The regulations in this section cover entitlements for postgraduate research (PGR) students, including information and support they must receive.
5.1. PGR students must be made aware of their entitlements through a combination of communications from the University, discussions with supervisors, and information provided by the school and faculty.
5.2. A PGR student must have acccess to information covering the following:
5.2.1. Any fees and other costs related to their study, including any bench fees. Information on fees and costs must be provided before the PGR student starts.
5.2.2. Any special requirements linked to their research project, such as the need to travel to perform experimental work or to use specialist libraries.
5.2.3. Any relevant practical details, such as on accommodation or on financial matters.
5.2.4. Their period of study, how their academic progress will be monitored, and their final submission deadline.
5.2.5. The different types of leave entitlements, as set out in the PGR student leave entitlements section.
5.2.6. Academic and other forms of support available to them at school, faculty, and at University level.
5.2.7. Information on how PGR students can raise individual or collective concerns and how they can make a formal complaint.
5.3. PGR students can find information in the current student webpages and from the Bristol Doctoral College. The Academic Advice service is also available to students.
5.4. A PGR student is entitled to the following supervisory support:
5.4.1. Adequate opportunities to engage with their supervisors, including through formal supervisory meetings.
5.4.2. Feedback from supervisors including detailed comments on written work within an agreed timescale.
5.4.3. Responses from supervisors on queries within an agreed timescale.
5.5. A full list of supervisor responsibilities is provided in the supervisory support and engagement section.
5.6. A PGR student is entitled to have access to the following research and training environments:
5.6.1. A learning infrastructure that supports their progress and the completion of their degree.
5.6.2. A research environment within the University and/or with collaborating institutions that provides expertise and appropriate facilities to support their research activities.
5.6.3. Opportunities for developing research and other skills including through training activities where relevant.
5.6.4. Where feasible, opportunities to participate in teaching with appropriate training and mentoring arrangements: see the policy for postgraduate research students who teach.
5.7. More information is provided in the PGR training and the research environment section.
5.8. PGR students who have a disability are covered by theAnnex 5: University policy on supporting disabled students 2023/24 (PDF, 107kB).
5.9. PGR students must be given opportunities to give feedback on their experience. This can include:
5.9.1. Providing individual feedback to supervisors and other staff.
5.9.2. Contributing to forums that enable collective feedback on student experience.
5.9.3. Participating in student surveys.
5.10. PGR students must have their views represented as follows:
5.10.1. At school and faculty levels, through representative membership at appropriate committees and groups, including student/staff liaison committees.
5.10.2. At University level, through representative membership on Senate and at other appropriate committees and groups.
5.11. The PGR Student Representation Code of Practice (PDF, 151kB) provides more information.
5.12. PGR students can make formal complaints as set out in the student complaints procedure.
5.13. A PGR student can make an academic appeal as set out in the assessment regulations.
