Academic calendar – term dates
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Last updated: 18 September 2024
1.1. The University may award the degrees of Master of Arts by Research (MA by Research), Master of Science by Research (MSc by Research), Master of Research (MRes), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy by Publication (PhD by Publication), Professional Doctorate and International Doctorate to registered candidates who successfully complete approved programmes of supervised research. Students enrolled for any of these programmes shall be considered research students.
1.2. Programmes of research may be proposed in any field of study within the competence of the University, provided that the proposed programme is capable of leading to scholarly work and to its presentation for assessment by appropriate examiners. The written thesis may be supplemented by material in other than written form. All proposed research programmes will be considered for research degree registration on their academic merits and without reference to the concerns or interests of any associated funding body.
1.3. The MSc by Research or MA by Research may be awarded to a candidate who has successfully completed an approved programme requiring completion of taught elements and whose thesis represents an independent contribution to knowledge. The thesis should demonstrate the investigation and evaluation or critical examination of an approved topic The candidate must present a thesis for assessment and be prepared to defend it by viva voce examination, or other approved alternative examination, to the satisfaction of the examiners. If both examiners produce individual reports to indicate that the thesis is of sufficient strength not to warrant a viva voce examination, the oral (or other approved alternative) examination may be dispensed with.
1.4. The MRes may be awarded to a candidate who has successfully completed an approved programme requiring completion of taught elements and whose thesis both reflects on research methods and represents an independent contribution to knowledge. The thesis should demonstrate the investigation and evaluation or critical examination of an approved topic. The candidate must present a thesis for assessment and normally be prepared to defend it by viva voce examination, or other approved alternative examination, to the satisfaction of the examiners.
1.5. The MPhil may be awarded to a candidate who has successfully completed an approved programme requiring completion of taught elements and whose thesis represents and independent, significant contribution to knowledge. The thesis should demonstrate the investigation and evaluation or critical examination of an approved topic, together with an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field. The candidate must present a thesis and defend it by viva voce examination, or approved alternative examination, to the satisfaction of the examiners.
1.6. The PhD may be awarded to a candidate who has successfully completed a programme of scholarly research and whose thesis represents an independent, significant and original contribution to knowledge, or who has completed an integrated programme of study comprising advanced instructions as well as scholarly research demonstrated by thesis. The thesis should demonstrate the investigation and evaluation or critical evaluation of an approved topic, together with an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field. The candidate must present a thesis and defend it by viva voce examination, or approved alternative examination, to the satisfaction of the examiners. The work, or elements of it, should be worthy of publication, may include a proportion of published work, and in the case of a practice based study may include artworks, performance and/or artefacts.
1.7. The PhD by Publication may be awarded to a candidate where the submission consists of previously published research of doctoral standard and the accompanying critical reflection and commentary on the submitted publications demonstrates their independent, significant and original contribution to knowledge and scholarly research.
1.8. An appropriately titled Professional Doctorate may be awarded to a candidate who has successfully completed an approved programme requiring completion of taught elements at advanced level and supervised, independent research of clear value, relevance and application to a defined area of professional practice, concluded by the submission of a thesis or approved alternative to be examined by viva voce examination, or approved alternative examination, at Doctoral level.
1.9. The International Doctorate may be awarded to a candidate who has successfully completed a programme of scholarly research and whose thesis represents an independent, significant and original contribution to knowledge, or who has completed an integrated programme of study comprising advanced instruction as well as scholarly research demonstrated by thesis. The thesis should demonstrate the investigation and evaluation or critical examination of an approved topic, together with an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field. The candidate must always present a thesis written in English for this award. The thesis should have been reviewed by 2 academics from 2 different countries. The candidate must defend the thesis by viva voce examination, or approved alternative examination, to the satisfaction of the examiners. The work, or elements of it should be worthy of publication, or may include a proportion of published work.
1.10. Each award title incorporating taught elements has regulations for the taught components that comply with the University’s Academic Regulations for Taught Provision.
1.11. Co-operation with industrial, commercial, professional or research establishments may be undertaken for the purposes of research leading to research degree awards. Co-operation may be formalised with one or more bodies external to the University; such bodies are referred to as collaborating establishments. Formal collaboration will normally involve the candidate’s use of facilities, data or other resources, including advice and supervision, which are provided jointly by the University and the collaborating establishments.
