Dear All,
Along with many Universities, our PhD programmes have been traditionally 3
years long with another additional (unregistered) writing up year. There is
a significant push to introduce longer programmes, especially from Research
Councils. However, every research councils appears to be addressing this
issue differently, whilst HEFCE are still sticking with only counting the
first 3 years of a research programme. Would you mind answering some
questions on how your institution is handling this from a planning
perspective? I'll happily circulate the responses.
Do you offer full-time PhD programme with a registration period of more than
3 years (excluding any writing up phase) and if not are you considering
introduction any?
If you have full-time PhD programmes with a registration period of more
than 3 years, how long are they? (for example, 3.5 years, or 4 years).
In what ways are the content and requirements of these programmes
distinctive from a standard 3-year programme with a writing up year and is
the award different (eg Extended PhD, Integrated PhD)?
Do these students receive a writing up period beyond their period of
Registration and if so how long?
Do you allow transfers of registration to and from a 3-year programme and a
longer period of registration and if so are there any criteria?
Given that HEFCE (and RAE) only allow 3 year research programmes to be
returned as fundable, how do you handle the potential funding implications,
for example are you using doctoral training monies to support students who
are undertaking full-time PhDs of longer than 3-years in length?
If these programmes contain a blend of research and postgraduate taught
modules, how are you handling the statutory return of these activities
(HESA, HESES/RAS)?
Any other issues that need to be taken into consideration?
Thanks for any guidance you may feel able to provide!
Anna
**********************************************
Anna Grey
Research Policy Manager
Research and Enterprise Office
e-mail [log in to unmask]
tel (01904 43) 4047
|