MIRIAD Research Degree Handbook 2015-2016

MIRIAD research degrees
handbook 2015 2016
www.miriad.mmu.ac.uk
Contents
1. Orientation
2. Inductions
3. Key contacts
4. Facilities
5. Research Environment
6. Enrolment and Registration
7. Research Degree Options and Timescales
8. Forms Required for Registration
9. Working with your Supervisory Team
10. Updating your Contact Details
11. Other Forms Explained
12. University and Faculty Support for Study
13. International Students
14. Submitting your Thesis
15. Viva Voce Examination and Afterward
16. Acronym Buster and Glossary
MIRIAD research degrees handbook 2014 - 2015
Welcome to the research community

at MIRIAD in the Manchester School of
Art at MMU.
This Handbook is a source of information on

matters specific to research degrees within this
art and design Faculty. It contains advice about
the essential regulations, forms and procedures
that you will encounter during the course of
your degree. It also contains some guidance on
orientation to the All Saints South Campus, and
the research environment that it offers.
As this is a faculty handbook, it is designed to be read
alongside the University Handbook provided at enrolment,
and the web-based information accessible through the
Universitys Graduate School web site: www2.mmu.ac.uk/
graduate-school/. While studying at MMU, you are covered
by the Universitys Institutional Code of Practice and the
Regulations for Postgraduate Research Programmes.
A printed copy of these documents is available at
enrolment, but they are easily accessed from the Graduate
School web site. Follow the link from the Graduate School
Intranet to Regulations, Code of Practice & Supporting
Material. The code applying to new students is dated
2015-16, and the regulations that apply are dated 2013-14.
We hope that you will have a positive and productive time
in MIRIAD. MIRIADs staff team are interested in ensuring
the high quality of your experience here, and will welcome
your comments and suggestions throughout your period
of study.
1. Orientation
If new to Manchester, or to MMU, here are some basic points
of reference the locations and functions of relevant university
buildings, and places to meet other research students and staff.
(i) All Saints South Campus. Alongside Oxford
Road, the campus is clustered around All Saints Park; the

park was named after the church that formerly occupied
the site. Some of the buildings are named after former
Vice-Chancellors and other worthies. Proceeding counterclockwise around the campus, the relevant buildings are:
- All Saints Building [1] housing Student and Academic
Services (SAS) including MMU International; and the Sir
Kenneth Green Library in the same block.
- Business School & Student Hub [3]. Access to the
Burslem Building [15] which houses the Law School is
from the Business School.
- Ormond Building [13] which houses the Research and
Knowledge Exchange unit; this is entered through the
Cavendish North building on Cavendish Street [5].
- Cavendish South [6] home of the Hollings Faculty.
- Righton Building [14], home of MIRIAD and the
postgraduate research programme.
- Grosvenor Building [9], purpose-built in 1880 as the
School of Art. This contains the Holden Gallery. Attached
by the classical faade of the former Chorlton Town Hall
is Mabel Tylecote Building [12]. This will be the site of a
new building to house the Theatre, Special Collections
and other public-facing activities. While the new build is
Bonsa
(ii) Campus food and drink. Several refectories and
cafes are provided on the All Saints South Campus: All

Saints Snack Bar, Art School Caf (Benzie Building), the
Hub Kitchen and Hub Caf (Business School), and Atrium
Caf (Geoffrey Manton). In addition, there are vending
machines in most buildings, including our own Holden
Caf in the Gallery. A complete list can be found at:
www. mmu2.ac.uk /food/
(iii) The All Saints environs. On the pavement, outside

All Saints Park, private concessions operate a fruit and
vegetable stand and a burger van during term time.
Across Oxford Road, there is a range of coffee bars, pubs
and eateries. On the Eighth Day [A] is a shop and caf
offering wholefoods. The key postgraduate hangouts
in this area are The Sand Bar [B] and Trof [C], both on
Grosvenor Street; the Marriot Pantry [D]. The Salutation
pub [E] and the new Students Union [F] are located west
of Benzie Building.
14
ll Stre
et
in progress, Number 70 located north of the Campus on

Oxford Road will house many of its functions.
- Geoffrey Manton Building [8] houses the faculty of
Humanities and Social Sciences, and also the Research
Administration Office.
- Benzie Building, the new Art School building [7] is linked
to Chatham Building [7] housing the Manchester School
of Architecture and the Faculty administration, accessed
from the same entrance.
Boundary Lane
Cambridge Street
Cambridge Street
Church
14
13
15
Ormond Street
Royal Northern
College of Music
Cavendish Street
Sir Kenneth
Green
Library
All Saints Park
Sidney Street
Sugden Sport
Centre
MIRIAD research degrees handbook 2015 2016
Sidney St
Great M
10
Oxford Road
Grosvenor St
Booth Street East
Oxford Road
Manchester
Aquatics
Centre
Lower Ormond St
12
Lower Chatham St
Hulme Street
11
Business
School &
Student Hub
Chatham Street
Oxfo
Charles Street
Chester Street
Booth Street West
A57M Mancunian Way
Rosamond Street West
(iv) Books and stationery: The Precinct Centre,
south of the Geoffrey Manton Building, past the Royal

Northern College of Music (RNCM) on Oxford Road,
houses Blackwells Bookshop serving the Universities of
Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan. The Precinct
Centre also contains a stationery shop. An occasional
street stall on Oxford Road offers second-hand books.
(v) Banks and post office: The nearest cash machine

is in the Students Union. The closest Post Office (0.5
miles) is located in a shop at 170 Stretford Road, Hulme,
M15 5TL. A larger office with full facilities is at 26 Spring
Gardens, M2 1BB in the city centre (1 mile).
(vi) Child care: The closest child-care facility to the
University is Paintpots Nursery on Charles Street north

of the campus. This is a licensed nursery that is Ofsted
approved, so it is able to accept babies of three months
through to children aged five.
E-mail: info@paintpotsmanchester.co.uk
2. Induction
Induction is a formal introduction to the University, proven to
be the best way to impart essential information to new students
and to answer their immediate questions. The induction
process also offers an opportunity to meet other postgraduate
researchers, and to be introduced to the Director of MIRAD,
the Faculty Research Degrees Coordinator, the administrative
team, and MIRIAD staff researchers.
Issuing of student ID cards. ID cards can be picked

up from the Student Hub in Geoffrey Manton Building, open
weekdays 8.30-18.30. Please ensure you have completed the
on-line portion of enrolment 24 hours in advance of picking up
the card. The card is important as it acts as your library card
and needs to be swiped for entry to MMU libraries and other
buildings. It also serves as a payment card that can be topped
up to pay for printing and materials (see: GPAS). If your card is
lost, report this as soon as possible at any Student Hub.
Student email accounts. On enrolment, your student
email account becomes activated. This is accessed using your

student ID number and a default password based on your date
of birth. You can then change the default password. Using
your student email address protects the privacy and security
of your private e-mail accounts, and it is the address to which
official university notices will be sent. Therefore, even if you
use a private email account for day-to-day correspondence,
you should check your student email at least on a weekly
basis. A weekly circular notifying relevant exhibitions, events
and conferences goes out on the student email. All official
communications with your supervisory team, research degrees
administrator, and the university will come through your student
email address or your postal address. It is possible to set up
your student emails to be forwarded to a private e-mail address;
this is done by using the Tools> Options> Organise emails
selections then set the forwarding through the Inbox Rules.
Two separate inductions are offered. The first is a one-day

induction provided by the MMU Graduate School at the start
of each academic term. One attendance at this induction is
required in order to complete the registration for your degree,
and students will not be permitted to re-enrol until participation
in an Induction Day has been recorded. Inductions are
scheduled for 21 September, 31 October and 23 November
2015. For more information, check the Graduate School
website: www.mmu2.ac.uk/graduate-school/ and follow the
link from For Research Students to Starting a Research Degree
to find the induction description and booking form. Inductions
for 2016 are scheduled on 22 January, 25 February, 26 May
and 11 July.
The second induction is faculty-specific, and is offered at the
beginning of each academic year. It runs over the course of
two days that combine social with informational sessions: 30
September and 1 October 2015. These are designed to provide
an introduction to the nature of research, an outline of the
research training available through MIRIAD, guidance on the
managing your research, and an overview of some research
resources available at MMU. This induction is also a chance
to get to know key MIRIAD staff, to meet other postgraduate
students, and to find out about student support services on
offer. Successful applicants for postgraduate degrees will
receive a schedule for the MIRIAD induction in an August
mailing, and it will also be posted on the Faculty website at that
time.
3. Key Contacts
Head of Faculty Research Degrees:
Professor Jim Aulich
Righton Building, Room 111
email: j.aulich@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 1928
Faculty Research Administrator (Art & Design):

Dan OConnor
Geoffrey Manton Building, Room 212
email: adhlssresearch degrees@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 4609
Student Research Methods Support Officer:
Dr Barbara Rawlings, Honorary Fellow,

Department of Sociology, University of Manchester
Use postgraduate noticeboard in MIRIAD Open Space to sign
up for weekly sessions.
email: barbara.rawlings@talk21.com
Deputy Head of Faculty Research Degrees:
Dr Amanda Ravetz
email: a.ravetz@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 4606
Faculty Student Support Officer:

Rochelle Morris
Chatham Building, Room 201,
email: rochelle.morris@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 1711
Postgraduate Student Representatives:
John Walsh
Benzie Building, Room 206
email: j.m.walsh@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 1590
OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS:
Director of MIRIAD:
Professor John Hyatt

Righton Building, Room 113a
e-mail: j.hyatt@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 1900
Research and Knowledge Exchange:

Clare Holdcroft, Graduate School Manager
Ormond Building, 2nd floor
e-mail: c.holdcroft@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 1062
Research Training Co-ordinator:

Dr Myna Trustram
Righton Building, Room 111,
email: m.trustram@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 1118
Tuesday Talks Programme Co-ordinator:

Professor Pavel Bchler
Righton Building, Room G17
e-mail: p.buchler@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 1911
Postgraduate Student Handbook Editor:

Dr Philip Sykas, Research Associate
email: p.sykas@mmu.ac.uk
Tel. 0161 247 3530
Workshop Access:
Marion Poulton, Technical Group Manager

Chatham Building
e-mail: m.poulton@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 1113
Health and Safety Advisor

4th Floor, All Saints Building
e-mail: safety@mmu.ac.uk
Tel. 0161 247 3317
Credit Control
Financial Office, Cavendish South Room CG02

e-mail: creditcontrol@mmu.ac.uk
Tel. 0161 247 1852
For more information, see www.finance.mmu.ac.uk/students
Immigration and Welfare Team:
Nicola Ross and Rebecca Bradley

Business School
e-mail: visaextension@mmu.ac.uk
Tel. 0161 247 1022 (option 3). Drop-in hours: Tuesday and
Thursday 9.15-11.15am and 13.15-15.15pm. Sign in first at the
Business School Student Hub
4. Facilities
MIRIAD is located on the first floor of Righton Building. This was
purpose-built as a dress warehouse for William Righton in 1905
and preserves many original features. As with other areas of the
All Saints campus, WiFi is available throughout the building.
(i) Postgraduate student space: Where you choose
to study on campus will depend on your own preferences

and requirements. Several useful study and social spaces
are provided specifically for our postgraduate students
in Righton Building. The building is entered through the
door on Cavendish Street. At the back, there is a lift that
can give disabled access to the first floor but assistance is
required. The building is open from 8.30 to 20.00, Monday
to Thursday (closing at 19.00 on Friday) during term
time, with reduced hours during term breaks; it is closed
weekends and public holidays. After 16.30, access is by
swiping your ID card.
MIRIAD Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) have the use

of two en-suite secure office spaces in Righton Building
(Rooms 114 and 115). There are pigeon-holes outside
this room where postgraduates can receive post; these
are arranged alphabetically by surname. The MIRIAD
Open Space has tables and chairs that can be arranged
for workshops, meetings, study or socialising. You are
asked to keep conversation within these spaces within
reasonable volumes, recognising the needs of others. It is
normal etiquette to leave study areas when using mobile
phones. There are small lockers available for the personal
use of postgraduate students on a first-come first-served
basis, bookable for the academic year. These are mainly
located on both floors of Righton in the corridor spaces.
See the Faculty Research Administrator for booking and
keys.
Righton has a small communal kitchen on the ground

floor near the staircase. There is a refrigerator, kettle,
coffee-maker and cupboard space to keep your coffee
and tea. Please respect others by keeping the kitchen
tidy, ensuring that perishable foods are cleared away
promptly, and washing-up your cups, plates and cutlery.
The 5th floor of Chatham Building is available for the

