Postgraduate researcher policies and procedures

As a postgraduate researcher (PGR), you need to be aware of certain administrative guidelines, procedures and codes of practice during your time at Leeds.

If you require any of these documents in an alternative format, please contact the Doctoral College.

PGR handbook

The current Doctoral College handbook is available here, however we would encourage PGRs to use the Postgraduate research pages on the For Students website as their main reference guide because the website will always have the most up to date information.

The Doctoral College main handbook contains information that is relevant to all PGRs. The annexes contain information that is specific to PGRs in those schools or faculties:

Doctoral College 2024-2025 handbook annexes – all Faculties and Schools

Doctoral College 2024-2025 handbook annex – LUBS

For copies of Doctoral College handbooks for previous academic years, please contact the Doctoral College.

Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures

This Code sets out a framework of shared responsibilities between the University, supervisors and candidates with the aim of delivering successful research degree programmes and to inspire all our research students to develop their full potential. The Code also outlines the minimum standards students can expect in connection with the supervision of their research degree study.

Code of practice for research degree candidatures

For those PGRs registered in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures for a research project which is defined as practice-led, a supplementary protocol for practice-led research degree candidatures is provided which includes details of arrangements specific to practice-led research and assessment.

Protocol for practice-led research degree candidatures (from November 2023)

The previous practice-led protocol is provided below for reference.

Previous Arts, Humanities and Cultures practice-led protocol (to October 2023)

For those PGRs registered at Leeds Trinity University or York St John University please contact the relevant institution regarding the implementation of the University’s Code of Practice and Practice-led Protocols.

Progress, assessment and monitoring

Attendance monitoring policy

Suspensions and extensions of study policy

Progress support procedure (PSP)

PGR Supervisor Agreement form

Concurrent registrations

Change of Research degree arrangements 

Policy for the use of video streaming for the viva examination

Module enrolment guide and form

Thesis submission and examination

The Guide to the thesis examination process for students (which includes the thesis format requirements)

Guide for candidates referred for resubmission

Guidelines on the Use of Solely or Jointly-Authored Publications within a Thesis Submission

Submission of a thesis in a language other than English (applies only to candidates registered in the School of Languages, Cultures & Societies)

Inclusion of supplementary material within a thesis submission for examination

Reasonable adjustments and support for PGR level assessment/examination

Diploma Supplement and Statement: Guidance and Information

Protocol for the format and presentation of an alternative style of doctoral thesis including published material:

For Supervisors, Directors of Postgraduate Research and Assessors/Examiners

For information for staff supporting PGRs (for example supervisors and Directors of Postgraduate Research Studies) please see the Doctoral College pages of the Staff Intranet.

Transfer panel guidance 

Criteria for the appointment of examiners and independent chairs

Annual Progress Review (Post-Transfer) Guidance 

Examiners report form 

Increasing bench fees after registration: guidance and form

Research Degree Examiners additional information

Guide for External Examiner Briefings 

External Examiner's fees 

Eligibility for research degree supervision

Formal Regulations

Director of Postgraduate Research Studies role description 2024-25

Head of Graduate School role description 2024-25

Intellectual property rights

Student contract

Leeds Partnership

University General Academic Regulations

University Code of Practice on Data Protection

Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Students Engaged in Teaching

Equality and Diversity Policies

Periodic Review

Complaints, Appeals and Disciplinary Matters

PGR Academic Misconduct Procedures (For submissions made on or after 01 September 2024)

PGR Academic Misconduct Procedures (For submissions made up to 31 August 2024)

PGR Turnitin Guidance

Procedures for investigating plagiarism in research degree work prior to and within the submission for a research degree

For the following regulations and procedures relating to complaints, appeals and disciplinary matters please visit the Secretariat website.

General University Disciplinary regulation
Student complaints procedure
Academic Appeals
Cheating, Plagiarism, Fraudulent or Fabricated Coursework, and Malpractice in university examinations and assessments
Whistleblowing
Student health and conduct
Retention of and access to personal data

Engaging in good research practice

For a comprehensive list of policies relating to research practice please see the following websites:

Library

Safeguarding data
Regulations for use of Library
Policy on publications

Research Innovation Service

Protocol for investigating and resolving allegations of misconduct in academic research
Research Ethics and Research Integrity
Research misconduct

Information Protection Policy

Ordinance and Regulations and Programmes of Study for Research Degrees

Ordinances define the qualifications the University awards and the associated regulations. They form part of the University Constitution. The full set of ordinances is held on the Secretariat website. Those which are particularly relevant to the Student Education Service are:

Ordinance X (research degrees)

Ordinance IX (first degrees and undergraduate awards)

Ordinance XI (taught postgraduate awards)

Ordinance XII (higher doctorates)

Ordinance X relates directly to postgraduate researchers and provides details of the general University regulations regarding entry requirements, assessment of progress, time limits for examination and the criteria that must be met before a research degree can be awarded.