This section summarises the changes made to the Code of Practice for 2024/25.
Student visas, annual leave and ‘term time’ (6.4 to 6.9). PGR students studying on a visa can request additional annual leave between their submission for examination and their oral examination so that they can work full time in this period if they wish.
Student leave entitlements and stillbirths (6.36 and 6.37). Leave entitlements for the birth or adoption of a child have been extended to include PGR students who suffer a stillbirth or who are a partner of someone who suffers a stillbirth.
Attendance requirement (7.12 to 7.22 and 10.10). Relevant aspects of the student engagement and attention policy, which has been withdrawn, have been incorporated into the regulations, including on the significance of formal supervisory meetings. These additions also cover specific attendance rules for students studying on a student visa.
Co-supervisors requiring faculty approval (9.13). Faculty PGR Directors must approve the appointment of pathway 1 academic staff at level B (Lecturer) as co-supervisors.
Review processes and student wellbeing (11.8, 12.18, 13.11, 13.23, 13.33, 13.43 and 14.12). A clarification that any activities related to a review process (annual progress monitoring, enhanced academic support, unsatisfactory progress, and registration review panel) must be paused if a student is on sick leave, exceptional short-term leave, or on suspension.
Annual progress monitoring and other review processes (11.9). A clarification that annual progress monitoring must be paused if the PGR student is participating in another review process (enhanced academic support, unsatisfactory progress, or a registration review panel).
Enhanced academic support and disability (12.6 to 12.11). A School PGR Director must consider disability when deciding on whether a PGR student requires enhanced academic support.
Academic integrity and artificial intelligence (16.7 and 16.17). The misuse of artificial intelligence, which is deemed to be contract cheating, has been incorporated explicitly into the regulations.
Incorporating work from taught components (16.12). A clarification that PGR students can include work from taught units completed as part of their PGR programme in their dissertation if its origin is acknowledged.
Annual progress monitoring and Turnitin (16.22). A clarification that any issues found in a Turnitin report produced for annual progress monitoring is addressed as part of that review process.
Experienced examiners (19.17 and 19.18). A clarification that an examining panel must normally contain at least one experienced examiner.
Oral examinations and student wellbeing (20.13 and 20.30). The oral examination must be rescheduled if a PGR student is on sick leave or short-term exceptional leave on the day scheduled for examination.
