UNIVERSITY OF KENT
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
KENT BUSINESS SCHOOL
Research Programme: MSc/MPhil/PhD Industrial Relations
1.
Award and Title
MSc/MPhil/PhD: Industrial Relations
2.
Length and Mode of Registration
Masters by Research and Thesis
Full – Time (one year)
Part – Time (two years)
Doctor of Philosophy
Full-Time (three to four years)
Part-Time (five to six years)
Master of Philosophy
Full-Time (two years)
Part-Time (three years)
3.
Entry Requirements
The normal minimum entrance requirement for the registration for MSc/MPhil/PhD in
Industrial Relations is either:
a) A good honours degree (at least upper second) in a relevant discipline of a UK
university or an equivalent standard obtained overseas from an overseas institution.
or
b) A relevant Masters level degree from a UK University or an equivalent standard
obtained overseas.
An applicant for registration must produce satisfactory evidence of having attained a
standard equivalent to that demanded in a) or b) above.
Applications for admission to postgraduate research will be considered by the School
Director of Graduate Studies (with responsibility for research programmes of study) and at
least one potential supervisor(s). The School Director of Graduate Studies (with responsibility
for research programmes of study) will give careful consideration to the suitability and
qualifications of applicants and will be satisfied that appropriate expertise for supervision and
adequate resources for the proper conduct of the research will be available. Before a formal
offer is made, applicants will be interviewed by the proposed supervisor(s).
Where the applicant’s first language is not English, evidence will be required of proficiency in
written and spoken English based on standards required by the University at the time of
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admission and published in its prospectus. If the candidate comes from a country where
substantial part of education is delivered in English, the School Director of Graduate Studies
(with responsibility for research programmes of study) in consultation with the supervisor/s
and subject to Faculty approval may exempt the candidate from the requirement of a formal
certificate in English. Where further English language training is required, the School Director
of Graduate Studies (with responsibility for research programmes of study) will ensure that
appropriate arrangements are made.
4.
Campus
Medway and Canterbury
5.
Anticipated Total Student Registrations
Between 3 and 6 students per annum. In most cases funding will be provided by the
candidates themselves (self-funded), University of Kent scholarships or via externally
generated research grants from the UK Research Councils (e.g. ESRC through the South
East DTC Consortium).
6.
Programme Management
School responsible for management of the programme: Kent Business School
The management of the programme will be overseen by the School Director of Graduate
Studies with responsibility for research programmes of study and the School Graduate
Studies Committee as well as the School Research Committee. The management of the
programme will also be reviewed at Faculty and Institutional levels by the Faculty Graduate
Studies Committee and the Graduate School Board as outlined in the University’s Code of
Practice for the Quality Assurance for Research Programmes of Study (see:
http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/index.html?tab=research-programmes).
7.
Proposed Start Date
Original start date: 1980. Latest update: February 2015.
8.
Opportunity and Need
Application rates for this programme have traditionally been very high with approximately 400
applications in 2013/14 (from 152 in 2008/9) indicating demand for the programme. The PhD
programme supports the University mission as follows:
Provide higher education of excellent quality
 characterised by flexibility and interdisciplinarity (e.g. by supporting co-supervisions with
other University of Kent schools)
 informed by research and scholarship (the KBS research degrees programme only
appoints excellent researchers as supervisors and provides students with a rigorous
methodology training)
Enlarge knowledge by research to standards achieving international recognition.
9.
Aims and Objectives
The general programme aims are identical with the aims of the existing MSc/MPhil/PhD
programmes in KBS:
 to foster doctoral research of the highest quality, which complements the School’s other
research activities and reinforces its reputation for world-class excellence.
 to develop graduates who are qualified for careers in top academic institutions and in
leading professional and managerial posts.
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On successful completion of the MSc programme, students will demonstrate:
 a good grounding in relevant research methods and techniques;
 a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current issues
and policies in the area of Industrial Relations
 the ability to conduct a research project in the field of Industrial Relations using
appropriate research methods.
On successful completion of the MPhil programme, students will demonstrate:
 a good grounding in relevant research methods and techniques;
 the ability to critically analyse and evaluate their own findings and those of others, in
order to formulate research hypotheses;
 a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current issues
and policies in the area of Industrial Relations
 the ability to conduct a research project in the field of Industrial Relations using
appropriate research methods.
On successful completion of the PhD programme, students will also have demonstrated:
 a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical developments in the area of Industrial
Relations;
 systematic understanding of the substantial body of knowledge on methodological tools
which are at the forefront of development in Industrial Relations;
 the ability to conceptualise, design and conduct a research project to generate new
knowledge, application or understanding;
 that they have contributed to the creation and/or interpretation of new knowledge
through original research or other advanced scholarly activity, of a quality to satisfy peer
review and merit publication in specialised journals.
