Postgraduate Research Support
Consultation on options for change
Why is change needed?
Leeds has a stated ambition to achieve an influential world-leading research profile - which
involves delivering a postgraduate research experience that attracts the world’s best
students. We know that we have work to do to achieve this ambition:
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We are 23rd in the Russell Group in terms of proportion of PGR students in the total
student body.
We currently have 1.45 PGR students per academic fte, against our target of 1.8.
We are 18th in the Russell Group in terms of PGR students per academic fte.
We are not yet meeting our strategic targets for PGR completion rates.
We are also facing challenges in the external environment, which will make it harder than
ever to improve on these measures, including:
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the impact of increased tuition fees for taught students
increased international competition
Home Office restrictions on international students
increasing demands from Research Councils and other PGR funders.
We know we have room for improvement in our PGR student support, for example
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In the 2011 HEFCE Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) 69.3% of
respondents agreed that they had suitable working space; 67.5% that they had the
technical support they needed; and only 57.6% that they had appropriate financial
support.
A May 2012 Postgraduate Marketing Survey highlighted shortcomings in the PGR
application process and turnaround times for scholarship applications.
We need a comprehensive and coherent institutional response to these challenges: one that
exemplifies a approach to operating PGR processes consistently across functional and
divisional boundaries, aligning with changes in Student Educations Services whilst also
maintaining a distinctive experience for our postgraduate research students.
What do we need to do?
Our objectives for PGR support are to
 increase our ability to attract high-quality researchers
 support our PGR students well, academically and pastorally
 ensure that PGR students develop vital skills for research, employment,
entrepreneurship and citizenship
 work effectively with Careers, SDDU, the Library, and others to equip PGR students
for a range of careers
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collaborate with private and public sector partners where this will benefit PGR
education and support
promote Leeds within the external funding environment
provide consistent and efficient PGR support processes
reflect a ‘one university’ culture
reduce the bureaucratic load on staff
adopt sustainable and consistent IT systems
attract and retain high-quality staff
What steps have we taken so far?
Since April 2012 we have been consulting widely across the University on the need and
options for improvement. The Graduate Board, Directors, managers and co-ordinators of
Graduate Schools, Directors of Student Education, Directors of PGR Studies, Faculty
Education Service Managers, and the Research and Innovation Board, have all been
involved in these discussions.
As a result of these discussions, five options for change have emerged:
1
A more coherent and formalised central ‘hub’ with nine consistent faculty units
2a
A more coherent centre with fewer faculty units, which will be aligned with
Research Councils
2b
A more coherent centre with fewer and cognate faculty units
2c
A more coherent centre with two faculty-level units, for STEM and HSS/Arts
3
A single, central University support unit
Diagrams showing the structure envisaged under each of these options are attached.
Where can I find out more?
You can find more detailed information about the five options for change at
www.leeds.ac.uk/student_education_service/pgr_update.html
What do I need to do?
Take this opportunity to let us know your views on the options for change. Tell us which of
them you think will best enable us to achieve these objectives? Why?
Please send your comments to Sally Edwards (s.edwards@adm.leeds.ac.uk) by
10 December 2012.
What happens next?
By the end of December we will have received feedback from staff across the University
enabling us to identify the preferred option for change. We will then report back to the
Faculty Management Group and to the Senate by the end of February 2013. Keep an eye
on the Student Education Service website and on the Reporter Gazette report of the
February Senate meeting. In the meantime, the options will be discussed at various forums
at the University and faculties, including Faculty Graduate School Committees attended by
postgraduate research tutors.
ANNEX: One-page outlines for each option
PGR SUPPORT STRUCTURE OPTION 1
- more coherent centre + nine more coherent and consistent faculty units
Ownership* of Postgraduate Research Processes and Functions
School
(Department, Institute)
Postgraduate Research Tutor
School PGR Committee
Faculty
PGR
unit
Faculty
PGR
unit
Faculty
PGR
unit
Faculty
PGR
unit
Faculty
PGR
unit
Faculty
PGR
unit
Faculty
PGR
unit
Faculty
PGR
unit
Faculty
PGR
unit
X 9 Faculty Directors for PGR Studies
X 9 Faculty PGR Committees
University Centre
Dean for PGR Studies
Graduate Board
+ groups
School strategy & planning
& planning / review exercises
School strategic planning
& planning / review exercises
Strategy / strategic planning
Approve supervision and projects
(facilities)
Operationalisation of policy
Policy
Seminars
Admissions and examinations
- external examiners
Quality Assurance:
institutional oversight of exams, transfer,
supervisory processes, admissions...
