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
2014
QES
1
RDC1
Start date requested for
research degree registration
purposes.
The Research Degrees SubCommittee 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 registration periods)
Intellectual Property Rights
Are there any IPR implications?
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.
2014
QES
2
RDC1
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.)

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.
2014
QES
3
RDC1
 ETHICS
For the purposes of ethical approval you must as a minimum complete either the
Academic Disclaimer Form or the appropriate Form for Ethical approval (all available
from the University Academic Ethics web page).
The Academic Disclaimer form is ONLY applicable when there are no perceived ethical
issues with the research (for example, the research only uses public available/
anonymised data rather than any direct engagement with human participants).
The Proportionate Review/ 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 (IPR) 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 for applying for ethical approval,
subsequent to the submission of your RDC1 you must notify the Faculty Research
Degrees Administrator when you have received your final ethical approval. You start
your research only after receiving written approval in any of these routes.
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 Academic Disclaimer form)
Applicable - approved - provide details of application(s) and outcomes(s) and
append documents
Applicable - to be approved - provide details
Signatures:

Candidate: ………………………
Date: ………
RISK ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
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.
2014
QES
4
RDC1
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.
Nature and Method
of Work
(The nature of the
risks
should
be
defined, e.g. lone
working,
toxicity,
explosion, fieldwork
risks (e.g. risks from
respondents,
travelling risks), highvoltage,
lasers,
flammability etc).
Hazards/Risks
Safeguards/ Training
Requirements
(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).
Category
Signatures:
Candidate: …………………………………………. Date: … ……………………….
Principal Supervisor: ……………………………… Date: …………….....................

PROPOSED PLAN OF WORK
You must submit a proposed plan of work with this application. It must include details
on the following sections:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
2014
Aims of the investigation
Objectives of the project
Context of the investigation
Theoretical basis
Methods of investigation
Timescale
Expected outcome or outcomes
References
Bibliography
QES
5
RDC1
Plan of work guidelines:
1. Please include a 400 word (maximum) synopsis of the research project for the lay
reader.
2. A maximum of 2,500 words should be used for the plan of work. (A student may
use fewer words if they choose to do so, but may not use more)
3. Use Arial font - size 11
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. The time-line for the project is not included in the word-limit.
7. 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
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
MPhil
PhD
Number of candidates previously
supervised to successful completion
MPhil
PhD
Undertaken the University’s Research
Supervisors Training Module, and actively
researching
YES / NO / IN PROGRESS
(If yes, date of successful
completion)
2014
QES
6
RDC1
Name of Supervisor
Department and Faculty
Email address
Area(s) of subject expertise
Number of registered research degree
candidates currently supervised
MPhil
PhD
Number of candidates previously
supervised to successful completion
MPhil
PhD
Undertaken the University’s Research
Supervisors Training Module, and actively
researching
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
MPhil
PhD
Number of candidates previously
supervised to successful completion
MPhil
PhD
Undertaken the University’s Research
Supervisors Training Module, and actively
researching
YES / NO / IN PROGRESS
(If yes, date of successful
completion)
EXTERNAL SUPERVISOR/ADVISER (if appropriate)
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.
2014
QES
7
RDC1
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.
Name of Supervisor
Email address
Area(s) of subject expertise
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.
2014
QES
8
RDC1
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: ....................................................
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: ........................................................ (Faculty Associate Dean – Scholarship,
Enterprise and Research)
Print Name: …………………………………… 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
or
2014
-
Registration effective from:
QES
9
RDC1
MPhil with possible transfer to PhD
from:
-
Registration effective
Signed: ........................................................ (Chair: Faculty Research Degrees Committee)
Print Name: ………………………………….. Date: ....................................................
APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF DIRECT PHD
The faculty supports the registration for direct PhD – please attach faculty rapporteur
reports.
Signed: ........................................................ (Chair: Faculty Research Degrees Committee)
Print Name: ………………………………….. Date: ....................................................
The University's Research Degrees Sub-Committee has approved the application for the
award of :
PhD
-
Registration effective from:
Signed: ......................................................... (Chair: University’s Research Degrees SubCommittee)
Print Name: ………………………………….. Date: ....................................................
If you have any questions regarding this RDC1 form, please contact the Quality
Enhancement Service by emailing researchdegrees@staffs.ac.uk
2014
QES
10