Doctoral student handbook and research degree forms
The doctoral student handbook has been compiled with guidance notes for doctoral students and supervisors to help them gain a practical knowledge of the key principles, processes and milestones relating to the research degree programme at Solent University. The doctoral student handbook explains when and how to use all the procedural forms which can be found on this page.
Doctoral student handbook and guidance notes
Application stage forms
Forms directory
| | Explanatory note | Form | Guidance note |
|---|
| Appointment of supervisory team |
To appoint the DoS and supervisors for a new student |
RD1S |
#4 |
| Instruction to offer |
To offer an MPhil / PhD opportunity to a prospective student |
RD1ITO |
#4 |
Milestone forms
| Stage | Explanatory note | Form | Guidance note | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| Doctoral student supervision record |
To record student-supervisor meetings |
RD2SSM |
#2 and #7 |
Min. 9 x per year |
Min. 7 x per year |
| Annual monitoring forms |
Independent review of student experience |
RD2AMIR |
#7 |
Annually (May deadline) |
Annually (May deadline) |
| Annual monitoring forms |
Progress review; evaluation of academic progress |
RD2AMPR |
#7 |
Annually (May deadline) |
Annually (May deadline) |
| Annual monitoring forms |
Doctoral review panel; annual monitoring outcome |
RD2AMPRC |
#7 |
Annually (June deadline) |
Annually (June deadline) |
| Training and development application |
Apply for the £500 doctoral training and development allowance |
RD3TD |
#6 |
Annually (1 August - 31 July) |
Annually (1 August - 31 July) |
| Transfer |
To transfer registration from MPhil to PhD |
RD2T |
#8 |
12-18 months from start date |
24-36 months from start date |
| Application for writing up status |
To apply for a reduction in fees while writing up the thesis for submission |
RD2WU |
#9 and #6 |
24-36 months from start date |
60-84 months from start date |
Change of circumstances
| Circumstance | Explanatory note | Form | Guidance note |
|---|
| Change to supervisory team |
To change the composition of a supervisory team |
RD4S |
#5 |
| Change of registration mode |
To apply to change registration mode (adjust to part-time or full-time) |
RD4MS |
#5 |
| Application for suspension |
To request a suspension from studies |
RD4SU |
#5 |
| Withdrawal |
To withdraw registration of a student at Solent |
RD4WD |
#5 |
| Extension |
To request an extension to the maximum registration period |
RD4E |
#5 |
Examination and submission
| | Explanatory note | Form | Guidance note | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| Examination arrangements |
Completed by the DoS / supervisory team to nominate examiners for the Viva |
RD5E |
#10 |
30-42 months from start date |
66-90 months from start date |
| Thesis submission |
Completed by the student to accompany the thesis at the point of submission |
RD5DEC |
#10 |
36-48 months from start date |
72-96 months from start date |
| Preliminary examiner report |
Completed by each examiner supplying an independent provisional preliminary recommendation |
RD5P |
#10 |
Minimum 1 week prior to Viva |
Minimum 1 week prior to Viva |
| Examiners' decision |
Decision of examiners following Viva for MPhil / PhD |
RD5DEX |
#10 |
On date of Viva |
On date of Viva |
| Examiners' decision (PhD by Prior Publication) |
Decision of examiners following Viva for PhD by prior publication only |
RD5DEX-P |
#10 |
On date of Viva |
On date of Viva |
| Examiners' decision (re-examination) |
Decision of examiners following amends and re-Viva for MPhil / PhD |
RD5R-DEX |
#10 |
On date of re-Viva |
On date of re-Viva |
Policies and regulations
The University has policies and guidance in place to ensure the environment and experience of research students is supportive for their research and learning.
Strategy
The environment for postgraduate research degrees is underpinned by the Research and Innovation Sub-Strategy
Research and Innovation Sub-Strategy 2015-2020
Regulations
The University reviews and updates its regulations annually. The current regulations are published at the beginning of each academic year and can be read here. Students are advised to always consult the regulations for the year in which they are currently registered.
Regulations for Postgraduate Research Students
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Postgraduate researchers must consider their responsibilities for their research data in relation to the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation.
Solent's ethics policy
Intellectual property
The Intellectual Property Office
Solent University intellectual property rights policy
University research committees
The University Academic Board retains responsibility for the effectiveness of the arrangements for safeguarding the academic standards of awards and enhancing the quality of postgraduate research provision. It delegates responsibility for overseeing the University’s research degree provision to the Research Degrees Committee (RDC) and for the University’s research strategy to the Research Innovation and Enterprise Committee (RIEC)
RDC Terms of Reference
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