Research student obligations and research conduct

(1)9.31

All students of the University shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Senate, in respect both of their studies and their conduct. The Senate has the power to suspend, exclude, or expel any student deemed to have been guilty of misconduct or to impose such other penalties as may be appropriate.

Responsibilities of research students

(1)9.32

The research student shall have primary responsibility for the direction and progress of their work and for the delivery of a thesis of an appropriate standard within the specified maximum registration period.

(1)9.33

The responsibilities of the research student shall include:

• completing initial registration as required
• making time at the start of the registration period to discuss with the academic adviser the standard of work expected of research students and the respective roles and responsibilities of the research student and the academic adviser
• making themselves familiar with relevant policies and procedures – in particular, with the Senate Regulations
• developing a work plan that will enable them to make appropriate progress over the registration period
• managing and sustaining progress in accordance with the work plan, including the submission to the academic adviser of interim work as required
• recognising when they need help and taking the initiative in raising any concerns and problems as early as possible with the academic adviser or the Postgraduate Tutor
• reflecting on and responding to feedback and guidance provided by the academic adviser with regards to the development of the critical appraisal
• providing the academic adviser with a complete final draft of the critical appraisal by a mutually acceptable date in sufficient time before the required submission date for the academic adviser to read and comment on
• ensuring that the thesis complies with all relevant regulations, including those on format and binding
• submitting the thesis for examination on or before the final day of the specified maximum period of registration or the final day of an approved extension period
• making appropriate preparations for the viva voce examination and attending the examination as required by the examining team

Academic honesty

(1)9.34

The University’s primary functions of teaching and research involve a search for knowledge and the truthful recording of the findings of that search. Any action that is knowingly taken by the research student which involves misrepresentation of the truth shall be considered as academic dishonesty and as such is an offence which the University believes should merit the application of very severe penalties.

(1)9.35

Students registered for the degree of PhD by Published Work or MD by Published Work must comply with the requirements on academic honesty as specified in Senate Regulation Nine.

Appeals and complaints

(1)9.36

The research student may appeal against an academic decision not to award a research degree by published work. Research students who wish to appeal against an academic decision of this type must submit a formal academic appeal as specified in Senate Regulation Ten.

(1)9.37

Research students who are dissatisfied with any element of the research degree by published work programme must raise any concerns at the time they occur and prior to submission of the thesis for examination. The research student must raise any such concerns with the academic adviser in the first instance. Research students who are dissatisfied with the response of the academic adviser should take their concerns to the Postgraduate Tutor or the Head of Department. Research students who are unable to resolve difficulties through these routes may submit a formal complaint as specified in Senate Regulation Twelve.