RESEARCH DEGREES HANDBOOK

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RESEARCH

DEGREES

HANDBOOK

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1 Introduction

Welcome to research degree study at the University of Bedfordshire. We hope that your time as a research student is stimulating and successful.

This handbook provides an overview of the research degree journey, highlights services and facilities that you may want to access and links to key documents or web sites that you may find useful. We recommend that you keep this document for future reference. Later in your research degree journey you will also be able to access the most up to date research degrees handbook through the Research Graduate School community on BREO.

2 Abbreviations

BREO Bedfordshire Resources for Education Online, our virtual learning environment DS Director of Studies (i.e. first/main/lead supervisor)

FT full-time

PEP pre-approved extension period

PT part-time

RDC Research Degrees Committee REC Research Ethics Committee RID Research Institute Director RGS Research Graduate School RDH Research Degrees Handbook

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3 Key support roles and services for research degree students

3.1 Research Degree Supervisors

Most research students have two supervisors.1_{Your main supervisor is known as the Director of} Studies (DS) or First Supervisor: this is usually the supervisor with whom you work most closely. You will also have a second supervisor:2_{who you would normally meet with less often than your DS,} although supervision patterns vary between disciplines and even between teams within disciplines. Your supervisors are your main contacts throughout your research degree journey. They will work alongside you to refine your research degree study because your initial research idea must become a viable research study; that is one that:

• will meet the assessment criteria for a research degree (see RDH, Appendix 1) • can be completed within the time available

• can be completed with resources that you can access.

Your supervisors will provide coaching in some aspects of your research degree study and they will help you to identify additional sources of coaching and training. They may suggest papers or book chapters that you should read. You should also seek out your own training and development opportunities (for example, RDH, sections 5.1 and 5.5).

Supervisors are your main source of feedback (formative assessment) throughout your degree. For supervisors to provide timely, effective feedback you will need to submit written work up to a week before supervision meetings; or a supervisor may ask you to make a presentation on a certain aspect of your work.

It is important that you and your supervisors work hard to establish and maintain productive student-supervisor relationships. This is easier if you discuss your expectations of each other, set up a regular pattern of meetings, avoid cancelling meetings, submit or present work ahead of supervision meetings and act upon feedback. Research degree study requires a great deal of self-direction, self-motivation and problem-solving. You need to take responsibility for your own study and for your own development as a researcher, but don’t take this independence too far; tell your supervisor if you are struggling. It is likely that your supervisor will have supported other students through such difficulties and will have suggestions that you may not have thought of.

Your supervisors will be able to provide a limited amount of support if you experience personal difficulties. This will normally take the form of sympathetic listening and, where possible, suggestions about where you might obtain further information or support. The University web site and the Research Graduate School community on BREO will also link you to a wide range of support services including Student Support and the Student’s Union.

1 An additional supervisor or adviser is sometimes appointed to provide support on specific aspects of the content or research approach of a student’s research study.

2 A student registered for the PhD by Published Work will be allocated only one supervisor to support the development of the Portfolio for assessment.

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3.2 The Research Graduate School

The Research Graduate School (RGS) (http://www.beds.ac.uk/research-ref/rgs) supports research students and their supervisors from initial application, through the research degree journey to graduation. For example the RGS team maintains and updates the central student record for every research student, answers queries and refers students to other appropriate resources or services, provides official letters and certificates, provides researcher development opportunities and undertakes administration relating to research degree vivas. The RGS works with supervisors, Research Institutes and Faculties to ensure that all students have appropriate support throughout their studies as well as access to training and development programmes that will complement their research and provide a foundation for their future careers. The RGS contributes to the quality assurance of research degree programmes and supports the Research Degrees Committee. The RGS also has a role in ensuring compliance with internal and external regulations and policies.

The RGS is physically based in PM05 in the Postgraduate and CPD Centre, Park Square, Luton: you can drop in or make an appointment between 9am and 4:30pm, Monday-Friday, when the University is open. Members of the RGS team visit other campuses from time to time and such visits will be advertised via the Research Graduate School community on BREO calendar. However, most students will find that the most convenient way to contact the RGS is through [email protected] or ‘RGS Online’. RDH, Appendix 2 provides a brief guide to how to get started with RGS Online.

3.3 Research Student Training Programme

It is expected that all research students will make full use of the Research Student Training Programme which is advertised via the online Research Graduate School community on BREO (see Announcements, the calendar and the sub-folder labelled Research Student Training Programme. It covers a range of issues dealing with the enhancement of the postgraduate student experience and employability skills. Workshops on specialised aspects of research such as sessions on progression points, PhD thesis writing and preparing for the PhD viva are organised on a regular basis. The library, the language centre and the Centre for Learning Excellence also offer workshops and training session which will be advertised along with RGS enrichment programmes. Students may also be required to attend additional sessions which are specifically related to their research topic and which will be organised by their Research Institute or Faculty as part of their 'Related Studies Programme.' The Research Student Training programme is regularly updated and posted on the Research Graduate School community site on BREO (http://breo.beds.ac.uk).

3.4 Research Institute and Faculty Leads for Research Degree Studies

The University organises its academic departments into four faculties:

• Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies and Science (CATS) • Faculty of Education and Sport

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• The Business School

Within faculties there are ten Research Institutes (www.beds.ac.uk/research-ref/institutes) and each research student is linked to a Research Institute (some research students may also be linked to a smaller specialist group of researchers, normally known as a research ‘Centre’, or linked to a particular academic department). The ten Research Institutes are:

• Business and Management Research Institute (BMRI)

• The Centre for Research in English Language Learning and Assessment (CRELLA) • Institute of Applied Social Research (IASR)

• Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Science and Technology (iBEST) • Institute for Health Research (IHR)

• Institute for Tourism Research (InTOUR)

• Institute for Research in Applicable Computing (IRAC) • Institute for Research in Education (IREd)

• Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR) • Research Institute for Media, Arts and Performance (RIMAP)

Each Institute has a Research Institute Director (RID). In many cases the Institute Director is the academic lead for research degree studies, while some Institutes have a separate Research Degrees Lead. There may also be some Faculty-wide coordination of certain activities and resources for research degree studies. Your Institute-based induction will include details of the arrangements in your Institute and Faculty. The Faculty or Institute Lead for Research Degrees will normally take an overview of Faculty or Institute induction and supervision arrangements, the working environment for research students, research methods training opportunities and research students’ academic progress.