2.1. The maximum periods of registration should normally be as follows:
Award | Maximum |
---|---|
MSc or MA by Research (Level 7) | |
full-time | 4 years |
part-time | 4 years |
MRes (Level 7) | |
full-time | 4 years |
part-time | 4 years |
MPhil (Level 7)* | |
full-time | 4 years |
part-time | 5 years |
PhD (Level 8) | |
full-time | 6 years |
part-time | 8 years |
Professional Doctorate (Level 8) | |
Full-time | 6 years |
Part-time | 8 years |
International Doctorate (Level 8) | |
Full Time | 6 years |
Part Time | 8 years |
2.2. A candidate must pay such fees for their programme of study as shall be determined by the University. The University publishes a Fees Policy which gives further information.
2.3. A candidate must submit the thesis before the expiry of the maximum period of registration.
2.4. Where a candidate is prevented, by ill-health or other good cause, from making progress with the research, they may suspend study for a specific period, for not less than 3 months and not more than one year. Candidates may request suspension of studies beyond one calendar year, but this must be supported by the School. Approved periods of suspension of studies count against the maximum registration period and therefore do not change the end date for the maximum registration period.
2.5. Candidates who have been awarded a fixed term funded studentship must ensure that a period of suspension of studies is permitted under the terms of their contract. It is the student’s responsibility to check their eligibility, including any limitations on number or duration of suspension of study periods, before submitting their request.
2.6. Candidates may apply for an extension in exceptional circumstances to extend the period of registration beyond the expected period, for not less than 1 month and not more than one year.
2.7. Candidates successfully upgrading to a new award will have the period spent on studying for the initial award incorporated into the maximum submission dates for the new award.
2.8. Where the submission consists of pre-published material accompanied by a critical reflection and commentary on the submitted publications and their contribution to knowledge and research methods appropriate to the discipline, the period of registration may be shortened.
2.9. The registration period must not be less than 12 months full-time and 24 months part-time study.
3.1. The University Research Committee (URC) delegates its powers to the University Research Degrees Committee (URDC) to note and approve examination arrangements, examination reports, and awards of research students in the University.
3.2. URDC retains oversight of the approval of research degree projects, upgrade of registration, supervision and change of supervision and change in mode or programme of study of research students in the University.
3.3. An application should not be approved unless:
a) The candidate is suitably qualified;
b) The candidate is embarking upon a feasible research programme;
c) Supervisory expertise and capacity is available and likely to be sustained; and
d) The University is able to provide appropriate facilities and research environment for the conduct of scholarly research in the area of the research programme.
3.4. An applicant for registration for a research Master’s degree should normally hold a first class or upper second class Honours degree or a qualification that is regarded by the University as equivalent to such an Honours degree.
3.5. An applicant for direct registration for Doctor of Philosophy should normally hold a Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to the proposed research.
3.6. An applicant for a Professional Doctorate should normally hold a Master’s degree in a cognate area, or a Bachelor’s degree in a cognate area plus at least two years’ professional practice, or be capable of otherwise demonstrating professional competence of high standing in the area of the research.
3.7. The candidate must demonstrate sufficient command of the English language to complete the programme of work satisfactorily and to prepare and defend a thesis in English.
3.8. Candidates may register on a full-time or part-time basis.
3.9. On occasion applications may be approved from a person proposing to work largely outside the UK, provided that the following criteria are met:
a) There is satisfactory evidence of the adequacy of the support and facilities available for the research both in the University and abroad, for example through the designation of an appropriate collaborating institution outside the UK.
b) The supervisory arrangements enable frequent and substantial contact between the candidate and the first and second supervisor;
c) Personal contact between the student and first supervisor must be sufficiently frequent for the first supervisor to have continuing confidence in the candidate’s progress.
3.10. A candidate may apply to upgrade their award in the following ways:
a) Master of Science by Research or Master of Arts by Research to Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy;
b) Master of Philosophy to Doctor of Philosophy;
3.11. A candidate may apply to upgrade when all mandatory research modules (or agreed equivalent programme) have been satisfactorily completed and the supervisory team has deemed that they have made sufficient progress on the research to provide evidence of its potential development towards the intended award.
3.12. A candidate who is registered for any higher award and who is unable to complete the approved programme of work may, at any time prior to submission of the thesis for examination, apply to URDC to convert the registration to an appropriate lower award, provided that the registration period for the lower award has not been exceeded.
