ACADEMIC QUALITY ASSURANCE MANUAL

RESEARCH DEGREE PROGRAMMES

HIGHER DOCTORATE AWARDS

Research Student Office

Academic Registry

November 2016

Table of Contents

1.INTRODUCTION

2.UNIVERSITY MISSION AND VALUES

3.QUALITY ASSURANCE STRUCTURES

4.ADMISSIONS

5.PRE-ENTRY GUIDANCE AND INDUCTION

6.ASSESSMENT

7.STUDENT SUPPORT

8.RESEARCH STUDENT TRAINING

9.STUDENT REPRESENTATION AND FEEDBACK

10.COLLABORATIVE PROVISION

11.MONITORING

12STAFF INDUCTION, APPRAISAL AND DEVELOPMENT

Appendices

  1. Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Research Degrees
  2. Research Student Assessment Policies and Procedures Handbook
  3. Annual Monitoring Process
  4. Collaborative Provision - Policy and Procedures
  5. Research Code of Practice for the Supervision, Examination and Administration of Research Students
  6. Student Handbook for Postgraduate Research
  7. Guidance on Professional Doctorates
  8. Research Higher Doctorates: Procedures

1.INTRODUCTION

1.1This manual outlines the structures, policies and procedures which contribute to academic quality assurance and enhancement for research degree programmes in the University of Central Lancashire.

1.2Unless explicitly stated otherwise, all of the University’s quality assurance mechanisms apply to all research degree programmes delivered at the University and other campuses in the UK and overseas.

1.3The University’s quality assurance procedures reflect relevant strategies and policies of the University. They have been mapped against the expectations of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education to ensure compliance with the external framework.

2.UNIVERSITY MISSION AND VALUES

2.1Mission

We create positive change in our students, staff, business partners and wider communities, enabling them to develop their full potential by providing excellent higher education, innovation and research.

2.2Values

  • The pursuit of excellence in all that we do.
  • Equality of opportunity for all, supporting the rights and freedoms of our diverse community.
  • The advancement and protection of knowledge, freedom of speech and enquiry.
  • Supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of all.

3.QUALITY ASSURANCE STRUCTURES

3.1The Vice-Chancellor is assisted by the Executive Team, the Senior Leadership Team and the Deans/Heads of School. The main committees of the University are the University Board and the Academic Board. The Academic Standards and Quality Assurance Committee (ASQAC), which reports to the Academic Board, has key responsibility for academic quality assurance. The Research and Innovation Committee, reporting to Academic Board, has responsibility for monitoring processes for research programmes. The Student Experience Committee, which reports to Academic Board, has responsibility for overseeing development, implementation and monitoring of the strategic themes relating to the student experience.

3.2The University’s academic structure is based upon fiveColleges:

College of Health and Wellbeing

College of Culture and the Creative Industries

College of Business, Law and Applied Social Sciences

College of Science and Technology

College of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences

3.3Each Collegeis headed by an Executive Dean. These Executive Deans are responsible for the academic leadership and management of the Colleges. As members of the Senior LeadershipTeam the Executive Deans also develop and implement corporate strategy. Colleges also have a College Director of Research and Innovation (or nominees).

3.4Each College has within it a number of Schools. Deans/Heads of Schools are responsible for academic leadership and management.

Supporting documents:

  • Academic Committees – terms of reference
  • Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Research Degrees
  • Code of Practice Relating to the Supervision, Examination and Administration of Research Degree Students
  • Higher Doctorates: Procedures

4.ADMISSIONS

4.1The University’s admissions policy outlines its belief that individuals should be encouraged to participate in the education process throughout life to the highest level of their ability to benefit.

4.2English Language Entry Requirements are set down in the Academic Regulations.

4.3Minimum entry requirements for all programmes are set down in the Academic Regulations. Applicants who do not satisfy the standard minimum entry requirement can be admitted on the basis of equivalent prior experience or learning or on the successful completion of an appropriate preparatory course.