4 Research Degree Students’ Responsibilities, Attendance and

Supervision

4.1 Responsibilities of a Postgraduate Research Student

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of and understand the Research Degree

Regulations (http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/318539/SECTION-4-REGULATIONS-FOR-RESEARCH-DEGREES-2014-15-FINAL.pdf) and, if applicable, the Policy on Staff

Postgraduate Research Degree Registration at the University of Bedfordshire

(http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/456509/staff-PGR-policy.pdf). Any questions should in the first instance be addressed to your supervisory team, RID or your Faculty or Institute lead in the RGS.

Your personal and professional development is your responsibility. This includes, where possible, recognising when you need help and seeking it in a timely manner. Normally the first point of contact should be your supervision team, or sometimes your Faculty or Institute Lead for research degrees (see RDH, section 3.4). You can also make use of the support services highlighted in RDH

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section 5, below, and of course the RGS team will try to answer your questions or redirect you appropriately, if you contact us as described in RDH, section 3.2.

The responsibility for progress lies with the student as ‘owner’ of the research project. You must set and keep to timetables and deadlines, including planning and submitting work as and when required and generally maintaining satisfactory progress within the programme of research. The student is solely responsible for meeting targets and for informing supervisors (and/or any other relevant person) of any problems or difficulties that they are facing. Students may need to suspend their studies for a period, or need an extension must declare their difficulties and needs at the time they

arise. Normally, the RDC will not make allowances or adjustments retrospectively (RDH, section

Error! Reference source not found.). Keeping records and storing data:

• You must maintain research records in such a way that they can be accessed and understood by anyone with a legitimate need to see them.

• It is essential that you back up all of your data and backup at least the two most recent drafts of each chapter of your emerging thesis, or any other document for assessment.

• You must ensure that sensitive data is fully protected in line with University policy. See https://in.beds.ac.uk/ict/policies/it-data-security-policy and

https://in.beds.ac.uk/secretariat/sec

You must submit an Annual Monitoring Report (section 8.6.4) and a Training Needs Analysis (section 4.4) form for every year that you are registered, except when a progression point assessment takes the place of these documents.

You should attend any development opportunities (research-related and other) that were identified when agreeing your development needs with your supervisors.

4.2 Attendance requirements

All full-time (FT) research students are expected to devote 40 hours per week to their research study and related activities. Most of the time you should work at your base campus since this maximises your opportunities for beneficial interaction with other researchers and academic staff. At the discretion of your supervisors, Director of Institute, Faculty Lead for Research Degree Studies or the RGS, you may be permitted to work on your research study and related activities away from the University campus (e.g. at home) for one or two days per week. This permission may be withdrawn if there are concerns that you may not be devoting sufficient time to your studies, or if there are concerns about your academic progress.

Part-time (PT) research students are expected to devote 20 hours per week to their research study and related activities. They must attend the University as required for any taught components, research training, supervision meetings, progress meetings and assessments.

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Students who are registered to pursue research studies at an approved location away from the University are expected to attend the University for six weeks each year.

There are some attendance requirements that affect only International students: please see RDH, section 7.1.

4.3 Supervision meetings

The regulations require that students meet with their supervisors 'on a regular and frequent basis'. This normally means fortnightly supervision meetings for FT students and monthly supervision meetings for PT students. At minimum, FT students must upload one supervision record per month to RGS Online (Appendix 2). Similarly, PT students must upload at least one supervision record every two months. However, you will probably find it easier to upload a brief record every time you receive supervision input, rather than saving your supervision notes for a monthly (or two-monthly, if PT) supervision report.

Students are likely to see their DS more frequently than their other supervisor(s) but much depends on the nature of the work, the stage of the research and whether problems have emerged for the study or the student. Normally, more supervision help is needed in the early stages and towards the end of a research degree. You must prepare adequately for meetings with supervisors; this includes submitting work sufficiently in advance of meetings to allow the supervisor(s) to read and reflect on your work.

The RGS recommends you meet with your complete supervisory team once a month and at least one supervisor every 2 weeks for FT students. PT students should plan to meet your complete supervisory team every two months and at least one supervisor every month.

Research students and supervisors have joint responsibility for maintaining regular contact, keeping good meeting records and striving to maintain a productive working relationship.

4.4 Training needs analysis

Within the first month following registration every student must undertake a Training Needs Analysis with their supervisor. The Training Needs Analysis form which is available for download from BREO must be completed and returned to the RGS. Where additional training is identified as a requirement for academic progression and professional development (RDH, section 5.5) this should be identified on the form and followed up by the DS and the RGS as part of the annual monitoring process (RDH, section 8.6.4).

In subsequent years the training needs of every student should be revisited. Students together with their supervisor should complete a Training Needs Analysis form and submit it annually to the RGS office in person or electronically by sending it to [email protected].

Supervisors and students should refer to the VITAE Researcher Development Framework when completing the training needs analysis, see section 5.5.

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5 Other support services for research students

The University provides a wide range of support services for all students. These services are aware of the particular needs of research students and, where appropriate and if there is sufficient demand, these services will have resources tailored for research students. The University web site (www.beds.ac.uk) is your gateway to these services. This section highlights those services that research students most frequently ask about.

5.1 Learning Resources: Libraries, VLE (BREO), study support, etc

Learning Resources (http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/) is a multifaceted service providing physical and online libraries, study spaces, resources and training to improve your academic skills and the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE), ‘BREO’ (Bedfordshire Resources for Education Online) (https://breo.beds.ac.uk/). Among many other useful resources, research students may be particularly interested to learn about bibliographic software (http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/guides/researchers/Bibliographic_software) and the expertise of academic liaison librarians (http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/studyhub/study-hub-teams/ALLs).