3.13. Where there is a requirement for the thesis to remain confidential for a period of time after completion of the work, application for approval should normally be made at the time of submission. The period approved should normally not exceed two years from the date of the viva voce examination.
3.14. A Project Approval of Research Degree Project shall not be considered for approval more than three times.
3.15. A Project Approval of Research Degree Project may be exempted for Masters by Research students by the Postgraduate Research Lead under the following conditions:
1) All supervisors and the Postgraduate Research Lead agree that the research proposal is of equal quality and coverage to the requirements in the Project Approval Form.
2) The project is a pre-existing supervisor designed project that the student is being engaged to fulfil.
3.16. A candidate must ensure engagement with mandatory progression monitoring points and regular recording of supervisory meetings to meet the University’s policy with regard to Engagement & Attendance.
3.17. Failure to comply with mandatory monitoring points may result in the instigation of the University withdrawal procedures.
4.1. Candidates may undertake a programme of research in which the candidate’s own creative work forms, as point of origin or reference, a significant part of the intellectual enquiry. Such creative work must have been undertaken as part of the registered research programme. In such cases, the presentation and submission may be partly in other than written form.
4.2. The creative work must be clearly presented in relation to the argument of a written thesis and set within its relevant theoretical, historical, critical or design context. The thesis must itself conform to the usual scholarly requirements and be of the appropriate length (see Section 13).
4.3. The final submission must be accompanied by some permanent record (this may be electronic or physical) of the creative work, which should, where practicable, be bound with the thesis or included in a digital submission.
5.1. Candidates may undertake a programme of research in which the candidate’s own published work forms, as a point of origin or reference, a significant part of the intellectual enquiry.
5.2. Any joint publications that are included in the thesis must include a statement of contribution agreed with and signed by co-authors in the appendices to the thesis.
5.3. The published work must be clearly presented in relation to the argument of a written commentary and set within its relevant context. The commentary must itself conform to the usual scholarly requirements and be of the appropriate length.
6.1. For each research degree candidate, the School within which the research will be based will approve the appointment of a supervisory team. One supervisor, who must be a member of the University staff, should be designated the first supervisor and the other(s) the second supervisor(s). A second supervisor may be external to the University.
6.2. The first supervisor has responsibility for supervising the candidate on a regular and frequent basis agreeing an adequate record of actions and plans with the student. There must be sufficient frequent personal contact between the student and the first supervisor to enable the first supervisor to assess and confirm the candidate’s progress. The first supervisor is also responsible for the recording of student monitoring data for Student Route visa students.
6.3. Individual supervisors will normally not supervise more than 8 research students at any one time unless they are highly experienced and have sufficient time allocated to them to do so.
6.4. Ultimate responsibility for progress on the research degree programme resides with the candidate who must ensure that satisfactory progress is made at all times against targets set in supervision.
7.1. A student’s work submitted for assessment must be their own. Practices that compromise this principle are defined by the University in their guidance on Assessments and Examinations.
7.2. If assessment offences are suspected for work completed for taught elements of research degrees then the procedures relating to these are covered by the University’s Academic Regulations for Taught Provision.
7.3. If the supervisory team suspects that formative work (produced during the preparation of the thesis but not prepared for assessment on a taught module) includes practices that compromise the principle that the student’s work is expected to be their own (as per the definitions linked to in paragraph 8.1), this must be reported to the relevant PGR Lead. The PGR Lead shall nominate an interview panel to meet with the student and the supervisory team to determine whether the work shall be deemed not to be their own. If the student’s work is not deemed to be their own, the work will be considered within the category of “errors of attribution” or “assessment offences”.
7.4. The panel will normally be chaired by the PGR Lead. Where the PGR Lead is also the supervisor of the candidate concerned, another experienced supervisor should be nominated to act as Chair. No member of the interview panel should be involved in the consideration of a case in which they have an interest.
7.5. Where “errors of attribution” are found by the nominated panel, a temporal plan should be agreed to rectify the errors and progress towards this must be reviewed at the next Progress Review. The student will be called to a formal interview if any elements of the plan have not been met.
