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The tic UCE Research Student LifeCycle Keith A' Osman

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The tic / UCE Research Committee structure 'End to End' view of the Research Student Life-Cycle at UCE ... 2 years f/t, 3 yrs p/t study, honours degree entry ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: The tic UCE Research Student LifeCycle Keith A' Osman


1
The tic / UCE Research Student Life-CycleKeith
A. Osman
2
Contents
  • What is a Research Degree?
  • The tic / UCE Research Committee structure
  • End to End view of the Research Student
    Life-Cycle at UCE
  • Questions?

3
  • What is a Research Degree?
  • The tic / UCE Research Committee structure
  • End to End view of the Research Student
    Life-Cycle at UCE
  • Questions?

4
What is a Research Degree?
  • A Post-graduate qualification by personal
    research
  • Main output is a contribution to knowledge
  • May contain some taught elements
  • Examined by thesis and viva-voce (oral)
    examination
  • MPhil and PhD can be undertaken by part-time,
    full-time or Distance Learning modes of study
  • Masters Level - MPhil
  • typ. 2 years f/t, 3 yrs p/t study, honours
    degree entry
  • NOT a failed PhD but a qualification in its own
    right
  • All MPhil candidates have the possibility to
    transfer to PhD
  • Doctoral Level PhD
  • Internationally recognised research qualification
  • Typ. 3 years f/t, 5 years p/t study, Masters for
    direct entry

5
Why do a Research Degree?
  • Primary driver - to undertake individual research
    in an area that is of great personal interest
  • Demonstrates capability and tenacity to undertake
    an extended piece of investigative work
  • Develops important transferable Life Skills
  • Will a Research degree land me a better paid job?
  • It may, but highly sector / subject dependent, in
    some areas / subjects a PhD is a pre-requisite!
  • Highly specialised technical disciplines may
    require a research degree
  • In many areas, a graduate with 3 years experience
    may be as valuable / more valuable than a PhD
  • You must really WANT to do a research degree
  • Tends to be a lonely existence with much
    soul-searching
  • Long-term time and financial commitment esp. by
    p/t study
  • LEAs will not normally fund Research Degrees

6
Differences from Taught Courses
  • Programmes of study are individually defined and
    approved for each student - no defined syllabus
    or course book
  • All prospective entrants are interviewed
  • Students can enrol at any time of the year once
    they have been offered and have accepted a place
  • Students are individually supervised by a
    Director of Studies and a second / third
    supervisor
  • Students define the details of their programme of
    study with the supervisory team post enrolment
  • Students are individually examined by thesis and
    viva at which they defend their thesis

7
  • What is a Research Degree?
  • The tic / UCE Research Committee structure
  • End to End view of the Research Student
    Life-Cycle at UCE
  • Questions?

8
Research Committee Structure
  • Each Faculty has a Faculty Research Degrees
    Committee (FRDC)
  • UCE has a Research Degrees Committee (URDC) with
    representatives from all Faculties chaired by
    Phil Walkling, PVC Academic
  • URDC meets nominally every six-weeks
  • FRDC carries out initial interviews, definition
    and preliminary approval of research programmes,
    etc
  • URDC is the UCE final approval body for all
    Research Degree Registrations and related matters
  • UCE has a Research Funding Committee (DHT) but no
    Research (Strategy) Committee

9
  • What is a Research Degree?
  • The tic / UCE Research Committee structure
  • End to End view of the Research Student
    Life-Cycle at UCE
  • Questions?

10
Research Degree Process Map
11
Step 1 Initial Contact
  • Initial contacts from many sources esp.
    bulk-emails
  • Many O/S graduate students are looking for
    research bursaries and UK study visas
  • Many MSc students seeking a PhD
  • Academic and technical staff and TCAs may also
    wish to undertake MPhil / PhD
  • Initial response via explanatory leaflet
  • Seek initial views on likely area of study,
    source of funding, qualifications, experience,
    etc
  • Many prospective applications fall by the
    wayside

12
Step 2 Interview at the tic
  • ALL potential research degree candidates must be
    interviewed by a sub-panel of FRDC
  • Assesses qualifications, experience, likely area
    of study, supervision implications, resource
    requirements, funding, motivation, etc
  • FRDC panel completes Initial Interview Form UCE9i
    and sends to AQS at Perry Barr
  • Request that student is made an offer to study
    OR
  • Record reasons for rejection OR
  • May refer to a different Faculty Research
    Co-Ordinator

