RDC1
RESEARCH DEGREES SUB-COMMITTEE
APPLICATION TO REGISTER FOR A RESEARCH DEGREE
Submitted by the Faculty of........................................................................................................
(This form should be typewritten)
Applicants and their supervisors should consult the University's Regulations for the award of Research
Degrees before completing this form. Copies may be obtained from the University’s website or the Research
Degrees Administrator.
Name of Candidate
Research Award
(delete as appropriate)
MPhil
MPhil with possible transfer to PhD
PhD
(PhD on the basis of Published Work - apply on form RDC17)
Mode of Study
(full time or part time)
Title of the Research Project
Home Address
Correspondence Address
(if different)
Daytime Tel No
Email address
Date of enrolment on award
Start date requested for research
degree registration purposes.
The Research Degrees Sub-Committee will approve up to six months back-dating from the date of receipt of
the application. Requests for longer back-dating must be accompanied by a report of progress already
achieved and justification for retrospective registration, supported by your supervisory team.
Expected average weekly
commitment to the research
programme (in hours)
Expected submission date for the
thesis
(Please refer to the University
Regulations for minimum and maximum
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registration periods)
Intellectual Property Rights
Are there any IPR implications for this
research project?
If yes, please detail how they have
been, or will be, addressed.
Source of Financial Support
Give particulars of any studentship or
other award held in connection with the
proposed research programme
Details of Higher Education
qualifications gained
Institution attended, dates, award,
classification, etc.
If Masters award included a dissertation
research project provide title and word
length.
Training and experience
(include details of activities undertaken
[with dates] relevant to this application
and any research or other relevant
conference papers, articles, books etc
which have been published)
Will your programme of research be
largely conducted at the University?
Collaborating Establishment
If appropriate, give full address.
Attach:
 A letter of support.
 A statement of contingency
measures.

RESEARCH TRAINING AND RELATED STUDIES
Please give details below of when you completed, or when you expect to complete the
University Postgraduate Certificate in Research Methods course.
Also provide details of any additional research training and how this has prepared, or will
prepare you for the research project.
If you believe your previous education and experience would permit you to claim a full
exemption from the PgCRM, you must complete the Exemption Form (available from your
Faculty research degrees administrators) and attach it to this RDC1. (Partial exemptions are
handled through the PgCRM learning contract.)
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
FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR THE INVESTIGATION (including funding and location).
Please indicate the facilities/resources available for the research project, and any additional
facilities/resources that the Faculty or University is required to provide. Please indicate the
proportion of time to be spent working at the University and any Collaborating Establishment. If
it is proposed that part of your programme of work will take place outside Staffordshire
University, please specify the facilities/resources available to you at the partner or collaborating
establishment.
NB: In the case of any collaborative work the RDC1 must be accompanied by a letter confirming the
collaboration and the availability of facilities/resources in support of the project. In addition, the student
and his supervisors must give details of contingency measures to deal with possible changes of the
collaboration which could have a detrimental impact on the research programme (for example if the
Collaborating Establishment ceases operating, decides to withdraw its support, changes its project
requirements, etc). The statement of contingency measures must show that successful completion of the
programme is not coupled tightly to the collaboration.
 ETHICS
For the purposes of ethical approval you must as a minimum complete the Fast Track Form
(available from the University Academic Ethics web page). The Fast Track form acts as a filter
and once completed you will be able to identify whether you should complete a full University
ethics form for your Faculty Ethics Committee or an Independent Peer Review form for the
University IPR Panel. If you are applying to an external body such as the NHS, Social Care or
the Ministry of Justice, you will need to complete the IPR form.
If you are completing the full University Ethics Form of applying for ethical approval externally
subsequent to the submission of your RDC1 you must notify the Faculty Research Degrees
Administrator when you have received your final approval.
I/We confirm that ethical implications concerned with the proposed research programme have
been considered by the Candidate and the Supervision Team and where appropriate, a full
application to an Ethics Committee (eg Faculty, University, NHS) has or will be made when the
complete details of the research programme are known:
Ethical approval (delete as necessary):
Not Applicable (append the completed Fast Track form)
Applicable - approved - provide details of application(s) and outcomes(s) and append
documents
Applicable - to be approved - provide details
Signatures:
Candidate: …………………………………
Date: … …………..
Principal Supervisor: ……………………………… Date: ……………...

RISK ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
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In completing this section the supervision team should consult the guidance available on the
University’s Health & Safety website:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/support_depts/healthandsafety/index.jsp. In particular the University’s
Health and Safety Policy identifies the responsibilities of academic staff. Supervisors should note
that this responsibility cannot be discharged by relying upon the research student’s perceived
competence. Supervision teams will find in addition to information on laboratory and studio-based
risks this website contains important health and safety guidance likely to be of relevant to most
subject areas e.g. on lone working, field work and working overseas.
The Principal Supervisor should identify areas of work in the following risk categories:
A =
Those where work may not be undertaken without direct supervision;
B =
Those where work may not be started without the supervisor's advice and approval;
C =
Activities which can only be undertaken unsupervised after appropriate training.
D =
Those with risks (other than categories A & B) where extra care must be observed,
but where it is considered that this student is already adequately trained and
competent in the procedures involved;
E =
Those where the risks are insignificant and carry no special supervision
considerations.
The nature of the risks should be defined, e.g. lone working, toxicity, explosion, fieldwork risks
(e.g. risks from respondents, travelling risks), high-voltage, lasers, flammability etc.
Instructions and advice should include the method of work and the safeguards (e.g. personal
safety training; access to panic buttons and mobile phones) to be used.
The person who is to supervise A and B risks should be identified
Nature and Method of
Work
Signatures:
Hazards/Risks
Safeguards/
Training
Requirements
Candidate: …………………………………
Category
Assigne
d
Date: … …………..
Principal Supervisor: ……………………………… Date: ……………...