7.6. Where “assessment offences” are found by the nominated panel, the finding should be reported to URDC acting as the Assessment Offences Board of Examiners. If the recommendation that the student has committed an “assessment offence” is upheld there, this finding must be placed on the student’s record as a first offence and must be taken into consideration in subsequent Annual Progress Reports and progression decisions. If, subsequently, a second offence is found, the student will be required to attend a formal interview at a special meeting of the Annual Progression Board and will be required to withdraw from their programme of study and the University.
8.1. The examination may not take place until the examiners have been approved. The viva voce examination should normally be completed within 3 months of the formal submission of the thesis for examination, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
8.2. The examination for a research degree should have two stages: first, the candidate’s submission of the thesis and the examiners’ independent preliminary assessment of it; and second, the defence of the thesis by viva voce or approved alternative examination. In the case of the MA/MSc by Research and the MRes, where the Examiners’ independent preliminary assessments agree that the thesis reaches the required standard for the intended award, they may recommend that the viva voce is dispensed with.
8.3. A candidate should be examined orally or by another approved alternative on the programme of work and on the field of study in which the programme lies.
8.4. Where valid reasons are presented in advance that the candidate would be seriously disadvantaged if required to undergo a viva voce examination, an alternative form of examination may be approved by URDC. Such approval will not be given on the grounds that the candidate’s knowledge of English is inadequate.
8.5. All candidates must attend their viva voce examination or approved alternative. Failure to attend may result in actions up to not being awarded any degree and not being permitted to re-submit the thesis unless independent notice of serious mitigating circumstances is received.
8.6. The viva voce examination should normally be held in the University and must be attended by all examiners. In special circumstances URDC may give approval for the examination and/or resubmission to take place elsewhere.
8.7. URDC will approve examination arrangements using the most appropriate platform for the candidate. This may be either face to face examination, or online.
8.8. If it is proposed that the examination is held away from the University, the application for examination arrangements must specify the location.
8.9. The candidate’s supervisor(s) may, with the permission of the student, be present at the viva voce examination in a non-speaking capacity. Others may, with the permission of the candidate and agreement of the examiners, be present at the viva voce in a non-speaking capacity.
8.10. URDC should make a decision based on the reports and recommendation(s) of the examiners in respect of the candidate. The formal power to confer the degree rests with URDC.
8.11. Where evidence of the use of unfair means, such as plagiarism , in the preparation of the thesis comes to light during examination this must be discussed in detail in the joint examination report to assist URDC in its consideration of the matter, if necessary in consultation with the examiners URDC will undertake an investigation and if the use of unfair means is upheld by the investigation panel, they will take appropriate action, which includes failing the thesis with no possibility of re-examination.
8.12. URDC should ensure that all examinations are conducted, and the recommendations of the examiners are presented, wholly in accordance with these regulations. In any instance where URDC is made aware of a failure to comply with all the procedures of the examination process, it may declare the examination null and void, and appoint new examiners.
8.13. The degree of MSc/MA by Research, MRes, MPhil, PhD, PhD by Publication, Professional Doctorate or International Doctorate may be awarded posthumously on the basis of a thesis completed by a candidate, which is ready for submission for examination. In such cases URDC should seek evidence that the candidate would have been likely to have been successful, had a viva voce examination taken place.
9.1. The candidate should submit one digital copy of the thesis before the expiry of the registration period. The candidate should submit the author’s declaration and candidature form with the thesis:
9.2. The submission of the thesis for examination should be at the sole discretion of the candidate. Although a candidate would normally be unwise to submit the thesis for examination against the advice of the supervisor(s), it is their right to do so. The supervisor(s) should record in writing that the thesis has been submitted against advice and submit a copy of this record to both the School PGR Lead and Research Administration Office. The supervisor’s agreement to the submission of a thesis does not guarantee the successful outcome of the examination.
9.3. The candidate should satisfy any conditions of eligibility for examination required by the Committee including the successful completion of any mandatory taught modules, or Annual Progress requirements.
9.4. The candidate should take no part in the arrangement of the examination and should have no contact with any of the examiners between the appointment of the examiners and the viva voce examination.
9.5. The candidate should ensure that the thesis format is in accordance with the requirements of the regulations (see section 13 below).
9.6. Any work which breaches the University’s Research Ethics: Handbook of Principles and Procedures will not knowingly be assessed.
10.1. A candidate should be examined initially by at least two and not more than three examiners, of whom at least one is an external examiner. The first supervisor is responsible for contacting and nominating the examiners, and should consult with the candidate concerning the suitability of the examiners. Should the candidate and supervisor(s) disagree on the proposed appointment of external examiners, the matter will be referred to the University Research Degrees Committee for a final decision.
