Transcript Overview of University Perspective

University of Leeds
PhD Degrees
in the
University of Leeds: 1
Presented by
Nick Marler
Institute for Transport Studies
1
File:ERSSScience0106-mod(010506).ppt
Overview of Part 1
– The University of Leeds’ perspective on
PhD Degrees
– Admission and the first year
– Administration and the University’s Code
of Practice
2
2. The University of Leeds’
Perspective on PhD Degrees
6
Research degrees: clarification
• Three main types of research degree in UK:
- PhD/EdD/other doctorates
- MPhil
- Master by Research (MRes)
• Most of this seminar will be concerned with
PhD degrees
• Note that a PhD degree in the United
Kingdom is wholly by research: there are no
taught components
7
A PhD Degree
• Research Project
• Training Programme
• Performance Indicator
– Submission rates and “qualification” rates
• Influence on RAE
– Numbers
– Degrees awarded
– Publications
• Source of funds for University and Schools
• Quality Assurance Agency Audit
8
Expectation
A thesis for a PhD degree:
Represents research that may reasonably
be expected of a capable and diligent
student after the appropriate period of
study e.g. 3 years for a full-time PhD.
Learning Outcomes for research
degrees are published in all the
booklets produced by Research
Degrees and Scholarships Office.
9
Research Degree Assessment Criteria
Learning Outcomes for all Research Degree Programmes
• PhD/EdD/other doctorates
– Originality
– Independent critical ability
– Matter suitable for publication
• MPhil
– Independent contribution
– Material at a level suitable for publication
10
Formal criteria for success
To qualify for the award of the degree of Doctor of
Philosophy each candidate must meet the required
learning outcomes, and satisfy the examiners that
his/her achievement is of sufficient merit and that his/her
thesis contains evidence of originality and independent
critical ability and matter suitable for publication through:
(a) presenting a thesis or alternative form of thesis as
prescribed under Regulation 30 on the subject of his/her
advanced study and research; and
(b) presenting him/herself for an oral examination and
other such tests as the examiners may prescribe.
University of Leeds Ordinance X, Regulation 29
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Examiners’ View
• In Leeds, examiners for the degree of PhD are
asked to report under the following headings:
– On the nature and purpose of the investigation
– On the evidence of originality with an indication of
the nature of any such evidence
– On the evidence of independent critical ability with
an indication of the nature of any such evidence
– On the extent to which the thesis contains matter
suitable for publication
– On the written style and overall presentation of the
thesis
– On the performance of the candidate in the oral
examination
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Periods of Study
Degree
Period of Study
Full- Time
Standard
Part- Time
Maximum Standard Maximum
PhD
3 years
4 years
5 years
7 years
Integrated PhD
4 years
5 years
-
-
EdD
3 years
4 years
5 years
7 years
MPhil
2 years
3 years
4 years
6 years
Mastership by Research
1 year
1 year
2 years
2 years
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New Entrants at Leeds: Trends
400
350
300
*
250
Full-time UK/EU
Full-time International
Part-time UK/EU
200
150
100
50
0
00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06
*Reduction caused by the transfer of MRes degrees from research to taught prog categories
15
Numbers of Research Students
(continued in next slide)
December 2005
Full- time
Part-time
H/EC
Intl
H/EC
93
35
50
44
39
39
Business
26
41
22
ESSL
50
42
75
919
457
384
ARTS
PVAC
(performing & visual arts and communications)
(education, social science and law)
Total University
16
Full-time PhD submission rates
within 4 years (continued in next slide)
2000 starters
ARTS PVAC ESSL
BUS
Total
University
Started year 2
32
21
20
13
368
Submitted in 4
years
25
14
9
5
249
% submitted
78%
67%
45%
39%
68%
% suspensions
and extensions
19%
29%
30%
39%
24%
18
Full-time PhD submission rates
within 4 years
Biol
Sci
Env
Eng
Started year 2
75
32
72
73
30
368
Submitted in 4
years
54
20
37
61
24
249
72%
63%
51%
84%
80%
68%
% suspensions
24%
and extensions
22%
39%
11%
17%
24%
2000 starters
% submitted
MAPS MDPH
Total
Uni
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PhD completion rates
• HEFCE* will monitor “completion rates”
(and ‘qualifications’) in HESA** returns
• If concern, QAAHE*** to investigate
• Will publish the information (HESA)
• Funding implications (next slide)
* Higher Education Funding Council for England
** Higher Education Statistics Agency
*** Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
20
Research Councils
(AHRC, ESRC etc.)