Approve supervision and projects
(facilities)
Transfer
Appeals and formal complaints
Social events
Scholarships
URS...
Scholarships
- institutional level – LIRS, some RCs...
Pastoral support
Attendance monitoring
Funding
Specialist training provision
Monitoring training & pogrammes
Researcher training
- Training programmes via ‘hubs’
Registration & enrolment
Student recruitment
Careers & Employability
School scholarships
Marketing
& recruitment-
Marketing
- international, scholarships, web sites,
open days...
Supervisor / research information
to prospective students
Induction
- faculty literature
Institutional induction and HR policy
PGR student induction
Liaison with / co-management of
DTCs / CDTs
Institutional networking
Facilities provision
Faculty administrative office
Central space
e.g. training, PGR facilities, networking...
*Note – ‘ownership’ of a process or function here refers to responsibility for achievement of a standardised and effective process;
the process or activity may be carried out elsewhere.
PGR SUPPORT STRUCTURE OPTION 2.a.
- more coherent centre + fewer faculty PGR support units aligned with Research Councils
Ownership* of Postgraduate Research Processes and Functions
School
(Department, Institute)
Postgraduate Research Tutor
School PGR Committee
Arts &
PVAC
(AHRC)
LUBS &
ESSL
(ESRC)
Maps &
Eng
(EPSRC)
Environment
(NERC)
FMH
(MRC)
FBS
(BBSRC)
X 6-9 Directors for PGR Studies
X 6 PGR Committees
University Centre
Dean for PGR Studies
Graduate Board
+ groups
School strategy & planning
& planning / review exercises
School strategic planning
& planning / review exercises
Strategy / strategic planning
Approve supervision and projects
(facilities)
Operationalisation of policy
Policy
Seminars
Admissions and examinations
- external examiners
Quality Assurance:
institutional oversight of exams, transfer,
supervisory processes, admissions...
Approve supervision and projects
(facilities)
Transfer
Appeals and formal complaints
Social events
Scholarships
URS...
Scholarships
- institutional level – LIRS, some RCs...
Pastoral support
Attendance monitoring
Funding
Specialist training provision
Monitoring training & pogrammes
Researcher training
- Training programmes via ‘hubs’
Registration & enrolment
Student recruitment
Careers & Employability
School scholarships
Marketing
& recruitment-
Marketing
- international, scholarships, web sites,
open days...
Supervisor / research information
to prospective students
Induction
- faculty literature
Institutional induction and HR policy
PGR student induction
Liaison with / co-management of
DTCs / CDTs
Institutional networking
Facilities provision
Faculty administrative office
Central space
e.g. training, PGR facilities, networking...
*Note – ‘ownership’ of a process or function here refers to responsibility for achievement of a standardised and effective process;
the process or activity may be carried out elsewhere.
PGR SUPPORT STRUCTURE OPTION 2.b.
- more coherent centre + fewer, cognate faculty PGR support units
Ownership* of Postgraduate Research Processes and Functions
School
(Department, Institute)
Postgraduate Research Tutor
School PGR Committee
Arts &
Humanities
Social
Sciences
Sciences &
Natural &
Engineering Life Science
Medicine
E.g. 5 Directors for PGR Studies
E.g. 5 PGR Committees
University Centre
Dean for PGR Studies
Graduate Board
+ groups
School strategy & planning
& planning / review exercises
School strategic planning
& planning / review exercises
Strategy / strategic planning
Approve supervision and projects
(facilities)
Operationalisation of policy
Policy
Seminars
Admissions and examinations
- external examiners
Quality Assurance:
institutional oversight of exams, transfer,
supervisory processes, admissions...