10.2. Examiners should not be appointed unless experienced in research in the area of the candidate’s thesis. At least one examiner should also have experience of examining at least two candidates at the level of award being sought.
10.3. An independent internal examiner shall be defined as an examiner who is:
a) A member of staff of the University, but not a member of the supervisory team; or
b) A member of staff of the candidate’s collaborating establishment, but not a member of the supervisory team.
10.4. Where the candidate is on the permanent staff of the institution no member of staff may serve as an examiner.
10.5. The internal examiner should not:
a) Have/have had any significant collaboration with the candidate nor have given any substantive advice to the candidate on their research (except in the case of a resubmitted thesis).
10.6. The external examiner should not:
a) Have/have had any significant collaboration with the candidate nor have given any substantive advice to the candidate on their research (except in the case of a resubmitted thesis);
b) Be either a current or former member of staff, governor or near relative of a member of staff of the University of Gloucestershire, unless at least 5 years have elapsed since their relinquished the post;
c) Be a former higher degree student of the University of Gloucestershire or of any of the supervisors at another higher education institution, unless at least 5 years have elapsed since the degree was conferred;
d) Normally be invited on a regular basis (more than once every 2 years) to examine research degrees at the University of Gloucestershire;
e) Show evidence of reciprocal examining arrangements to an extent that could encourage unprofessional, biased assessment.
10.7. No candidate for a research degree should act as an examiner.
10.8. The University shall determine and pay the fees and expenses of the external examiners.
11.1. Each examiner must read and examine the thesis and submit an individual preliminary report on it to the School.
11.2. The preliminary reports will indicate whether the thesis is of a sufficient standard to go forward for viva voce or other approved alternative examination, or in the case of the MA/MSc by Research or MRes, whether the thesis is of a sufficient standard for the viva voce to be dispensed with.
11.3. The preliminary reports should either indicate an agenda for discussion in the viva voce examination or form the basis for the compilation of a joint report by examiners in cases where the viva voce examination is to be dispensed with.
11.4. In the case of the MPhil, PhD and the Professional Doctorates, the preliminary report should be sent to the relevant School at least 7 working days before any viva voce examination is due to be held.
11.5. In the case of the MA/MSc by Research and MRes, the preliminary report should be sent to the relevant School at least 14 working days before the proposed viva voce.
11.6. The examiners cannot recommend that a candidate fail outright without holding a viva voce examination or other approved alternative examination. However, students may use the maximum period of registration permitted for the programme (para. 2.1) and examiners may recommend that the thesis be returned to the student for further work if time in registration remains
11.7. Following the viva voce or other approved examination, the examiners should prepare a joint report that must be sufficiently detailed to enable URDC to make a well-founded decision about the award. A summary of the report may be made available to the student and only if the examiners have agreed upon an unequivocal recommendation. They should make it clear to the candidate at the end of the viva voce examination that their joint report is their recommendation, but that the final decision on the award rests with URDC.
11.8. The report should make one of the following recommendations. That:
a) The candidate be awarded the degree unconditionally;
b) The candidate be awarded the degree subject to the correction of typographic and similar errors to the satisfaction of the first supervisor. Typographic errors or similar may be communicated via an annotated copy of the thesis or through a list in the examination report. Such corrections should be of a scale capable of completion by the candidate within one month of the viva voce;
c) The candidate be awarded the degree subject to minor amendments, to the satisfaction of the internal examiner where present or a nominated external examiner if not. In this case the examiners should provide in writing for communication to the candidate by the viva chair a list of the minor corrections by the candidate within three months of the viva voce examination;
d) The candidate be awarded the degree subject to major amendment to the thesis to the satisfaction of a nominated examiner. In this case the examiners should provide in writing for communication to the candidate by the viva chair a list of the amendments and corrections required. Corrections should be made within six months of the relevant meeting of URDC;
e) The candidate not be awarded the degree, but be permitted to re-submit the thesis in revised form and be re-examined, with or without a viva voce examination. The examiners should recommend resubmission only if there is sufficient evidence of original work and if the amount of further work to be undertaken is not so substantial as to constitute a new thesis. A recommendation should be made concerning the maximum period of time for resubmission, which is normally between 6 and 12 months from the relevant meeting of the URDC;
f) In the case of a PhD examination, the candidate not be awarded the degree of PhD, but be awarded the degree of MPhil subject to the presentation of the thesis amended as necessary to the satisfaction of the examiners. The amendments should be made within three months of the relevant meeting of URDC
In the case of a Professional Doctorate, the candidate not be awarded the Doctorate but be awarded a lesser award consonant with the assessed work completed and /or thesis submitted.