13
Step 3 Offer to Study Made
  • AQS, Perry Barr (not the tic) makes the student
    an Offer to Study when requested by FRDC,
    including
  • Likely area of study
  • Level and mode of study
  • Anticipated Director of Studies
  • Applicable Research Degree enrolment fees
  • FRDC receives a copy of the Offer Letter
  • Fees are fixed by UCE but some Faculty
    discretion in the assessment of fees
  • e.g. fee waiver for p/t (not f/t) unemployed

14
Step 4 Offer Accepted
  • Student accepts offer by signing offer letter and
    returning to AQS, Perry Barr
  • Student indicates likely start date
  • Student can enrol at any time of the year (fees
    are pro-rata on monthly basis)
  • Distance Learning candidates must have a minimum
    of 6 weeks contact with UCE, typically by
    studying in the UK during the summer periods, but
    other mechanisms are possible.

15
Step 5 Student Enrolls
  • Student enrols as a Research Student of UCE
    (either MPhil or PhD) by visiting AQS, Perry Barr
  • Faculties CANNOT enrol research students directly
  • Student has all normal entitlements to
    facilities, etc plus Faculties normally have a
    specific Research Student Entitlement policy
  • Normal expectation that Full-Time Research
    Students have dedicated research room / desk /
    PC, etc and some staff privileges
  • Faculties need a formal Induction Process and
    Research Methods training for Research Students

16
Step 6 Develop Research Proposal
  • Enrolling does not mean research program is
    approved
  • Enrolling intention to develop a research
    proposal.
  • REGISTRATION occurs typically 3-6 months after
    enrolling, depending on mode of study
  • Student and Supervisory Team develop the research
    ideas and complete a Research Degree Registration
    Form UCE9R
  • Aims and objectives
  • Context and background to the research
  • Detailed work plan including experimental
    programmes / results analysis and potential
    contributions to knowledge
  • Details of Supervision Team and any collaboration
  • Ethical considerations
  • The completed UCE9R must then be submitted to
    FRDC for preliminary approval may require
    iteration

17
Step 7 Approval of UCE9R
  • Once approved by FRDC, UCE9R is passed to AQS to
    be added to URDC agenda for next scheduled
    meeting
  • UCE9R Supervisors CVs letters of
    collaboration ethical approval form (new
    requirement)
  • Director of Studies (but not the student)
    defends the research proposal at the meeting of
    URDC
  • URDC less concerned with technical aspects, more
    with the generic research elements / process
    that make the proposal worthy of MPhil / PhD
  • UCE9R approved research has started
  • Rejected proposals returned to Faculty with
    guidance to assist student and supervisors with
    remediation
  • Minor modifications can be approved by Chairs
    Action
  • Significant modifications will require
    re-submission

18
Step 8 Doing the Research
  • The hardest part its now down to you!
  • Maintain regular contact with supervisory team to
    discuss progress results and plan next
    activities
  • Maintain a log of meetings with Supervisors and
    agree deliverables for the next meeting (
    deliver them)
  • Considerable self-discipline is required beware
    busy but meaningless work and displacement
    activities
  • Keep up to date with developments in / around
    your field
  • Faculties produce an annual report to UCE on the
    progress of each research student and can ask
    student to withdraw if sufficient progress is not
    maintained.

19
Step 8A-D Transfer of Registration
  • MPhil students have the possibility to transfer
    to PhD if
  • The student has demonstrated appropriate ability
    progress
  • The research topic has potential for extension to
    PhD
  • Typically 12-24 months into MPhil programme
  • Student produces a transfer report of 3K-6K words
  • Progress against MPhil objectives
  • Potential for expansion / extension of research
    topic to PhD
  • Student undergoes transfer Viva with FRDC
    sub-panel with Director of Studies in attendance
  • FRDC completes transfer viva report form UCE9T
    sends to AQS
  • If transfer is approved, student and Supervisory
    team complete a new UCE9R for the PhD programme
  • First approved by FRDC, subsequently approved by
    URDC
  • NOTE URDC considers the UCE9T and UCE9R forms
    together but does not see the transfer report so
    UCE9R form must stand-alone

20
Step 9 Preparation of Thesis
  • A demanding process probably the largest single
    piece of written work you will undertake
  • Background to the research literature search
  • Your hypothesis, experimental programme and
    results obtained
  • Discussion, conclusions, contribution to
    knowledge
  • Will require significant input from supervisory
    team
  • Successful PhD theses are placed in the public
    domain
  • The thesis is YOUR unique contribution to
    knowledge