Approve supervision and projects
(facilities)
Transfer
Appeals and formal complaints
Social events
Scholarships
URS...
Scholarships
- institutional level – LIRS, some RCs...
Pastoral support
Attendance monitoring
Funding
Specialist training provision
Monitoring training & pogrammes
Researcher training
- Training programmes via ‘hubs’
Registration & enrolment
Student recruitment
Careers & Employability
School scholarships
Marketing
& recruitment-
Marketing
- international, scholarships, web sites,
open days...
Supervisor / research information
to prospective students
Induction
- faculty literature
Institutional induction and HR policy
PGR student induction
Liaison with / co-management of
DTCs / CDTs
Institutional networking
Facilities provision
Faculty administrative office
Central space
e.g. training, PGR facilities, networking...
*Note – ‘ownership’ of a process or function here refers to responsibility for achievement of a standardised and effective process;
the process or activity may be carried out elsewhere.
PGR SUPPORT STRUCTURE OPTION 2.c.
- more coherent centre + two faculty level units
Ownership* of Postgraduate Research Processes and Functions
School
(Department, Institute)
Postgraduate Research Tutor
School PGR Committee
Humanities, Social
Sciences & Arts
Science, Technology,
Mathematics &
Medicine
9 Directors for PGR Studies
STEMM Committee
HSSA Committee
University Centre
Dean for PGR Studies
Graduate Board
+ groups
School strategy & planning
& planning / review exercises
School strategic planning
& planning / review exercises
Strategy / strategic planning
Approve supervision and projects
(facilities)
Operationalisation of policy
Policy
Seminars
Admissions and examinations
- external examiners
Quality Assurance:
institutional oversight of exams, transfer,
supervisory processes, admissions...
Approve supervision and projects
(facilities)
Transfer
Appeals and formal complaints
Social events
Scholarships
URS...
Scholarships
- institutional level – LIRS, some RCs...
Pastoral support
Attendance monitoring
Funding
Specialist training provision
Monitoring training & pogrammes
Researcher training
- Training programmes via ‘hubs’
Registration & enrolment
Student recruitment
Careers & Employability
School scholarships
Marketing
& recruitment-
Marketing
- international, scholarships, web sites,
open days...
Supervisor / research information
to prospective students
Induction
- faculty literature
Institutional induction and HR policy
PGR student induction
Liaison with / co-management of
DTCs / CDTs
Institutional networking
Facilities provision
Faculty administrative office
Central space
e.g. training, PGR facilities, networking...
*Note – ‘ownership’ of a process or function here refers to responsibility for achievement of a standardised and effective process;
the process or activity may be carried out elsewhere.
PGR SUPPORT STRUCTURE OPTION 3
- single central University support unit
Ownership* of Postgraduate Research Processes and Functions
School
(Department, Institute)
Postgraduate Research Tutor
University Centre
Dean for PGR Studies
9 Faculty Directors for PGR Studies
School PGR Committee
School strategy & planning
& planning / review exercises
School strategic planning
& planning / review exercises
Approve supervision and projects
(facilities)
Operationalisation of policy
Faculty Directors PGR
report to Faculty
Deans, implement
policy and work with
PGRTs, but work
closely with PGR
Dean and on
University level activity
Graduate Board
+ groups
Strategy / strategic planning
Policy
Seminars
Quality Assurance:
institutional oversight of exams, transfer,
supervisory processes, admissions...
Approve supervision and projects
(facilities)
Appeals and formal complaints
Social events
Admissions and examinations
- external examiners
Pastoral support
Scholarships & Funding
Specialist training provision
Researcher training
- Training programmes via ‘hubs’
Registration & enrolment
Careers & Employability
School scholarships
Marketing
& Recruitment
Supervisor / research information
to prospective students
Transfer
PGR student induction
Institutional induction and HR policy
Facilities provision
Oversight of attendance monitoring
Liaison and coordination with DTCs etc.
*Note – ‘ownership’ of a process or function here refers to responsibility for achievement of a standardised and effective process;
the process or activity may be carried out elsewhere.
Central space, facilities
& Networking