In the case of an MPhil examination, the examiners may recommend that the candidate not be awarded the degree of MPhil, but be awarded the degree of MSc or MA by Research subject to the presentation of the thesis amended to the satisfaction of the examiners;
g) The candidate not be awarded any degree and not be permitted to re-submit the thesis. In this case the examiners should prepare an agreed general statement of the deficiencies of the thesis and the reason for their recommendation, which should be submitted to the Research Administration Office for transmission to URDC and subsequently to the candidate;
h) No recommendation can be made for reasons outlined within the examiner’s report. Further investigation will be required to provide a decision based on categories a – g above.
11.9. One re-examination may be permitted by URDC, subject to the following requirements:
a) A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners at the first examination (including at the viva voce or approved alternative examination, or any further examination required) may, on the recommendation of the examiners, and with the approval of URDC, be permitted to revise the thesis and be re-examined;
b) The examiners must provide the candidate, through URDC, with written guidance on the deficiencies of the first submission; and
c) The candidate should submit for re-examination normally within the period of one calendar year from the date of the relevant Committee meeting. Where the viva voce examination has been dispensed with, the re-examination should take place within 6 months of the resubmission of the thesis. URDC may, where there are good reasons, approve an extension of this period.
d) Where the viva voce examination has not been dispensed with for the re-examination, the candidate must attend their viva voce.
11.10. URDC may require that an additional external examiner be appointed for the re- examination.
11.11. On completion of re-examination the examiners should make one of the following recommendations to URDC in accordance with paragraph 12.8, excepting that 12.8.g shall not apply to the re-examination.
11.12. Where the examiners’ recommendations are not unanimous, URDC will normally appoint an additional external to give a ‘blind’ reading of the thesis. Following this appointment, a report should be submitted to URDC within one month and URDC will make a decision based on this report.
11.13. If the degree is not awarded, the examiners should prepare an agreed statement of the deficiencies of the thesis and reason for their recommendation, which should be forwarded to URDC and to the candidate by the Research Administration Office.
11.14. Failure to submit amendments as recorded on the approved examination report to the satisfaction of the nominated supervisor or examiner to the timeframe agreed by URDC will result in the recording of a no award outcome
12.1. The written language of the thesis must be English unless it is the purpose of the thesis to translate or otherwise engage with a language other than English. This intention should be noted on the Project Approval Form.
12.2. If the candidate proposes a change to the approved title of the thesis after the Project Approval, they must submit the amended title to the Research Administration Office
12.3. An abstract of approximately 300 words must be bound into the thesis on the page following the title page. The abstract should provide a synopsis of the thesis, stating the nature and scope of the work undertaken and of the contribution made to the knowledge of the subject treated.
12.4. The thesis must acknowledge published or other sources of material consulted and any assistance received. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that the final version of the thesis lodged with the University’s Research Repository carries full and acknowledged permissions for any copyrighted materials. For more information about including copyrighted materials, please refer to Keeping Your Thesis Legal, a booklet available from the Library, Technology and Information Services.
In the event that permission cannot or will not be granted by the copyright holder, it will be the student’s responsibility to submit a second digital version of their final thesis which redacts the items or sections which do not carry the appropriate permissions.
12.5. Where a candidate’s research programme is part of a collaborative group project, the thesis should indicate clearly the candidate’s individual contribution and the extent of the collaboration. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that a signed declaration is included in the final copy stating how far the work contained in the thesis was the candidate’s own work, or how far it was undertaken in collaboration with, or with the assistance of, others.
12.6. The candidate is free to publish material from the thesis in advance of its submission, but reference should be made in the thesis to any such output.
In the event that a publisher does not permit the candidate to deposit a full text version of their thesis to the Repository it is the candidate’s responsibility to submit a second redacted version with links to the DOI or a publisher’s URL of the publication(s).