21
Step 10 Examination Approval
  • Supervisors and FRDC will agree and approve an
    appropriate examination team for your thesis /
    viva
  • One External examiner (two if candidate is a
    member of staff)
  • One Independent Internal Examiner (not associated
    with the research)
  • An Internal Examiner generally DoS or Second
    Supervisor
  • Requires CVs and previous examination experience
    for each
  • FRDC completes Examination Team Approval Form
    UCE9exm2003 and submits to URDC for approval
  • Final title of thesis
  • Likely date of examination
  • URDC approves UCE9exm and AQS writes to each
    examiner confirming their appointment

22
Step 11 Submission of Thesis
  • Candidate submits thesis to AQS when complete
  • Supervisor approval not required (but sensible)
  • Candidate must complete Declaration Form UCE10dec
  • Can submit thesis soft bound for examination
  • Three copies required for examination
  • AQS mails copies of thesis to all examiners with
    a Report Form - must be returned prior to viva
    date
  • Examiners return report form with preliminary
    verdict
  • Proceed with oral examination
  • Thesis unsatisfactory do not proceed to viva
  • All Examiner reports sent to Examination Panel
    Chair

23
Step 12 Oral Examination (Viva)
  • Many horror stories about vivas but ignore
    them!
  • The examiners are generally as supportive as
    possible and want you to pass not the Spanish
    Inquisition!
  • Your chance to defend your thesis and convince
    the examiners you are worth of the award of MPhil
    / PhD
  • You can have a supervisor who is not an examiner
    in attendance as an observer (but must keep
    quiet!)
  • Vivas are generally of 2-3 hours duration but
  • At the end you will be asked to withdraw while
    the examiners consider their verdict
  • You will then be recalled to receive the good
    news!

24
Step 12A Examination Verdicts
  • Several options are available to the examiners
  • You have fully satisfied all requirements very
    rare
  • You have passed the viva and award will be
    approved subject to minor modifications to the
    thesis most common
  • Thesis needs signification modification - must be
    resubmitted for re-examination with / without new
    viva - uncommon
  • You have failed to satisfy the examiners for
    PhD you could be offered an MPhil without further
    examination very rare
  • Absolute Failures are very rare if it has got
    to this stage something has gone badly wrong!
  • Examiners report their finding to chair of URDC
  • A single report if they agree, separate reports
    otherwise

25
Steps 13/14 Revision / Re-Submission
  • You will be given detailed written feedback on
    amendments to the thesis that are required
  • Six months allowed for Minor Changes, Twelve
    months for Major
  • Significant supervisor support will be required
    for Major Changes
  • Revised thesis must be re-submitted to AQS for
    examination and forwarding to examiners
  • If a new viva is not required, examination panel
    is not normally re-convened but each examiner
    checks thesis and reports back
  • The examiners re-examine only the elements
    identified as deficient in the original thesis
    and which required modification

26
Step 15 Approval of Award
  • Examiners recommend the award of MPhil or PhD to
    University RDC
  • PVC Academic confers the award with immediate
    effect on behalf of UCE
  • You receive a congratulatory letter confirming
    the award you can now use your new title
  • You will be invited to attend next Degree
    Congregation to receive the award (and wear a
    very odd hat!)
  • Now sit back and bask in the warm glow of success!

27
Other Processes (1)
  • Change to Mode of Study
  • If you need to change from f/t to p/t or p/t to
    f/t, supervisors and Faculty must approve this
    change using form UCE9ms then URDC approves
    request
  • this will have an impact on fees payable
  • Suspension of Registration
  • If you will be unable to continue your research
    for a defined period e.g. illness, pressure of
    work, etc you may request a period of suspension
    of registration.
  • Supervisors and Faculty must approve this request
    using form UCE9susp then URDC approves request
  • Normally 12 months suspension granted, more than
    one request is unusual and not normally granted

28
Other Processes (2)
  • Extension of Registration Period
  • The Registration Clock starts ticking when
    UCE9R approved
  • No minimum period of Registration but there is a
    Maximum
  • MPhil 3 years F/T, 4 years P/T
  • PhD 5 years F/T, 6 years P/T
  • If demonstrable progress is being made,
    Supervisors and Faculty can request an extension
    using form UCE9ext
  • Normally not more than two consecutive extension
    requests will be approved by URDC
  • Withdrawal of Registration
  • If you find yourself unable to continue your
    research, you should firstly seek advice from
    your Supervisory Team
  • If you conclude that the research programme is no
    longer viable or possible, formally withdraw
    using form UCE9w

29
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