keele university code of practice on postgraduate research degrees

informed <strong>of</strong> the outcome. All Research Council funded students are entitled to take 6
months <strong>of</strong> maternity leave on full stipend and a further 6 months <strong>of</strong> unpaid maternity
leave. For part-time students leave payments will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
3.2.6 Any student who fails to submit their thesis by the due date for any reason will be
withdrawn from the University.
3.2.7 In exceptional circumstances the maximum period may be extended by the Research
Degrees Committee, on behalf <strong>of</strong> Senate, by not more than 12 months. The
procedure for requesting an extension is as follows:
• Any request for an extension to the maximum time must come from the
Research Institute’s Postgraduate Committee
• A case needs to be made on the basis <strong>of</strong> the whole period <strong>of</strong> study since
initial registration, explaining why the student has not been able to complete
within the normal maximum time, estimating the time which the student will
need to complete, and advising on an appropriate extension. [Note: The
case should include such factors as: Has there been a history <strong>of</strong> illness? Is
there a record <strong>of</strong> non-submission <strong>of</strong> work? Has the student always been
hampered by heavy work loads in their employment? Research Degrees
Committee needs to see the full picture, as set out by the department, so that
it can make a reasonable decision on the specific case]
• Research Degrees Committee will normally allow only one extension.
3.2.8 Students who fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress, in accordance with
<strong>university</strong> requirements, may be required to withdraw (see 3.3).
3.3 Requirement to remain in good academic standing (See Regulation 2D (8))
3.3.1 In order to remain in good academic standing, all students are required to maintain
active study and a satisfactory standard <strong>of</strong> work, and failure to do so may result in a
requirement to withdraw from the University.
3.3.2 In order to demonstrate that students are actively studying they will be expected to
keep in regular contact with their Lead Supervisor, and submit work regularly in
accordance with the schedule agreed with the Lead Supervisor and set out in the
Personal Development and Learning Plan. It is the responsibility <strong>of</strong> students to
ensure that Lead Supervisors are kept informed about any barriers to their
satisfactory progress.
3.3.3 Students will be informed <strong>of</strong> any concerns about the standard <strong>of</strong> their work, either by
their Lead Supervisor (during normal supervision sessions or in written comments on
work submitted) or as a result <strong>of</strong> formal progress reviews by Postgraduate
Committees. Students should take such concerns expressed seriously and ensure
that they take steps to improve the standard <strong>of</strong> their work. If comments from
supervisors are not made in writing, students should request that such feedback be
put in writing.
3.3.4 There are a number <strong>of</strong> mechanisms available to Research Institutes to manage the
progress <strong>of</strong> research students, as set out in the following paragraphs <strong>of</strong> this section.
However, there may be circumstances where it is clear that the student does not
have a realistic likelihood <strong>of</strong> successful completion <strong>of</strong> a research degree within the
permitted time limits, and the student may be required to withdraw. It should be
noted that it is no one’s interests for the student to continue to pursue a research
degree in such circumstances.
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