use of all postgraduate students, both taught MA/MFA
and research students. This space can be used for any
learning activities, but unlike the MIRIAD space, it is also
suitable for practice-based making activity. Note however
that work must be cleared away after each use. There is
also a cross-disciplinary space provided by the Graduate
School for all research students in The Shed, Chester
Street, Manchester M1 5GD.
(ii) Bookable Rooms and Spaces. Room 103 is a
meeting and viewing space that can be booked on your

behalf by any member of your supervisory team through
the Universitys web-based room booking system. The
MIRIAD Open Space is a multifunctional space that
serves for meetings, events and small-scale exhibitions.
There is a sign-up diary for this space that you can use
to reserve the space if the time you want is free. If your
purpose is for exhibition, you will need to check with
current users of hanging or display spaces to arrange
to free these up. In the event of any conflict, MIRIADs
Director holds authority over use of the space.
(iii) Photocopying, scanning and printing: There
are two multifunctional printer/ scanner/ photocopiers in

the MIRIAD Open Space operated on the ID card swipe
system. Payment is handled electronically through credit
that can be loaded onto your University ID card at pink
kiosks located in All Saints Library foyer, and on the
ground floor of Chatham Building outside the A4 and
More Store (see below). But perhaps the easiest way to
top up your account is on line, see:
https://my.mmu.ac.uk. Scanning to your student email is
free but you must have credit in your account to use the
service. There are also multi-functional machines in All
Saints Library and other buildings; some machines print
black & white only and are clearly labelled. Large format
printing can be done self-service on machines in Benzie
Building. Printing can also be done by IT Service Print
Services located in the John Dalton Workshop
(No. 11 on the map); several days are usually required for
completion. Prices are based on the size of print, type of
paper and ink coverage. Contact repro@mmu.ac.uk or
telephone 0161 247 3422 for more information
(7.00-18.00).
(iv) Faculty shops: Many stationery items and art
materials can be obtained on campus through various

shops that are managed centrally, but have varying
locations and opening times. The A4 and More Store
(Chatham Room 14, ground floor) sells paper and
computer consumables, as well as providing binding
services. It also sells tokens that allow the purchase
of materials from the Wood workshop and the Metal
workshop. The Fabric Store (in the same location)
offers a wide range of fabrics, haberdashery and sewing
requisites. Opening hours are 9.00-18.00, but the Fabric
Store is closed for an hour over lunchtime.
See: http://www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/resources/stores/
for more information. The Students Union shop carries a
range of basic art supplies for drawing and painting.
(v) Workshops: The faculty workshops are centralised
within the Benzie Building and the adjoining Chatham

Building. The workshops are a particularly important part
of undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes,
and there are times when these will have priority.
Postgraduate researchers should discuss workshop
needs with their supervisors and make appropriate
arrangements for workshop inductions and access. For
more information about the workshop facilities that are
available, see:
www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/resources/workshop
(vi) Exhibition spaces: There are a number of exhibition

spaces at the All Saints South campus with varying
availability and regulatory control. A comprehensive list
has not yet been compiled. You should discuss your
exhibition needs with your supervisors, and assistance
can be given with contacts and timetabling. Within the
Righton Building is the MIRIAD Open Space (see above).
The Vertical Gallery in the Benzie Building offers a wide
range of spaces for exhibition that are shown in an
information pack at:
www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/resources/galleries/
(vii) Visual Resources Centre and Downing

Collection: The Visual Resources Centre is located
on the main floor of Grosvenor Building, Room G22,

and open 9.00-16.30 Monday Thursday, and 9.0012.00 on Friday. The Centre provides image-related
support services to students and staff. It can help with
photography, digitisation, and transfer of media. The
Centre also provides access to several important image
collections: the Design Council Slide Collection, and
Manchester School of Art images and videos built up
through decades of teaching and research at MMU. You
can see a selection of images from the collection on
Flickr www.flickr.com/photos/mmuvisualresources/
For further information, see: www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/
visualresources/. Contact: Visual Resources Curator,
John Davis, e-mail: j.davis@mmu.ac.uk Tel. 0161 247
1929. The Visual Resources Centre may be incorporated
into the Library Special Collection during the course of the
year. The Downing Collection, located in Righton Room
101, comprises a small but important group of museumquality textiles and textile designs, mainly sourced from
Manchesters industrial past. Access is by appointment.
Contact: Dr Philip Sykas, email: p.sykas@mmu.ac.uk
Tel. 0161 247 3530.
(viii) MMU Library Special Collections. Located on the 3rd

floor of the main library building, these collections
include historical works from the Manchester School
of Art, important groups of artists books and childrens
books, rare books, Victorian paper ephemera, and the
renowned Schmoller Collection of decorated papers. It is
open weekdays between 10 and 4pm, with a late night
Thursday and Saturday afternoon opening during term
time. Contact: e-mail lib-spec-coll@mmu.ac.uk
Tel. 0161 247 6107.
(ix) University Catering Outlets:

All Saints Snack Bar: on the ground floor of the All
Saints Building.

Art School Caf: on the ground floor of the Benzie
Building.

Holden Caf: Grosvenor Building, is a faculty-run

self-service caf in the historic setting of the original
School of Art Building (erected 1880); it offers drinks and
snacks from vending machines.
The Hub Kitchen: on the ground floor of the

Business School Student Hub Building.
Atrium Caf: on the ground floor of Geoffrey Manton

at the far end of the Atrium.
See: www.mmu2.ac.uk/food for a full list with opening hours.
5. Research Environment
(i) Research Libraries
MMU is among the leading new universities in art and design,

and the Manchester School of Art provides an environment
conducive to a broad range of study. The Faculty is known
for being receptive to practice-based and multidisciplinary
research, alongside theoretical, historical and visual research
fields. A research degree can be taken in any of the wide range
of subjects in which the faculty offers qualified supervision. As
a MIRIAD research student, you are part of a diverse research
community exploring broad themes in the fields of art and
design that are structured under six discipline-based research
groups: Architecture, Art, Craft, Design, Media, and Visual
Culture, as well as four thematic groups: Arts and Health, Asian
Cultures, Future Living and Future Technologies.
The nationwide Research Excellence Framework (REF) of

2013 ranked our Art and Design research sixth out of 84 other
UK institutions. Naturally, the activities of our post-graduate
researchers contribute to the environment that sustains
this success. From its inception in 2013, MMU has been a
member of the North West Consortium Doctoral Training
Partnership (NWCDTP) that was awarded 14 million by the
Arts and Humanities Research Council for around 200 PhD
studentships. Alongside MMU in the Partnership are the
Universities of Manchester, Keele, Lancaster, Liverpool, Salford
and the Royal Northern College of Music. The faculty recruits
students for these funded studentships annually, within the
AHRC criteria, and nominates them for the award. Posts are
advertised on the MMU website.
The Faculty also participates in cross-faculty partnerships within
and outside the University. In 2009, MIRIAD secured an AHRC
grant to develop research training for staff and students in the
broad conceptual framework of the creative arts and industries.
The success of the scheme has led to its continuance in a
legacy body known as PARC North West. Participants include
researchers in music, art and design, creative writing and
critical aesthetics from across the North West region. This
brings together MMU Art and Design, Architecture, Creative
Writing, and Fashion Business & Technology, alongside ten
other regional universities: Royal Northern College of Music,
Glyndwr (Wrexham) Art & Design, Liverpool John Moores
Art & Design, University of Central Lancashire Art & Design,
University of Chester Art & Design, University of Salford Art &
Design/Media, University of Bolton Art & Design, University of
Cumbria Art & Design, University of Lancaster Creative Writing,
and Edge Hill University Art & Design .
Not the least part of our research environment is due to our
situation in the City of Manchester, with its sister universities,
excellent museums and galleries, the North West Film Archive,
and a thriving culture of music, theatre, architecture, street
fashion and small enterprises.
MMUs Library system incorporates one of the best art

libraries in the UK, with a wide range of subscriptions
(paper and electronic), a far-ranging exhibition catalogue
collection, and rare holdings of art and design books
going back to our nineteenth century origins. The
electronic resources of the Library include many text and
image databases. The special collections area holds
significant collections of artists books, bookbindings,
childrens books, paper ephemera, decorated paper,
and decorative arts of the Arts & Crafts era. Changing
exhibitions highlighting this material take place in the
Library Foyer and the 3rd Floor Gallery.
The large holdings of the John Rylands Library of the
University of Manchester, the historic Rylands Library
in Deansgate (rare books and manuscripts), the Joule
Library (technology), the Chetham Library (local history),
and other academic libraries are also open to MMU
postgraduates upon application. Apply on-line for a
SCONUL card to enable entry (Society of College,
National and University Libraries):
www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access. These bibliographic
riches are extended by the wide-ranging collections of the
citys Central Library, one of the oldest free libraries in the
country. The citys Central Reference Library has recently
been completely refurbished and provided with new
archive facilities, including the North West Film Archive.
(ii) MIRIAD Researcher Development

Programme
MIRIADs Researcher Development Programme is

concerned with helping postgraduate research students
to acquire the skills needed not only to manage their
research, but also their subsequent careers. There are
four strands to the programme: research training, skills
development, research support and external training
opportunities.
The Research Training Programme is delivered in

lectures, seminars and workshop sessions taking place
on Wednesdays 13.30-15.00 during term time. These
are designed to assist students with key stages in their
research, and to provide examples of good practice. This
is a lively programme that continues to develop each year
in response to needs expressed by students.
Skills development includes work on creative academic

writing as well as student-led projects. For the complete
programme, look for the booklet entitled Researcher
Development Programme 2015-2016.
(iii) MIRIAD Research Groups

RKE also develops and monitors the Code of Practice

and Regulations for Postgraduate Research Programmes
at MMU. This is available on the Graduate School website
under Graduate School Intranet:
www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/regulations-copsupporting-material/ The Code is updated annually, but
new students will use the most current regulations which
are 2013-14. Some aspects of the recent regulations
also apply retrospectively to prior students, such as
those to do with appointment of examiners. Also from
this website page, you can access the Research Student
Handbook which provides advice applicable Universitywide (click on the tab: Supporting Materials). You can use
all these documents in conjunction with this Handbook
for further guidance. The Code is the ultimate authority
on all procedures from registration to submission, and
from misconduct to complaints. It is a good idea to scan
the table of contents so that you are familiar with what
it contains in case you may need to use it in more detail
at some point. All the necessary forms covering your
study at MMU can be viewed and downloaded from
the Graduate School web site, conveniently grouped
under the heading Online Forms. Under For Research
Students, the website also provides a link to the online
Research Students Community with access to the
research student Moodle area, and the Graduate School
student Facebook page, and the latest Tweets.
RKE offers a support framework for postgraduate

research students at MMU, partly entailed in the Graduate
School Workshops which run throughout the academic
year, giving advice on aspects of study from planning,
through time management to presentation skills and
building CVs. For more information on the Programme
for the current academic year, see the Graduate School
intranet under Research Students Development.
RKEs Graduate School Manager is Clare Holdcroft

(c.holdcroft@mmu.ac.uk Tel: 0161 247 1062). Amongst
her duties, she helps to plan and run the Annual Research
Student Conference at MMU. This conference gives
postgraduates from across the University the opportunity
to meet each other and discuss research experiences,
as well as presenting papers on their research topics to
a supportive audience of peers. The next conference
is Innovation, 5 November 2015. The call for papers
closes on the 4th September. RKE offers a conference
funding programme to assist PGRs to present their
work at national or international conferences. Check the
website under For Research Students for the application
procedure. Only one application per student per year is
allowed.
The impact of research beyond the confines of academia

is strongly emphasised by the national research
councils. RKE supports the view that research and
knowledge exchange are not separate activities, but part
of a continuum that involves promoting the usefulness
of research through public engagement, and the
dissemination of research to a wider public. Knowledge
Postgraduate researchers are Associate Members of

