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COVID-19 assessment of learning outcomes and COVID-19 impact statement

The University has prepared the following guidance for postgraduate researchers (PGRs), supervisors and examiners on the assessment of learning outcomes.

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has produced advice on doctoral standards for research students and supervisors which it may be helpful to read in conjunction with this guidance.

Changes to research plans and thesis submission

It is recognised that in some cases the research plans, and the thesis submission, may have to change from what was originally intended. This might include changes to the methodology, experimental design, plans for data collection, or refining the scope or the emphasis of the original research project.

However, the quality of the thesis is expected to be equivalent to that produced at other times. The learning outcomes and criteria for award are unchanged. Flexibility may be considered, if appropriate, on the quantity of material expected in the thesis, whilst ensuring that the quality of the submission is preserved, and that the examiners still have a sufficient body of research to assess that the criteria for award and learning outcomes have been met.

This may not always be easily quantifiable, but supervisors, in consultation with Directors of PGR Studies and Heads of Graduate Schools, are encouraged to consider how best to interpret this for their disciplines. The regulations to Ordinance X, and the programme of study entries, set down the normal maximum length for each thesis submission, but the University does not specify a minimum length for any of its research degrees. The maximum limits are not intended to be interpreted as a requirement for the length of a thesis, and in certain disciplines this may normally be considerably shorter.

COVID-19 impact statement

PGRs are invited to submit a COVID-19 impact statement (Word doc) alongside their thesis, which describes any impact of COVID-19 on their research plans and thesis submission and what changes to the research project design/plans had to be made therefore, for example:

  • how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the research project
  • what steps were taken to mitigate against the disruption
  • any decisions taken to change direction or focus, or re-design the research plans in response to COVID-19.

A discussion of this might also be included in the thesis, if appropriate and the supervisors will be best placed to advice on the most appropriate location and form for this.

The impact statement will be shared with the examiners with the thesis submission. Examiners will be asked to consider this statement, and to be flexible in considering how a PGR may demonstrate they have met the learning outcomes and what constitutes such evidence.

Guidance for examiners

Examiners should be sympathetic to any COVID-19 related circumstances that may have impacted the research or necessitated a change of direction or emphasis from that which may originally have been planned, whilst still ensuring that learning outcomes for each award have been met, based on the quality of the thesis submission and the PGR’s defence in the oral examination. Examiners are invited to include comments in relation to a COVID-19 impact statement provided by the PGR in the relevant section of the joint report form.

A PGR may have used the impact statement to document how their ability to work was affected during the pandemic due to academic or personal circumstances. PGRs are reminded that the statement will be shared with their examiners are strongly encouraged not to include personal or sensitive information in their statement. The statement should instead focus on the impact of the pandemic on their research project and any changes required in response to this.

In some cases, adjustments to individual research projects may have been needed to enable PGRs to complete to their original timetable. Any changes needed to the scope of emphasis of the project will be described in the statement and should be considered in accordance with the guidance on this page. In other cases, these mitigating circumstances will have been dealt with by additional support and time (via a suspension or extension of studies) prior to submission of the thesis, to allow more time to complete the original project plans.

The University has an established position on mitigating circumstances which is set out in the instructions to examiners (PDF, log-in required). Any mitigating circumstances which may have affected the PGR during their period of study should never lead the examiners to award a research degree where the work is not felt to be of the appropriate standard. To be eligible for the award of the degree, all PGRs must complete an oral examination and the thesis submitted for examination must meet the stated criteria for award of the degree and the specified learning outcomes must be met. While the thesis may be shorter or contain fewer case studies than might otherwise be expected as a result of the difficulties encountered, it should still meet the criteria for award.

The focus should be on the quality of the thesis submission, together with the PGR’s defence in the oral examination. In the case of doctoral awards, for example, the examiners will be expected to reach an academic judgement on whether there is a sufficient quality – and quantity – of original research, with the appropriate rigour of analysis and independent critical ability and matter suitable for publication to have met the learning outcomes for award.

In considering ‘matter suitable for publication’ at doctoral level, the expectation is that the thesis will contain original work which is of publishable quality in appropriate, peer-reviewed journals (or publication in other form as appropriate for the field of research). When commenting on the extent to which the thesis contains matter suitable for publication, examiners are invited to comment on work which has already been published and/or may comment on parts of the thesis which could form the basis of an appropriate publication following some reworking.

Recommendations for award ultimately remain an academic judgement for the appointed examiners. All recommendations for award are considered at the next meeting of the Graduate Board’s Progression and Examinations Group. The Graduate Board has delegated authority to the Progression and Examinations Group to ratify examination results and award research degrees, subject to it being satisfied that the criteria for the award of the degree have been met.

Version history

  • Produced by: Graduate Board. Progression and Examinations Group.
  • Published: 2020/21.
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