4.4Admissions procedures for research degree awards aremanaged by theResearch Student Registry. Specific entry requirements for each individual research degree programme are determined by the appropriate Schools.

4.5Before an offer of admission for a research degree place is made, the Dean/Head of School and RDTs are responsible for ensuring that all the requirements for the support of a research degree candidate are fulfilled, the research environment in which the student will be studying is suitable, financial support for the project is in place and all aspects of project governance will be appropriate and will be in place from the start of the programme and are in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Research. For research degrees, governance refers inter alia to academic probity, financial probity, ethical probity and clearance, insurance, health and safety issues including whilst on placement or away from campus on fieldwork, Data Protection Act compliance, copyright compliance, Disclosure and Barring Service clearance, collaborative arrangements and contracts, and Intellectual Property Rights arrangements.

Supporting documents:

  • Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Research Degrees
  • Admissions Policy
  • Code of Practice Relating to the Supervision, Examination and Administration of Research Degree Students
  • Research Degree Admissions Guidance
  • Regulations for Studentships and Bursaries
  • Ethical principles for Research and e-ethics pack
  • Code of Conduct for Research
  • Collaborative provision, policy and procedures

5.PRE-ENTRY GUIDANCE AND INDUCTION

5.1Pre-entry advice and guidance to prospective research degree applicants and sponsors, together with the information on research degree programmes, accommodation, fees and student support is available from the Research Student Registry. The RDT provides guidance and advice on research projects, the availability of suitable supervision and applications. In the case of studentships, individual supervisors advise on applications and projects.

5.2The Research Student Registry ensures that research degree applicants are made aware of all relevant information pertaining to research degrees e.g. Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Research Degrees, the Code of Practice and the Code of Conduct for Research (these are made available on the web) and after their admission, all new research students are required to attend specified induction programmes.

Supporting documents:

  • Code of Practice Relating to the Supervision, Examination and Administration of Research Degree Students
  • University Code of Conduct for Research
  • Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Research Degrees
  • Research Student Handbook
  • Research Degrees Offer Packs (Home/EU and International)
  • Regulations for Research Studentships and Bursaries

6.ASSESSMENT

6.1Assessment is an essential part of the learning process of the student in that it provides:

a)a means of feedback to tutors and students;

b)a diagnosis of student potential;

c)a method of evaluating student progress and potential problems; and

d)a summative measure of achievement.

6.2The University regards any use of unfair means in an attempt to enhance performance or to influence the standard of award obtained as a serious academic and/or disciplinary offence. Unfair means include all forms of cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and re-presentation as defined in the Assessment Handbook.

6.3The University has procedures for appeals against assessment board decisions for all its awards as set out in the Assessment Handbook.

6.4Research Programme Approval

6.4.1The Research Degree Tutors are responsible for approving a programme of work and training appropriate to the target award within the timeframe set out in the Academic Regulations. To assist the Research Degree Tutors in establishing the academic probity of the programme, one or more referees will be appointed to review each application. In validating the programme of work the Research Degree Tutor will also confirm the official supervisory team, that the project can be completed by the expected submission point as well as operating within an appropriate governance framework and that the school has confirmed the availability of resources and facilities.

6.4.2The Research Degree Tutor is responsible for approving the research component of Professional Doctorate programmes and awards by Published Work.

Supporting documents:

  • Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Research Degrees
  • Research Student Assessment Policies and Procedures Handbook

6.5Amendments to approved programmes

6.5.1Each Research Degrees Tutor is responsible for conducting a process to approve or receive notification of changes to approved programmes to ensure continuing appropriateness for the target award. These include:

  • Changes to supervisory teams;
  • Changes of study mode:
  • Continuation beyond the expected submission point;
  • Withdrawal.

6.5.2College Directors of Research and Innovation are responsible for approving applications for authorised interruption of study.

6.5.3Heads of School are responsible for approving applications for changes of mode.