MIRIAD, and are encouraged to be active in at least one
of the ten MIRIAD Research Groups most appropriate
to their study: Architecture, Art, Crafts, Design, Media,
and Visual Culture, Arts and Health, Asian Cultures,
Future Living, and Future Technologies. Research
groups usually meet about six times a year. They are
the grass roots base for much of the development of
MIRIADs programmes. They also provide peer review
of grant applications, and mutual advice and support
on research issues. It is a chance to meet on the same
level with senior researchers, early career researchers,
teaching staff undertaking research degrees, and fellow
postgraduates, and make your contribution to our
research environment.
(iv) Researchers Weekly Bulletin
During term time, an electronic bulletin is provided

highlighting new developments in electronic resources
for research. Often there are trial subscriptions to new
electronic databases, and there are also announcements
of training opportunities. For example, the Library
promotes the use of the bibliographic software tool,
End Note, and provides regular training sessions in
its use. Send a request by e-mail to Mary Pickstone
m.pickstone@mmu.ac.uk for the bulletin to be sent
to your electronic address. A blog and archive of past
bulletins is found at www.library.mmu.ac.uk/rwbb/
(v) VITAE
Vitae is a national organisation championing the personal,

professional and career development of postgraduate
researchers and research staff in higher education and
research institutes. Its web home www.vitae.ac.uk is a
thriving site with national news, research advice, and
online community forums. It has regular threads on the
issues facing research students in UK institutions and
hosts several useful training seminars. The site offers
research tips aimed at different stages of research student
work, and the Researcher Development Framework to
assist personal development and monitor progress.
(vi) Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE)

and the Graduate School

MMU Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) offers

an important support to our postgraduate researchers.
Its offices are located in the Ormond Building reached
by the Cavendish North entrance. RKE administers the
MMU Graduate School, and deals with University-wide
postgraduate research issues that require referral from
the Faculties. It provides an induction for new students,
runs a generic Research Skills programme, and hosts
an annual University-wide postgraduate research
conference.
Transfer Partnerships (KTP) are a formalised way of

carrying out research with direct relevance to other
sectors, see www.ktponline.org.uk for more information.
Sam Gray, who formerly headed the Beacons for Public
Engagement programme can assist in developing
community links and the communication skills needed in
working outside academia. Contact Sam Gray:
s.gray@mmu.ac.uk Tel: 0161 247 1664.
(vii) Postgraduate Courses (taught MA/ MFA

programmes):
The taught MA/ MFA programmes expand the

postgraduate population at MMU, adding to the lively
atmosphere of exhibitions, discussion and debate. The Art
and Design Faculty offers taught MA and/or MFA degrees
in Animation, Architecture, Architecture and Urbanism,
Collaborative Practice, Contemporary Curating,
Contemporary Visual Culture, Design Cultures, Design
(Ceramics/ Furniture/ Glass/ Jewellery/ LAB), Drawing,
Embroidery, Fashion (Graphics/ Knitwear/ Menswear/
Womenswear), Film and Media Studies, Filmmaking, Fine
Art, Graphic Design and Art Direction, Illustration, Interior
Design, Landscape Architecture, Photography, Product
Design, Textile Practice, and Textiles for Fashion.
The MA Design LAB connects to the design industry

through a college of sponsors. Students work on live
projects alongside designers and design consultancies
to gain experience of pitching ideas to industry
professionals. Link placements and projects with up to
25 of the regions key arts and media organisations are a
key strength of the programme. Master classes also form
part of the teaching, together with tutorials, seminars and
technical workshops.
See: www.art.mmu.ac.uk/postgraduate/ for current

information about taught postgraduate programmes.
6. Enrolment and Registration

For Postgraduate Research Degree students, an important
distinction is made between enrolment and registration. At first
sight, this may appear confusing, but it is usual for universities
to distinguish between the mere procedural matter of enrolment
and the stage at which a research proposal is accepted.
Enrolment: This process is required to begin study, and
enrolment must be annually renewed up to the point of

conferment of the degree. Enrolment takes place during the first
two weeks of each term; and re-enrolment during the first two
weeks of the autumn term: 21 September to 2 October 2015.
It is at enrolment that personal details held by the University are
updated, and fees become due (although no further tuition fees
are required after submission of the thesis unless you are
required to resubmit after examination). Enrolment entitles you
to a student identity card that enables you to access University
resources, and to meet with your supervisory team. PLEASE
NOTE: It is your responsibility to re-enrol on an annual basis at
the start of each academic year. If a candidate should fail to reenrol by 15th October in any year, they will be deemed to have
withdrawn themselves and their registration will be cancelled.
Registration: This is the procedure for gaining approval

of your research proposal. Current regulations require you to
submit your proposal within 3 months of your first enrolment
(or 6 months for part-time students). The precise time for
submitting will depend on the MMU Academic Board Research
Degrees Committee (RDC) meetings, held on a monthly
basis, but submission is normally four weeks in advance of
the intended meeting date. In order to register for a research
degree, a proposal which outlines your subject, the research
question(s) to be addressed, the methodology to be used in
addressing those questions, and the aims and objectives of the
project, must be approved by the RDC. Because of the time
limit, it is important that you contact your Director of Studies
promptly after enrolment to discuss how to proceed with your
proposal. Usually your first supervisory meetings will be centred
on preparation of the proposal.
Proposals for Registration are submitted on a University RD1
form that can be downloaded from the Graduate School web
site. See: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/ and follow the
links: Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/ Registration.
Most students will register for MPhil/PhD which is the standard
route for the PhD which involves a transfer stage after the first
year. Your will find the proposal commonly referred to as your
RD1. Please read the guidance notes specific to your proposed
degree before embarking on writing your proposal. You will
also have to submit an Ethics Check form with your proposal,
having discussed the ethical implications of your research with
your Director of Studies. This is a MIRIAD form available from
the Art and Design Research Administrator. The health and
safety implications of your research also need to be considered,
and will require a risk assessment to be carried out with
respect to any substances, processes or situations that pose
a significant risk. See: Section 16 under Ethics and Consent
Forms for more details.
10
The curriculum vitae of each of your supervisors needs to be

held by the University, so you may need to send RDCV forms
to any supervisors not yet on file. See: www2.mmu.ac.uk/
graduate-school/ and follow the links: Online Forms/ Research
Degrees Forms/ Approval of Examiners. See Section 8 of this
handbook for a full checklist of possible needs.
Once you have written your research proposal, completed the
registration form appropriate to your proposed research degree,
checked the ethical implications of your research with your
Director of Studies, it is a good idea to run over your registration
forms with your Director of Study to make sure all is in order.
You are then ready to submit the whole package to the Faculty
Research Administrator for consideration at the next Research
Degrees Committee (RDC) meeting. It is required that your
proposal package is submitted four weeks prior to the monthly
meeting dates of the RDC.
What happens to your submission from here?
The Administrator will pass your forms to two Faculty

scrutineers who will then read your proposal, and report
on it. Both your submission and the scrutineers reports will
then be passed to the Head of Faculty Research Degrees
for adjudication. If there are weaknesses, the proposal may
be referred back for revisions at this stage, but if judged
academically sound and viable, a recommendation will be
forwarded to the RDC. The recommendation, along with the
proposal and reports will be presented to the RDC where they
can be discussed, and a prevailing decision taken. In most
cases, faculty-level scrutiny of the proposal should ensure the
appropriate standard for Committee approval. Students will be
notified of the resulting decisions as soon as possible following
the RDC meeting at which their application for registration is
considered.
What happens if my proposal for registration is

referred?
Referral, in this context, means referring back to you and your

Supervisory Team for necessary revisions or further work.
If your proposal is referred, the Head of Faculty Research
Degrees (or, if necessary, the Research Degrees Committee)
will provide comments stating what the weaknesses are, advice
on how to improve the submission and relevant comments from
the scrutineers reports. Often, you will see the Scruntineers
reports in full. This will guide you toward improvements so as to
achieve the required standard to demonstrate your readiness
to commence the research. In the event of a referral, it is
important that you arrange promptly to meet with your Director
of Studies to discuss how to proceed with your re-submission. It
is in your interest to make the amendments in a timely way, and
resubmit so that your proposal can make the next Committee
meeting. Re-submissions will not necessarily go through the full
scrutiny process again.
Please note that it is not uncommon for RD1s to be referred,

but they are usually successful on resubmission. A referral
should not be seen in any way as a failure, but rather as an
opportunity to strengthen your research aims and methods so
that you will be able to progress your research more effectively.
What happens in relation to the three-month

time limit (six-months part-time) if Im ill, or
there are other extenuating circumstances?
If there are genuine circumstances which prevent you from

submitting a successful application for registration within
the stipulated three-month period from enrolment, you may
apply to the RDC to temporarily suspend your studies or seek
an extension. In such a case, a supporting statement from
your Director of Studies is required, so you must discuss the
matter with your DoS as soon as you are able. When the time
eventually comes to submit the application for registration,
exceptional backdating must be requested in respect of the
period of suspension or extension.
Timing: for the academic year 2015-2016, the scheduled meetings of the RDC are as follows:
RDC meetings to consider submissions
Completed forms must be submitted to

Faculty Research Degrees Administrator
no later than:
Monday 28 September 2015
Wednesday 31 August 2015
Wednesday 21 October 2015
Wednesday 23 September 2015
Wednesday 18 November 2015
Wednesday 21 October 2015
Wednesday 16 December 2015
Wednesday 18 November 2015
Wednesday 20 January 2016
Wednesday 16 December 2015
Wednesday 24 February 2016
Wednesday 27 January 2016
Wednesday 23 March 2016
Wednesday 24 February 2016
Wednesday 20 April 2016
Wednesday 23 March 2016
Wednesday 18 May 2016
Wednesday 20 April 2016
Wednesday 29 June 2016
Wednesday 1 June 2016
Please note that although meetings average five weeks apart, they vary between four and seven
weeks apart due to holidays and term breaks.
11
7. Research Degrees: Options and

Timescales
Postgraduate study
Doctorates are awarded for creating, interpreting and

communicating knowledge that extends the forefront of a
discipline or an area of professional practice, usually through
original research and critical thinking. To achieve the award, the
candidate will have demonstrated extensive scholarship in their
discipline or area of practice, and shown mastery of subjectspecific intellectual skills. Recipients of doctorates will have
the skills necessary for a research career, or for employment
in a leading capacity in a relevant area of professional
practice. Transferable skills will include the ability to make
informed judgements on complex issues in specialist fields,
independence in formulating and evaluating ideas, and the
ability to communicate with professional colleagues on current
issues and scholarship in their discipline. Holders of doctorates
will be able to conceptualize, design and implement projects for
the generation of new knowledge or understanding.
Masters degrees in research entail a similar range of
learning outcomes, but the emphasis is on interpreting and
communicating knowledge rather than its discovery or creation.
The recipient of a masters degree is not expected to work
with the same level of independence as the PhD. Holders of
the masters degree will have the skills required to undertake
research at a higher level, and to continue their professional
development toward a research career, or for employment in an
intermediate capacity in a relevant area of professional practice.
Transferable skills will include the ability to evaluate the work
of others, to make effective decisions in complex situations,
and to critically engage in a contribution to their discipline or
professional practice.
Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
usually possess a Masters degree or equivalent. Typically,
students wishing to undertake doctoral study register for a
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) with a view to transferring to
PhD following successful approval of a transfer report after 12
months full-time or 18 months part-time study. Traditionally,
the PhD study was evaluated solely through a written thesis,
but now the thesis can also include the candidates creative
work. In addition, there are a number of alternative routes to the
degree available at MMU: PhD by Published Work (Routes 1 &
2) and PhD by Practice (Route 3). A candidate for routes 1, 2 or
3 should already possess research training to a masters level.
PhD by thesis (Traditional route)
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is taken by candidates

who have completed an appropriate programme of research
during at least thirty-three months of full-time study. This route
requires submission of a written thesis. The study can consist
entirely of text-based research, or it can include practicebased work. Text based research is presented in a thesis up
to 80,000 words (excluding ancillary matter such as footnotes,
bibliographies, diagrams and references).
Practice-based theses will include creative work alongside a
written component in the range of 30,000 to 40,000 words. The
new Code of Practice requires that the text must be written
and examined in English. The thesis must be presented in the
designated format.
There is a period of 12 months maximum between submission
of the thesis and conferment of the degree to allow for
revisions, corrections, etc.

full-time
part-time
Submission
36 months
72 months
Conferment
48 months
84 months
PhD by Published Work (Route 1)
This route to a PhD is for candidates who have acquired

considerable experience of research and who have produced
one or more substantial research publications. During the
period of enrolment, the candidate will produce additional
publications under the guidance of a supervisory team.
The publications submitted as part of a PhD by Published
Work must provide evidence of the candidates capacity to
pursue further research, represent an original and significant
contribution to knowledge in a given field, and demonstrate
depth of scholarship, and critical capacity in keeping with
national levels.
Publications may include a variety of outputs, such as:

books where the candidate is a substantial or sole
contributor,

chapters in books,

articles in refereed journals,

conference papers published in proceedings or
otherwise,

patent applications or granted patents,

exhibitions or performances of which a permanent
record has been made, and is publicly available.
Academic, industrial or governmental documents produced
for internal purposes are not eligible. At least 60% of the
publications the candidate wishes to submit as part of the PhD
should have been published within two years prior to application
for the degree. Candidates need to ensure that the number and
range of publications is sufficient to demonstrate that their work
is of doctoral standing.
12
The submission must include an analytical commentary (which

forms the equivalent of a thesis), between 10,000 and 15,000
words and which critically explores the relationship between the
submitted publications and the current body of knowledge in the
field.
This commentary should contain:
1) An abstract (300 words).
2) An introductory section presenting the current state of the
field, comprising a critical overview, a literature review/
appraisal, and an indication of how the publications relate
to the existing body of knowledge and research methods.
3) A list of the submitted publications and, where
appropriate, evidence of publication (where publications
are in press, letters of acceptance from the editor or a
copy of the publishing contract must be included), and a
statement providing a clear indication of the candidates
contribution to each publication.
4) A critical account of how the publications make a coherent
and significant contribution to knowledge and scholarship.
5) A demonstration of critical reflection on methodological
issues and an indication of the future direction of research
to be carried out by the candidate in the field.
The thesis submission dates and the conferment of award
dates are as follows:

