Postgraduate Research Degree Student Application Process

February 2014

Postgraduate Research Degree Student Application Process

1. A student may make initial enquiries through a variety of channels but these should be directed to the Admissions Office who shall send out an information pack. The pack contains an application form and various details about higher degrees by research including information on fees, research training, supervision, studentships and the Graduate School. It is important that no implied offer of a place is made at this stage.

2. If a student is interested in pursuing a research degree at The University of Northampton, a completed application form must be returned to theAdmissions Office for registry checks. These include a check on whether minimum entry requirements have been met. For EU and overseas students qualifications are checked through the UK NARIC Service. Where the candidate’s first language is not English, evidence of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at level C1 must be presented. Candidates must also be able to demonstrate at interview and in the written proposal, appropriate language skills for the specific area of proposed research. Level C1 is equivalent to the following:

English language entry requirement for Postgraduate Research study at the University of Northampton. This is currently an overall IELTS score (or equivalent) of 7.0 with no component less than 6.5. For a full list of acceptable English Language qualifications, please contact The Admissions Office. Applicants with who already hold IELTS grades lower than 5.5 in any component will not be considered.

Any subsequent offer of a place on a research degree programme is subject to provision of evidence of qualifications and English language scores at enrolment.

3. If the applicant meets the admission requirements, copies of the application form are sent to the Research Leader or PGR Leader of the appropriate School for further consideration. At this stage the School shall consider whether it has the supervisory capacity and specific expertise and an appropriate research environment to support the proposed research activity.

4. Following this consideration the Dean of School and Research Leader shall complete form IR1 and forward this to the Admissions Office. If the candidate is to be invited to interview, references shall be obtained by the Admissions Office. Unsuccessful candidates shall be advised in writing by the Admissions Office.

5. All students shall be interviewed by a formally constituted interview panel. Interviews are organised by the Dean of School, or nominee, and shall comprise at least two persons including the Dean of School or nominee, the Research Leader and a proposed Director of Studies. Where the proposed First Supervisor is not the Director of Studies this person should also be in attendance. On conclusion of the interview Form IR2 should be completed and returned to the Admissions Office. IR2 contains information on the composition of the interview panel, a brief report on the candidate’s performance at interview, a proposed supervisory team, information on how the project shall be funded (for example, fees, subsistence, additional resources), and a consideration of the candidate’s training needs. A start date should be proposed at this stage. No offer shall be made to the student at interview.

6. As normal practice, students studying for a research degree shall receive supervision, support and training at The University of Northampton (that is, on-site). Approval for a student to study off-site, whether elsewhere in the UK or overseas shall be considered as a special dispensation that can be granted by the RDC at application. In such cases, at application the student and proposed supervisory team shall be required to provide documentation that demonstrates the manner in which appropriate research degrees supervision shall be sustained within and by a suitable research environment, the ways in which research training shall be provided and fulfilled, particularly discipline-based training, and the procedures that shall be set in place to monitor student progress and to provide routine support to that student. The School shall present the relevant section of ‘Interview Report Form 2’ (IR2) to the Research Degrees Committee for approval of the arrangements for off-site study prior to enrolment.

6. On receipt of form IR2, if all entry requirements have been met and with the confirmation of the Dean of School, the Postgraduate Research Managershall make a formal offer to the student in writing, including a link to the Research Degrees Handbook. If the candidate has been unsuccessful at this stage the Admissions Officeshallformally advise the student that they have been unsuccessful in writing.

7. Following a written acceptance of an offer by the candidate and production of proof of qualifications and English language scores, enrolment shall occur and fees shall become payable.