Typically, successful PhD students will have demonstrated the skills and abilities
 to make informed judgements on complex issues in the field of Industrial Relations;
 to communicate their ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and
non-specialist audiences;
 to continue to undertake research and develop knowledge at an advanced level,
contributing substantially to the development of new techniques, ideas or approaches.
The University’s assessment criteria for research programmes of study is outlined in
Section 8.4 of the Regulations for Research Programmes of Study at:
http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/regulations/research/phdres.html#examination.
10.
Programme Outline
All students will be given a full induction to the Business School, which will ensure that they
obtain the relevant training in health and safety, risk assessment and other relevant matters.
Students will then take four modules in research methods training (see 10a). Workshops are
organised which cover a variety of other relevant topics such as:
 Getting papers published.
 Ethical issues, including principles governing requirements for obtaining ethical
committee approval, confidentiality if required and data protection.
 Use of relevant computer software.
 Use of the University library and online search and journal access.
In addition, the student will be required to undertake a review of published evidence on their
selected research topic and discuss key issues identified with their supervisor(s).
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(a)
Details of the research training that the student will be expected to complete
School level
CB9033: Qualitative Research Methods
SO819: Quantitative Research Methods
CB9032: Philosophical Issues and Paradigms in Management Research
CB9031: Generating Theory and Presenting Research
Where appropriate, PhD students may be granted exemptions on the basis of prior learning,
or may be allowed to substitute other modules that are more specific to their research topic
e.g. advanced statistical methods. Students must pass these modules before submitting their
PhD thesis and may be required to retake the module or resit assessments as directed by the
PhD Director
Institutional level
For PhD
All new PhD students are required to undertake a Researcher Development Assessment,
including attendance at a compulsory introductory researcher development assessment
workshop (part of the Graduate School’s Researcher Development Programme). The
completion of the assessment is a requirement for successful completion of the probation
review.
For Masters by Research and Thesis or MPhil
New students are able to undertake a Researcher Development Assessment, including
attendance at a researcher development assessment workshop (part of the Graduate
School’s Researcher Development Programme). Completion of the assessment is not a
requirement; however, students are encouraged to participate.
(b)
Details of other courses students may benefit
School level
Attendance at University of Kent courses, in particular courses run in the Business School;
 Attendance at national or international meetings, relevant symposia and workshops.
 Attendance on courses in writing skills or English language as appropriate.
.
Institutional level
Graduate School’s Researcher Development Programme (including online training provision),
www.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/skills/programmes/tstindex.html
Student Learning Advisory Service provision, http://www.kent.ac.uk/uelt/about/slas.html
Information Services (Library and Computing Services), www.kent.ac.uk/is/
(c)
Details of progression milestones that the student will need to reach and
successfully pass (to include transfer from a lower qualification to a higher
qualification e.g. MPhil to PhD)
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Students will be subject to the progression milestones as outlined in Annex K (Progression
and Examination) of the Research Code of Practice,
http://www.kent.ac.uk/teaching/qa/codes/research/annexknew.html).
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(d)
Students must pass a probation review after 10 months (full time) or 12 months (part
time). All PhD students will undergo a Probation Review within twelve months (f/t) based
on a 10,000 word document and a public presentation. A probation review panel
independent of the research student and supervisory. This panel includes the School
Director of Graduate Studies (with responsibility for research programmes of study) (or
nominee), at least one non-supervising subject-expert, and can include the research
students’ supervisors as observers. The review panel will determine whether the student
passes probation or needs to resubmit the probation document and undergo a mid-year
review. Research students will be given the opportunity to meet a review panel without
supervisors being present.
Details of the assessment method
Assessment methods for this programme are as follows:
 The length of the PhD thesis for this programme are as follows:
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80,000 to 100,000 words for PhD
60 to 80,000 words for MPhil
40 to 60,000 words for Masters
The Director of Graduate Studies (with responsibility for research programmes of study) can
approve exceptions from these word lengths after taking the advice from subject experts on
different conventions within a subject area.
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11.
Regular review meetings with supervisor.
Structured annual review, including presentation of findings to date, an informal but
structured discussion with supervisor and advisor, submission of University of Kent
progress report form.
Submission of MSc thesis (after 1 year), MPhil thesis (after 2 years) and/or PhD thesis
(after 3 years) to at least one internal and an external examiner.
Viva voce examination (optional for MPhil).