Submission
Conferment
full-time
24 months

36 months
part-time
48 months
60 months
PhD by Published work (Route 2)
This route is for candidates either with a strong academic

career as evidenced by publication; or who have produced a
significant body of work outside a traditional academic context.
This body of work must principally be the candidates own work.
Candidates must be graduates (or equivalent) of at least five
years standing, and have already obtained a Masters degree,
or be able to show evidence of having received equivalent
research training or experience in their working environment.
As no formal supervision or additional research is required by
this route it is also expected that the candidates submission
will demonstrate that, through the course of their research
they have considerable professional knowledge in their field.
The material submitted for the PhD shall provide convincing
evidence that the research constitutes a coherent and
significant contribution to knowledge or scholarship of at least
national standing.
The publications must all be available and accessible in the
public domain, must represent a coherent and significant
contribution to research in a given field and demonstrate
a depth of scholarship and originality comparable with that
required in a traditional PhD. The PhD by publication
must, through the selection of the papers/works, and an
accompanying analytical commentary, demonstrate a
contribution to knowledge, and evidence of the development of
research skills appropriate to the focus of the research and the
knowledge domains within which the research was conducted.
The submission must contain an analytical commentary,

normally between 10,000 and 15,000 words, that critically
explores the relationship between the published work
submitted and the current body of knowledge in the field. The
arrangement and content of the analytical commentary is the
same as for Route 1: PhD by Published Work. The format of
the submitted work may vary and include original material in a
range of media: books, articles, performances or exhibitions.
full-time
part-time
Submission
6 months
12 months
Conferment
18 months
24 months
PhD by Practice (Route 3)
This route is suitable for candidates who are established

professionals as well as suitably experienced recent
postgraduates who are engaged in professional practice in
an arts or design field. The research may be carried out in
any context of practice: art, design, architecture, media, and
craft. The PhD by practice must, through a portfolio of work
and an accompanying analytical commentary, demonstrate a
contribution to knowledge, and evidence of the development of
research skills appropriate to the focus of the research and the
knowledge domains within which the research was conducted.
The submission is in two parts:
a) the portfolio of work; and
b) an analytical commentary (thesis).
The portfolio should contain work suitable for professional
consumption and/or suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
The body of work would be what can be reasonably achieved
within three years of postgraduate full-time study or part-time
equivalent. The portfolio should contain at least one major
extended work or group of works, and should be substantially
achieved during the enrolment period. Where the submission
involves a performance or exhibition, etc., an archival record of
the work should be submitted in the form of photographs, film,
video, digital storage medium, or paper record along with the
analytical commentary.
The analytical commentary provides evidence for the
contribution of the practice to the field (i.e. the level of
intellectual engagement, context and originality), and can be
constituted in a number of different discursive forms. These
might be process-based, personal narratives or traditional
academic writing. The analytical commentary should provide
a critical reflection on the approaches, methods and theories
deployed, an explanation of the technical procedures used, and
may also discuss the works aesthetic premises in their relevant
historical, theoretical or critical contexts.
13
It should normally be between 10,000 and 30,000 words, and

critically explore the relationship between the portfolio of work
submitted and the current body of knowledge in the field.
full-time
part-time
Submission
36 months
72 months
Conferment
48 months
84 months
MASTERS LEVEL STUDIES

Study undertaken at masters level explores aspects of
knowledge at the forefront of an academic or professional
discipline. Students are expected to demonstrate originality
in the application of knowledge, and to gain understanding
of how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through
research. They will be able to deal with complex issues both
systematically and creatively, and they will show originality
in tackling and solving problems. They will have the qualities
needed for enterprise and employment in circumstances
requiring sound judgement, personal responsibility and
initiative these while working in complex and unpredictable
professional environments.
Masters by Research (MA)
MA degrees gained by research are taken by candidates with

Honours degrees (or equivalent) and run for at least one year
(if taken full-time).
The text of the MA thesis should normally not exceed
30,000 words (excluding ancillary matter such as footnotes,
bibliographies, diagrams and references). When the submission
is accompanied by material in other than written form, the
written component should normally be within the range of
10,000 15,000 words. The MA research can be continued into
MPhil study, or exceptionally to PhD, through submission of a
transfer report demonstrating that it is capable of development
to the higher level (see Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees,
para. 10 and 11 for further information).

full-time
part-time
Submission
12 months
24 months
Conferment
24 months
36 months
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
The degree of Master of Philosophy entails a longer research

programme than the MA degree, allowing greater scope for
subject and methods. It is taken by candidates with good
Honours degrees and continues for at least eighteen months of
full-time study. The MPhil degree can be continued into doctoral
study through the acceptance of a Transfer Report.
14
The text of the MPhil thesis should normally not exceed

40,000 words (excluding ancillary matter such as footnotes,
bibliographies, diagrams and references). When the submission
is accompanied by material in other than written form, the
written component should normally be within the range of
15,000 20,000 words.

full-time
part-time
Submission
18 months
36 months
Conferment
30 months
48 months
8. Forms Required for Registration:
Registration is the process of submitting a research proposal

for formal approval by the University. A full-time student should
complete registration for the degree to which they are enrolled
no later than 3 months after enrolment (6 months part-time).
There is one common registration form for all research
degrees. In addition to the completed form, at least four other
documents will be needed, plus a range of signatures. Below is
a summary checklist of required forms and procedures needed
for registration.
Doctor of Philosophy
(Traditional route or PhD by Practice Route 3)
RD1: Application to register for the degree
of [fill in the blank]. See: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-
school and follow the links: Online Forms/ Research Degrees

Forms/ Registration.
The core of the RD1 is comprised of an outline of your
proposal in 1000 words (100). This will include the academic
aims of the investigation, a description of the research to
be undertaken, the methods to be used and up to six key
references (Attachment to Section 2).
MIRIAD Ethics Check Form
This is used to raise awareness of ethical issues, and to help
determine if specific Ethics Approval is required. The Ethics
Check is expected for every research project, and must be
signed by a member of your Supervisory Team. Any research
using human participants, their tissues, data or images
requires ethical consideration. Request the form from the
Faculty Research Administrator for Art and Design. Supporting
documents may be needed to accompany the form, such as
an information sheet and consent form for any participants in
your research, and copies of any proposed advertisements or
questionnaires. In such documents, your proposed research
should be described in a way which would enable a layperson
to understand the aims and methods (Section 2).
The MMU Application for Ethical Approval form is only used
if the Ethics Check indicates this is needed. If ethical
issues with your research have been identified, and cannot
be resolved on a faculty level, you will need to complete
a University Ethical Approval form to be submitted to the
University Academic Ethics Committee. See:
www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/ and follow the links:
Online Forms/ Ethics/ Ethics Forms and Guidance. Other
guidance documents are available from the same location on
the Graduate School web site. Your plans for addressing the
ethical issues raised by your research will then be referred
to the Academic Ethics Committee for further consideration
(Section 2).
Evidence that appropriate risk assessment(s) have been

undertaken. This is an assessment that the risk associated with
various hazards to which your research might expose you can
either be controlled to an acceptable level, or managed through
a risk management process (Section2).
Projected timeline for the project. Part of successful project

management is planning your time. At the start, there will be
many unknowns, but you should be able to map out significant
milestones (Section 2).
When creative work is part of the thesis, you and your
Supervisory Team must come to an agreement on the form of
submission and the proposed methods of assessment for this
work. A record of this agreement is needed (Section 2).
Details of any research to be done outside the UK, including
start and end dates. Also, If overseas research is substantial, a
statement outlining any special circumstances at the site(s) of
the proposed research (Section2).
Section 3 of the RD1 form asks for confirmation of your
supporting programme. You should audit your skills using
the Vitae Researcher Development Framework, and reach a
mutual decision with your supervisory team about a supporting
programme to meet any training needs (or possible exemption).
Section 5 of the RD1 PhD gives details of your supervisory
team. In order to complete this, you will need to know the
proposed members, as each supervisor or advisor (including
your Director of Studies) is required to fill out their record
of supervision and sign the form. You will need to make
arrangements to collect the above signatures, but in cases of
difficulty, the DoS can sign for the others.
If a named supervisors outline CV is not held in the Faculty
(check with Faculty Research Degrees Administrator), they
will need to submit an RDCV. It is your responsibility to inform
the supervisor that a CV is required and to ensure that the
supervisor has access to the RDCV form on which it is to be
submitted. This form does not require a signature and can be
accessed and sent on-line. See: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduateschool/ and follow the links: Online Forms/ Research Degrees
Forms/ Approval of Examiners. (Section 5)
If your research requires the use of facilities in a collaborating
institution, a signature on behalf of the collaborating
establishment must be obtained confirming these facilities will
be provided. if special access is required from an outside body
not covered by a collaboration arrangement, a letter confirming
approval is needed (Section 6).
If any facilities or equipment are required in addition to
the normal provision of the University, these must be stated,
including any relevant bench fees (Section 7).
The signature of the Director of MIRIAD is also required to
confirm that the necessary resources and facilities are in place
to support the proposed research (Section 8).
Evidence of prior training or qualifications if not acquired by
the usual academic route (Section 9).
If you have registered a disability or learning need that
requires modifications to the approved programme, then a copy
of your Personal Learning Plan should be provided (Section 9).
15
Doctor of Philosophy by Published work

(Route 1)
RD1: Application to register for the degree of [fill in the
blank].
See: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/ and follow the links:
Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/ Registration. The
requirements for Route 1 set out in the RD1 form are the same
as for the Traditional route, so you should use the checklist for
the Traditional route given above. However, in addition, you will
need to document the existing publications that will form the
basis for your research. This is done with the RDPUB form:
RDPUB (Route 1 and 2)
PhD by published work (route 1/2): Contribution to publications
This form is found in the same location as the RD1. It is used to
declare the publications submitted with the research proposal. A
separate form should be completed for each publication.
Copies of each existing publication (or supporting evidence
of published status of creative works) should be provided to
your Director of Studies, who must sign the form(s) to confirm
the reading and approval of each publication.
Doctor of Philosophy by published work

(Route 2)
In this case, enrolment follows approval of the application

for registration by the Research Degrees Committee, and
registration is backdated to begin from the date when the
completed registration forms were submitted.
RD1 (PUB2): Prima-facie application to register for the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy by published work (Route 2)
See: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school and follow the links:
Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/ Registration.
Please note that under this route, your PhD is supervised by
a single Academic Advisor. Your Academic Advisor is required
to fill out their record of supervision and sign the form. The
form must also be signed by your Head of Department in order
to confirm their support and that the necessary resources are
available to support your programme of study.
In addition, if the advisors outline CV is not held on
record in the Faculty (check with Faculty Research Degrees
Administrator), they will need to submit an RDCV. It is your
responsibility to inform the supervisor that a CV is required and
to ensure that the supervisor has access to the RDCV form
on which it is to be submitted. This form does not require a
signature and can be accessed and sent on-line. See:
www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/ and follow the links:
Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/Approval of
Examiners.
The RD1 (PUB2) requires a proposal (1000-2000 words)
of the work upon which the thesis is to be based, illustrating
clearly the contribution made to knowledge.
16
RDPUB (Route 1 and 2) PhD by published work Route1/2):

Contribution to publications.
This form is found at the same location as the RD1. It is used to
declare the publications submitted with the research proposal.
A separate form should be completed for each publication. The
number of publications is not set, but sufficient work should be
chosen to constitute a substantial contribution to knowledge.
Copies of each publication (or supporting evidence of
published status of creative works) should be provided to your
Academic Advisor, who must sign the form(s) to confirm the
reading and approval of each publication. For artistic works, it
is advisable to submit a photograph of each work and/or copies
of the major piece of supporting evidence (exhibition catalogue
entry, gallery brochure, etc.).
Master of Philosophy (with the possibility of

transfer to Doctor of Philosophy)
blank]. See: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/ and follow

the links: Graduate School Intranet/ Online Forms/ Research
Degrees Forms/ Registration. The registration requirements
for MPhil set out in the RD1 form are the same as for the
Traditional PhD route, so you should use the checklist for the
Traditional PhD route given above.
Master of Arts by Research

blank]. See: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school and

follow the links: Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/
Registration. The registration requirements for MA by Research
set out in the RD1 form are the same as for the Traditional PhD
route, so you should use the checklist for the Traditional PhD
route given above.
9. Working with your Supervisory Team

