1. Introduction - The University

The purpose of this Code of Practice is to set out the University's standards for its research degree programmes. All postgraduate students and their supervisors should be provided with a copy of this document.

1.1 The Graduate School Committee

The Graduate School Committee is responsible to Senate for the achievement of the University’s agreed aims and objectives in relation to postgraduate provision and related aspects of the student experience. This includes:

1. University policies and procedures in respect of postgraduate provision;
2. University policies and procedures for the assurance of quality and standards of postgraduate research degree programmes, including the monitoring, review and application of the University’s Code of Practice on Research Degree Programmes;
3. University policies and procedures for the quality enhancement of the postgraduate research degree programmes;
4. University policies and procedures for:
   i) the recruitment, selection, admission and induction of postgraduate students;
   ii) the supervision of postgraduate research students;
   iii) the initial review and subsequent progress of research students;
   iv) the development, management and delivery of postgraduate research and other skills training and responsibility for and oversight of funding to support postgraduate research and other skills training;
   v) feedback from research students;
   vi) assessment and examination;
   vii) resources and postgraduate degree programmes.
5. taking action as required when any aspects of quality of standards in any postgraduate research programmes are considered to be a risk;
6. responsibility for and oversight of funding to support postgraduate research students;
7. approval of the duties of the Directors of Postgraduate Research;
8. any other matters referred to the Graduate School Committee by Senate and/or Council.

In carrying out these duties the Committee also:

1. consults with Faculty Graduate Sub-Committees on matters on which it requires comments from faculties and departments;
2. reports to Senate on the business of the Committee including particularly any issues of policy which require the approval of Senate and/or to which the attention of Senate should be drawn.

University Research Committee:

1. The Committee forwards to Research Committee for consideration all strategic issues relating to Postgraduate research policy. Formal recommendations approved by Research Committee will then be forwarded directly to Senate.
2. The Postgraduate Dean reports termly to Research Committee on Postgraduate Research student issues.
   

The Graduate School Committee has the following Sub-Committees:

1. Faculty of Arts and Humanities Graduate Sub-Committee;
2. Faculty of Science Graduate Sub- Committee;
3. Faculty of Social Science and Health Graduate Sub-Committee;
4. Management Committee for Key Skills Programme (Research Postgraduates);
5. Postgraduate Awards Sub-Committee;
6. Postgraduate Training Sub-Committee;
7. Management Committee for MA in Research Methods.

and appoints working groups and other groups for the purposes of consultation and discussion as it requires from time to time.

1.2 The Graduate School

is the administrative department which supports postgraduate students, supervisors, examiners and Directors of Postgraduate Research.

1.3 The Postgraduate Dean

is responsible for the strategic development of postgraduate education at the University of Durham. The Postgraduate Dean chairs the Graduate School Committee which has responsibility to Senate for the achievement of the University’s agreed aims and objectives in relation to postgraduate supervision and related aspects of the students experience. The Postgraduate Dean also represents the postgraduate interest on other internal committees and represents the University externally to ensure the University is at the forefront of national initiatives in the postgraduate area.

1.4 The Deputy/Associate Dean of the Faculty of Social Science and Health

is responsible for the quality assurance and development of postgraduate provision in the Faculty. This includes working closely with the department Director of Research Postgraduate Research who is a member of the relevant Graduate Faculty Sub-Committee which is chaired by the relevant Deputy Dean. The Deputy Dean also takes action on behalf of the Graduate School Committee on a daily basis taking decisions concerning student progress.

1.5 The Director of Postgraduate Training

is responsible for the development and delivery of postgraduate research and other skills training. This includes chairing the Postgraduate Training Sub-Committee and the Management Committee for Key Skills Programme (Research Postgraduates).

1.6 Directors of Postgraduate Research

act as departmental representatives on the Faculty Graduate Sub-Committees and are responsible for promoting and ensuring best practice within their Board of Studies with regard to the selection, admission, enrolment and induction of research students, supervisory arrangements for research students, initial review and subsequent progress of research students, the development of research and other skills for research students and feedback from research students. They are also responsible for overseeing the Graduate School annual monitoring of research student progress, coordinating the implementation of the University’s postgraduate recruitment strategy including departmental management of schemes such as the Doctoral Fellowship scheme and identifying the resources required to support the University’s and department’s strategy on postgraduate research student recruitment