• National bodies which award money to
universities and departments for studentships
(and for other things)
• Sanctions against Universities for poor PhD
submission records
• AHRC: Where university’s 4 year full time
submission rate is <50% then university is
ineligible for doctoral student awards for 2 years
• ESRC: Where University’s 4 year submission
rate by full-time scholarship holders is <60%
then no new studentships may be held for 2
years
21
Funding for UK/EU PhD students
• Census date for registration
– Those registered 1st December ‘qualify’ for
funds
– No income unless student registered
• Allocation to resource centres based on
– Cost weight of subject (more expensive
research receives more)
– Subject to School receiving at least grade 4 in
RAE 2001
22
Year 4 of a Full-Time PhD
•
•
•
•
‘Overtime’ Period
No HEFCE funding for the University
No funding for schools
But candidate still entitled to supervision!
24
3. Admission and the first year
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Admission
•
•
•
•
•
•
Supervisor should interview the potential student
Consideration of the suitability of the student
Take up references on student / check qualifications
Appropriate expertise of supervisor
Identification of adequate resources for the research
The English language abilities of non UK students should
meet the University requirements
• Careful matching of expectations of supervisor and
student
• Universities make formal offers to students centrally,
typically offers are made by the Registrar
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The first few days
• There must be a clear induction process
• Induction should include: both social and research
facilities; health and safety regulations; the research
degree process in terms of
– monitoring progress
– transfer at the end of 1st year
– time scale for thesis submission
• Set clear immediate objectives
• Require the student to get into the habit of writing
regularly
• Identify training needs – make use of available training
(training needs to be reviewed regularly)
• Inexperienced supervisors should be supported
29
During the first year
• Have regular formal supervision meetings and keep
written records
• Give formal feedback in writing (see next slide)
• In a good research environment students should receive
support from other staff, such as the postgraduate tutor,
and fellow students, not just the supervisor
• Too much teaching?
-teaching hours should not exceed maximum limits,
typically six hours per week
- it is a requirement for postgraduates who teach to be
appropriately trained
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Monitoring Progress
Stages of a progress review meeting.
1. Student and supervisor review objectives set out in the
report of the previous meeting.
2. Student reports either verbally or in writing on the extent
to which these objectives have been met.
3. Supervisor acknowledges achieved objectives.
4. Discuss unachieved objectives.
5. Supervisor and student negotiate new targets.
6. Within a day or so of the meeting the student hands
(emails) a written report of the meeting to supervisor. If
both agree to content then both sign and keep copies. If
for any reason the meeting was particularly difficult the
supervisor should make private notes
31
The end of the first year
• Notification of the review procedure to student well in
advance
• Submission of a written report
• Formal review meeting (‘upgrade’): can the student
continue towards the PhD?
• Independent assessor
• Assessment of progress towards meeting the learning
outcomes
• Identification of thesis title
• Formal written feedback to student to identify concerns
where appropriate
• Student may wish to extend deadline (indication of
problems?)