5.2 Student Information Desk (SiD)

There are several physical Student Information Desks (SiD) in different locations around the University and ‘SiD’ is also easily accessed online (www.beds.ac.uk/studentlife/student-services/sid). SiD is your gateway to a wide range of student support services. Visit a SiD point to speak to an adviser or log an online enquiry.

5.3 Student Support

Student Support services (www.beds.ac.uk/studentlife/studentsupport) can offer help and advice if you need academic, financial, disability, mental health, religious or counselling support.

5.4 Postgraduate Research Student Forum

The postgraduate research student forum (PGRSF) meets four times a year and reports to the Research Degree Committee. It is attended by PGR students and their elected representatives, as well as research active academic staff and/or staff who carry strategic and/or management responsibilities. The forum is chaired by the Director or deputy-director of the Research Graduate School or their elected representative and is also attended by a representative from the students Union (President or Vice-President – Education). The PGRSF aims to discuss the student experience

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and identify areas for development, provide a forum for discussion of non-academic student related-matters including services and resources that support the student experience. These meetings will be advertised through the RGS community on BREO calendar and announcement, as well as through the RGS monthly newsletter.

5.5 Careers and researcher development

It is never too early to think about the career options that may follow your research degree, and the skills you will need to succeed in a competitive job environment and modern workplaces. More information is also available on the careers web site (www.beds.ac.uk/studentlife/careers). You should also access researcher development activities in your Institute or Faculty, through the RGS or via external bodies focused on research students, such as Vitae (www.vitae.ac.uk) and the UK

Council for Graduate Education (www.ukcge.ac.uk/). In particular, the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (https://www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers-professional-development/about-the-vitae-researcher-development-framework) will help you to identify and plan to develop the knowledge, behaviour and attributes displayed by successful researchers, so that you can maximise your career potential.

5.6 Accommodation

Most research students live in private accommodation. There are some spaces within University-approved accommodation that are specifically designed for postgraduate students (www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/postgraduatestudy/postgraduate-accommodation).

5.7 Health

Every student should register with a local doctor soon after arrival, don’t wait until you are ill. You can find details on the web site for the General Practitioner (GP) Surgeries with which the University has close links (www.beds.ac.uk/studentlife/studentsupport/health). If you live some distance from a University campus, you should register with a GP surgery close to where you live.

5.8 Support for International Students

The University is a vibrant diverse community, with a large number of international students and we have well-developed support services for international students. More details can be found at:- (www.beds.ac.uk/international/international-student-support).

International students who require a visa to study in the UK must comply with engagement monitoring procedures and note the University is required to conduct and report to the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI), which is part of the Home Office (RDH, section 7.1).

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5.9 Treehouse and community faith

The chaplaincy teams at Luton and Bedford offer a warm welcome to staff and students of all faiths and beliefs (http://www.beds.ac.uk/faiths/luton). The Luton 'Tree House' has a lead reverend and a team of Assistant Chaplains drawing on support from the major world faiths. Treehouse provide Prayer and Quiet Rooms and facilities for major world faiths, and can provide details of

local places

of worship

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In the event of sickness or work-related and personal difficulties, Chaplains are able to visit you at home, in hospital or have a chat in a café. Chaplains operate within strict Confidentiality and are able to offer regular or tailor-made rituals for life-events and transitions. Just drop in or give them a call to make an appointment (more contact details in Appendix 6).

5.10 Campus maps and inter-campus travel

The maps, directions and inter-campus travel web pages

(http://www.beds.ac.uk/contactus/directions and www.beds.ac.uk/ucmk/ucmk/location/transport-links) provide useful information about finding and travelling between the University’s six campuses.

5.11 Authorised Leave

5.11.1 Annual leave for UK and EU students (International students should additionally refer to RDH, section 7.4.1)

All research students are entitled to annual leave (holidays). In addition to statutory Bank Holidays, local discretionary holidays and days when the institution is closed in the interests of efficiency, students may take additional leave.

All FT students are entitled to 25 days per holiday year and PT students are entitled to 12.5 days annual leave. Your personal holiday year commences from 1st_{August each year. Unused holiday} cannot be carried over from one holiday year to another. Requests for annual leave must be made on the Annual Leave Form which is available for download from the Research Graduate School community on BREO. These must be signed by the DS and submitted to the RGS for approval. Copies will be kept on the student file and may be referred to should a request for an extension be submitted.

5.11.2 Maternity, paternity and adoption leave

Information contained in this section of the Research Degrees Handbook must be read in conjunction with the University of Bedfordshire Pregnant Student Policy and Procedure which, along with other important information, describes the ‘Student Support in Pregnancy Plan’ that will need to be compiled and updated during pregnancy and prior to return to study: https://in.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/238340/PREGNANT-STUDENT-POLICY.pdf

Students who give birth or adopt a child during their research degree study will be able to take leave as described in the maternity, paternity and adoption leave policy, which you will find on the Research Graduate School community on BREO. Fathers or same sex partners who wish to take

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‘additional paternity leave’ to care for a child whose mother, or the adopting parent, has returned to work should also refer to the “Pregnant student policy” https://in.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/238340/PREGNANT-STUDENT-POLICY.pdf.

Maternity (additional and ordinary), adoption and additional paternity leave all ‘stop the clock’ on your research degree registration and all subsequent deadlines will move forward by the appropriate number of weeks. Any fees that you paid before your leave began will also be ‘rolled forward’ to the period immediately following your return to studies. There is no limit to the number of children for whom you can take periods of maternity, adoption or additional paternity leave during your research degree registration.

