The responsibilities of a doctoral researcher include:

• making satisfactory progress in the research project and any programme of work agreed with the Supervisor(s);
• submitting written work in an agreed time before meetings with the Supervisor(s);
• being in regular attendance at the University which for full time doctoral researchers will require attendance at monthly meetings as a minimum;
• making a record of supervisory meetings as required by the Supervisor(s);
• raising any problems with the Supervisor(s) and providing adequate explanation of any failure to attend meetings or to meet other commitments, so that appropriate guidance may be offered;
• preparing the 6 month and the annual progress reports on the research project;
• communicating research findings both orally and in writing, to others in the academic community;
• drawing to the attention of the Supervisor(s) any circumstances that might require the mode of study to be modified or institutional registration to be extended, suspended or withdrawn;
• making appropriate and economical use of teaching and learning facilities made available by the institution;
• undertaking research training including transferable skills training and maintaining a record of that training;
• submitting for a research degree within the timescales provided for in the Regulations;
• maintaining contact with their Supervisor(s) while pursuing their research up to and including submission;
• submitting a thesis to their Supervisor(s) for comment prior to being submitted.

The doctoral researcher must be aware that the research to be pursued must be their own work and they should determine the research programme after an initial period of instruction and assistance from their Supervisors.

A doctoral researcher need not confine their requests for advice to their Supervisors but may approach any member of the academic staff who can help.

In exceptional cases a doctoral researcher may ask their Director of Doctoral Programmes for one or more of their Supervisors to be changed if the research is progressing along lines outside their Supervisors’ area of expertise or for any other reason that the doctoral researcher may consider makes a change desirable.

If the initial request to the Director of Doctoral Programmes for a change of Supervisor is agreed, this will then be subject to approval from the Dean of the School will appoint a new Supervisor. If a solution cannot be found an approach should then be made to the Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Doctoral College, whose decision shall be final.

Subject to completing a minimum period of registration it is for the doctoral researcher to determine when their thesis is ready for submission. It is anticipated that submissions will be made with the support of the Supervisors. Where support is not given the matter will be referred to the Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Doctoral College on the notification of the Doctoral College Office.

Notification of intention to submit a thesis must be given at least three months prior to the expected date of submission using the appropriate online process.

A doctoral researcher must ensure that they are familiar with University Regulations and relevant paragraphs of this Code of Practice. Doctoral researchers may ask School staff for advice on how to apply these documents in the context of their studies. Final responsibility for the interpretation of University Regulations and this Code of Practice lies with the Doctoral College Office which acts on behalf of the Academic Registrar.

Doctoral Researchers should also familiarise themselves with the standard terms and conditions of study.