FRITURA CONVENCIONAL

B.3.1 Transfer Procedures for students registered prior to 1 September 2007

For students registered prior to 1 September 2007, Regulations dated 1 September 2007 apply to Transfer procedures.

B.3.2 PROGRESSION BOARDS

i) Progression Application

For candidates enrolled initially for a research degree from 1 September 2007 to 31 August 2012, Regulations dated Academic Year 2011-12 apply.

A candidate enrolled initially for a research degree on or after 1 September 2012 shall apply on the appropriate form (UTRD PROG) at 10 months from the commencement study to permit independent assessment to take place and completion of the Progression process within commencement of one year of study.

The purpose of the application to the Progression Board will be to seek confirmation of the level of degree on which the student may proceed to further study.

The date of the Progression Board should be preset in the Offer Letter in accordance with the timescale above, and a case must be made if this cannot be preset. Applicants on Distance Learning programmes must be made aware of the requirement to attend in person. [See also Regs B.2. v)]

Attendance at Research Induction and Research Methods and Skills Training programmes will be monitored and will be a pre-requisite for approval of a candidate’s progress at the Progression Board [See also Regs B.2.1 xi)].

ii) Length of Progression Reports

In support of the summary of progress on the application form, the candidate shall prepare supporting material on the work undertaken. The supporting materials should normally be of the following length but Schools may notify candidates of additional requirements:

a) A progress report of not more than 30 pages (single spacing) including diagrams, references, other ancillary data, etc, or b) At least 2,500 and not more than 5,000 words, as appropriate,

Supporting materials/progress reports should normally include: c) a review and discussion of the work already undertaken, and d) a statement of the intended further work, including in the case of

candidates wishing to confirm registration for PhD or D.Prof, details of the original contribution to knowledge which is likely to emerge.

iii) Progression Criteria, Independent Assessment

Before approving the Progression and confirming the level of degree on which the candidate will proceed, the Sub-Committee shall be satisfied that the candidate has made sufficient progress and that the proposed programme provides a suitable basis for work at the standard for the level of degree (Masters or Doctorate) which the candidate is seeking to achieve, and is capable of pursuing to completion.

The candidate’s School will seek advice of two Independent experts chosen in consultation between the Tutor for Postgraduate Students and the Supervisory team. One of the Independent Assessors must be external to the University. Neither should be connected with the student’s work. Assessors of part-time students should be informed of the reduced time spent in study in the first year in comparison with full- time students.

The appointment of an External Assessor is to ensure that University research degrees are of a standard commensurate with national standards.

In making decisions to approve Progression, the sub-Committee will also take account of demonstrated commitment to the programme of research and engagement with supervisor and other support staff as indicators of sufficient progress, in addition to academic criteria.

iv) Assessment

Assessors should submit their reports, in accordance with Guidelines provided and will be given a four-week deadline to return comments. Fees to External Assessors for Progression Reports will only be paid once reports have been submitted.

External Assessors should be invited to attend the Progression Board but attendance is not a statutory requirement. Internal assessors will be required to attend the Board.

v) The Progression Board

The Board will consist of the Postgraduate Tutor, as Chair, and the Supervisory Team, together with the Assessors [see B.3.2 iii)/iv) above] and an Independent member. Where the Postgraduate Tutor is a member of the Supervisory Team, an alternative Chair will be appointed.

The student will be required to attend the Board. Students may be invited to give a presentation to the Board, but this is not a compulsory requirement and does not replace the written requirement of the report.

The Board shall determine if the student can progress on the degree on which they wish to proceed, i.e. MPhil, M.Prof, PhD, or D.Prof, and will consider primarily whether a study has reached the required standard for progression to that level.

The Board will also consider Training needs additional to those identified when the student was admitted.

The student and Supervisory Team must be given access to the reports before the Board to be able to respond in writing. The responses must be presented to the Board. Exceptionally, the Board may proceed if the External’s report has not been received, but the Internal Assessor’s report must have been received and the Internal Assessor must be present. In the event of the unavailability of the External Independent Assessors, discussions must take place via e- mail or post to keep him/her informed.

vi) Non-unanimous Recommendations

Where the Assessors’ and the Boards’ recommendations are not unanimous, the Committee may:

a) accept a majority recommendation (provided that the majority recommendation includes the External Assessor);

b) accept the recommendation of the External Assessor; or c) require the appointment of an additional External Assessor.

vii) Appointment of Additional External Assessor

Where an additional External Assessor is appointed under sub paragraph B.3.2 (vi) c) above, he/she shall prepare an independent preliminary report on the basis of the Progression Report and, if considered necessary, may conduct a further oral examination. That

Assessor should not be informed of the recommendations of the other examiners. On receipt of the report from the additional Assessor the Sub-Committee shall complete the Progression Board process as set out in paragraph B.3.2 (viii).

viii) Decisions, Outcomes and Feedback

The outcome of the Progression Board should be recorded, including any recommendations for changes to the project and formal written feedback should be given to the candidate and Supervisory Team by the Postgraduate Tutor. The recommendation will be communicated to the candidate and Supervisory Team on the day of the Board and forwarded directly to the University Research Degree sub-Committee for consideration, together with the Assessors’ reports and Candidate’s/Supervisors’ responses made available to the Board. Candidates who are just short of the required standard may resubmit their Progression application within three months. Subject to agreement with the External Assessor, amendments may be viewed for approval by the Internal Assessor.

The Sub-Committee may arbitrate in cases where there is disagreement of the Board.

ix) Ethical considerations

Before approving a Progression the Sub-Committee shall be satisfied that Ethical Clearance, either through Ethical Release or Approval, has been obtained.

x) Submission at Masters level by candidates registered at Doctoral level A student whose Registration is confirmed at Progression for the degree of PhD or D.Prof and who is unable to complete the approved programme of work may, at any time prior to the submission of the thesis for examination, apply to the Sub-Committee for the registration to revert to that for MPhil or M.Prof respectively.

xi) Non-approval of Progression

A candidate seeking Progression at Doctoral level whose Progression is approved but only for progression at Masters level must submit within the normal maximum registration period for Masters.

A candidate whose Progression is not approved, may not proceed and withdrawal processes will be initiated by the sub-Committee.

Except in the case of mitigation, a candidate whose Progression is not approved on the basis of non-attendance at pre-requisite Research Induction and Research Methods and Skills Training programmes will be withdrawn.

However, a candidate may Appeal against a decision not to permit progression, or not to permit progression to the level they are seeking, in accordance with the Assessment Review Regulations set out in Section B.7.