Research Staff, Examiners and Students
If you require any help or advice please call in and see us in the Graduate Research Office which is located on the ground floor of the Lodge, or email gro@southwales.ac.uk
Regulations for Research Degree Programmes
Research Degree Regulations – for the University’s awards of Doctor of Philosophy, Professional Doctorates, Master of Philosophy, and Masters by Research.
Handbooks / Code of Practice for Students, Supervisors and Examiners of Research Degree Programmes
Code of Practice for Research Students The Code of Practice provides a range of general guidance to assist you during your time as a research student at the University of South Wales. It outlines good practice and indicates the procedures involved (and your specific involvement in these procedures) at the various stages for students pursuing a research degree at the University.
Code of Practice for Research Supervisors The Code of Practice provides a range of general guidance based on experience of operating the University’s Research Programmes Regulations. The booklet outlines the role and responsibilities of a Director of Studies and/or Supervisor, giving advice on good practice and indicating key milestones from intitial enrolment through to the viva and all the bits in between.
Code of Practice for Examiners of Research Programmes The aim of this guide is to define the role as an examiner for a research award at the University of South Wales. It incorporates the relevant sections of the University’s current Research Programmes Regulations to guide you through the process.
General Guidance & Help
Entry requirements, details on how to apply for a postgraduate research degree and to download an application form, please click here http://www.southwales.ac.uk/apply
All Research Degree applications received are considered by a Research Applications Panel in each Faculty. Research Application Panel (RAP) Guidance on admission. With each application a research proposal must be submitted, giving as much detail as possbile about the research you wish to undertake. How to prepare a programme of work
Example of a detailed timetable for completing a PhD by Dirk Franz
Transfer Report Writing Guide from MPhil to PhD
Guidelines for Creative Writing PhD
Guidelines for Professional Doctorates
Professional Thesis Binding with USW Print and Design & Abbey Bookbinding
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Policy
The QAA Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Programmes defines standards expected of postgraduate research degree programmes and provides useful guidance for all those involved in the management and supervision of postgraduate researchers. Here at the University of South Wales we ensure that we fully support the QAA’s vision for the high quality delivery of PGR education. http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/codeofpractice/section1/default.asp
Registration Forms for Faculty Research Programmes Committee (FRPC)
Each Faculty Research Programmes Committee (FRPC) will receive notification of registered candidates for research degrees, approve ethical issues and approve any changes to your registration:
R1 – Notification of Registration to Faculty Research Programmes Committee
PhD by publication candidates only: please list publicatoins on R3a form, to accompany the R1 for registration R3a – The publications – this will provide details on the publications that are to be submitted for the degree – such as names of authors, full titles, ISSN numbers, year of publication and candidates contribution made.
The RSups Form RSups form
is a brief CV of proposed supervisor(s) this must accompany the registration documents to the Faculty Reserach Programmes Committee.
Change in Registration Details
During the period of your research degree your circumstances or the direction of the project may change. Please complete the R5 form and submit to your Faculty Research Office for consideration at your Faculty FRPC – ths form can be used for: change in mode of study, change of supervisor, requesting a suspension of studies, extension of studies and withdrawal from the programme. R5 – Application for changes in registration details
Transfer from MPhil to PhD
R6 – Application for transfer of registration from MPhil to PhD
A candidate registered initially for MPhil/PhD should transfer after 9-15 months of full-time study or the part-time equivalent. A transfer report on progress should normally be 3,000-6,000 words in length and an oral assessment (viva voce) will be conducted by an independent specialist.
Transfer report writing guidelines
The report should include a brief review and discussion of work already undertaken and a statement of further work, including details of the original contribution to knowledge which is likely to emerge from you research. Remember that a doctorate degree is, 'awarded to a candidate who having critically investigated and evaluated an approved topic resulting in an independent and original contribution to knowledge and having demonstrated an understanding of appropriate research methods appropriate to the chosen field, has presented and defended a thesis by oral examination, to the satisfaction of the examiners’.
The Faculty Research Programmes Committee will consider the recommendations made by the Independent Specialist and the outcome of the transfer viva.
Appointment of Examiners of Research Degree Programmes
Approval of Examination Arrangements – Examination arrangements must be approved by the University’s Research Programmes Sub Group. In order for there to be sufficient time to resolve any queries raised by the RPSG and for, following approval, the arrangements for the examination itself to be made, it is necessary for the application for approval of examination arrangements to be submitted to the Secretary of RPSG at least two months before the expected date of completion of the thesis; this should be done about one month prior to completion for Research Diploma candidates.
The Director of Studies is responsible for submitting the application for approval of examiners. Although it is the responsibility of the Director of Studies and supervision team to propose the examiners, it is expected that the candidate will have been consulted and views noted.
R7 – Application for the appointment of Research Degree Examiners
Examiner & Chair Information
Each examiner shall read and examine the thesis and submit, on the appropriate form (R8), an independent preliminary report to the Secretary of the Research Programmes Sub Group before any oral examination is held (at least one week before). In completing the preliminary report, each examiner shall consider whether the thesis provisionally satisfies the requirements of the award and where possible make an appropriate provisional recommendation subject to the outcome of any oral examination. R8 – Preliminary report and recommendation
Examiners are required to complete a joint report (R9) at the time of the oral examination, the recommendations should be forwarded to the Secretary of the Research Programmes Sub-Group. In the event examiners are unable to reach a joint recommendation, a separate form should be completed by each examiner. R9 – Joint Recommendation of Examiners
External Examiners feedback form
External Examiner Expenses Form
An Independent Chair will be appointed to conduct the examination. A Chair will be independent of the student’s programme of study and have a clear understanding of the University’s regulations and procedures. The Chair will not make any contributions to the academic examination or evaluation of the thesis.
Viva Chair Checklist to be completed on the day and returned to the Research Office following the viva.
Viva Chair Guidelines The primary role of the Chair is to conduct the examination in order and ensure that the research assessment process is rigorous, fair, reliable and consistent.
Code of Practice for Examiners of Research Programmes The aim of this guide is to define the role as an examiner for a research award at the University of South Wales. It incorporates the relevant sections of the University’s current Research Programmes Regulations to guide you through the process.
Where to Find Us – Map of the Campus
The University is split between 3 campuses: Treforest, Glyntaff (which are 12 miles north of Cardiff) and ATRiuM (which is in Cardiff city centre)
Forms relating to the final submission of work
In accordance with the Research Degree and Diploma Regulations [14.7] candidates of MPhil, PhD and Professional Doctorate awards are required to provide the University with two hardbound copies of the final submission for deposit in the National Library of Wales and the University Library, plus one electronic copy submitted on CD-ROM for deposit in the University’s Research Repository. The electronic copy of the thesis must be identical to the final version of the printed copies and submitted as one file on a CD-ROM. Please ensure the following documents accompany your hardbound thesis:
o Declaration Form for submission
o Submission of Theses to the British Library
o Thesis Deposit Agreement Form – LRC
If you need help with binding either soft bound (for the examination) or hard bound (following the examination) then USW Print and Design can provide professional help and advice Professional Thesis Binding with USW Print and Design & Abbey Bookbinding