PGR students who are members of staff at the University of Bedfordshire will be supported through the University’s Maternity Leave Procedure. More information can be found at:-

http://www.beds.ac.uk/about-us/uobdocuments/external-docs/policies/hr-policies/Maternity-Leave-Policy.pdf

PGR students whose studies are supported by a postgraduate studentship, scholarship or other award should refer to the maternity leave policy of the funding body from which they receive financial support. For example, Research Councils UK has published the RCUK Briefing on Maternity,

Paternity and Adoption Leave and Pay: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/RCUK-prod/assets/documents/skills/RCUKMaternityBriefing.pdf (revised January 2015). This document clarifies the anticipated start point of maternity leave; the durations of maternity, adoption and paternity leave for PGR students; supervision during maternity, adoption or paternity leave and working on the postgraduate research degree study during such periods of leave.

There is no limit to the number of periods of maternity, adoption or paternity leave that can be taken during a PGR registration but all statutory and shared parental leave must be taken within 1 year of the birth of your child.

Please see Pregnant Student Policy and Procedure (https://in.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/238340/PREGNANT-STUDENT-POLICY.pdf) for guidance in relation to requests from mothers and partners for time off to attend antenatal and postnatal appointments.

5.11.3 Sickness

Students who are on sick leave for more than 5 days must produce a medical certificate or letter on official letterhead from a medical expert such as a GP or consultant.

5.12 Interruptions to the standard research degree journeys

While we hope that you complete your research degree without any interruptions to your studies, we appreciate that life events and delays that you cannot predict sometimes occur.

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5.12.1 Suspension of studies

Students who experience serious but time-limited problems which prevent you from continuing with your research studies, may wish to apply for a suspension of studies (see Regulations for

Research Degrees http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/318539/SECTION-4-REGULATIONS-FOR-RESEARCH-DEGREES-2014-15-FINAL.pdf). You may apply to suspend study for a whole number of months in the interval three to 12 months. You will need to provide evidence of the difficulty you face and have a convincing plan for returning to successful study. Normally students will not be permitted more than 12 months suspension in total during the research degree registration.

5.12.2 Extensions

We try to avoid granting students extensions to deadlines, but it may sometimes be appropriate for students whose progress is unavoidably slowed for reasons beyond the control of the student, but for whom progress has not stopped completely. Not planning your study properly and not allowing time in the study plan for predictable delays or periods when you have a lot of other demands on your time will not be sufficient reason for the Research Degrees Committee to grant an extension.

5.12.3 Withdrawals

Students may withdraw from their studies and in some cases it may be necessary for the University to withdraw a student. All measures will be taken to support students prior to these outcomes and students are strongly recommended to speak to their Supervisors, the RGS and the University support teams (SEAM, Finance; see RDH, section 5.3) prior to a final decision being made.

6 Work spaces, safety and working out of hours

Different research degree studies require different types of work spaces. There are a large number of open access work spaces for research degree students (or all students) in the many buildings across the University’s campuses. Most research students make flexible use of open access work spaces and also work from home. FT research students, in particular, may be allocated a desk or given access to a ‘hot desk’ within space which the Research Institute or Faculty sets aside for research students. Some students require laboratory or other practical work spaces. Your faculty will have considered such needs during the admissions process, although it is common for research degree studies to change focus and this may require reassessment of the need for a specialist workspace. If no such workspace is available you will not be able to develop your research study in this direction and you will have to plan a study that is viable within the resources available to you – to determine how this might be best achieved – discuss what you will need with your supervisors in the first instance).

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Some work spaces pose particular risks and, where appropriate your supervisors will ensure that you receive local health and safety briefing. You must comply with health and safety regulations that apply in areas where you work on your research degree: these are designed to protect you and other people. One aspect of health and safety is that some work spaces may only be used within advertised hours; other work spaces have advertised normal working hours with some possibility of working outside these hours if you have permission and observe the safety requirements. If you wish to work outside the normal working hours in areas where this is permitted, you must consult with your DS in the first instance.

It is relatively common for research students to develop musculoskeletal problems (muscle pain, joint pain, and loss of movement or feeling) because they do not have their desk space set up properly or because they do not change position sufficiently often. These problems are surprisingly painful and, more importantly, if ignored these problems can be hard to cure or may become permanent problems. You must set up your workstation at home and in the University in line with advice that is widely available on this matter. You must change position at least every hour. If you begin to develop musculoskeletal problems see your doctor for advice straight away: don’t let the problem become serious and hard to treat before you seek help.

Health and Safety documents are available as a training tool on the RGS community on BREO for educational purposes.

7 Matters affecting International Students

7.1 Visa requirements to demonstrate engagement with studies

International students who require a visa to study in the UK must comply with engagement monitoring procedures the University is required to conduct and report to UKVI . More information is available on the International Office web site at

http://www.beds.ac.uk/international/international-student-support/visas-and-immigration/faqs-current-students

The main way in which you can demonstrate engagement with your studies is by attending supervision meetings and submitting written work for feedback. Many students establish a rhythm of submitting work one week, attending a supervision tutorial the next week, submitting work the following week, and so on. However, some students will have weekly supervision tutorials and at certain points in your study (such as during data collection) you may see your supervisors less often. It is important that you upload a brief record of each supervision meeting on RGS Online: this should take less than five minutes.

The second strand of demonstrating engagement with your studies is to have your ID barcode scanned and to sign a register each week. You can do this at the RGS office reception, the Business School or CATS Faculty office(s), Milton Keynes Campus Reception or at any SiD desk that has a barcode scanner.

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Attending the induction programme, researcher development workshops and other training sessions, seminars and the University’s annual staff conference, or equivalent activities provided by other research-focused organisations, are additional ways of demonstrating engagement and development as a researcher.

7.2 Residence requirement

There is an expectation that all FT international students will live within one hour travelling time from their base campus. In exceptional circumstances you may be permitted to live further from the campus, provided that you always demonstrate a high level of engagement with your studies, good academic progress and attend the University for a minimum of one day each week. Requests to live further away that 1 hour travelling time will need to be considered by a member of your supervisory team – most often your DS, as well as the RGS and the International Office.

