Research Handbook

Introduction from the Vice-Chancellor

As a research student you are an important member of the University’s academic community. You will work closely with staff and may, with the approval of your supervisor and head of department, perform teaching or other responsibilities for undergraduate or taught Master’s students.

Research can be a lonely occupation and requires a great deal of self-discipline, even for the most dedicated scholar. Do take advantage of the help offered by your supervisor, your department and other departments and agencies both within and outside the University.

Your relationship with your supervisor is vital to the success of your studies. If you encounter any difficulties with your studies or with any other aspect of University life, try initially to resolve them with your supervisor. If this is not possible, then refer the matter to your Research Officer.

If your first language is not English, and you would like to improve your language skills, you are advised to visit the Language Centre and seek the advice of EFL staff. They will recommend videos, cassette tapes and study skills leaflets and can advise on English language classes if these are considered appropriate.

Buckingham has developed a strong welfare system to deal with any problems you may have. The Student Welfare team is organised under the leadership of the Senior Tutor who has responsibility for pastoral care and also deals with breaches of general regulations. The team also consists of the Deputy Senior Tutor with specific responsibility as Adviser to Women Students, the Student Counsellor, and the Learning Support Adviser. The Learning Support Adviser has specific responsibility for dyslexic and disabled students and is available to assist and support any student who may have specific learning difficulties.

In order to ensure that you are making satisfactory progress and to give you an opportunity to express any concerns about your studies, you will be subject to periodical reviews held at least once each year. These reviews will also give you an opportunity to prepare for your final viva voce examination (if applicable).

Make sure you are familiar with the process of annual review and the requirements for submission of your thesis (see the procedures in this handbook), and discuss with your supervisor the arrangements for the viva voce so that you can be properly prepared.

I wish you the best of success in completing your research.

Professor Terence Kealey
Vice-Chancellor
The University of Buckingham

The Handbook

The links below will take you to the other sections of the Research Degrees Handbook. If you prefer, there is a downloadable version of the Research Handbook (a PDF file of 745 KB) which is more convenient for printing.

  1. Higher degrees
  2. Responsibilities of research officer, supervisor, student
  3. Regulations
  4. Procedures for postgraduate studies by research
  5. Rules and guidelines for the form and submission of theses

Appendices

  1. Application form:
  2. Checklist for provisional registration as a research student (this is a RTF file of 494 KB)
  3. Guidelines for the Annual Review
  4. Summary of procedures for submission of theses for research degrees
  5. Code of practice for study by research
  6. Feedback questionnaire (this is a RTF file of 194 KB)
  7. Application for extension (this is a RTF file of 181 KB)
  8. Supervisor workload monitoring form (this is a PDF file of 154 KB)
  9. Grade descriptors for MAs by research (this is a PDF file of 13 KB)
  10. Grade descriptors for MScs by research (this is a PDF file of 14 KB)
  11. Grade descriptors for LLMs by research (this is a PDF file of 22 KB)