Research Degrees students at MMU are supervised by a small
team of academic staff, known as the Supervisory Team. Teams
are headed by a Director of Studies (DoS), who has overall
responsibility for directing the research. The DoS is responsible
for ensuring that the research project can be supported
within the available resources, can be completed within the
prescribed period of study, is suited to the degree undertaken,
and complies with University Codes of Practice. The DoS also
undertakes monitoring and evaluation of your progress in an
annual report, and co-ordinates the forms associated with the
administrative progress of your degree. Persons qualified to act
as DoS will have experience in supervising doctoral degrees,
and a confident overview of the academic research process.
In addition to the DoS, the supervisory team normally includes
two additional academic staff each of whom may have
specialist knowledge in different aspects of the research project.
A research student may have some idea of who they wish to
study with before enrolment, and can indicate preferences for
their supervisory team. However, the DoS is responsible for the
composition of the supervisory team, ensuring that appropriate
areas of expertise are represented, that team members have
appropriate supervisory experience, and that they do not have
a close personal or professional relationship with each other
or with the student. The composition of the supervisory team is
confirmed when the Research Degrees Committee approves
a students application for registration. Should it become
necessary, there is a procedure to apply for an addition or
replacement of a member of the supervisory team: see RD3 in
Section 11 below.
For research of a specialised nature, an external advisor may

be brought into the supervisory team. Communication with the
external advisor is normally less often and for specific needs.
As there is a monetary obligation on the part of the University
for external advisors, there must be a strong reason for their
inclusion on your team, often when this provides an institutional
or industrial link that is important to the research.
Your first meeting
At the beginning of your first year, it is expected that you

will have an initial meeting with your Director of Studies and
supervisory team in order to establish several preliminary
aspects of your study. These will include discussion of
the subject, scope and aims of your research, and the
requirements for registration. Also, if there is an element
of practice in your final submission, the format of the final
submission and its assessment will need to be planned. This
meeting or a following one should also include a review of
your research skills training plan made with reference to the
Researcher Development Framework. For overall planning, we
The frequency and variety of contact of the student with

supervisors will vary depending on the stage of study, usually
being more frequent in the early and later stages of the degree.
Supervisory time would normally be about 150 hours per year
per team, which allows for an average of two supervisory
meetings per term across the period of study of a full-time
student (including attendant reading and preparation). Teams
are expected to meet on a regular basis to review progress and
plan future actions. Team meetings are most productive when
the student submits a piece of work to all team members for
consideration, and meetings are often timed in accordance with
such submissions. It is the students responsibility to arrange
the meetings. Please note that the student is expected to make
some form of contact every 3 months as a minimum.
The team provides you with different types of input as
your research unfolds, and if one member of your team is
unavailable (through illness or their own research leave) you
have others to consult who are familiar with your work and
your ideas, as well as to assist with any difficulties or issues
that have arisen in the course of the work. One meeting each
year may be timed to handle preparation for the Annual Review
(RDAR). You may feel free to consult with any members of your
team whenever the need arises outside of scheduled meetings.
If you feel the advice given to you by different team members is
contradictory, you are advised to seek resolution through your
Director of Studies. If necessary, a meeting may be called to
clarify the direction you are advised to take.
17
recommend that you draw up a schedule of work that shows

key stages or milestones for specific aspects of the research.
One tried and true method is to work backwards from the
expected final date of submission in order to gain a notional
idea of what must be achieved, and by when, in order to meet
the deadline. To help you get started, see: www2.mmu.ac.uk/
graduate-school/ and follow the links: For Research Students/
Starting a Research Degree/Your Research Student Journey.
You can also find in the same section of the website how to
create a Gantt chart (a bar chart to illustrate a project schedule)
and some of the available software for this.
Record of supervisory meetings
You must keep a record of supervisory meetings that you attend

using theRD9 form. See: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/
and follow the links: Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/
Other Forms. This is to be completed by the student at formal
supervisory meetings and signed at the end of the meeting by
the student and all supervisors who are present. The Record of
Supervision helps you to remember the advice you are given,
and provides a summary of the discussion and reasons for the
advice given. This can assist when reviewing the course of
research at later stages of the project. Additionally, the record
serves as an action plan to set goals and timescales for your
work between meetings. A copy should be sent to the Research
Administrator; this is a requirement for international students.
Annual Review
This process is required for all registered research degree

candidates. In advance of the review, your Director of Studies
will discuss with you your skills development plan, career
development (if appropriate) and general progress. The DoS
will then complete a report on your progress and evaluate
whether it is satisfactory or not. The form can be found at:
www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/ by following the links:
Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/ Annual Review. It
is a good idea to have a look at all parts of the form which will
give you an idea of areas that may be discussed at the review
meeting. The review will be conducted by an independent
internal reviewer who will examine the evidence of your
progress and discuss with you your student experience and any
issues of concern that may affect your study. You should bring
evidence of your progress to the meeting (such as your RD9
forms); and send any proposal (RD1) or transfer report (RD2)
electronically to the reviewer in advance. The meeting should
take about 60 to 90 minutes. After the meeting, the reviewer will
complete a written report and provide you with any advice or
guidance that is felt necessary.
The review process is an important opportunity for you and your
DoS to get feedback about your progress, skills development,
and student experience from a reviewer uninvolved with your
research. The Faculty Research Degrees Committee will
consider the review and take action if necessary, including
provision of additional support if this is an issue holding back
your progress. The review process also helps the Committee to
monitor postgraduate research provision in general, ultimately
leading to enhancement in the quality of educational experience
at MMU.
18
10. Updating your contact details and other

relevant information
It is vital that you keep the University informed of your current

contact details at all times. This includes notifying any changes
in your postal address, e-mail address(es), and telephone
number(s) to the Faculty Research Administrator who will
update the University database, and inform the Supervisory
Team. This is especially important in case it is necessary to
contact you in an emergency. Failure to keep addresses up to
date could also result in your missing important mailings from
the University. You can update information yourself on:
www.mmu.ac.uk/enrol
11. Other Forms Explained
During the course of your study, you may be faced by a number

of circumstances that necessitate the use of official forms:
transferring registration, changing your mode of attendance
(full-time/part-time) or changing your supervisory team. There
might also occur circumstances that require the extension of
your period of registration, or suspension of registration. And
finally, if for some reason you wish to terminate your studies,
you will need to notify the University formally of your intention to
withdraw. What follows is a brief guide to the forms that you will
need to submit in such circumstances.
Transfer of Registration
Under normal circumstances, transfer of registration applies

to a switch from Master of Arts by Research to Master of
Philosophy (MA to MPhil), or from Master of Philosophy to
Doctor of Philosophy (MPhil to PhD).
A portfolio of work normally accompanies the Transfer

Report. This contains a selection of written or practical work
you have completed that provides evidence of your ability
to produce research outputs of the appropriate academic
standard. It can include a literature review or other chapter,
a conference presentation or published paper, exhibition
documentation, and art or design work related to the aims of the
research. Texts should amount to no more than 8,000 words, or
4,000 words when combined with practice-based work.
An abstract (up to one side of A4) is required, giving the main
conclusions of the Transfer Report. The abstract should make
evident your progress thus far, and the expanded undertaking
that takes the research to MPhil level.
The application for transfer must be made well in advance of

the final submission date for the masters thesis, but is usually
submitted after 6 months (12 months part-time) for MA to MPhil,
and after 12 months (18 months part-time) for MPhil to PhD.
Your Director of Studies will look through your transfer

documentation, and sign the form to confirm their satisfaction
with your progress as set out in the report, and to verify that
your work is expected to develop to Master of Philosophy
level. This means that you must keep in close contact with
your Director of Studies and allow sufficient time for the DoS to
complete their work and sign the form.
Application for transfer of registration from Master of Arts

to Master of Philosophy (to be used for transfer from MA by
Research to MPhil)
At this stage, the Faculty Research Degrees Administrator

will check that everything is in place and sign the form
accordingly. It is then ready for submission.
Transfer from MA by Research to MPhil requires the RD2 form:

Application for transfer of registration from [select to fill blank].
Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/ Transfer.
The Transfer Report will be read by two independent

scrutineers who will provide their initial assessment. The
format of this assessment will provide comments on your aims,
literature review, methods, expected contribution to knowledge
and research plan. You will receive these comments in advance
of an oral examination in order to help you to prepare for this
exam. At the oral examination, you will have an opportunity to
specifically address these points. After the oral examination,
an overall assessment of your progress and suitability for the
higher degree will be determined. For a full description of the
examination procedure (the same as for MPhil to PhD), see
below: The Transfer Stage Viva under Transfer from MPhil to
PhD.
This form requests updated details of your research project.

You need to notify any change in the Supervisory Team
which may be considered necessary at this stage, and attach
an RDCV form for any new supervisor.
Details of your supporting programme must be provided
in the form of a brief summary of the workshops, seminars
and conferences attended (both internal and external to the
University).
You must confirm that there are no issues that change the
ethical status of the research, or else attach an approval letter
in respect of such changes.
Along with the form must be submitted the Transfer Report
of 3,000 6,000 words in length. For transfer from MA to MPhil,
the main criterion is usually to do with the scale of the research
undertaking, rather than the nature of the research. Therefore,
this report sets out:
a) the aims of your research as given in your original
application for registration (RD1) and alterations, if any;
b) a summary of the results of your critical literature review
of practices, theories, or histories;
c) a summary of the chosen methods or methodology;
d) a summary of work already undertaken, mapping the
results against the original aims or any altered aims; and
e) a description of the widening scale of work that warrants
research at MPhil level.
Application for transfer of registration from Master of

Philosophy to Doctor of Philosophy (also used in the exceptional
cases of transfer from MA by Research directly to PhD)
Transfer from MPhil to PhD requires the RD2 form: Application
for transfer of registration from [select to fill blank for type of
transfer]. See: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/ and follow
the links: Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/ Transfer.
This form requests updated details of your research project.
You need to notify any change in the Supervisory Team
which may be considered necessary at this stage, and attach a
CV on an RDCV form for any new supervisor.
Details of your supporting programme must be provided
in the form of a brief summary of the workshops, seminars
and conferences attended (both internal and external to the
University).
19
in respect of changes.
Along with the form must be submitted a Transfer Report of
5,000 6,000 words in length. For transfer from MPhil to PhD,
the criteria usually include not just an increased scale but also a
widening brief. Therefore, the report sets out:
a) the aims of your research as given in your original
application for registration (RD1) and any alterations or
additional aims that will lead to the PhD;
b) a summary of your critical literature review of practices,
theories, and/or histories (as appropriate to your field of
enquiry);
c) a description of the methods/methodology in use and to
be used;
d) a summary of work already undertaken, mapping the
results against the original aims and any subsequent
alterations;
e) your conclusions at this stage; and
f)
a description of the widening brief that is to take the
research to PhD level. This should make clear the
changes in the nature of the research that warrant
the transfer of degree status. This will usually be a
contribution to knowledge at the forefront of a discipline.
the oral examination, you will have an opportunity to specifically

address these points. After the oral examination, an overall
assessment of your progress and suitability for the higher
degree will be determined.
The transfer stage viva. The examiners for the transfer stage
viva will be normally be two members of MMU staff who are
not part of your Supervisory Team. They will be selected under
the authority of the Faculty Research Degrees Coordinator
with advice from the Director of Studies. Each will read and
scrutinise the Abstract, Report, and Portfolio and submit their
preliminary recommendations. If these differ significantly, a
Chairperson may be appointed to manage the oral examination
to ensure that it is robust and fair.
Based on their reading or viewing of the submitted material,
the examiners will prepare questions for discussion at the viva.
The whole session will last about an hour. After a break for the
examiners to write their report, you will be invited to return and
receive the outcome.
A portfolio of work normally accompanies the Transfer

Report. This contains a selection of written or practical work
you have completed that provides evidence of your ability
to produce research outputs of the appropriate academic
standard. This can include a literature review or other chapter,
a conference presentation or published paper, exhibition
documentation, and art or design work related to the aims of the
research. Texts should amount to no more than 8,000 words, or
4,000 words when combined with practice-based work.
After the viva, there are three possible outcomes to the transfer
request:
(1) The transfer may be recommended without any further
requirements.
(2) The transfer may be conditionally recommended subject
to minor revisions that address any issues that have been
identified by the examiners. You will normally be expected
to complete these revisions in two weeks (four weeks
part-time).
(3) The transfer may require major revisions and resubmission for assessment by the examiners (without
or with another viva). The required amendments will be
set out with the examiners comments. These should be
completed in four weeks (eight weeks part-time).
An abstract (up to one side of A4) is required, laying out

the main conclusions of the Transfer Report. The abstract
should make evident your progress thus far, and the expanded
undertaking that takes the research to PhD level (the
contribution to knowledge in your discipline).
In the case of a re-submission, the transfer may be

recommended, minor revisions requested, or it may be
unsuccessful. In the case where transfer is not granted, you will
have six months (one year part-time) to complete the thesis for
the lesser degree.
Your Director of Studies will look through your transfer

documentation, and sign the form to confirm their satisfaction
with your progress as set out in the report, and to verify that
the research is expected to lead to a significant contribution to
knowledge. This means that you must keep in close contact
with your Director of Studies and allow sufficient time for the
DoS to complete their work and sign the form.
In the unusual case where examiners cannot agree, the Faculty

