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Research degree partnerships

Joining together to create new research

The Framework for Flexible Postgraduate Research Provision outlines the institutional structure for all types of Flexible Postgraduate Research Degree Programmes and minimum institutional requirements.

The University has in place processes for approval of research degree partnerships that may be tailored to individual arrangements, providing flexibility within a quality assurance framework proportionate to any risks involved as part of the proposed collaboration. 

The University must meet the requirements of current UK Tier 4 visa policy for International students recruited onto all of these programmes.

Definitions of flexible postgraduate research programmes

The following options are available for Flexible Postgraduate Research (PGR) Programmes:

  • University of Portsmouth cross faculty or single faculty and involve a single partner or multiple partners;
  • Multiple cohorts over an agreed period of time, in full time and/or part time modes of study;
  • Whole period of programme may be at Partner or time spent at Partner & University of Portsmouth as agreed;
  • Delegation of Major Review and Annual Review possible;
  • Supervision may be offered wholly by Partner or by University of Portsmouth and Partner;
  • Viva under University of Portsmouth Research Regulations or Partner Specific Research Regulations may be required;
  • Viva can be considered for approval at Partner;
  • Full business case – UoP invoice Partner.

As part of a Full Collaborative Partnership PGR arrangement an additional awarding body may be involved with the aim that PGRS can be awarded a Joint or Dual/Double award.  This requires the University of Portsmouth and the Partner to develop the research programme together including:

  • research training;
  • monitoring progress through an agreed process similar to Major Review and Annual Review;
  • One viva examination process agreed and approved by UoP and the Partner;
  • Jointly agreed Partner Specific Research Regulations;
  • Joint management and oversight of the arrangement.

  • University of Portsmouth cross faculty or single faculty
  • Single research award by the University of Portsmouth;
  • Individual or small numbers of PGRS – self funded or sponsored;
  • Agreed time spent at Partner and UoP with a minimum of 6 months spent at UoP over the whole research degree programme (3 months must be continuous and may differ by subject area);
  • An appropriate amount of time to be spent at UoP initially, to complete registration, induction, meeting supervisory team, skills audit and workshops at Graduate School Development Programme;
  • Attendance at University of Portsmouth for Induction, Major Review, Annual Review & Viva Examination;
  • First Supervisor University of Portsmouth academic staff and Second Supervisor Partner academic staff;
  • 50% reduction in relevant International tuition fee (Band 1-3) or Home/EU fee where applicable + any relevant bench fees required and agreed by Faculty.

  • Most of the research programme distance learning;
  • Supported by online resources;
  • An appropriate amount of time to be spent at UoP initially, to complete registration, induction, meeting supervisory team, skills audit and workshops at Graduate School Development Programme;
  • Attends UoP for Induction, Major Review, Annual Review and Viva Examination;
  • No formal academic partner involved in supporting the PGR and normally no off-campus supervisor;
  • Additional requirements for the admissions process;
  • Departments responsible for assessing suitability for studying off campus including applicant’s motives for study and how they plan to manage their studies while not attending UoP.

Off-Campus PGR is subject to completion of an enhanced admissions process.

Approval processes

Full Collaborative Partnership PGR approval is subject to the Course Lifecycle (requires University login) approval processes, with a contractual agreement put in place by Corporate Governance (partnerships team) during the approval process. A course cannot be made live until a signed contract is place.

Split-Site PGR - Initial Strategic Approval Documents

1. Memoranda Strategic Approval (MSA) Form (.docx)

Split-site PGR proposals must be considered for initial strategic approval by the Memoranda Strategic Approval route. This establishes at the earliest stage, that new proposals align to the University Strategy. For cross faculty proposals, MSA will nominate a lead faculty as part of the initial strategic approval consideration. Please complete and email this to partnerships@port.ac.uk. Partnerships will advise once this is approved. Once initial strategic approval is gained, the following approval processes are completed:

Split-Site PGR - Faculty Approval Documents

2. Split-Site PGR Proposal form (.docx)

This will need to be considered and approved by your Faculty Executive and signed off by your Executive Dean. Once complete, this will need to be emailed to partnerships@port.ac.uk as we will retain the evidence of approval (for cross-faculty proposals this is the lead faculty nominated by MSA.)

3.Split-Site PGR Checklist (.docx)

This is used to collect the information to be included in the Memoranda of Agreement. It is not a requirement of the approval process for this form to be presented to Faculty Executive (it is Faculty’s discretion). The reason this is independent of the Proposal form is to not to unduly delay Faculty approval if the information is not immediately to hand.

A contractual agreement between the parties is put in place by Corporate Governance (partnerships team) during the approval process. A course cannot be made live until a signed contract is place.