Supervision

A higher degree research candidate works under the supervision of a member or members of the Faculty whilst writing a thesis. Interdisciplinary and joint supervision can be arranged. Part-time candidates should meet his/her supervisor regularly, generally once a month, and full-time candidates once every two weeks.

Research degree students will need to submit written work to their supervisor regularly. PhD research students are also expected to present a research seminar after the completion of their first year for confirmation of their candidacy. Normally, students will also be expected to present seminars periodically in subsequent stages of their candidacy. Although the final writing of a thesis can begin only after research is largely completed, students should make a habit of writing extensively from the start (at least 10,000 words per semester) so as to develop habits of writing fluently and quickly. Writing is a vitally important part of research: it cultivates a disciplined study of problems and helps to focus inquiry and to organise one's thoughts, as well as one's material, into coherent structures.

Research degree students are expected to attend and participate in research seminars held in the Faculty. Verbal skills are an important aspect of university education at every level, and formal and informal discussion provides a good opportunity for developing them.

The university has a code of practice for supervision of doctoral and research masters candidates for students and supervisors, see Chapter 5 of the Handbook for Doctoral and Master of Philosophy Degrees 2006.