Research Degrees Coordinator will be able to arbitrate. Finally,
the examination results will be forwarded to the Research
Degrees Committee for validation.
The Faculty Research Degrees Administrator will then check

that everything is in place and sign the form accordingly. It is
then ready for submission.
The Transfer Report will be read by two independent
scrutineers who will provide their initial assessment. The
format of this assessment will provide comments on your aims,
literature review, methods, expected contribution to knowledge
and research plan. You will receive these comments in advance
of an oral examination in order to help you to prepare for this. At
20
Transfers from MPhil to MA by Research, or PhD

to MPhil
There may be personal circumstances that make it impossible

for a student to complete the degree originally registered for. In
such cases, it is possible to apply to transfer to a lesser degree
level. It could also happen that your supervisory team does
not feel that your work is of sufficient standard to achieve the
degree originally registered for, and they will advise transferring
to a lesser degree. In either case, there is not a form to fill in,
but it is necessary to apply in writing to the Research Degrees
Committee stating the reasons for requesting the transfer. This
letter needs either to be written by your Director of Studies, or to
be accompanied by the DoSs written statement of support.
Notification of change in approved mode of

study
(Changing from full to part-time study, or vice versa)
Changing your mode of study requires the RDMS form. See:

www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school and follow the links:
Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/ Other Forms.
In addition to straightforward information about your registration:
You must state the reason(s) for the requested change, and
the proposed start date.
The form must be signed by your Director of Studies. Thus it
is expected that you will have discussed your reasons with the
DoS.
The signature of the Head of Faculty Research Degrees
must also be obtained.
Please note: This is a notification procedure only, and
does not require Research Degrees Committee approval. It

takes effect once recorded by the Faculty Research Degrees
Administrator.
Application for change in approved

arrangements for supervision
(adding to, or changing, your supervisory team)

Changes in supervisory arrangements require the RD3 form.
This form is required in order to register a departure, or apply
for an addition or replacement of a member of the supervisory
team.
The form asks for the current composition of your
Supervisory Team and the proposed change. In the case of a
new supervisor, the RDCV must be attached unless already
held on file.
You must also give a brief reason for the requested change.
The form must be signed by your Director of Studies and the
Head of Faculty Research Degrees.
Application for extension to thesis submission

deadline
Requesting an extension requires the RD4 form. See:
This form should be used to request an extension to your

submission date if some exceptional circumstance will prevent
you from completing on time. Your submission date is the date
confirmed to you on your approval of registration, or revised
on acceptance of your transfer application. You should only
consider making use of an extension if you are certain to
complete within the period of time requested. If there is any
uncertainty on this, then you would best be advised to request a
suspension of study, or, if appropriate, to change your mode of

study from full to part-time. It must also be noted that students
are only allowed two extensions of 12 months maximum
duration each during their degree. Thus, when considering the
need for additional time of any sort, you are strongly advised to
discuss the matter with your Director of Studies before taking
action.
Please note: If you are funded for study, either by an

external body or internal scholarship, you should check the
terms and conditions of that funding prior to considering
an extension of the approved period of registration. If the
conditions allow an extension, then you must first obtain
approval from the funding body, and then submit the relevant
documentation with the application for extension. Foreign
students with visas are responsible for ensuring their visa status
will allow the extension.
The form asks for the length of extension in months, the
proposed starting date, and the reason(s) for the extension
request. You should read page 6 of the Code of Practice to see
what factors qualify and do not qualify as exceptional. In judging
the amount of time needed, you must consider not just your
own work, but the requirements of your Supervisory Team to
read and comment on your thesis before its submission.
Documentation of the factors applying in your case should be
appended to the form. Medical or personal factors will be kept
confidential apart from signatories to the form.
The progress with your written thesis is summarised in a
chart form.
Upon consideration of your progress, and the work
remaining, your Director of Studies must confirm her/his
recommendation of the extension by signature.
The form is then submitted to the Faculty Research Degrees
Administrator for consideration by the Head of Faculty
Research Degrees. It may either be approved or referred to the
Research Degrees Committee for further consideration.
Application for suspension of registration
Suspending your studies requires the RD5 form. See:

This form is used to suspend your registration for a specified
period of time. This stops the clock of your registration period
until such time as you are able to resume your study. This
means that you are not liable for fees while on suspension, but
neither are you able to have supervisory meetings or an annual
review. Hence, suspension should be used only where the
candidate is prevented from making progress with the research
through exceptional factors, such as ill health, or other serious
or unpreventable matters. You should read page 6 of the Code
of Practice to see what factors qualify and do not qualify as
exceptional. All health-based suspension requests must include
documented evidence from a British Medical Association
practitioner. Applications for suspension will not normally be
21
permitted retrospectively or backdated by more than one

month. International students on Tier 4 visas would be expected
to return home during a suspension period.
Suspension is usually undertaken only if other avenues of
extending your period of registration have been explored. It
may, for example, be preferable to request an extension (see
above) or to change the mode of study from full to part time
mode. It must also be noted that students are allowed a total
duration of 24 months suspension with a maximum period of
one year at a time. For students on the 2009 regulations, the
rules are slightly different: only two suspensions of 12 months
maximum duration each are allowed during the degree. When
considering the need for additional time of any sort, you are
strongly advised to discuss the matter with your Director of
Studies before taking action.
The form asks for the requested period of suspension in
months, the starting date of this period, and the reason(s) for
the suspension.
Supporting documentation, such as a letter from your doctor,
must be provided or the application will not be considered.
Your Director of Studies must sign the form to confirm that
they support your request for the reasons given.
The form is then submitted to the Faculty Research Degrees
Administrator for consideration by the Head of Faculty
Research Degrees. It may either be approved or referred to the
Research Degrees Committee for further consideration.
Notification of withdrawal of registration
(to be used to register your intention to withdraw from your

study altogether)
The intention to withdraw is registered on the RDW form.
Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/Other Forms.
You must use this form to notify the University if it is your
intention to withdraw. This formally signals your decision to
leave your programme of study at MMU. If you do not notify the
University by this means, you will continue to be billed for your
fees, and required to undergo the annual review. Notification
of withdrawal can also be initiated by your Director of Studies
if, for example, your work is academically unsatisfactory or you
have not maintained contact.
The form asks for a brief reason for the withdrawal (under a
number of headings), and the date this will commence.
It must be signed by your Director of Studies to confirm that
the situation has been discussed with you, and that you have
accepted withdrawal (except in the case of loss of contact
or death). The form is then handed to the Faculty Research
Degrees Administrator who will place it into effect.
22
Notification of change in approved programme

of study
The form used to notify any substantial change to the subject

matter of your approved programme of study is the RDCP.
Notification of change to your subject of study is necessary if
you may encounter problems in submitting your thesis (if, for
example, your title has changed to reflect a new direction of
research, or your subject is not that for which registration was
approved).
The form requests your change of title (if applicable), and the
reasons for the change in project direction.
in respect of changes.
The form must be signed by your Director of Studies and
Head of Faculty Research Degrees to confirm approval.
12. University and Faculty Support for

Study
A great deal of what we have to offer our postgraduate research

students at MMU, and specifically within the Manchester School
of Art, is described throughout this Handbook, particularly in the
section headed Research Environment above.
In addition to these specific resources, MMU offers to all of its
students services that support their health and well-being, study
life, and employability. These services can be accessed through
the Student Hub web page reached from the MMU website
by following the link from Current Students. An alternative
web page is : www.mmu.ac.uk/sas/studentservices/. These
portal pages gives details of the support for study that can be
offered by the Student Services team as well as advice on
a range of issues affecting the student experience such as
accommodation and welfare, equalities and diversity.
There is a faculty-based Student Support Officer for the Faculty
of Art and Design. This is Rochelle Morris. Tel: 0161 2471711,
e-mail: rochelle.morris@mmu.ac.uk She can offer a variety
of help from improving time management to dealing with stress;
and she is familiar with the specific needs of art and design
students. See: www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/studentsupport/
The Learner Development Service website contains information
and advice on support for students with disabilities, and on
issues around disclosure of disability. This can be accessed
from the home page of the MMU website by following the links
from Current Students to Disabled & Dyslexic Students, or
directly by: www.mmu.ac.uk/sas/studentservices/learnerdevelopment
Additionally, within the Faculty, we have our own Student
Research Methods Support Officer, Dr Barbara Rawlings. She
is available on a weekly basis for one to one sessions through a
signing-in sheet for appointments kept on the PGR notice board
in the MIRIAD Open Space on the first floor of Righton building.
She will introduce herself at induction and discuss the help she
can offer. Barbara has experience of working with research
students throughout the programme, and regularly contributes
to the MIRIAD Research Training Programme. Likewise, Dr
Myna Trustram and Dr Amanda Ravetz can provide one-onone peer support independent of your supervisory team on any
research or academic matters, from the necessary forms to
research planning and writing. See Section 3: Key Contacts.
23
13. International Students

As an international student, you will already have met the
student support team at MMU International. You will have
corresponded with them over applications, visas and fees.
MMU International is a dedicated support team, and can
provide advice on a wide range of issues concerning study in
the UK. They have an Immigration and Welfare Unit, and can
assist international students to find specialised support through
the existing MMU support units, for example, the Learning
Development Service for disability issues.
MMU International organises many activities relevant to
the experience of studying within the UK and specifically in
Manchester. They also host The International Society for
international students, with about 3,000 members representing
150 countries. The Society has a lively programme of social
and cultural activities planned throughout the academic year,
and its a great place to get to know the city as well as the
diverse range of overseas students who study here. For further
information, consult the MMU International Web site:
www2.mmu.ac.uk/international/ or contact the team at
international@mmu.ac.uk
Since 2009, international students have been subject to the
fourth tier of the new points-based UK immigration rules
that replace the old student visa. The University now has
greater responsibilities to ensure that students abide by the
requirements of their course, and to report non-enrolment or
non-attendance. Thus it is important that you maintain contact
with your supervisory team. Should you wish to makes any
changes to the period of your enrolment, it is essential that you
discuss this with an International Welfare Officer (See Section
3: Other Useful Contacts) in conjunction with your DoS to
ensure compliance with academic, legal and visa requirements.
You may need to apply for a visa extension.
English language requirement. International students will be
required to demonstrate a sufficiently high standard of English
language ability. The usual requirement for postgraduate entry
is International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
7.0, or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
equivalent. Applicants who do not meet the English language
entry requirements may be able to join an English language
course at MMU before starting their postgraduate programme.
MMUs Centre for Academic English offers pre-sessional
English courses, varying from 8 to 30 weeks depending on
students current level of English.
24
MMUs Department of Languages in the Faculty of Humanities,

