keele university code of practice on postgraduate research degrees

Annex D3: Roles and responsibilities <strong>of</strong> students and supervisors
In Section 1 <strong>of</strong> the Code <strong>of</strong> Practice, the general roles and responsibilities <strong>of</strong> research
students and <strong>of</strong> supervisors and supervisory teams are specified. This Annex gives some
additional guidance for students and supervisors. Research Institute Handbooks should set
out any disciplinary differences or more precise guidelines. The QAA Code <strong>of</strong> Practice
section 1: Postgraduate Research Programmes (referred to below) can be referenced at
www.qaa.ac.uk.
Students
1 Written work should be well-presented, and given to supervisors for comment in a
timely fashion. Work should be <strong>of</strong> an appropriate standard for the degree, and any
concerns expressed by the supervisor or by the Postgraduate Committee should be
taken seriously and acted upon.
2 Where the student experiences any problems, it is the student’s responsibility to
make these known, to the supervisor in the first place, or following Research Institute
procedures. If issues are not raised at the time, they cannot be used later as grounds
for formal appeal.
3 More specifically, students are expected to
• discuss with their supervisor the type <strong>of</strong> guidance and comment they find
most helpful, and agree a schedule <strong>of</strong> meetings
• take the initiative in raising problems or difficulties, however elementary they
may seem
• maintain the progress <strong>of</strong> work in accordance with the stages agreed with the
supervisor, including in particular the presentation <strong>of</strong> material as required in
sufficient time to allow for comments and discussion before proceeding to the
next stage
• request written feedback from supervisors, particularly where supervisors
express concern with the student’s standard <strong>of</strong> work
• provide reports as required for consideration by the Postgraduate Committee
• decide when they wish to submit in accordance with the Regulations, taking
informed advice as appropriate.
4 Students must on no account communicate directly with the appointed examiners <strong>of</strong>
the thesis on any matters related to its content or the assessment process. This
includes any matters relating to revisions to the thesis. If it is felt that communication
with one or more examiners is needed, the student should contact the Quality
Assurance Officer (with responsibility for PGR activities).
5 Precept 9 <strong>of</strong> the QAA Code <strong>of</strong> Practice Section 1: Postgraduate Research
Programmes, which relates to the entitlements and responsibilities <strong>of</strong> research
students, includes the following guidance, which all students should follow.
Institutions should assure themselves that students are made aware <strong>of</strong> their
responsibilities at the beginning <strong>of</strong> their programme. Students’ responsibilities
normally include:
• taking responsibility for their own personal and pr<strong>of</strong>essional development
• maintaining regular contact with supervisor (joint responsibility with
supervisors)
• preparing adequately for meetings with supervisors
COP on PGR Degrees, November 2011 85