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Research Degree Updates
1 July 2021
Changes to the regulations for Postgraduate Research students for 2021-22.
In 2018/19 a working group was set by under RDC to look at the outstanding substantive issues with the Research Degree Regulations and re-write these accordingly. Work had unfortunately been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic throughout 2019/20 and into 2020/21, with work tentatively scheduled to start again in the 2021/22 session.
It was noted at RDC that instead of waiting for the full re-write to be complete, that several amendments could be implemented from the start of 2021/22 which consist of quick fixes highlighted by the Regulations Working Group and making some of the Covid-19 changes permanent. All the amendments have been outlined below:
Annual Leave
A new section inserted which now covers Annual Leave entitlements for PGR students so that it formalises student entitlements which were not previously in the regulations.
New regulations:
Chapter 5: Research Degrees Framework
Part A: Research Degree Regulations, Section 2.6
Note: also transposed across all other Parts
Questions?
New MPhilStud regulations
New regulations have been drawn up for UCL’s Master of Philosophical Studies (MPhilStud) programmes (N.B. this is a separate qualification from the MPhil).
New regulations:
Chapter 5: Research Degrees Framework
Part G: MPhilStud Regulations
Questions?
E-submission of initial thesis
The regulations have been amended so that the initial submission of the thesis is done electronically rather than a hard copy. In addition, a new paragraph has been added to indicate that Examiners may still wish to request a hardcopy of the thesis and that this would be covered by the student.
New regulations:
Chapter 5: Research Degrees Framework
Part A: Research Degree Regulations, Section 5.1.7, paragraph 1
Part A: Research Degree Regulations, Section 5.1.9, paragraph 1
Part A: Research Degree Regulations, Section 5.2.2, paragraph 1
Part A: Research Degree Regulations, Section 5.2.3, paragraph 2
Note: also transposed across all other Parts
Questions?
E-submission of final thesis
The regulations have been amended to make the final thesis submission electronic with an opt-in so students ‘may’ submit a soft-bound copy. Additionally, signposting has been added to the Open Access Team to indicate who manages the process of electronic and optional hard copy final submission. The three-year embargo period has also been removed as in practice the Library allows longer than this.
New regulations:
Chapter 5: Research Degrees Framework
Part A: Research Degree Regulations, Section 5.1.9, paragraphs 2, 3, and 4
Note: also transposed across all other Parts
Questions?
Remote Vivas
Remote Vivas have now been made a permanent option and includes a requirement to note the agreed configuration on the Examination Entry Form’. It has also been noted that Vivas should be held in-person at UCL by default where no configuration can be agreed, and to recommend that supervisors make themselves available to support the student after a viva held remotely.
New regulations:
Chapter 5: Research Degrees Framework
Part A: Research Degree Regulations, Section 5.4, paragraphs 3, 4, and 5
Note: also transposed across all other Parts
Questions?
Examiner for student who is academic staff of UCL
For the Appointment of Examiners the reference to “the academic staff of UCL” has been changed so it is just “staff of UCL”, and additional clauses have been inserted so an internal examiner cannot be from the same department. Additionally, it is noted that where expertise is required, an internal examiner from the department may be used as long as a Viva chair is used. The sentence regarding all examiners having to be external has been removed as it no longer applies
New regulations:
Chapter 5: Research Degrees Framework
Part A: Research Degree Regulations, Section 5.3.1, paragraphs 1, and 3.
Note: also transposed across all other Parts
Questions?
18-month rule
Removal of the Examination Entry 18-month deadline for thesis submission after approval of the exam entry form. This has been removed as students only need to submit one exam entry form and the 18-month deadline was scrapped in practice following the introduction of the online form.
New regulations:
Chapter 5: Research Degrees Framework
Part A: Research Degree Regulations, Section 5.2.1, paragraph 1 iii)
Note: also transposed across all other Parts
Questions?
Professional Doctorates: Attendance
The Professional Doctorate Regulations have been amended to replace the institutional ‘70%’ attendance requirement with faculty-level policies. In addition to this, as a result of the attendance change within Chapter 6 Barring students from assessment on the basis of attendance has been suspended for 2021-22.
New regulations:
Chapter 5: Research Degrees Framework
Part B: Professional Doctorate Regulations, Section 6.2.2, paragraphs 1, 2, and 3.
Chapter 6: Student Casework Framework
- 4 Learning Agreements, Barring, Suspensions and Termination of Study