12.7. The text of the thesis is
12.8. The final word count must not be exceeded by more than 10% of the stated amount for the award. Ancillary data, bibliography, appendices, and footnotes or endnotes are not included in the word count.
The University reserves the right to suspend the examination process if the thesis is found to be in breach of the stated word count (excluding appendices, tables, diagrams, bibliography and references).
12.9. Where the thesis is accompanied by material in other than written form, or the research involves creative writing or the preparation of a scholarly edition, or the thesis is related to an integrated programme of taught study, or the thesis contains previously published material, the balance of the thesis should normally be within the range:
12.10. The following requirements should be adhered to in the format of the submitted thesis.
a) Upon initial submission for examination, the thesis will be submitted in digital form.
b) The thesis should be formatted in A4 portrait format.
c) Text should be present in 12point size, in a clear font such as Times New Roman or Arial
d) A consistent margin should be applied throughout the thesis
e) Double or one-and-a-half spacing should be used in the typescript except for indented quotations or footnotes where single spacing may be used.
f) Pages should be numbered consecutively through the main text including photographs and/or diagrams included as whole pages. Page numbers should be printed in the header or footer of each page title page.
g) The title page should give the following information in the following order (see also specimen title page below):
i. The full title of the thesis (including any sub-title), followed by the volume number if there is more than one;
ii. The full name of the author;
iii. ‘A thesis submitted to the University of Gloucestershire in accordance with the requirements for the degree of…in the School of…’;
iv. The name of the collaborating establishment(s) if any;
v. The month and year of first submission; and
vi. The word count (appendices, tables, diagrams, bibliography and references are excluded from the word count).
h) Text placed within headers should be excluded from the title page; abstract page; author’s declaration; acknowledgements (if applicable); and table of contents.
i) The candidate should include on the page following the abstract page a signed author’s declaration confirming that the material presented for examination is their own work or how far the work contained in the thesis was the candidate’s own work, , or how far it was conducted in collaboration with, or with the assistance of others, and stating that the thesis is not being submitted for any other academic award and where necessary include evidence showing where permission(s) for copyrighted material have been received.
j) The candidate should not be precluded from incorporating in the thesis, covering a wider field, work which has already been submitted for a degree or comparable award, provided that it is indicated which work has been so incorporated. In addition, a disclaimer that the views expressed in the dissertation are those of the author and not of the University should be included on this page.
See Appendix Two for an example Author’s Declaration.
k) Following successful completion, a ‘perfect’ digital copy of the final thesis should be submitted to the Research Administration Office for retention by the University. No award can be made until the digital copy has been submitted.
l) The ETHOS electronic deposit form should be submitted with the final thesis. As well as being deposited into the British Library’s EThOS (national online thesis scheme site) the candidate’s thesis will also go into the University’s Research Repository. A digital copy must be submitted even if the candidate has been granted an embargo or temporary moratorium. In this case, the thesis will be will be placed in a dark-archive or kept securely by the Research Administration Office. For details, please refer to Keeping Your Thesis Legal, a booklet available from the Library, Technology and Information Services.”.
m) The copyright in the thesis should normally be vested in the candidate, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
13.1 Students have the right to appeal against a decision of a Board of Examiners and will not suffer any disadvantage or recrimination as a result of making an appeal in good faith. Students considering making an appeal should consult the University’s guidance on Appeals and Complaints.
13.2 Procedures for submitting and hearing an academic appeal are documented in the assessment procedures section of the University’s Academic Regulations for Taught Provision.
A PROFESSION UNDER PRESSURE:
THE INCREASING INCIDENCE OF STRESS-RELATED DISORDERS AMONGST CONTRACT RESEARCHERS
BLANCHE DELAMERE
A thesis submitted to The University of Gloucestershire in accordance with the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Health
July 2024
Word Count: ______
I declare that the work in this thesis was carried out in accordance with the regulations of the University of Gloucestershire and is original except where indicated by specific reference in the text. No part of the thesis has been submitted as part of any other academic award. The thesis has not been presented to any other education institution in the United Kingdom or overseas.
Any views expressed in the thesis are those of the author and in no way represent those of the University.
Signed …………………………………………….. Date ……………………………….
A PROFESSION UNDER PRESSURE:
THE INCREASING INCIDENCE OF STRESS-RELATED DISORDERS AMONGST CONTRACT RESEARCHERS
B. DELAMERE
PhD
2024