Supporting documents:

  • Code of Practice Relating to the Supervision, Examination and Administration of Research Degree Students
  • Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Research Degrees
  • Research Student Assessment Policies and Procedures Handbook
  • Research Student Handbook

6.6Transfer from MPhil to PhD

6.6.1The Research Degrees Board is responsible for confirming the progression of a candidate from MPhil to PhD. To assist the RDB in establishing the academic probity of the programme to proceed to PhD, one or more referees will be appointed.

Supporting documents:

  • Academic Regulationsfor Postgraduate Research Degrees
  • Code of Practice Relating to the Supervision, Examination and Administration of Research Degree Students
  • Research Student Assessment Policies and Procedures Handbook
  • Higher Doctorates: Procedures
  • Guide to Transferring from MPhil to PhD

6.7Progression Monitoring

6.7.1Schools formally assess the progress of each research degree student annually through the Annual Assessment of Progress Exercise. The Research Degrees Board will sit as a Progression Board to confirm individual Progression recommendations. College Research and Innovation Committees will receive reports from the Research Degrees Board so that they can monitor progression and completion within each of the Schools.

6.7.2Students are responsible for maintaining their Progress File.

6.7.3New students must be set progression criteria on entry and a plan of work for the next year must be drawn up. For subsequent academic years progression criteria and the plan of work for the forthcoming year must be set during the Annual Assessment exercise. Progression criteria are an essential part of the research degree programme in that they provide:

i)a method of evaluating student progress towards the target award within the required timescales; and

ii)a method of evaluating student progress on the programme of training; and

iii)a method for diagnosis of potential progression problems.

Supporting documents:

  • Academic Regulationsfor Postgraduate Research Degrees
  • Code of Practice Relating to the Supervision, Examination and Administration of Research Degree Students
  • Research Student Assessment Policies and Procedures Handbook
  • Research Student Progress File
  • Annual Assessment of Progress forms
  • Research Student Handbook

6.8Research Degree Examination

6.8.1Assessment for a research degree is a summative measure of achievement through submission of a thesis and oral examination. For practice-based theses there will be another element to the examination which may take the form of an exhibition, performance or procedure.

6.8.2The University’s Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Research Degrees set down the constitution of the examination team, outcomes for examination, extenuating circumstances and academic appeals.

6.8.3Proposals for a candidate’s examination are submitted by the Dean/Head of the candidate’s academic School. Submission of the thesis (and, where applicable, the performance-based work) and the oral examination may not take place until the examination arrangements have been approved by the Research Degrees Board.

6.8.4Where an internal examiner has no previous experience of research degree examinations, an Independent Chair may be appointed to attend the viva (doctoral examinations only)

6.8.5External examiners play a fundamental role in assuring academic standards by providing an external perspective on student performance and on the conduct of the assessment process.

6.8.6The core responsibilities and duties of research degree examiners are contained in the Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Research Degrees.

6.8.7Nominations for research degree examiners are made by Deans/Heads of School. They are required to demonstrate that the External Examiner has the appropriate standing, expertise, and experience to compare standards and that there is an appropriate balance within the team of examiners for the thesis being examined. To ensure impartiality,there must be no recent connection with the school, no recent joint publications with either the supervisor team, internal or other external examiner, no reciprocal arrangement with the External Examiner’s school, and no external examiner undergraduate appointments (as set out in the Conflicts of Interest Policy in the Research Student Assessment Policies and Procedures Handbook). The appointment is then made through the RDB.

Supporting documents:

  • Conflicts of Interest Policy
  • Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Research Degrees
  • Research Student Assessment Policies and Procedures Handbook (including the Research Exam and Theses Guide, Video Conferencing Procedures for Research Examination, and Extenuating Circumstances During Research Examination)
  • Code of Practice Relating to the Supervision, Examination and Administration of Research Degree Students
  • Student Declaration Form
  • Guidance on Professional Doctorates
  • Higher Doctorates: Procedures

7.STUDENT SUPPORT

7.1Students have access to a wide range of sources of help and advice. The ‘i’ acts as a central reference point but is part of a bigger network of support and information provided by CAS Hubs, the Students’ Union, the on-line portal and others.