7.3 ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme)

Some research degree studies conducted by international students (mainly but not always in the sciences) require an Academic Technology Approval Certificate via ATAS (www.fco.gov.uk/atas). This will have been assessed during the admissions process, so if you needed an ATAS certificate at the beginning of your studies you will have been advised of the need before you were given an offer. However, research studies develop and change direction so even if you did not need an ATAS certificate at the beginning you may need one now. If the focus of your research study changes you need to notify the RGS because the JACS (Joint Academic Coding System) code for your degree may also change. If the JACS code changes, RGS will need to reassess whether you should apply for an ATAS certificate. RGS will supply you with a letter to support your application.

7.4 Authorised absence

It is sometimes necessary for international students to be away from the University and their normal place of residence, for example to attend a residential academic conference or, in certain circumstances, to collect data at some distance from the University. In such cases international students need to apply for authorised absence, one month in advance of the absence, using the Authorised Absence Form available on the Research Graduate School community on BREO.

7.4.1 Annual leave and monitoring engagement (International students)

In order to comply with the statutory regulations for Tier 4 VISAs it is the responsibility of the University to monitor student engagement. The University meets this responsibility through:

• Monitoring student / supervisory meetings through RGS Online

• Students are required to attend the RGS office or appropriate Faculty Office on a weekly basis where their ID cards are scanned. Students who fail to comply are initially contacted

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by the RGS. If the issue is not resolved they are referred to the International Office. Continued failure to comply may result in the withdrawal of student Tier 4 sponsorship by the University.

• Monitoring annual leave and other absences from the University, i.e. attendance at conferences, field trips etc. These absences must be supported by the DS/Supervisory team and the RGS and authorisation must be obtained from the International Office.

• Requiring students to provide copies of their passport and visa at re-registration. • Ensuring that all the milestones in academic progression are reached.

• It is the responsibility of the DS/Supervisory team to inform the RGS if there are any issues regarding attendance (missed meetings, training sessions and seminars) or if the student takes leave without approval.

7.4.2 Authorised absence

International students who are attending conferences or who are collecting data outside the University must submit an application for Authorised Absence. This can be downloaded from the Research Graduate School community on BREO. Applications for authorised absence must be supported by the DS and stamped by the RGS, prior to International Office authorisation. Students who leave the UK must, in addition, submit copies of their boarding passes and entry visa stamps to the International Office. During Authorised Absence students must maintain weekly contact with their supervisors, submitting copies of any e-mails, meeting notes and reports to the RGS ([email protected]) and uploading details of meetings to PebblePad+ and/or RGS online.

7.4.3 Maternity, paternity and adoption leave (additional information for International students)

International students are expected to return to their home country before the birth of their child and while it is still safe to travel (usually before 26 weeks of pregnancy). Students who remain in the U.K. after the medically safe time to travel will receive only 2 weeks maternity leave but may use some of their annual leave to extend the time they have with their newborn.

8 Important documents

We aim to have all the important documents that you may need during your research degree journey easily accessible through the Research Graduate School community on BREO. The RGS will make you a member of this online community when you first register for a research degree. If you have any difficulties please contact the RGS. Many documents are also publically accessible from the University web site.

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Please set aside some time to explore the documents that are accessible through the Research Graduate School community on BREO, so that you become more familiar with the regulations, policies and other documents that shape and support your research degree journey.

8.1 Research Degree Regulations

The Regulations for Research Degrees underpin the guidance provided in this handbook. It is important you familiarise yourself with the regulations and policies that apply to your student journey.

The Research Degree regulations can be found at:

http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/318539/SECTION-4-REGULATIONS-FOR-RESEARCH-DEGREES-2014-15-FINAL.pdf

As well as in the Research Graduate School BREO community on the top of the left hand side panel “Research Degree Regulations and Handbook”.

8.2 Fees

Your initial fees are due at, or prior to initial registration as a research degree student. The University’s fees change each year and the current fees can be found on the University web site. Your date of initial registration is your Fee Anniversary Date. In subsequent years your fees will fall due on your Fee Anniversary Date until you complete the normal period of registration for your research degree (see Regulations for Research Degrees,

http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/318539/SECTION-4-REGULATIONS-FOR-RESEARCH-DEGREES-2014-15-FINAL.pdf).

If you need to enter the pre-approved extension period (PEP) then normally there are no fees due for the first three months. You will pay one third of the annual fees at the then current rate after three, six and nine months into the PEP, up to the maximum duration of their degree registration or the date at which RGS accepts the submission of the thesis, whichever is sooner. A minority of students may elect to pay fees for the maximum duration of the PEP at the beginning of the PEP in order to obtain a reduction in the annual fee: this will not work out cheaper for most students because most students will submit their thesis before all three PEP one third fee payments are made. If you have any questions about PEP fees please talk to a member of the RGS team before you enter the PEP.

Your fee anniversary date may change if you have an RDC approved interruption to your studies (see RDH section Error! Reference source not found.).

If you have concerns or questions about paying your fees, please discuss these with the Finance team (Appendix 6) who can provide help and guidance..

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8.3 Bursary Students’ Agreement

Bursary students have a formal agreement with the University, which outlines their benefits and responsibilities. Please read your Bursary Agreement carefully. Bursary Students are subject to the

Policy on Staff Postgraduate Research Degree Registration at the University of Bedfordshire see

http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/456509/staff-PGR-policy.pdf (RDH, section 8.4) which should be read in conjunction with the Research Degrees Studentship Policy . Please note the strict limits on the number of hours you are expected to work while a bursary student.

Bursary Students are entitled to 25 days holiday per year, calculated pro rata from 1st_{August each} academic year. Unused holiday entitlement may not be carried forward into the next year, unless there are exceptional circumstances. In such cases the agreement of both the DS and the RGS are required. Bursary students must not apply for leave through the Human Resources Department; they should use the Research Students’ Annual Leave Processes (RDH, Section 5.11 for Home/EU students and section 7.4 for International students). Bursary students who do not take their annual leave will not be entitled to payment in lieu.

8.4 Policy on Staff Postgraduate Research Degree Registration at the

University of Bedfordshire

This short document is vital reading for all members of University staff, and staff of Partner Institutions, who are studying for a University of Bedfordshire research degree. This policy also applies to all Bursary students who are paid through the University payroll.

