keele university code of practice on postgraduate research degrees

Annex B15: Joint PhD Programmes with External Partners
1 Background
1.1 This annex covers the generic elements which must be addressed and included in
the development and implementation <strong>of</strong> collaborative PhD programmes with external
partners.
1.2 While those engaged in the development <strong>of</strong> joint PhD programmes will be responsible
for the initial proposals, the final proposal must be prepared in conjunction with the
Research and Enterprise <strong>of</strong>fice and must include all aspects <strong>of</strong> a legal agreement
with a partner such as dispute resolution, indemnity, intellectual property rights and
other contractual issues. The agreement must be signed on behalf <strong>of</strong> Keele by the
Secretary and Registrar.
1.3 While a range <strong>of</strong> different partnerships models are possible, this Annex is focused
solely on partnership programmes which lead to a Keele degree.
2 Joint PhD programmes
2.1 Where students in a partnership are expecting to receive a Keele degree then they
must be:
• Subject to the Keele Code <strong>of</strong> Practice for Postgraduate Research Degrees
(COP) except for the variations set out in this Annex
• Subject to a legally binding agreement with the partner institution.
2.2 The following areas, where there is likely to be variation from the COP, must be
covered in any agreement with the partner institution:
• Admissions – admissions standards and eligibility shall be in accordance with
Keele’s admission’s policy, including English language requirements, which
may vary according to subject area
• Enrolment and induction – it is recognised that where students are based
abroad they may not be able to attend induction at Keele. Specific
arrangements must be put in place to ensure that the same level and quality
<strong>of</strong> induction takes place at the partner institution
• Supervisory arrangements – as a minimum Keele should provide the lead or
second supervisor. Keele would also formally approve supervisors assigned
by partner institutions using normal procedures set out in Annex B6
• Contact with student – the collaboration agreement should state the minimum
number <strong>of</strong> contacts between the Keele supervisor and the student. While
regular contact may be by e-mail, telephone or video conference, face-to-face
meetings will normally be required at least once a year. The responsibility for
providing funding associated with these meetings must be specified (see
below). The Keele supervisor must keep records <strong>of</strong> all contact and
communications with the student and supervisor at the partner institution.
The student must keep records in the Personal Development and Learning
plan <strong>of</strong> all such contact and communication (see COP section 3.3.2 and
Annex B2)
• The nature and extent <strong>of</strong> visits, in either direction, for face-to-face meetings
between the student and a supervisor or for research on the project, must be
specified along with the source and extent <strong>of</strong> funding (travel, accommodation,
project costs etc) required for these visits
COP on PGR Degrees, November 2011 77