Law and Social Sciences runs English Language Services for
International Students (ELSIS) available to all faculties at MMU.
ELSIS provides free English short courses for international
students, as well as consultations and one-to-one tutorials to
which students can bring their written work and discuss it with
a qualified English teacher. ELSIS runs annual inductions and
diagnostic tests at the start of the Autumn term. Its language
learning advisor can discuss how students can best improve
their English based on their individual needs and goals.
For more information, see: The Language Centre in the
Department of English and Linguistics at
http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/languagecentre/courses-for-ourstudents/elsis/ You may also contact: Dr Anthony (Tony) Picot,
e-mail a.picot@mmu.ac.uk Tel: 0161 2476183.
14. Submitting your Thesis
When your research is complete and written up to your

satisfaction, and hopefully that of your Supervisory Team,
you will be ready to submit the thesis for examination. The
submission of the thesis for examination is at your sole
discretion; although it would be unusual to submit without
the approval of your Director of Studies, you do have the
right to do so if you feel it necessary. On the other hand, the
agreement of the Supervisory Team to the submission of the
thesis is no guarantee that it will be considered passable by the
Examiners. This advice is reiterated in the Code of Practice and
Regulations for Postgraduate Research Programmes, and it is
recommended that you consult these prior to your decision to
submit.
You are required to submit your thesis and a separate 300word abstract in BOTH paper and electronic forms. Submit
two paper copies of your thesis temporarily bound with a
soft cover, accompanied by a completed Declaration Form
(RDDEC) on or before the submission date to:
Dan OConnor, Research Degrees Administrator, Geoffrey
Manton Building, Room 212, email: miriad@mmu.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 247 4609. The RDDEC form can be found from
the Graduate School website: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduateschool/ and follow the links: Online Forms/ Research Degrees
Forms/Examination
Submit an identical electronic copy of the same by
e-mailing it in pdf or document format to Dan OConnor at
miriad@mmu.ac.uk You may also submit your electronic
copy on disk or usb flash drive/ memory stick, in which
case, please ensure that it accompanies the paper copy
submission and label the electronic format clearly.
Where creative work forms part of the submission, an
archival record of the work should accompany the written
submission. This will normally be recorded on a digital
storage medium, in a standard retrievable form that has
been agreed with your Director of Studies.
The abstract is to be bound with the thesis. It is to provide a
synopsis of the thesis stating the nature and scope of the work
undertaken, and the main contributions made to knowledge in
the subject area.
The text of the thesis should not normally exceed 80,000
words for a PhD, 40,000 words for an MPhil, or 30,000 words
for an MA by Research (this does not include ancillary matter
such as footnotes, references, diagrams and appendices).
Where the thesis is accompanied by material in other than
written form, the written thesis should normally be in the range
of 30,000-40,000 words for a PhD, 15,000-20,000 words for
an MPhil, and 10,000-15,000 words for an MA by Research.
For a PhD by Publication the thesis should take the form of
an analytical commentary of 10,000-15,000 words, and for a
PhD by Practice, the analytical commentary should be in the
range of 10,000-30,000 words. The analytical commentary will
be accompanied by copies of published material, permanent
records of a performance or exhibition, or permanent record

of a portfolio of work depending on the individual case, and
established at the time of registration (RD1).
Should the thesis approach 100,000 words in length, it is a
requirement that the external examiner is informed in advance
in writing. There must be sufficient justification for the extra
length, or you will be asked to revise the thesis.
The declaration (RDDEC) clarifies any issues of concurrent
registration or material submitted for another award, states any
material published in advance of the thesis, and vouches the
professional integrity of your work. It must be signed by yourself
and countersigned by your Director of Studies to confirm that
you have completed a programme of supporting studies and
undertaken annual monitoring and evaluation.
Please note that it is good practice for you to discuss
submission with your Director of Studies at least three months
in advance of anticipated submission. This allows your DoS
time to confirm External and Internal Examiners and for the
RDC to recommend their appointment. Once your work is
submitted, it will take about two months for the reading of the
thesis and co-ordinating the Viva Voce examination. Candidates
for MA by research do not normally have an oral examination
unless this is recommended by the examiners (for example, in
the case of resubmission). We recommend that you use some
of your waiting time to consider material for publication and/or to
increase your teaching experience.
You are also advised to ring Credit Control at this time to
ensure that all your financial debts to the University are cleared,
as debts could lead to delays in organising your viva (See
Section 3: Other Useful Contacts).
There are specific formatting requirements of the written
thesis. These prescribe page size, weight of paper, margins,
spacing, page numbering, type font, font size, the contents
of the title page, and the choice of bibliographical referencing
system. There are also requirements for the type of temporary
binding for examination, and permanent binding for conferment
of the degree. These details are given in the current MMU
Research Student Handbook on page 36. See: www2.mmu.
ac.uk/graduate-school/ and follow the links: Regulations... /
Supporting Materials/ Research Student Handbook.
The copies of the thesis submitted for examination will remain
the property of the University, but the copyright in the work will
remain with the candidate.
25
What happens if you do not submit within the

allotted time period?
If you sense that you cannot complete the degree within the
allotted period, you may take advantage of options to extend,
suspend, or change the mode of study from full-time to parttime, as appropriate, to increase the time available. However, if
you still miss the submission date, there is a financial penalty.
After a short grace period (20 working days), a first-stage
non-submission fee of 250 will be charged. A further nonsubmission fee of 500 will be charged (second stage) if you
do not submit within six months of the original deadline. Then,
if it is still necessary for you to return the following year, 3000
will be charged (although this will be reduced to one-third if
you submit within the first six months of that year). Any further
delays will entail payment of tuition fees. Please note that for
overseas students, the rates are three times that of home
students. For everyone, it is in your best interest to submit your
thesis on time, or as soon as possible thereafter.
26
15. Viva Voce Examination

The Viva Voce examination is the culmination of research
degree study at MPhil or PhD level. From the Latin translating
literally as with living voice, it means in this context an oral
examination. Masters by Research candidates will normally be
assessed on the basis of the thesis alone, although examiners
or the student can request an oral examination. All MPhil and
PhD candidates will be examined by viva. Those students who
have transferred from MPhil to PhD (after 2013) will already
have undertaken a transfer viva, so the process will be familiar.
The completion stage viva. For those undertaking the viva,
you will be appointed an Internal Examiner and an External
Examiner (MMU staff members will be examined by two
External Examiners for greater objectivity). The viva is a
discussion and defence of your research, its process and
findings. The thesis will be read by your examiners, and from
their reading they will develop a series of questions about the
research which they will put to you in the viva. For students
submitting a thesis that includes a body of creative work, an
exhibition or other form of viewing may be arranged so that
examiners can consider this work in its original format prior
to the viva. You will not know the examiners questions in
advance, and it would be fair to say that some students find this
a daunting prospect. Most, however, enjoy the experience of
being able to discuss several years of work with someone who
has extensive knowledge of their field, and an interest in the
particular insights the thesis brings to the subject.
The viva is normally held at the University, and usually
takes place within three months of submission of the thesis.
After submission, the thesis is read and given a preliminary
assessment by each of the examiners, provisionally stating
whether it satisfies the requirements of the degree. During
this period, your DoS will liaise with you and the examiners to
agree a mutually convenient date for the viva, and will arrange
the time and location. Assuming the preliminary reports are
satisfactory, the Research Degrees Administrator will write
to you formally to confirm the details of the examination,
normally about three weeks in advance. Should the student
wish examiners to evaluate the original creative work produced
as part of the thesis, arrangements for a viewing or exhibition
should be made by the student. This can take place anytime
from six months before the submission date up until the viva
date, but must be arranged in liaison with your DoS well in
advance in order to arrange the visit of the examiners. On this
occasion, the examiners are allowed to ask questions on points
of information, but the situation cannot be treated as part of the
examination.
The viva is chaired by a suitably qualified member of MMU
staff who has not been involved in the research project. The
chair makes sure things run smoothly and according to the
regulations, taking in hand the paperwork involved. The student
may elect to allow supervisors or others to be present in an
observer capacity, but observers are not allowed to speak or
otherwise participate. You will know who the examiners are
in advance, and you are not allowed to have any contact with
them after submission of the thesis, and you should avoid any
significant contact even before submission.
The MIRIAD research training programme usually offers a

session on preparing for the viva. The Graduate School also
offers workshop training on the viva, with tips on what to avoid
and how to handle different types of questions. You will be
examined by viva at the MPhil to PhD transfer stage which
helps to make the viva process more familiar, and allows you to
work through any difficulties at an earlier stage. The Graduate
School workshops may include a mock viva which puts you
into the situation of a real examination without the fear of
actually being examined, so that any such difficulties can be
discussed. We advise attending the Graduate School workshop
as a practice session that will allow you a better understanding
of what to expect. For further details on the Graduate School
programme, go to the intranet site and click on For Research
Students/ Research Students Development/ Workshop
Descriptions.
After the completion stage viva. After the viva, the examiners
will confer and normally agree one of several recommendations:
1)
that the student be awarded the degree without imposing

any conditions.
2)
that the student be awarded the degree subject to

corrections/minor amendments (such as typographic,
bibliographic or formatting errors; or small additions or
deletions). In this case, a list is usually provided. Such
corrections should be capable of being completed
within two weeks (full time). These corrections are to
be submitted to your DoS, and will be approved by one
examiner, usually the internal examiner.
3)
that the student be awarded the degree subject to

revisions/amendments, not normally more than 10%
of the work. This might involve re-writing a particular
section or revising a chapter. Reasons for the required
amendments, and guidance will be provided. Such
revisions will usually be capable of completion within two
months. They are to be submitted to your DoS, and one
or both examiners may check them for approval.
4)
that the student is not awarded the degree, but permitted

to re-submit the thesis in revised form and be reexamined. This might involve substantial changes that
affect more than one section of the thesis, or where
creative work falls short of the expected standard. Again,
reasons for the required revisions, and specific guidance
will be provided. The further work will not be so extensive
that it would be considered a new thesis. You will be
required to submit copies of the revised thesis (in the
same formats as previously) to the Research Degrees
Administrator for re-examination, normally within six
months so that re-examination can take place within the
conferment period.
5)
that the student not be awarded the degree applied for,

but rather awarded a lesser degree (MPhil instead of
PhD, or MA by Research instead of MPhil) subject to any
amendments required by the examiners. In this case, the
examiners will explain why they feel the thesis cannot be
revised to meet the criteria for the degree for which it was
submitted.
27
6)
that the student not be awarded the degree, and not be

permitted to re-submit. In this case, the deficiencies of the
thesis will be clearly stated. Fortunately, this last case is
rare.
The student will be called back to the examination room and

informed of the recommendation. The Chair will write these
out in a report to the RDC, a copy of which will be given to
the student. One examiner will be nominated to receive any
corrections or minor amendments, and that examiner will be
able to report the outcome when these are submitted. It is quite
common to have some corrections and/or minor amendments
to make; revision of a chapter is not uncommon. These
should be completed within the periods specified above. Resubmission will take longer, but in all cases sufficient time must
be allowed for re-examination within the conferment period (12
months from submission)
Students subject to the 2013 regulations will pay a pro rata
continuation fee during the period of their resubmission. If
you are re-submitting, the RDC will decide upon the form of
examination; another viva may or may not be required. Only
one re-examination is permitted. Candidates must not attempt
to contact examiners from the time of the examination until
the thesis receives full approval. Candidates who fail to submit
corrections or amendments, or to re-submit by the specified
date may be withdrawn by the University.
Once the thesis is approved, the candidate must submit:
a)
written notification from the examiners that any required

corrections or revisions have been approved;
b)
one bound copy and an electronic copy of the final thesis

produced according to the Universitys specification;
c)
a completed RD Exit form signed by your DoS. See:

www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/ and follow
the links: Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/
Conferment of Award; and, lastly
d)
for PhD students, a completed deposit form for the British

Library Electronic Thesis Online Service (EThOS). This
form can be found in the same location as the RD Exit.
If everything is in order, the award of the degree will be

confirmed in writing, usually in two to three weeks, and this
constitutes conferment. Please provide the Research Degrees
Administrator with the address to send your formal notification,
certificate and invitation to the awards ceremony. The degree is
formally presented at the annual University awards ceremony.
Although attendance is optional, if you do attend, you will be
expected to hire and wear robes in accordance with MMUs
prescribed livery.
28
16. Acronym Buster and Glossary

Academic Year: MIRIAD operates according to a 45-week
academic year allowing 35 days leave. Thus postgraduates can
work beyond the limited term timetable of undergraduates.
AEC: Academic Ethics Committee. This committee advises
the Faculty on ethical issues related to research, and judges
the suitability of arrangements for handling issues raised by
particular research proposals. This is carried out in accordance
with the Universitys Academic Ethical Framework, English law
(for example, the Children Act 1989, the Data Protection Act
1998, and the Freedom of Information Act 2000), and relevant
codes of conduct of professional bodies.
AHRC: the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The AHRC
supports research that furthers our understanding of human
culture and creativity. It is the national research council that
includes the subjects within our Faculty. With an annual budget
of 98 million, the AHRC provides funding for research and
research training through a variety of grant programmes and
postgraduate awards. It engages in national debates about
research and aims to foster excellence in research on an
international level. It is worth familiarising yourself with the
AHRCs web pages at www.ahrc.ac.uk (updated frequently).
Completion or conferment: This describes the end of your
research degree process. Contrary to popular belief, the term
completion differs from submission. Completion designates
the point at which the degree is awarded, which is confirmed
in writing (by letter) prior to the annual Graduation Ceremony.
The University regulations state a minimum and maximum
period of registration running from the date of first registration
to completion. This will include the reading and preliminary
examination of your thesis, your viva voce, and time taken to
make any amendments imposed by the examiners. Normally,
you will want to allow at least three months between submission
and viva, and six to eight weeks for amendments.
Current Students on the MMU Home Page, and scrolling down