The policy places strict limits on the amount of paid work that can be undertaken at the University whilst studying for a University of Bedfordshire research degree. The policy also describes the special examination arrangements for staff candidates and bursary students.

The policy can be found at:-

http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/456509/staff-PGR-policy.pdf

8.5 Concordat to Support Research Integrity

Universities UK published this short document in 2012. (http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/highereducation/Documents/2012/TheConcordatToSupportResea

rchIntegrity.pdf) Its aims include:

• “Maintaining the highest standards of rigour and integrity in all aspects of research

• Ensuring that research is conducted according to appropriate ethical, legal and professional frameworks, obligations and standards …

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• Using transparent, robust and fair processes to deal with allegations of research misconduct …

(UUK, 2012, p.4)”

8.6 Other policies

Within the Research Graduate School community on BREO and on the University web pages you will find other policy documents that apply to research degree students. Members of the RGS team will be able to help if you are not sure whether there is a policy governing a particular issue of interest to you.

8.6.1 Code of Conduct

The RGS is committed to developing and sustaining a community of mutual respect. Research students are subject to the ‘Student Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedure’. This can be found at: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/459234/Student-Code-of-Conduct-and-Disciplinary-Policy.pdf

8.6.2 Academic Offence and Research Misconduct

Misconduct by a research student is dealt with through the ‘Ethical Procedures, Good Research

Practise and Research Misconduct’’ with additional reference to the University-wide ‘Academic Discipline Policy’, which applies to all students. These documents are available at:

http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/43951/EthicsGoodResPractandResMisconduct 3.pdf

and:

http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/459226/Academic-Discipline-Policy-Sep14.pdf

8.6.3 Academic Progress Panel

In the event of a concern being raised about academic progress, an Academic Progress Panel (APP) will be convened to review the concerns and, where appropriate, offer advice and set an Action Plan to support improved academic progress. This is chaired by a senior member of staff within the RGS. The composition of an APP will vary depending on the level of progress being considered. If an APP determines that previous attempts to improve academic performance have failed, the Panel may recommend to RDC that the students’ research degree registration be withdrawn.

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8.6.4 Annual Monitoring

Student progress will be monitored regularly throughout the period of registration. Formal reports on research student progress are required on an annual basis. As part of the independent annual monitoring process this information must be submitted to the RGS by both the student and the supervisors once a year. When students are undertaking progression point 1 (PP1) or progression point 2 (PP2)(see section 11 for further details), Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) or in a pre-approved extension period (PEP) year, this information will be covered by those processes. In academic years when students are not completing PP1, PP2, the PRES survey or in a PEP year, you will be required to complete separate annual monitoring form.

8.6.5 Complaints and appeals

The complaints procedure is to be used prior to a decision at RDC, ensuring that matters that have potentially impacted on student performance are brought to the attention of the relevant postgraduate research examination board or Academic Progress Panel. Matters that are considered as academic appeals may not subsequently be considered as complaints. Academic appeals are only valid in respect of the Research Degrees Committee (RDC) decisions. Therefore the appeals procedure must follow an RDC decision. It is only through the appeals process that issues relating to an examination board decision can be resolved.

8.6.5.1 Complaints

Complaints can be raised initially with Supervisors, the Director of Institute, the Faculty Lead for Research Degrees, or the RGS. Efforts should be made to resolve complaints locally and informally. Formal complaints should be made via the adjudication team by writing the details of your complaint and adding evidence as attachments to [email protected]. The policy and the scope of the Student Complaint process can be found in full at:

http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/459554/Student-Complaints-Policy-and-Procedure.pdf

8.6.5.2 Appeals

Appeals against decisions of the RDC should be made in accordance with the Policy Regarding

Academic Appeals and the Procedures to be followed when submitting an Appeal. The full academic

appeals policy and procedure is available at:

http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/459233/Academic-Appeals-Policy-effective-February-2015.pdf

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8.6.6 Lone working

The University currently operates a system where some buildings are locked in the evenings and therefore there are no people in any of the areas except the Learning Resource Centres which are open 24 hours a day in Luton and Bedford.

The opening hours of student rooms vary and you will be advised of these by your Supervisor. In the event that you wish to work alone, you will be required to familiarise yourself with the lone working policy (below) and complete a lone working risk assessment.

8.7 Other documents

You will find other important documents in folders within the Research Graduate School community on BREO including copies of the Research Degree Regulations for the 2015-16 academic year and a calendar of training events.

9 Important Committees

9.1 Research Degrees Committee

The Research Degrees Committee (RDC) is the progression and examination board for research degrees, which means that this Committee scrutinises recommendations in relation to students’ progress through each stage of the research degree journey from admission to award. The Committee appoints supervisors and examiners, and considers special requests (such as changes from FT to PT study, suspension of studies requests and extension to deadline requests). The RDC is also concerned with the quality of research degrees programmes and the quality of the research student experience and act as an examination board, attended by an external examiner. The Committee initiates developments and also debates proposals for developments relating to research degrees. Details of the formal ‘purpose and remit’ of RDC, extracted from its formal terms of reference, can be found in Appendix 3. The Chair of RDC is the University Registrar and its membership includes a representative from each Research Institute and our partner institution(s) including the British School of Osteopathy. A number of additional people are present due to their roles in the RGS and student support services.

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9.2 Research Ethics Committees

There are Faculty-level Research Ethics Committees (RECs), which scrutinise most research degree studies. Higher risk studies will be referred up to the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC). In some disciplines (particularly health and social care) most research studies require scrutiny from an external research ethics committee. You must not collect data until you have permission from an appropriate REC (see RDH section 10 on research ethics scrutiny procedures).

