Section C: Collaborative supervision
Prerequisites
It is likely that Collaborative supervision will have been agreed project was first proposed.
However a collaborative arrangement may be introduced at a later stage, for example if a
main supervisor moves to another institution. The collaborative project may form part of a
wider agreement between the University and a non-HEI partner (i.e. CASE) or between HEIs
(e.g. Doctoral Training Partnership or a split-site PhD). In these circumstances a legal
agreement may already have been produced by Research Innovation Enterprise and
Services (RIES), and this process seeks to complement these existing arrangements.
Regardless of whether the project is part of a broader partnership, a separate collaborative
supervision agreement should be completed for each research student.
Approval Process
All proposals for collaborative supervision must follow the approval procedure shown in the
Flowchart.
Collaborative Supervision Arrangements Form
PURPOSE: The Collaborative Supervision Arrangements Form is designed to ensure a
student that is part of a collaborative project will not be disadvantaged in any way in
comparison to a student who is solely based at or supervised by Cardiff University. The
information provided in the form should clearly set out the arrangements that need to be in
place to safeguard the collaborative research project and the student experience.
The form should be completed by the proposer(s), and the details should be agreed with the
partner. The partner supervisor and Head of School (or equivalent) is also required to sign
the form to show that they have read and agree to the arrangements for collaborative
supervision. Once completed, the form should be given to the Head of School for approval.
Fee arrangements
If fee waivers form part of the proposed arrangement then, in addition to the Head of School,
the Head of College must be involved in the approval process. As such, proposers are
encouraged to speak to the Head of College at an early stage in the process to determine
the feasibility of their proposal.
Head of School/College Approval
If the Head of School (and Head of College where alternative fee arrangements are
proposed) is not satisfied that the arrangements are adequate then they should refer the
form back to the proposer(s) with comments about how to address any issues. If the Head of
School (and Head of College where applicable) approves the proposed arrangements then
the proposer(s) and partners should be informed by the School. The post-approval section,
below, indicates the necessary steps following approval.
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Post Approval
Having secured the approval of the Head of School and signed agreement from the
collaborating partner(s), the collaboration should be recorded on the School register of CP
activity and filed for future reference. Two copies of the form should be provided to the
student as soon as possible. Both copies should be signed by the student before one is
returned to the School and the other is retained by the student. This is an important step in
the process for Collaborative Supervision as it demonstrates the student is aware of the
arrangements for their supervision and provides key information about what they can expect
from the collaboration.
In addition, students that will spend a period of time away from Cardiff must be apprised of
the contact details of the person responsible for him/her while they are based at the
collaborating partner.
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Collaborative
supervision
(Individuals)
Existing project
Initiated
Develop details of
arrangements
Draft collaborative
supervision agreement
form
Consultation with partner
Collaborative
supervision agreement
HoS(s)
approval
HoC(s)
approval
(if applicable)
Student signs to
acknowledge agreement
and is provided with copy
of Agreement Form
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Key documentation
The following documentation should help to guide those seeking approval for collaborative
research degrees.
Information on research degree study:
The Code of Practice for Research Degrees (http://learning.cf.ac.uk/quality/pgr/code/) details
Cardiff University’s expectations and requirements for research degree study and should be
adhered to for all proposals for single awards of Cardiff University. In the case of Joint
Awards, it is our expectation that the proposed arrangements should be closely aligned with
the principles of the Code of Practice.
Cardiff University’s Senate Regulations (http://learning.cf.ac.uk/quality/regs/) covers a
number of regulations specific to Research Degree study: Criteria for the award of Research
Degrees, Progress Monitoring, Examination Procedure, Absence, Extenuating
Circumstances, and Appeals.
The QAA’s Quality Code, Chapter B11
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/quality-code-B11.pdf sets out the QAA’s
expectations and indicators of best practice in relation to Research Degree study at UK
Higher Education providers.
Information on collaboration:
The Collaborative Provision Policy Framework
(http://learning.cf.ac.uk/quality/provisionothers/) sets out Cardiff University’s policy on
collaboration more broadly, and provides useful information about the purpose of a number
of key documents such as the Initial Concept Form, Business Case and Due Diligence.
The QAA’s Quality Code, Chapter B10
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/quality-code-B10.pdf) sets out the QAA’s
expectations and indicators of best practice in relation to collaboration with partners in UK
Higher Education providers.
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