PROPOSED PLAN OF WORK
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You must submit a proposed plan of work with this application. It must include details on the
following sections:
1.
Aims of the investigation
2.
Objectives of the project
3.
Context of the investigation
4.
Theoretical basis
5.
Methods of investigation
6.
Timescale
7.
Expected outcome or outcomes
8.
References
9.
Bibliography
Plan of work guidelines:
PLEASE INCLUDE A 400 WORD (MAXIMUM) SYNPOSIS OF THE RESEACH PROJECT
FOR THE LAY READER
1. FOR THE PLAN OF WORK: A maximum of 2,500 words should be used. A student may
use fewer words if they choose to do so, but may not use more.
2. Use Arial font - size 11
3. Footnotes should be used to provide a reference / citation for the reader. A short and brief
explanation (if one is required of a particular point) may be included, but should be used
only where necessary and not to circumvent the word limit.
4. The references / bibliography required are not included in the word limit of 2,500 words
permitted, but should not exceed three pages and should adhere to the Arial font – size 11
stipulation.
5. The time-line for the project is not included in the word-limit.
6. Tables and diagrams are not included in word limits but should be used only to explain and
enhance as necessary and not as an attempt to circumvent the limit.

SUPERVISION OF THE PROGRAMME OF WORK
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INTERNAL SUPERVISORS - a Supervisors CV proforma must be submitted for each supervisor
(available from the Research Awards Administrator). Other forms of C.V. will NOT be accepted.
Name of Principal Supervisor
Department and Faculty
Email address
Area(s) of subject expertise
Number of registered research degree candidates
currently supervised
Number of candidates previously supervised to
successful completion
Undertaken the University’s Research Supervisors
Training Module, and actively researching
MPhil
PhD
MPhil
PhD
YES / NO / IN PROGRESS
(If yes, date of successful
completion)
Name of Supervisor
Department and Faculty
Email address
Area(s) of subject expertise
Number of registered research degree candidates
currently supervised
Number of candidates previously supervised to
successful completion
Undertaken the University’s Research Supervisors
Training Module, and actively researching
MPhil
PhD
MPhil
PhD
YES / NO / IN PROGRESS
(If yes, date of successful
completion)
Name of Supervisor
Department and Faculty
Email address
Area(s) of subject expertise
Number of registered research degree candidates
currently supervised
Number of candidates previously supervised to
successful completion
Undertaken the University’s Research Supervisors
Training Module, and actively researching
MPhil
PhD
MPhil
PhD
YES / NO / IN PROGRESS
(If yes, date of successful
completion)
EXTERNAL SUPERVISOR/ADVISER (if appropriate)
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If the bulk of the programme of research is to be conducted outside Staffordshire University,
candidates must have a supervisor based at the institution or body at which the research will be
carried out.
Please include details of External Supervisors/Advisers below - a Supervisors CV proforma must
be submitted for each supervisor/adviser (available from the Research Awards Administrator).
Other forms of C.V. will NOT be accepted.
-------------------SUPERVISORS WHO ARE ALSO RESEARCH STUDENTS
Are any of the proposed supervisors simultaneously registered as research students in their own
right?
YES/NO
If yes, please name them below:

CONFIDENTIALITY
(Period approved will normally not exceed two years from the date of the oral examination)
Is permission sought for the thesis to be kept confidential?
YES/NO
If yes, written justification must accompany the application.
STATEMENT BY THE APPLICANT
On the basis of the proposals given in this application, I wish to apply for registration for the degree
of: (delete appropriate)
MPhil
MPhil with transfer possibility to PhD
Direct PhD
I confirm that all the information given is correct.
I understand that, except with the specific permission of the Research Degrees Committee, I may
not, during the period of my registration, be a candidate for another research award.
I understand that, except with the specific permission of the Research Degrees Committee, I must
write and defend my thesis in English.
Signed: ....................................................................... Date: ......................................................
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RECOMMENDATION BY THE SUPERVISORS
We support this application and believe that the applicant has the potential to successfully
complete the programme of work proposed within the University’s maximum registration period.
We recommend that the applicant be registered as a candidate for a research degree.
We confirm also that in the case of any supervisor who is also a student in their own right, there is
no conflict of interest between their own research and the proposed research of this student.
Signed: ....................................................................... Date: ......................................................
Signed: ....................................................................... Date: ......................................................
Signed: ....................................................................... Date: ......................................................
FACULTY SUPPORT
I support this application and confirm the Faculty will ensure the specified resources (on page 3)
are made available for the planned duration of the project.
Signed: ............................................. Print Name: …………………………
(Faculty Associate Dean – Scholarship, Enterprise and Research)
Date: ...................
APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF
MPHIL or MPHIL WITH POSSIBLE TRANSFER TO PHD
The Faculty Research Degrees Committee has approved the application for the award of:
MPhil
-
Registration effective from:
-
Registration effective from:
or
MPhil with possible transfer to PhD
Signed: ................................................ Print Name: …………………………
(Chair: Faculty Research Degrees Committee)
2013
Research Degrees
Date: ...................
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APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF DIRECT PHD
The faculty supports the registration for direct PhD – please attach faculty rapporteur reports.
Signed: .................................................. Print Name: …………………………
(Chair: Faculty Research Degrees Committee)
Date: ...................
The University's Research Degrees Sub-Committee has approved the application for the award of :
PhD
-
Registration effective from:
Signed: ................................................. Print Name: …………………………
(Chair: University’s Research Degrees Sub-Committee)
2013
Research Degrees
Date: ...................
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