10 Research Ethics Scrutiny Procedures

Every proposed research study requires screening by a person nominated by the Faculty Research Ethics Committee to establish whether the proposed study requires scrutiny by a Research Ethics Committee (REC) and, if so, which level of REC. Many studies that do not have human or animal participants and do not use sensitive material and so will not require REC scrutiny, but this can only be established by completing and submitting the appropriate REC Screening Form which is available from the RGS community on BREO > Processes and Procedures > Ethics and Integrity.

You must not collect any data before you have been informed of the outcome of the REC screening process. If your study requires REC scrutiny and approval, you must not collect data until you have received the REC’s written approval.

Most studies that require REC scrutiny and approval are considered at Faculty level in a Faculty Research Ethics Committee. Higher risk studies will be referred up to the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC). In some disciplines (particularly health and social care) there are external research ethics processes and committees. You must fulfil the external requirements and provide your Faculty REC with evidence that you have done this before you start to collect data.

11 The Research Degree Journey

The following sections provide an outline of the research degree journey for each type of research degree programme and provides guidance on how to succeed by starting to write your thesis from the very beginning of your research degree journey.

11.1 How to write your thesis from the very beginning

This section refers to the writing of the postgraduate degree ‘thesis’ – the written argument and single large document that is examined almost at the end of your research degree journey. It describes the most common format: a linear document divided into chapters. Not every thesis will be structured like this. If you are writing a thesis that incorporates creative works your writing task

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will be different and your supervisors will help you identify how much of the advice below is useful, whilst adding advice of their own. If you are preparing a portfolio for examination for a PhD by Published Works or a Higher Doctorate, your writing task is the development of a commentary around a selection of your previously published works that you have chosen to include in your portfolio for examination. In this case, your DS will provide advice to guide the development of your commentary. For the majority of students, who will prepare a traditional thesis, the following advice may be useful and could be a starting point for discussion with your supervisors. Don’t forget that your supervisors provide the great majority of your research guidance during your research degree journey. They will have experience of developing other theses. Meet your supervisors regularly, send them written work before each meeting and respond to their advice on how to improve the written material for your developing thesis.

To increase your chances of being a successful student and completing your degree on time, you should start to write sections of chapters your thesis from the very beginning: literally from the second month of your degree. These sections and chapters will need to be revised and improved several times. You cannot expect to write a good thesis without help and direction from your supervisors and informed colleagues.

Most theses are not written in the order they are read. We often suggest that you write your thesis in the following order (your supervisors will help if your study and thesis requires a different approach).

• Start writing the literature review and methodology chapters straight away. Use a separate document for each chapter at this stage. Get into a good rhythm of ‘read-think-write’-[repeat]. You might also want to sketch out some introductory background sections, but don’t give this too much time: the focus of your study may change a lot in the light of the literature review, the refining of your question(s) and emergent changes to the study design or methods. This could make an introductory or background chapter obsolete, so it is wise to keep any introductory material written at this stage brief (perhaps just notes or bullet points).

• Be meticulous and methodical about your list of references right from the beginning: use bibliographic referencing software so that the list can be updated automatically every time to add to the chapters of your thesis. While you have each chapter in a separate document you will have an automatic table of contents and an automatic list of references embedded in each chapter. It is easy to produce these lists when you combine your chapters into a single document.

• Design your study and write the material needed for research ethics committee (REC) screening (ALL research degree studies require REC screening to establish whether it is necessary to proceed to full REC scrutiny and approval).

• Write up results/findings as soon as you have them. You need to be able to identify your next step in data collection or when to stop data collection after some preliminary analysis. Use this period of data analysis and interpretation to make visible what you have achieved. Get into a good rhythm of ‘think-do-think-write’-[repeat].

• Write the results/findings chapters as soon as possible and revisit the literature review and methodology chapters to improve these and add any additional sections you now realise are needed. It is now time to start working on your thesis as a single document so you can move smoothly within it with cross-referencing between chapters.

• Look at the PGR Style Guide, Requirements and procedure for Thesis Submission and use it to acquire generic guidance regarding how to format the thesis.

• Write the discussion chapter, which should examine (not simply repeat) your findings in the context of the wider literature; critically review the quality of the study you conducted and the extent to which you answered your research question(s). Revisit the earlier chapters in parallel

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with writing the discussion chapter, as writing the discussion will make you want to edit or expand the earlier material.

• Write the conclusions and recommendations/future directions (think about these from the perspectives of different stakeholder groups). Each conclusion and recommendation/future direction should be well-evidenced in the preceding chapters, which you may need to revise one last time.

• Now you know what you are introducing, write the first chapter that introduces the thesis and your research study.

• Write the abstract and front pages last.

• Word can help produce a Table of Contents (using the Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3 functions) that lists the chapter titles and the subsection headings. Can you see and understand the story that this thesis tells, just by reading the Table of Contents? Does it make sense? If so, your thesis is probably ready for submission. Update all automatic referencing and numbering, proof read, ask someone else to proof read, make sure you are complying with the University’s

Style Guide for Research Degree Theses (you will find this on the RGS community on BREO),

check that your supervisor(s) agree that your thesis is ready for submission, prepare hard copies and an identical electronic copy, submit. Don’t underestimate how long these final things take: allow at least two months and if you are going to use a commercial proof reader you may need to book several months in advance.

You will save yourself a huge amount of time if you learn how to use automatic section numbering, automatic cross-references and an automatic table of contents.

You will make thesis writing alot easier if you are meticulous about keeping records of what you have read and the data you have collected. Write notes and add references as you progress through your postgraduate studies – you can always remove them later. It is worth investing time in learning how to use bibliographic reference management software, such as EndNote or REF Works.

11.2 MA (Res) or MSc (Res) typical journey

The Master’s by Research, MA/MSc (Res) degree is a short programme that allows students to extend their disciplinary and research knowledge, learn research techniques and conduct a research study. MA/MSc (Res) students are guided by two research degree supervisors and where appropriate, additional advisers.

Part

3 monthFT s

Activities and milestones PT

month s Part 1 _{Initial registration4 and induction programme.} 1

3_{Full-time research degrees are divided into year-long ‘Parts’ up to the normal period of registration for the}

degree (for PT students each Part is longer), then students who need to do so may enter a ‘pre-approved extension period’ (PEP). Once you submit your thesis you will enter the ‘Examination Stage’.