32
4. The administrative process
and code of practice for
research degrees
33
Administrative Framework
Senate
Graduate Board
Research Degrees Office
Senior Assistant Registrar – Mrs J Y Findlay
- Makes formal offer of a place and final award of degrees
- Publishes the Research Student handbook and
Ordnances and Regulations for Research Degrees
- Keeps Student file
Faculty Postgraduate Research Committee
School
Postgraduate tutor
Student file
Supervisor
Student file
Student
34
Code of Practice for Research
Degree Candidatures: 1
• Defines responsibilities of
–
–
–
–
–
Deans
Faculty Postgraduate Research Committees
Postgraduate Research Tutors
Supervisors
Students
• At least two members of staff to consider an application*
• Supervision by a lead supervisor and at least one other
co-supervisor or adviser
• Statement of minimum standards of facilities
• Training plan to be agreed within one month of start and
to be reviewed at least annually*
* new from 2005/06
36
Code of Practice for Research
Degree Candidatures: 2
• Students encouraged to keep Personal Development
Plans
• Students to consult their supervisor before undertaking
any additional work at the University*
• At least 12 supervision meetings a year for full-time
students who first registered before September 2005. At
least 10* supervision meetings a year for those who first
register in or after September 2005.
• Supervisors responsible for ensuring that there are
written records of formal supervisory meetings*
• ‘Transfer’ panels to include at least one person not
included in the supervision
• PGR Tutor or Head of School (or senior member of the
School) to meet with student at least annually without
supervisors*
37
* new from 2005/06
Code of Practice for Research
Degree Candidatures: 3
• Reading and commenting on the whole of the
draft thesis prior to submission
• “Mock viva” to be provided when requested by
the student*
• At least one internal and one external examiner
• Examiners required to submit independent
reports prior to the oral*
• Supervisors may be an observer at the
examination but if not present must be available
for consultation
* new from 2005/06
38
University of Leeds
PhD Degrees
in the
University of Leeds: 2
39
File:ERSSScience0106-mod(280406)
Overview
– Quality assurance
– Additional training
– The final stages
40
5. Quality assurance
41
Quality assurance for PhD degrees
Quality assurance (QA) is through:
• Formal & informal practices within departments
• formal procedures within the university
• QA from outside bodies (especially QAAHE &
HEFCE)
Many of the codes of practice and procedures
mentioned elsewhere in this lecture may be
regarded as part of the QA process
42
QA: documents to guide the
research degree process: 1
The Research Degrees and Scholarships Office (RDSO) in
Leeds University produces a number of booklets
containing information on Research Degrees. Including:
• Guide for Research Degree Supervisors, which contains
a copy of the Code of Practice for Research Degree
Candidatures
• University of Leeds Research Student Handbook, which
also contains a copy of the Code of Practice for
Research Degree Candidatures
• Ordinances and Regulations and Programmes of Study
for Research Degrees
• Departmental handbooks for PhD students & supervisors
(based on University code of practice)
43
QA: documents to guide the
research degree process: 2
The RDSO and SDDU also provide the following:
• Thesis Format Regulations
• Examination Entry Forms for Research Degrees
• Resubmission Guidelines
• Eligibility to Act as Internal Examiner
• Eligibility to Act as External Examiner
• Internal Examiners Checklist
• Examiners’ Report Forms
• Composition of the Examining Team and the Role of the
Supervisor
• Training Opportunities for Research Students booklet
44
HEFCE and QAAHE documents
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Quality
Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAAHE) take an overview of
postgraduate research degree programmes. The following is a list of reports and
documentation that they produce which has influenced the sector in recent times:
• May 1996 HEFCE. Review of Postgraduate Education (The Harris Report)
• June 1997 HEFCE circular 12/97 Implementation of the Review of Postgraduate
Education.
• October 1998 The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAAHE)
Code of Practice for the Assurance of Academic Quality and Standards in Higher
Education: Postgraduate Research Programmes. (Updated in September 2004).
• Jan 2001 The QAAHE National Qualifications Framework.
• May 2001 The QAAHE Quality Audit Report on the University of Leeds.
• April 2002 The Roberts Report: SET for Success (the supply of people with
science, technology, engineering and mathematical skills), Treasury, DfES, DTI,
April 2002.
• October 2002 Improving standards in postgraduate research degree programmes
(A report to the Higher Education Funding Councils of England, Scotland and
Wales).
