertion of hyperlinks.
Registry
4.0 1 August 2022

Welcome

Inclusion of reference to the SU confidential peer listening service.
Registry
4.0 1 August 2022

Our Student Charter

Updated with new SU President’s signature.
Registry
4.0 1 August 2022

Our PGR Charter

Removal of paragraph relating to PGRs who are non-campus based, attending University for at least 10 days per year, as this has been removed from the Regulation for Awards (Research Degrees).
Registry
4.0 1 August 2022

Section 1 – Important information applicable to all students

1.6 Email correspondence

  • Removal of advice to contact Computing and Library Services for support on how to forward University emails to an external account, as this is no longer permitted.
  • Section added that Student Union Officers (or nominee) sit on some of our panels and will be provided with training and support for the role.

1.14 Student representation on panels

Registry
4.0 1 August 2022

Section 2 – International student information

2.19 Additional time and writing-up

  • Further clarify added that a visa extension is not guaranteed if there are alternative study options
  • Removal of the option that writing-up fees can be reduced if the thesis is submitted early, as this is no longer available.

2.9 Doctoral extension scheme

Removal of this section as this is no longer available

Registry
4.0 1 August 2022

Section 3 – Student finance introduction

3.10 PGR interruption of studies

  • Clarification that ‘in year’ short term periods of interruption will not reduce fees, but additional fees will not be charged as long as the extension period (at the end of study) corresponds to the period of interruption. 
Registry
4.0 1 August 2022

Section 4 – PGR engagement and attendance

  • Removal of requirement for home students to swipe their student ID card.
  • Insertion of a new section relating to recording engagement and attendance, which sets out the requirement of regularly completing online supervision recording. Failure to comply will be dealt with under the non-engagement procedure.
Registry
4.0 1 August 2022

Section 9 – Research conduct

9.1 Introduction

  • Additional section to include a degree may be revoked when an allegation is upheld after a University Research Misconduct Panel.  
Registry
4.0 1 August 2022

Section 10 – Fitness to study

10.2    Interruption due to impaired Fitness to Study

  • Additional point to confirm that when student’s return to study a re-convened Fitness to Study meeting will usually take place.
Registry
4.0 1 August 2022

Section 11 – Student disciplinary

11.1 Regulation introduction

  • New section added to confirm that if a Students’ Union investigation finds a case to answer under their Students’ Union Constitution’s Disciplinary procedure, then it is likely to indicate a breach of our Code of Conduct. 
Registry

4.0

1 August 2022

Section 12 – Student complaints

12.1 Regulations introduction

  • Addition that we cannot accept complaint about the outcome to decisions reached in other regulations and procedures. 

Registry

3.0

01 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 or material change.
  • Some areas of duplication have been deleted.
  • Name change: restriction has been changed to the new definition of precautionary measures throughout.
  • Insertion of hyperlinks.

Registry

3.0

01 August 2021

Our Student Charter

  • Updated with new SU President’s signature.

Registry

3.0

01 August 2021

Community Code of Conduct

  • Addition of examples for definitions of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct as per the OfS statement of expectations.

Registry

3.0

01 August 2021

Glossary

  • Updated to include the terms Reporting and Responding Party in accordance with updates made in Section 11: Student Disciplinary.

Registry

3.0

01 August 2021

Section 1: Important Information

  • Addition of new section ‘Allegations under the Regulations’ for Postgraduate Students and clarity provided on standard of proof.
  • Appeal against administrative withdrawal: added the circumstances whereby PGRs can be administratively withdrawn.
  • Change of name: added when exceptionally the University will accept a certificate name change different to that recorded.

Registry

3.0  01 August 2020 

Section 2: International Student Information

  • University requirements: as students have been exceptionally permitted to engage in remote study (whilst on a student visa), this has been updated to allow for this as it may be extended into 2021/22.
  • Students on a standard visitor or short-term study visas: updated to reflect changes to short-term study visas and standard visitor visas.
  • The graduate route: details added relating to this new scheme.
Registry 
3.0  01 August 2021

Section 3: Student Finance

  • Payment of tuition fees: added requirements for courses starting in April.
  • Withdrawal due to non-payment appeal procedure: more clearly outlined the appeal process.
Registry 
3.0  01 August 2021 

Section 4 – Engagement and Attendance

  • Insertion that PGRs must re-register after an interruption (if re-registration has been missed) or be at risk of being withdrawn.
Registry 
3.0  01 August 2020 

Section 5: Interruptions and Withdrawals

  • Removal of ‘grounds for an interruption’, as this will now only be included in the procedure.
  • Clarity given on maximum lengths of interruption applying across the full period of registration
  • Clarification of who would approve an interruption beyond the standard maximum, and in what circumstances.
  • Addition to withdrawal information that PGRs will lose access to emails upon withdrawing.
  • Addition of guidance on transferring to another institution, moved from award regulations and updated.
Registry 
3.0  01 August 2021

Section 6 – Progression Extensions

  • Appropriate grounds for progression extensions have been removed and moved into the procedure.
Registry 
3.0  01 August 2021 

Section 7 – End Extensions

  • Appropriate grounds for end extensions have been removed and moved into the procedure.
Registry 
3.0  01 August 2021 

Section 9 – Research Conduct

  • Clarified that a stage 1 investigation can be undertaken by a supervisor
Registry 
3.0 01 August 2021

Section 10 – Fitness to Study

  • Added section regarding evidence may be required to return to study and/or a meeting arrange with an appropriate member of staff.
Registry 
3.0 01 August 2021

Section 11: Student Disciplinary

  • Addition of reporting party, responding party and witness information.
  • Addition of alternative reporting tools as per the OfS’ recommendation.
  • Addition of classification of misconduct levels.
  • Clarity provided regarding the timeline of the procedure and evidence which can be submitted by the reporting party as part of the investigation.
Registry