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1 month Begin to work with your supervisors.

Start to refine your research degree proposal so that it will be viable for you to complete and it will also meet the assessment requirements for a research master’s degree (RDH, Appendix 1).

month

2-12 month s

Continue to refine and focus your study.

Set up and attend regular supervision meetings (at least once a month for full-time students and at least once every 2 months for part-time). Submit or present work to your supervisor 1 week before each supervision meeting. Keep clear, brief supervision records on PebblePad+ or RGSonline.

Before you collect any data, submit your study proposal for ethics committee screening. This applies to ALL students’ studies; it will determine whether you can proceed straight away, or you must wait for your proposal to be reviewed and approved by a research ethics committee (REC). If you make significant changes to your study after REC screening or REC approval, you must submit details of the changes to your study for further ethics committee screening and possibly an amendment to your ethical approval. There is more to research integrity than obtaining REC approval. All aspects of your study and related activities must be conducted ethically and in line with the expectations of the UK’s Concordat to Support Research Integrity (see section RDH, 8.5).

Research is question-led and there must be good alignment between the research question(s), study aims/objectives, study design, methodology (overall research approach and philosophy), methods for data collection (or selection of sources for secondary research and non-empirical studies), methods of analysis, criteria for evaluating the quality of your own work.

Identify where your study is extending existing knowledge (usually by conducting an appropriately systematic literature review in a style that fits your discipline)

Consider the strengths and weaknesses of your own work and others’ work.

Write sections of your thesis every week. Don’t leave writing to the end; you will severely reduce your chances of completing on time and completing with only minor corrections to do. Get into good rhythms of ‘read-think-write’-[repeat] and ‘think-do-think-write’-[repeat].

Complete your research study (or draw it to a close at a pre-determined time so that you can complete your degree on time). Check how your supervisors would prefer to see your thesis. Most would prefer to receive the chapter you have been working on one week, give you feedback the next week at your supervision meeting, while you work on another chapter. Expect supervisors to need 1-2 weeks to provide feedback on each chapter.

Give your supervisors a complete draft of your thesis no less than nine weeks before you intend to submit. Respond positively to their

2-24 month s

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feedback.

Prepare the thesis in line with the Style Guide for Research Degree

Theses and the Regulations for Research Degrees at http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/318539/SECTI ON-4-REGULATIONS-FOR-RESEARCH-DEGREES-2014-15-FINAL.pdf. Submit. Part 1 10 month s

FT students may submit their thesis after 10 months, PT students after 18 months. Don’t submit this early unless you have support from your supervisors. You don’t want to submit something that is not quite ready and end up with lots of corrections to do.

18 month s 12 month s

FT students should aim to submit the thesis by this time point. 24 month s PEP 13-15

month s

The ‘Pre-approved Extension Period’ (PEP) is provided in recognition of the unpredictability of the research degree journey. You may encounter delays to your project that are completely beyond your control. You may have a short period of illness, or some kind of crisis at home that slows your progress. The PEP will prevent you from running out of time in which to complete and submit your thesis. You should not plan your study so that it runs into the PEP; the additional time is for emergency use if things don’t go to plan. You will not pay fees for the first three months of the PEP period. PT students who have not yet entered the examination period will pay a third of the current annual fee, three months after the PEP starts. If in exceptional circumstances a student is granted an extension (see RDH, Section 5.Error! Reference source not found.), a fee payment will be due at three monthly intervals from the date of entering the PEP. If you reach the end of the PEP period without submitting your thesis for examination, the University will terminate your registration as a research degree student and you will not be permitted to submit a thesis.

25-30 month s

Examination

period The examination period lasts from the day the RGS accepts the submission of your thesis to the day that your examiners award or fail your degree. Most students spend at least four months in the examination period but it can last much longer.

11.3 MPhil typical journey

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree invites the student to explore a topic in depth, to extend his/her disciplinary and research knowledge, to learn research techniques and conduct a research study. MPhil students are guided by two research degree supervisors and where appropriate, additional advisers.

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Part

5 months FT Activities and milestones months PT

Part

1 1 month Initial registration6 and induction programme. Begin to work with your supervisors.

Start to refine your research degree proposal so that it will be viable for you to complete and it will also meet the assessment requirements for a research master’s degree (RDH, Appendix 1).

1 month

2-8

months Continue to refine and focus your study. _{Set up and attend regular supervision meetings (at least} once a month for full-time students, once every 2 months for part-time students). Submit or present work at least 1 week before each supervision meeting. Keep clear, brief supervision records on PebblePad+ or RGSonline.

Before you collect any data, submit your study proposal for ethics committee screening. This applies to all students’; it will determine whether you can collect data straight away, or you must wait for your proposal to be reviewed and approved by a research ethics committee (REC). If you make significant changes to your study after REC screening or REC approval, you must submit details of the changes to your study for further ethics committee screening and possibly an amendment to your ethical approval. There is more to research integrity than obtaining REC approval. All aspects of your study and related activities must be conducted ethically and in line with the expectations of the UK’s Concordat to

Support Research Integrity (see RDH, section 8.5).

Research is question-led and there must be good alignment between the research question(s), study aims/objectives, study design, methodology (overall research approach and philosophy), methods for data collection (or selection of sources for secondary research and non-empirical studies), methods of analysis, criteria for evaluating the quality of your own work. Identify where your study is extending existing knowledge (usually by conducting an appropriately systematic literature review in a style that fits your discipline)

Consider the strengths and weaknesses of your own work and others’ work.

Write sections of your thesis every week. Don’t leave writing to the end; you will severely reduce your chances of completing on time and completing with only minor corrections. Get into a good rhythm of ‘read-think-write’-[repeat] and ‘think-do-think-write’-[repeat].

2-16 months

5_{Full-time research degrees are divided into year-long ‘Parts’ up to the normal period of registration for the}

degree (for PT students each Part is longer).