Research degrees

Code of Practice for Research Degrees

The Code of Practice for Research Degrees summarises the University's requirements for:

• The management of the University's Research Degree programmes
• The academic standards of the awards it confers
• The support for and expectations of both students and staff involved in research degrees

The Code of Practice should be read in conjunction with Senate Regulation 5. It takes account of the Expectations contained within the UK Quality Code for Higher Education.

Vivas/Examinations

Guidance for vivas/examinations

Postgraduate researchers ready to submit their thesis should access this online form 

Comprehensive guidance on the processes and responsibilites for vivas can be found in the PGR Examination Process - Guidance

Supervisors wishing to propose an examination panel for a viva should follow the process as set out on page 3 of the PGR Examination Process - Guidance and use the Research Degrees - Appointment of Examiners Form 

Vivas for postgraduate researchers are supported by the University's Assessment and Curriculum Office, who can be contacted at PGR-ACO@brunel.ac.uk.

A video of the most recent training on PGR examination processess is available to academic staff here. The presentation slides can be downloaded here. 

Policies and Forms for vivas/examinations

Research Degrees - Appointment of Examiners Form 
Preliminary Report Template
Research Degrees - Doctoral Degrees Report of Examiners Form
Report of Independent Chair
Research Degrees Satisfactory Completion of Amendments Form

Progression Reviews

Section 11 of the Code of Practice for Research Degrees provides all detail to postgraduate researchers and academic staff on progression reviews. 

Progression reviews are managed via the University's eVision system, and postrgraduate researchers and academic staff must use eVision to download and upload all relevant documentation. The following documents provide further guidance. 

Guidance for Postgraduate Researchers:
Progression Review Process Overview
4 Week Review - eVision Guidance for Postgraduate Researchers
Progression Reviews - eVision Guidance for Postgraduate Researchers

Guidance for Academic Staff:
Guide to 4-Week Progression Reviews 
Progression Review Process Overview
eVision PGR Progression Panel Guidance for Academic Staff

Supervisory Team changes & Recognised Supervisors

Supervisory Meetings

Guidance for staff on how to use eVision for supervisory meetings can be found here.

Changes to Supervisory Teams

Changes to a postrgaduate researcher's supervisory team must be sent to PGR-ACO@brunel.ac.uk, by a member of the researcher's current supervisory team. Requests made by postgraduate researchers will not be processed.

Appointing Recognised Supervisors

Recognised Supervisors are non-Brunel members of staff, formally appointed to supervise a postgraduate researcher.

Staff requesting the appointment of a Recognised Supervisor must complete the PGR Recognised Supervisor Nomination Form and have it approved by their Vice-Dean Research, before sending it to PGR-ACO@brunel.ac.uk for processing. An overview of the Recognised Supervisor appointment process is available here.

For more guidance on the requirements and role of Recognised Supervisors, please see the Appointing Recognised Supervisors / Recognised Teachers Policy.

Other Guidance and Forms

Research Degrees - Policy for Admission and Management of Postgraduate Researchers Studying in Off-Campus Mode
Policy for the Employment of Postgraduate Research Students in Supporting Teaching and Learning

Information on the process for annual monitoring of research degrees can be found here.