Approved Supervisors
All students will have a supervisory team as required by Annex H (Supervision) of the Code
of Practice for Research Programmes of Study.The current list of Supervisory Chairs for the
School is:
Dr Alastair Bailey, Professor Stuart Barnes, Dr Xuemei Bian, Dr Gerald Compton, Sophia
Davidova, Dr Alison Dean, Dr Alex Mohr, Dr Carmen Stoian, Dr Marian Garcia, Dr Vinh
Chau, Dr Andrew Fearne, Dr Iain Fraser, Professor Rob Fraser, Professor Warwick Funnell,
Dr Mark Gilman, Dr Janet Haddock-Fraser, Dr Sue Hornibrook, Dr Abdullah Iqbal, Dr Des
Laffey, Professor Soo Hee Lee, Dr Patricia Lewis, Professor Steve Liu, Dr Ben Lowe, Cecilio
Mar-Molinero, Professor John Mingers, Dr Gabor Nagy, Jesse O-Hanley, Dr Ekaterini
Panopoulou, Dr Dan Petrovici, Professor Paul Philips, Professor Katie Truss, Professor
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Michael Bourlakis, Professor Radu Tunara, Professor Brian Rutherford, Dr Said Salhi,
Professor Dick Scase, Dr May Seitanidi, Professor John Sharp, Ebrahim Soltani, Dr Diogo
Souza Monteiro, Dr Dennis Tourish, Dr Niaz Wassan, Professor Veronica Wong, Dr Shaomin
Wu, Dr Pamela Yeow.
:
All students have at least two supervisors ensuring continuity of supervision in cases where a
supervisor leaves. Where a supervisor leaves, or there is a breakdown in relations with the
student, the School Director of Graduate Studies (with responsibility for research
programmes of study) will take steps to find another suitable (co-)supervisor.
12.
Research Environment
The number of research active staff available for supervision at Kent Business School is
sufficient to provide high quality supervision to all existing students and all high quality
applicants. The number of research active staff available is also expected to rise over the
next years.
The School has a strong commitment to increase the quality and quantity of PhD students in
line with its mission to be a research-led Business School.
Students are encouraged to attend and participate in the School’s long-standing weekly
research seminars and discuss their research at PhD events organised at faculty, school or
subject-group level throughout the year.
13.
Student Support and Guidance
School level support services
Support and Guidance for students is available through the PhD office, the School Director of
Graduate Studies (with responsibility for research programmes of study), as well as the
supervisory team.
Additional support for students is available through the School Student Support team and the
Senior Tutor who provide advice on a wide range of issues and are able to refer students to
the relevant professional services within the University of Kent. Guidance is provided through
supervisory teams which consist of at least two research-active supervisors with a consistent
track record of publishing internationally excellent in the relevant subject area.
Institutional level support services
 Student Support http://www.kent.ac.uk/studentsupport/
 Student Wellbeing www.kent.ac.uk/studentwellbeing/
 Student Learning Advisory Service http://www.kent.ac.uk/uelt/about/slas.html
 Counselling Service www.kent.ac.uk/counselling/
 Kent Union www.kentunion.co.uk/
 Graduate Student Association (GSA)
www.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/community/woolf.html
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Graduate School (Provision of (i) Researcher Development Programme (workshops and
on-line courses) (ii) institutional level induction and (iii) student-led initiatives such as
social events, conferences and workshops www.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/index.html
Information Services (computing and library services) www.kent.ac.uk/is/
Postgraduate student representation at School, Faculty and Institutional levels
Centre for English and World Languages www.kent.ac.uk/cewl/index.html
Careers and Employability Services www.kent.ac.uk/ces/
International Development Office www.kent.ac.uk/international/
Medical Centre www.kent.ac.uk/counselling/menu/Medical-Centre.html
14.
School Quality Assurance and Enhancement
 The programme will be overseen by the School Director of Graduate Studies with
responsibility for research programmes of study and the School Graduate Studies
Committee.
 Student feedback will be obtained from Staff-Student Liaison Committees, Postgraduate
Student Representation on school-level committees and the Postgraduate Research
Experience Survey.
 The programme will be reviewed via the annual programme monitoring process and the
periodic programme review process.
 Progress of the student will be monitored by a formal review at the end of each year.
Interim reviews will be held half-yearly. Students and their supervisors are normally
expected to meet at least monthly, and more frequently at the start of the research
programme.
 Supervisors receive training in research supervision as part of their PGCHE and are
encouraged to attend refresher courses later in their career. Supervisors are also
encouraged to attend workshops on supervising offered externally.
15.
School Resource Implications
The PhD Programme is overseen by the School Director of Graduate Studies (with
responsibility for research programmes of study). There is a full time PhD Co-ordinator and
part of the time of the KBS Research Manager.
Specialised resources are already in place. Students are provided with supervision, access
to computers, library and appropriate research facilities to complete their planned
programme of study. All students are provided with their own laptop. Shared office space is
available.
Supervisory time is included within the departmental workload allocation model.
All students receive a research budget that can be used for conference attendance,
specialist training. Use of this budget is subject to approval by the supervisors and the
School Director of Graduate Studies (with responsibility for research programmes of study).
16.
Professional Accreditation
Not applicable.
Template last updated July 2014
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