This handbook is intended for research postgraduate students in the Faculty, covering both new and continuing candidates in the 2026/27 academic year. It sets out expectations for supervision, annual progress review, ethical approval procedures and thesis submission, together with information on funding, extension procedures and academic support available through the Faculty and the university. Students are advised to read this handbook alongside guidance issued by the Graduate School and to raise any questions with their supervisor or programme coordinator in the first instance.
Who this handbook is for
- New MPhil and PhD candidates entering the Faculty in 2026/27
- Continuing research postgraduate students at any stage of candidature
- Principal supervisors and members of supervision committees
- Programme coordinators and departmental research administrators
What is inside
- Supervision: appointing a supervisor, changing supervision, and what to expect each term
- Annual progress review: timing, panel composition and possible outcomes
- Research ethics: when approval is needed, what to submit and how long it takes
- Thesis submission, examination and the oral defence
- Funding, studentships, conference support and extension procedures
- Academic and wellbeing support, and how to raise a concern
Document details
- Type: Student handbook (PDF, 48 pages)
- Applies to: 2026/27 academic year
- Version: Version 1.0, issued August 2026
- Last reviewed: August 2026. Reviewed annually before the start of each academic year.
- Issued by: Research Postgraduate Committee, Faculty of Education and Human Development
- Read alongside: the Graduate School's general regulations for research degrees