External study
The University needs to be assured that satisfactory work arrangements are in place for students studying away from the University. External registration is permitted only where it is mutually beneficial to the student and the University for the study to be done away from the University.
Information requirements
Candidates wishing to undertake part or whole of their programme of research away from the University must provide the following, prior to registration, for consideration and approval by the Research Degrees Committee:
- 500 word statement by the candidate describing the proposed research
- Statement by the candidate on the physical conditions in which they will do the research
- Statement by the candidate on the actual facilities available: equipment, materials, technical assistance
- Statement by the candidate on the number of hours per week they expect to devote to the research programme
- Statement by a responsible member of the organisation that the organisation supports the application
- Statement by a responsible member of the organisation that the University Supervisor has the right to inspect all facilities and physical conditions in which the research is to be undertaken
- Statement by the candidate and a responsible member of the organisation that on completion they will not object to a copy of the thesis being freely available in the University library (except under circumstances where a confidentiality agreement is in place under the University's IPR policy)
Additional requirements
- Supervisors must endorse the above statements where relevant
- Students registered on an external basis must maintain regular contact with their University Supervisor(s) throughout the year by email/telephone and visit the University at least once a year to report on and discuss the progress of their research. It is expected that they will visit the University normally for a minimum of two weeks up to a maximum of four weeks in total per year or at such times as the Research Degrees Committee shall determine.
- Wherever possible, all external students will have an External Supervisor appointed to take responsibility for day-to-day supervision and ensuring the thesis represents the student's own work
The above points summarise the requirements set out in the Regulations for Research Degrees. For a more detailed explanation please follow the 'Quick links' to the Regulations for Research Degrees (Section 4) given on the right of this webpage.