7.2Research degree students can seek academic advice from their supervisory team (the Director of Studies is their primary contact) and can obtain support, advice, and guidance on research degree processes and procedural requirements from their school RDT. There is also a designated administrator contact person for each student within the Research Student Registry acting as a central source of advice and guidance on procedural and administrative aspects of research degrees, from admission through to award.

Supporting documents:

  • Guidance for Academic Advisors
  • The ‘i’ website
  • Research Student Handbook
  • Code of Practice Relating to the Supervision, Examination and Administration of Research Degree Students

8.RESEARCH STUDENT TRAINING

8.1Research students are expected to develop a range of research and other transferable skills throughout their research training in line with the expectations laid out in the Researcher Development Framework. This is to ensure that they are well-equipped with the skills expected to pursue a career in research or in any other field of employment. Directors of Studies should therefore ensure that they discuss their student’s training needs at the start of the programme and reviewed throughout the programme. Opportunities for research students to engage with their own PDP are related to their individual programmes.

8.2Each research student’s programme will include training in appropriate research and other skills. The Research Office organises and co-ordinates the University’s central programme of skills training events for research students.

8.3All research students, both part-time and full-time, are expected to present their work at least once per annum either at an internal symposium or externally at conferences or other symposia.

Supporting documents:

  • Researcher Development Framework
  • Research Student Progress File
  • Code of Practice Relating to the Supervision, Examination and Administration of Research Degree Students
  • University Code of Conduct for Research
  • Research Student Handbook

9.STUDENT REPRESENTATION AND FEEDBACK

9.1The UCLan Student Charter sets out a two-way commitment between the University and the Students Union to ensure students get the most out of their time at UCLan.

9.2Students play a critical part in the evaluation, development and enhancement of quality. Feedback from students is essential for the University to identify issues and areas for quality improvement, as well as to learn from those areas where quality is seen as of a high standard. The gathering of student feedback is done through a variety of methods.

9.3University wide student satisfaction surveys provide an analysis of the key issues that affect the quality of the student experience. They are administered centrally and distributed to students on and off campus. The analysis is presented to the University Management, Academic Board and to Services who are required to identify how they will respond to particular areas of concern.

9.4Regular meetings take place between the Students’ Union and Executive.

9.5Each research student is invited to participate in evaluation through the Annual Assessment of Progress Exercise, School, or other meetings or surveys. Research Degree Tutors analyse this feedback and, inter alia, this feeds in to the University’s QA Annual Monitoring process. A PGR student and staff forum meets twice a year to discuss ways in which the environment for research students can be shaped and improved.

9.6Where students have cause for complaint about the service they have received or feel that some aspect of their experience is unduly problematic and have not been able to resolve the matter by raising their concerns informally concerned, they have access to the University’s Complaints Procedure which is intended to provide an accessible, fair and straight-forward system which ensures an effective, prompt and appropriate response.

Supporting documents:

  • University Complaints Procedure
  • Research Student Handbook
  • Annual QA Monitoring Process
  • Research Student Assessment Policies and Procedures Handbook (including Appeals Procedures and Unfair Means to Enhance Performance
  • Student Charter

10.COLLABORATIVE PROVISION

10.1In order to further the aims of its Mission Statement, the University has entered into collaborative arrangements and partnerships with a number of partner institutions or industrial organisations both within the UK and overseas.

10.2The University works collaboratively with partners through joint supervision of research degrees (where staff of a partner institution are approved to support and supervise a student registered for a UCLan research degree).

10.3For research degree UK and overseas collaborations, proposals are scrutinised and approved by the Collaborative Sub-committee (CSC), and a recommendation will be sent to ASQAC.