Research student guidance

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

This page is undergoing maintenance as we prepare to move all PGR policies and procedures to a Doctoral College policy and procedure hub on SharePoint. In the interim, if you are not able to find a policy that you need please check the Regulations, codes, policies and procedures for postgraduate researchers webpage or contact the Doctoral College communications team.

PGR handbook

The current Doctoral College handbook (pdf) is available here, however we would encourage you to use the For Students – Postgraduate research website as your main reference guide as 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 get in touch with doctoralcollege@leeds.ac.uk.

Registration, fees and student records

All students need to register at the start of each year of study. As part of the registration process you are expected to confirm your agreement to abide by the rules, regulations, procedures and codes governing your studies, learning and conduct at the University and use of the services provided by the University as given in the Student Contract.

Registration

Paying your fees

Student Cards - new and replacement

Change of name / address

Maintenance payments

Leaving the university

Financial implications of leaving early

Progress, assessment and monitoring

In order to support you, identify any training needs and to ensure you are on track your progress will be monitored and evaluated throughout your studies. Should you encounter any academic or personal difficulties there are a number of ways that the University can support you.

Attendance monitoring policy

Progress monitoring overview

Graduate Record of Achievement and Development (GRAD)

Transfer assessment

Examination (Research Degree Assessment)

Suspensions and extensions of study policy (PDF)

Progress support procedure (PSP) (PDF)

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 (pdf)

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

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

Criteria for the appointment of examiners and independent chairs

Diploma Supplement and Statement: Guidance and Information

Formal Regulations and Codes of Practice

(Ordinance and regulations and programmes of study for research degrees are listed seperately at the end of this page)

Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures

Intellectual property rights (pdf)

Student contract

University General Academic Regulations

University Code of Practice on Data Protection

Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Students Engaged in Teaching

Regulations for Use of Library

Equality and Diversity Policies

Policy on dignity and mutual respect

Whistleblowing procedure (pdf)

Applicants/students with criminal records

Code of Practice on Student Health and Conduct (DOCX)

Complaints, Appeals and Disciplinary Matters

General University Disciplinary Regulations (DOCX)

Student complaints procedure

Academic appeals

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

Cheating, Plagiarism, Fraudulent or Fabricated Coursework, and Malpractice in university examinations and assessments (PDF) (for those programmes with a taught element)

Engaging in research

National Researcher Development Framework

Protocol for investigating and resolving allegations of misconduct in academic research (PDF)

Exploitation and Intellectual Property Rights (PDF)

Safeguarding data

Information Protection Policy

RIS: Research ethics and research integrity

Research Ethics - training and support from ODPL

Code of Practice on Data Protection

Guidelines for Retention of Personal Data

Request Form for Access to Personal Data

Policy on Publications

For a comprehensive list of policies relating to research see the Research Support website

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.