Manchester Metropolitan University

Distance Learning PhD

(3Year or 6 Year)

Information pack for all Faculties

Characteristics

1.General entry requirement:Entry requirements are as per the standard postgraduate research degree entry requirements

2.English language requirement:Language requirements are as per the standard postgraduate research degree entry requirements

3.Application:Applicants to the Distance LearningPhD must complete the Application Form to Study for a Postgraduate Research Degree and in addition complete the Distance Learning Additional Information Form(see Annex A), which captures the additional information needed to make an appropriate decision on their application. Where appropriate there is also a requirement for aResourcesDeclaration Form to be submitted if the applicant is proposing to utilise facilities or resources provided by another organisation.All applicants are required to submit a clearly planned research project at the application stage or nominate one of the pre-approved non-funded studentships. Faculties will be expected to address any relevant ethics issues and to undertake risk assessments where relevant during the registration process (RD1).

4.Regulations: Students taking 3 years will follow full-time (FT) student regulations and students taking 6 years will follow part time (PT) regulations. The Research Degree Regulations can be found at:

It is not normally accepted that a student in full-time employment is approved to undertake a full-time PhD. However, where a strong case can be made to the Research Degrees Committee and/orthere is clear evidence that the student’s employment is closely related to their research degree and/or the student’s employer is keen for them to obtain a PhD by making adjustments within their employment or providing a time allowance, then in exceptional circumstances, the Committee will permit approval.

5.Method of study:Students accepted under these arrangements are expected to undertake distance learning.

6.Duration of programme:Either 3 (FT)or 6(PT) years standard period of study for the submission of the PhD thesis with a maximum time limit for the conferment of the award normally within 4 (FT)or 7 (PT) years.

7.Requirements for supervision: Supervisory teams are appointed at MMU, as per the standard process for PhD supervision. Applicants must have access to a reliable internet connection, and the appropriate technology to enable videoconference supervisions (via Skype or alternative agreed with the supervisory team – please see Annex A).

8.Attendance requirements: The student is normally required to be present at MMUfor the viva voce examination. This also applies to any resubmission where a second viva voce is requested by the examination team. Where identified as necessary, there will be a requirement to attend MMU for an appropriate induction, and the progress/transfer Viva (RD2). The student or their sponsor will be expected to cover the cost of any travel to MMU unless otherwise stated by the Faculty.

9.Visit (s):The MMU Director of Studies and/or other members of the supervisory team are not normally expected to visit the student at their place of study. Where a Faculty decides that a visit is required, bench fees will be charged to cover the project running costs.

Bench fees will be charged on an annual basis to cover the cost of supervisory visits relating to travel and accommodation expenses. Bench fees should also cover the cost for the use of materials (consumable products and equipment) in laboratory/studio-based or clinical programmes or specialist equipment such as high performance computing whilst on MMU premises and if applicable, conferences fees. Bench fees are calculated on a project-by-projectbasis.

10.Generic Skills Training: All students will be required to complete either an online or MMU-based induction.Appropriate research and employability/transferable skills training will take place during the programme, using online resources, where appropriate. All students are required to engage with the Researcher Development Framework (RDF). Aninitial assessment of skills should be undertaken and actions agreed in the initial month and may include a requirement to attend MMU for an appropriate induction. Again, the student or their sponsor will be expected to cover the cost of any travel to MMU unless otherwise stated by the Faculty.

11.Academic fees: Fees are chargeable at either the UK/EU rate or the overseas rate, as appropriate to the relevant fee status of the student.

Please note that Faculties may reduce the level of fees directly chargeable to individual students, provided that the Faculty meets the residual University fees. In these instances, the budget holder must quoting the student’s name, MMU ID, amount and budget code prior to the student’s enrolment. If Faculties require bench fees to cover specific research expenses (including academic staff visits) this should be indicated clearly.

12.Resources: The applicant must provide evidence that relevant resources and facilities are in place for the research at the application stage (see Annex A). Where the resources are linked to the applicant’s current employer or to a third party (such as a HEI in the locality of the applicant) there must be confirmation that the applicant will be able to use these resources to undertake their research using the Resources Declaration Form (see Annex B).

13.Progress monitoring during the candidature: Students are required to adhere to the standard FT or PT PhD student journey and complete all the milestones associated with the standard PhD as outlined in MMU’s Research Degree Regulations, Institutional Code of Practice and Research Student Handbook.Students will be required to undertake an Annual Review and will be provided with a supervisory team during the course of their candidature as per the standard research degree regulatory requirements.

Full time Distance Learning PhD fees

Year 1 – 3:

100% FT fees –Home and EU

100% FT fees – Overseas

From Year 4 Non Submission fees will apply.

Where visits are required, a business case should be submitted to the Graduate School prior to the approval of the student application. Once approved, bench fees to cover all the project running costs must be included in the offer letter.

Part Time Distance Learning PhD fees

Year 1 – 6: (50% of the Full Time fee)

From Year 7 Non submission fees will apply

Where visits are required, a business case should be submitted to the Graduate School prior to the approval of the student application. Once approved,bench fees to cover all the project running costs must be included in the offer letter.

Annex A

Indicative Application Form Appendix for a provisional Distance Learning PhD

Student and Academic Services
Graduate School /

DISTANCE LEARNING

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FORM

SECTION 1
Personal Details
First name(s): / Title:
Surname:

SECTION 2

Details of ability to work at a distance and independently
Please provide evidence of your ability to study at a distance and independently. For example:
  • Previous completion of distance qualification(s) and/or short courses
  • Previous completion of an independent research project
  • Professional experience

Details of resource requirements of your proposed research programme
Please confirm and provide details of the following (please note these will be in addition to the MMU resources available to all research students):
Access to library facilities:
Access to IT facilities:
Access to communications, including email and video conferencing (e.g. Skype, FaceTime or equivalent):
Contact with other postgraduate researchers and academic staff:
Access to facilities to support any study-related disability or wellbeing need:
Please state the specialist resources which you will need to access to undertake the research (e.g. Special Manuscript Collection; Access to Laboratory etc):
Please state how you will be able to access the required resources from your location of study:
Are any of these resources owned or managed by another person or institution (e.g. your employer)?
If yes, state name(s): / YES/NO

Annex B

Indicative Resources Confirmation Form Appendix for a provisional Distance Learning PhD

Student and Academic Services
Graduate School /

RESOURCES DECLARATION FORM

SECTION 1
To be completed by the applicant
First name(s): / Title:
Surname:
Degree Applied For:
Subject Area:
Resources required:

SECTION 2

To be completed by Resource Manager
The above named applicant has identified that they will require access to a resource that you manage as a part of their research degree.
Please complete and return this form to MMU via email or post
Name: / Title:
Position:
Name of institution/organisation:
Address:
Telephone number:
Email Address:
The resources as identified above are available and will remain so for the foreseeable future / YES/NO
The person identified above has permission to use these resources to undertake postgraduate research as a student of MMU / YES/NO
I declare that the information in this form is honest and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Signature:
Date: