Procedures for the Registration of Independent Distant Research Students
1. Definition of an Independent Distant Student
A student resident overseas carrying out research independently who is not in attendance at
the University and who, other than fulfilling any minimum attendance requirement, will not
regularly attend the University.
2. Procedures and Guidelines for the Registration of Independent Distant Students
(1) Admission
The admission of an independent distant student must be approved by the Director of
Doctoral Studies who must be satisfied that there is an adequate research and learning
environment.
(2) Learning Environment
Prior to admission, it must be demonstrated that the independent distant student will have
access to:
(1) an appropriate research environment (such as having other researchers);
(2) the associated infrastructure including relevant equipment and learning
resources;
(3) social and working environments conducive to postgraduate research study;
(4) relevant and necessary facilities to be available for the whole calendar year.
In providing evidence of an appropriate infrastructure and environment, the proponent
should use Indicator 4 from Chapter B11 of the QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education,
Chapter B11 on ‘Research Degrees’ and relate evidence to the types of factors/indicators
specified in the Indicator.
(3) English Language
An Independent Distant Student will need to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the relevant
Director of Doctoral Studies that he or she is sufficiently competent in the English language
before registration is permitted.
(4) Registration
An Independent Distant Student will be registered in a 'distant' category and the minimum
and maximum registration periods associated with full-time registration will apply without
exception. Only overseas students (including EU students) will be permitted to register as
Independent Distant Students.
(5) Fees
A minimum of 65% of the equivalent full-time registration fee should normally be set for
Independent Distant Students. In consultation with the Finance Office, Schools should be
free to negotiate fee levels above or below this figure. Any such fee will need to apply to all
students on a given programme. The normal full-time registration fee should be charged for
any periods spent in attendance at the University.
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6. Attendance
An Independent Distant Student is required to spend a minimum period of one term at the
University during the course of his or her studies. The Director of Doctoral Studies may
specify a longer attendance period, depending on the requirements of the research
programme. A provisional timetable for completion of the required period of attendance
should be agreed at the outset by the student and the supervisor and be approved by the
Director of Doctoral Studies.
7. Research Supervision
Arrangements for the supervision of Independent Distant Students must adhere to the
Procedures for the supervision of independent distant research students (see Appendix 1
below). Schools must demonstrate this in any submission to the Doctoral School
Committee. Schools will submit periodic reports to the Doctoral School Committee on the
number of registered Independent Distant Students.
8. Development of research and other skills
The proponent must establish to the satisfaction of the Director of Doctoral Studies that the
independent distant student can be provided (by the University or other institutions) with
appropriate opportunities for personal and professional development commensurate with the
University’s Researcher Development Programme.
Appendix 1
Procedures for the supervision of independent distant research students
The following procedures are designed to ensure that the supervision of Independent Distant
Students reflects the principles of the University’s approved Code of Practice for Research
Degree Programmes. Directors of Doctoral Studies must ensure that any arrangements for
the supervision of Independent Distant Students adhere to these procedures.
1. Number of Students
The maximum number of Independent Distant Students that a supervisor may supervise at
any given time is two.
2. Frequency of Supervision
As a minimum, the main supervisor should meet the Independent Distant Student at least
once each year and communicate at least monthly by other means to discuss the research
project.
Each School or Centre should have pre-specified, appropriate back-up supervisory
arrangements in place (in case these become necessary for whatever reason).
3. Academic Direction of the Research Project/Supervision Arrangements
The main supervisor is responsible for establishing at the beginning of the student’s
research programme a satisfactory framework for supervision, including arrangements for
meeting with the student, and, if the student is jointly supervised, the relative participation of
the two supervisors.
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The supervisor’s roles and responsibilities are as set out in Responsibilities of Research
Degree Supervisors in the University’s Code of Practice.
4. Induction
Schools should ensure that arrangements for induction are made and that students receive
copies of these procedures, and the University’s Code of Practice, at induction.
5. Monitoring of Progress
(1) Annual Progress Reports and Annual Review Meetings
As required under the University’s Code of Practice, supervisors and students should submit
to Directors of Doctoral Studies (or nominees) written Annual Progress Reports (students
should have the right to see and challenge the report submitted by their supervisors). Each
School or Centre should have a mechanism in place for pursuing any unresolved problems
arising from the Report.
Following submission of the Report, students should have a concrete idea of how the
research is progressing, definite objectives for the coming year and a timetable for achieving
the objectives.
(2) Informal Monitoring
Each School must have procedures in place for ensuring that both student and supervisor
are content with progress and whether, in the estimation of both, the work is likely to be
completed within the maximum registration period permitted.
6. Other Procedures
Arrangements for procedures for transfer from MPhil to DPhil, request for a change of
supervisor, complaints and appeals procedures should follow the text set out in the
University’s Code of Practice.
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