Responsibilities

• Appointment of Examiners, Examination Submission, Examiners Reports
• Publications
• Problems
• Responsibilities
• Monitoring Progress
• Administrative Requirements
• Time

Appointment of Examiners, Examination Submission, Examiners Reports

See Examinations.

Publications

Agreement should be reached between the candidate and members of the supervisory panel concerning authorship of publications and acknowledgment of contributions during and after candidature. There should be open and mutual recognition of the candidate's and any supervisor's contribution on all published work arising from the project. Candidates should be encouraged to publish during their candidature.

Problems

Difficulties of one sort or another may arise during candidatures, and candidates and members of the supervisory panel should be aware of the problem solving mechanisms and the support services which exist within the University, and to ensure that the School Research Management and Training Director is kept informed as necessary.

Responsibilities

The responsibility of the supervisory panel over the initial phase of candidature extends to (i) ensuring access to resources, as specified in UWS and School policies; (ii) encouraging the candidate to participate in the research culture within UWS; and (iii) ensuring that commitments made in respect of availability and contact are met by the candidate and the supervisory panel. The supervisory panel has a responsibility to provide timely feedback to the candidate on progress.

Monitoring Progress

See Early Candidature Plan, Annual Reports.

As the candidature progresses, different contact arrangements may be appropriate, but the candidate and members of the supervisory panel must be clear on what they expect of the others. The panel Principal Supervisor and the candidate should monitor progress made within the context of the overall research plan. When the time comes for writing the thesis, supervisors should be ready to advise on the requirements on style etc., and should give prompt feedback on drafts submitted.

Administrative Requirements

The Principal Supervisor should know where to find out the various degree and other administrative requirements and advise the candidate as necessary. He or she should ensure that the candidate seeks necessary approvals for absences from the University, and that the candidate receives any due entitlement within the School.

Time

An important part of research training is the completion of a project within a particular time frame. In this regard, a critical early phase is when the supervisory panel assists the candidate in drawing up a research proposal.

UWS has introduced the Early Candidature Plan in the first year of candidature to assist this process. The Principal Supervisor must pay particular attention to the likely time scale of the project, bearing in mind that a three-year PhD candidature should be an objective.

The Principal Supervisor should ensure that the candidate is aware of the standards expected of the degree concerned, and identify with the candidate the particular research skills that will need to be agreed indicators of progress being made. It will take note of known periods of leave. The Principal Supervisor should ensure that sufficient time is left for writing up the thesis.

Three years full time is the normal time for completion of a doctorate. Students should always plan to complete within three years. Additional time is “wriggle room” if there are any problems that slow down progress beyond the originally planned three year completion. For the range of time to complete the degree, see table below. The University counts time in enrolment load (EFTSL - equivalent full-time study load) and this is determined by your enrolment pattern. This method of counting enrolment takes into account periods of full and part-time enrolment and periods of leave. The EFTSL clock stops during periods of leave. Load (EFTSL) is accrued at 0.25 per part-time session and 0.50 per full-time session.

Completion Times

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