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THE MANAGEMENT OF GRADUATE EDUCATION IN THE FACULTY
1. Each School will appoint one Director of Graduate Studies who will be responsible to the Head of School for the co-ordination of graduate affairs within the School and for the management of graduate education in the School. Directors of Graduate Studies will have particular responsibility in the areas of postgraduate admissions, monitoring of student progress and the oversight of any changes in registration. In addition, Directors of Graduate Studies will ensure that these changes are reported to the Graduate Studies. Further responsibilities for Directors of Graduate Studies are outlined in the University and Faculty Codes of Practice for Research and Taught Programmes of Study.
All applications for the degree programmes of a specific School will be passed from the Student Office to the relevant Director of Graduate Studies. It will be for the Directors of Graduate Studies to establish procedures within the Schools for the review and consideration of applications in consultation with the appropriate subject representative/MA programme director/potential supervisor. No offers of admission will be made without the direct approval of the appropriate Director of Graduate Studies.
Applicants who hold a UK degree, class 2.2 or better may be admitted at the discretion of the School's Director of Graduate Studies. Any application from an applicant who holds a UK degree, below 2.2 will be reviewed by the Chair of the Learning and Teaching Committee in respect of admissions to taught programmes and by the Chair of the Research Committee in respect of research programmes.
All applications from applicants who hold foreign qualifications will be reviewed by the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee.
Progress report forms and coursework evaluation forms will be disseminated and processed within Schools. Directors of Graduate Studies will review all progress report forms and coursework evaluation forms unless the Director of Graduate Studies is the supervisor or MA director/module convenor, in which case these documents will be passed to the Chair of the Research Committee for review.
Any problems arising from the review of these documents or in relation to supervision should be addressed by the Director of Graduate Studies in conjunction with the Head of School.
Directors of Graduate Studies are to report to the Graduate Studies Committee in the Spring term.
The report will address:
- the submission of bi-annual report forms,
- whether there are any difficulties,
- the remedies to be followed in cases of difficulties,
- anticipated submission date.
Permission to be absent from the University for fieldwork should be sought from the Director of Graduate Studies who should be satisfied that the appropriate facilities for research are available and arrangements for supervision are satisfactory. Requests for a reduction in fees for periods spent away from the University must gain the approval of the Finance & Resources Committee.
Transfers
It is the responsibility of the Director of Graduate Studies to ensure that the transfer procedures as outlined in the Faculty's Code of Practice are adhered to. Each School will normally have a publicised "upgrading" period during which all students will generally submit and present work for consideration for upgrading.
Full-time to Part-time
Directors of Graduate Studies are empowered to allow students to transfer from full-time to part-time and vice versa as long as the Director of Graduate Studies is satisfied that the candidate will be able to satisfactorily complete the degree in the new format.
Note: Any students who are supported by the British Academy or a Research Council must have their case reviewed by the Chair of the Learning and Teaching Committee in respect of coursework students and by the Chair of the Research Committee in respect of research students.
Directors of Graduate Studies are empowered to grant intermissions for no more than six months for research students and no more than 12 months (one academic year) for coursework students on medical grounds and in grave and exceptional circumstances only.
Any further periods of intermission will require the approval of the Chair of the Learning and Teaching Committee in respect of coursework students and by the Chair of the Research Committee in respect of research students.
Note 1: Intermission may only be granted for medical reasons or other good cause. Supporting evidence should be provided in all cases.
Note 2: Any students who are supported by the British Academy or a Research Council must have their case reviewed by the Chair of the Learning and Teaching Committee in respect of coursework students and by the Chair of the Research Committee in respect of research students.
2.6 Extensions in the Submission of Theses and Dissertations
Directors of Graduate Studies are empowered to grant extensions of no more than six months for research students and no more than three months for coursework students on medical grounds and in grave and exceptional circumstances only.
Any further extensions will require the approval of the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee.
Note 1: Approval for requests for extensions should not be granted unless there is supporting evidence (i.e. medical certificates). The absence of a supervisor, difficulties in arranging access to information, people or organisations and the like; or problems with production of the thesis (i.e. difficulties with word processors or typists) will not constitute exceptional circumstances.
Note 2: Any students who are supported by the British Academy or a Research Council must have their case reviewed by the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee.
Directors of Graduate Studies shall be responsible, with the appropriate MA programme director, for the appointment of an external examiner/s for each taught postgraduate programme in the School. It will be for the Director of Graduate Studies to recommend this appointment for approval to the Dean on behalf of the Faculty and the Pro Vice-Chancellor on behalf of Senate and Council.
The Directors of Graduate Studies are also responsible for the appointment of examiners for postgraduate research students. These appointments will be made in conjunction with the student's supervisor. As above, it will be for the Director of Graduate Studies to recommend this appointment to the Dean and the Pro Vice-Chancellor for approval.
Schools will be required to report all changes in status and registration to the Faculty Graduate Studies Committee.