• September 2004 The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAAHE),
Code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher
education, Section 1: Postgraduate research programmes – September 2004. *
* the 21 ‘precepts’ from this report given in the following slides
45
6. Additional Training
49
QAA Code of Practice for PG Research Programmes (09/04)
Re: training and development - three key precepts (18,19,20).
18 Institutions will provide research students with appropriate
opportunities for personal and professional development.
19 Each student’s development needs will be identified and
agreed jointly by the student and appropriate academic
staff, initially during the student’s induction period; they will be
regularly reviewed during the research programme and
amended as appropriate.
20 Institutions will provide opportunities for research students
to maintain a record of their progress, which includes
reference to the development of research and other skills.
50
Training Considerations
• Identify training needs through regular
formal supervision meetings
• Generic training – ‘shifting agendas’
• PDP and Personal Records
51
Many skills needed so students can PRODUCE a THESIS…..
ON TIME (so they don’t run out of MONEY)
and of SUFFICIENT QUALITY
and PUBLISH with minimal STRESS
and PRESENT THEIR FINDINGS AT A CONFERENCE
or EXPLOIT THE IP in other ways
while MAINTAINING A LIFE and MANAGING THEIR TIME
and keeping an eye on THEIR NEXT STEPS
by BUILDING A NETWORK
and MANAGING THEIR CAREER
all without FALLING FOUL OF ISOLATION + 2nd YEAR BLUES
and without INJURING THEIR SUPERVISOR (or vice versa…)
52
Skills Statement
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
Research Skills and Techniques
Research Management
Personal Effectiveness
Communication Skills
Networking and Team working
Career Management
(Joint Statement of the RCs’ Skills Training
Requirement for Research Students)
53
SDDU Training
• University of Leeds
Training and Personal
Development
Opportunities for
Research Students
54
7. The Final Stages
64
Examination Entry
• Exam entry form should be submitted to
RDSO 3 months before thesis submission.
• Supervisor responsible for:
– authorising thesis title
– recommending examiners
65
Preparation For The Viva
• In recent survey of Leeds research students, the single
point which was identified as potentially being of most
value was the provision of a mock viva.
• It is generally felt that students need to give
departmental seminars on a regular basis as well as
offering papers at specialist meetings.
• Both of these measures should help the student’s ability
to approach the viva confidently.
• Note that the Supervisor(s) are under an obligation to
read and comment upon a draft of the thesis prior to
submission (with the proviso that it is presented to them
in a reasonable amount of time).
66
The Oral Examination (1)
• On the first occasion that a thesis is submitted
the Examiners must, in all cases, conduct an
oral examination at which candidates are
required to present themselves and answer
questions posed by the Examiners.
• The examination must be conducted in English.
• The Supervisor may be an observer at the
examination but if not present as an observer is
required to be available for consultation if
necessary.
67
The Oral Examination (2)
• In cases where the candidate has more than
one Supervisor, normally only one Supervisor
should be nominated to attend the examination.
• Now: examiners will be asked to write
preliminary reports prior to the oral.
• The Supervisor takes no part in the decisionmaking process.
• In the case of a resubmission a second oral
examination may be held if the examiners deem
it appropriate.
68
The Oral Examination (3)
• It should be noted that if, after reading the
resubmitted thesis, the examiners reach a
preliminary view that the candidate has not
fulfilled the requirements for the award of
the degree, it is essential that a second
oral examination be held to ensure that the
candidate is given every opportunity to
defend the work.
69
Examiners’ Report Form
• Evidence of originality*
• Evidence of independent critical ability*,
with an indication of the nature of any such
evidence
• Performance of the candidate in the vivavoce examination
• Candidates should satisfy the Learning
Outcomes
* How to define these?
70
. . . and finally, how well did they perform?
Leeds University: PhD examination outcomes in
academic year 2004/05
• Total number of examinations: 520
•
•
•
•
•
Pass
Minor Errors
Minor Deficiencies
Referral
Fail
11.5%
41.9%
38.3%
7.9%
0.6%
73
University of Leeds
the end
74