to the button MMU PayOnline.
Enrolment: This designates the annual process in which you
are required to renew your student status and pay your fees.
There are two week enrolment periods at the start of each term.
Note that enrolment differs from registration (see below) which
takes place when your research proposal has been approved.
Entry requirements: see: www2.mmu.ac.uk/study/
postgraduate/apply/entry-requirements
For the Master of Arts by Research (MA) or Master of
Philosophy (MPhil), you should have a first or second class
honours Bachelors degree or an equivalent qualification.
Other applicants will be considered on their merits. Ability and
background knowledge in relation to the proposed research,
together with professional experience, publications, written
reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment will be
taken into consideration.
Opportunities exist to transfer from MA by Research to MPhil
after about 6 months (12 months part-time), and students
registered for MPhil have the opportunity to transfer to PhD
after completion of about 12 months (24 months part-time),
along with submission of a transfer report demonstrating
progress that shows that development to the higher degree
level can be achieved.
To apply for a PhD directly, you should have a Masters degree
or equivalent in a discipline that is appropriate to the proposed
research, and includes sufficient training in research methods
and experience in executing a research project. If you do
not meet these criteria but have had appropriate research or
professional experience at postgraduate level that has resulted
in published work, written reports, or other appropriate evidence
of accomplishment, this will be taken into consideration.
DoS: Director of Studies. Your DoS has overall responsibility

for supervising your research, and for its monitoring and
evaluation. The Director can offer guidance on procedural
matters as well as academic issues, and oversees the formal
paperwork required during your academic progress. Your DoS
also directs the supervisory team, and makes the practical
arrangements for your examination. For further information, see
Section 9. Working with your Supervisory Team.
Ethics and Consent Forms: If you plan to involve human

participants in your study (whether as subjects for photography
or as interviewees), then you will need a Participant Information
Sheet and Participant Consent Form. A good place for finding
more information about research ethics and consents is the
UK Data Archive: www.data-archive.ac.uk/create-manage/
consent-ethics. This site provides not only clear advice but
links to other university sites with standard forms that you can
use to develop your own. For example, the University of the Arts
London, Oxford Brooks University, and Southampton University
have all published standard forms. You may also wish to consult
the Oral History Society Ethics Guidelines:
www.ohs.org.uk/ethics.php.
Electronic payment system for the use of networked

university printers and scanners, as well as purchases from
stores within the faculty. Your MMU ID and password is used
to top up your account at a payment kiosk or on the internet,
and then your student ID card can be used to order copies
according to the credit you have on your account. To view your
balance, see: www.finance.mmu.ac.uk/payOnline/index.cfm,
log in and follow the links. You can reach this site by clicking on
If your research involves photographs of human subjects

that you may wish to display, publish or sell at a later date,
you will want to employ a Model Release Form which assigns
any interest the subject has in the copyright, moral rights or
intellectual property rights to the photographer. Standard Forms
used by professional photographers can easily be found on the
internet, but special consideration would need to be given for
photography of minors or for nude photography. If your research
CV: Curriculum vitae or Curriculum vitarum: A Latin term

(literally translated as course of life) meaning a brief account of
ones education, qualifications and prior occupations.
29
involves photography of buildings not visible from a public

place, it would be advisable to use a Location Release Form.
Ethics Approval: If your proposed research raises ethical
issues, appropriate arrangements for handling these must
be made. If ethics issues raised by your research cannot
be resolved within the Faculty, an application for ethics
approval must then be submitted to the MMU Academic Ethics
Committee. The Ethics Approval form is available from the
Graduate School Intranet. Follow the links from Online Forms
to Ethics Forms where you will see the MMU Application for
Ethical Approval.
Ethics Check: Any research proposal must take due
cognizance of the ethical implications of the subject matter
of the research, its methodologies and the representation of
certain forms of data in the final thesis that could affect the
ability to make the thesis publicly available. When submitting
a research proposal, students must ensure that they have
discussed any ethical implications of their research with their
Director of Studies (DoS) to determine whether approval of
research ethics is required. To assist you, an Ethics Check form
is available from the Faculty Research Degrees Administrator.
This should be completed by you and signed by your DoS as
an essential component of your research proposal. Aspects
of research that have potential ethical risks include: research
requiring the involvement of other participants (especially
children), research involving animals, research entailing moral
or legal obligations, and research with insurance or health and
safety implications.
Examiners: Your examination panel will consist one external
examiner (employed outside the University), and one internal
examiner. When MMU staff members are being examined,
both examiners will be external. The examination team is
assembled by the Director of Studies. Students are reminded
that any person who has made significant input into your
research will be disbarred as a potential examiner, so it is a
good idea to establish choices for your external examiner well
in advance in order to avoid contact during the period of study.
For further information, see Section 15. Viva Voce.
Faculty Postgraduate Research Programme: The Faculty of
Art and Design runs its own postgraduate research programme
designed to enhance students subject-specific experience
of postgraduate work. The programme includes induction,
research training seminars, monitoring and evaluation, and an
annual research meeting (See: PARC North West).
Faculty Postgraduate Student Representatives: these
are elected student representatives who can take any issues
or ideas you have to the Graduate School Forum on your
behalf. They represent the student body on generic issues
common to all faculty research students. Representatives can
talk through issues with you outside of the formal relationships
of departmental subject areas and the academic staff
directly involved in supporting your research. There will be
normally be one full-time and one part-time student acting as
representatives.
30
Faculty Research Degrees Administrator in MIRIAD: The

administrator is currently Adele Dunne, whose office is on
the second floor of Geoffrey Manton Building, Room 212 (tel.
0161 247 4609). All administrative forms you need to submit
should be handed to the Research Degrees Administrator.
In conjunction with the Research Degrees Co-ordinator, the
Administrator will check that all relevant signatures have been
collected and that the forms are duly submitted.
Faculty Student Support Officer: The Student Support Officer
is available to advise students on a wide range of issues related
to university life. These include study skills, time management,
presentation skills, and writing skills. The postholder is available
to meet students by appointment on a one-to-one basis, in
confidence. Contact information can be found at Section 3. Key
Contacts. For further information, see:
www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/studentsupport
Graduate School: The Graduate School is the overall body
in charge of postgraduate education at MMU. It specifically
engages with PGRs for the following: induction, postgraduate
research student development programme, and the annual
postgraduate research student conference. You might also take
advantage of their support structures for locating funding and
preparing funding bids.
Head of Faculty Research Degrees in MIRIAD: This is a
senior staff member who specialises in research, coordinates
postgraduate research, and oversees postgraduate research
students in the Faculty of Art and Design. This post has been
held by Prof. Jim Aulich since 2004 (Office: 111, Righton
Building).
Induction: Induction is the process by which students are
introduced to the University and are given the information vital
to their first steps as research students. Two inductions are
conducted for Art and Design postgraduate research students.
A required general induction is run by the Graduate School.
The other, run by MIRIAD, is tailored to students on the Faculty
Research Programme, and contains subject-specific detail.
Both are described in this handbook. See Section 2.
MIRIAD: Manchester Institute for Research and Innovation
in Art and Design is where you are based as a postgraduate
researcher (PGR). The Institutes function is to manage the
quantity and quality of research undertaken by researchactive staff within the Faculty, and to promote a stimulating
research environment. To this end, MIRIAD is allocated part of
the government funding grant based on the periodic national
assessment of university research. PGRs are Associate
Members of MIRIAD, and are encouraged to be active in an
appropriate Research Centre, thus contributing to the research
environment and to the overall success of research within the
Faculty.
MIRIAD Postgraduate Research Degrees website:
www.miriad.mmu.ac.uk/postgraduate/
groups: Architecture, Art, Crafts, Design, Media, and Visual

Culture, as well as four thematic groups: Arts and Health, Asian
Cultures, Future Living and Future Technologies.
MIRIAD Student/Staff Forum: This forum exists in order
to promote good relations and enhance the quality of the
postgraduate research student experience within the faculty.
It allows discussion of a broad range of matters relating to
the experience of study and University procedures, and the
communication of issues to the Research Degrees Committee
for resolution. The Forum meets as part of the Research
Training Programme. This supplements the more formal
Graduate School Forum, with one full-time and one-part time
student to represent each faculty. See: www2.mmu.ac.uk/
graduate-school/student-representatives/
PARC North West: Practice as Research Consortium North
West. This regional body organises an annual series of free
events exploring the cross-fertilisation of practice and research
across the full range of creative practices and industries. The
events take the form a conference with keynote speakers,
post-graduate presentations, poster sessions, and break-out
sessions; and a less traditionally structured carnival offering
exhibitions, performances, posters, and workshops. All practicebased researchers will find in PARC North West opportunities
for personal development, and social occasions to meet
researchers and practitioners beyond the MIRIAD network.
PARC North West events require advance booking with the
Faculty Research Degrees Administrator.
See: www.miriad.mmu.ac.uk/postgraduate/
PDP: Personal Development Portfolio (see below)
Personal Development Portfolio (PDP): The process of
assembling data about the activities you undertake related
to your research and training has been formalised in the
contents of a portfolio. A binder is issued to new postgraduate
students during the Graduate School induction day to be used
for this purpose. The portfolio forms a record of your progress
through the research degrees programme: your research
proposal (RD1), a record of your attendance at courses,
seminars, conferences, relevant exhibitions and other activities.
Additionally, your transfer report (RD2), papers or presentations
you have given at conferences, a record of your exhibitions
or performances, and a list of professional or academic
memberships. This information should be updated annually as
a minimum, but it will be less burdensome if you get into the
habit of updating at the end of each term. A current CV will also
be part of the portfolio. The portfolio assists in the annual review
process. The point of all this logging of activity is to help you
assess your current strengths and weaknesses, and to plan the
skills and knowledge you need to develop to reach your goals.
PGR: Postgraduate Researcher and/or Postgraduate
Research.
Pro forma: In current academic usage, this Latin term indicates
a format or form for providing written information.
MIRIAD Research Groups: Research within the Art and

Design Faculty is supported by six discipline-based research
31
RCUK: Research Councils UK. This is the strategic partnership

of the UKs seven research councils: Arts and Humanities
Research Council (AHRC), Biotechnology and Biological
Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Engineering and
Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Economic and
Social Research Council (ESRC), Medical Research Council
(MRC), Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
Research Degree forms (RD numbers): These are all
available for download from the Graduate School Intranet.
Follow the link to Online Forms.
RD1: Used for registration; in other words, for submitting a
research proposal.
RD2: Used for transfer of registration from Master of Philosophy
to PhD.
RD3: Used if a change in your arrangements of supervision is
necessary.
RD4: Application for extension of registration.
RD5: Application for suspension of registration.
RD6: Application for approval of the examination team.
RD7: The preliminary report form used by examiners
RD8: Used for the report on your oral examination (viva voce).
RD9: The form on which you record meetings and actions
agreed with your supervisory team. You and your DoS should
both keep copies.
RDAR: short for Research Degrees Annual Review. This
process is required for all registered research degree
candidates. In advance of the review, your Director of Studies
will have discussed with you your development as a researcher
made with reference to the Researcher Development
Framework, your career plans, and your general progress.
The DoS will then complete a report on your progress and
evaluate whether this as satisfactory or not. See the form used
at: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/ by following the links:
Online Forms/ Research Degrees Forms/ Annual Review. It
is a good idea to have a look at it to give you an idea of areas
that may be discussed. Another review will be conducted by an
independent internal reviewer who will examine the evidence
of your progress and meet with you to discuss your student
experience and any issues of concern that may affect your
study. Refer to the Annual Review form for a list of areas that
may be discussed. You can bring your PDP file to the meeting,
but definitely bring the completed Researcher Development
Framework. This meeting should take no more than an hour.
The reviewer will then complete a report and provide you with
any advice or guidance that is felt necessary.
RDC: Research Degrees Committee. The RDC considers all
matters relating to the administration of research degrees for
32
the University. It is responsible for maintaining standards, and

the quality of research programmes. At its monthly meetings,
it considers student proposals for registration, and grants
these approval or referral. It also administers the postgraduate
student satisfaction surveys, and works to improve the student
experience.
RDCV: This is a pro forma for a Curriculum Vitae (CV) to
be filled out by both supervisors and examiners. This CV is
required from all prospective supervisors or examiners. Thus,
the form can be needed at various times: for registration,
when seeking to change supervisors, or when arranging for
approval of examiners. Some CVs, especially those of MMU
staff, will already be held, but you should check with the Faculty
Research Degrees Administrator to be certain. Please note
that while students are encouraged to keep in close touch with
supervisors, regulations strictly forbid contact with examiners
prior to examination.
RDDEC: This is a declaration that clarifies any issues of
concurrent registration or material submitted for another
award, states any material published in advance of the thesis,
and vouches the professional integrity of your work. It must
be signed by yourself and countersigned by your Director of
Studies to confirm that you have completed a programme of
supporting studies and undertaken annual monitoring and
evaluation.
RKE: Research and Knowledge Exchange is a University Unit
that administers Research and Knowledge Exchange for the
University as a whole, as well as running the Graduate School.
As a postgraduate research student, youll find the Graduate
School website especially useful. You may also wish to explore
the RKE website at: www2.mmu.ac.uk/rke
REF 2014: This is the governments Research Excellence
Framework, a nationwide assessment of university research.
The ratings given by the Framework are used by the Higher
Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE) to determine
the level of government grant given to the University to support
research.
Researcher Development Framework: Vitae have developed
this framework based on the knowledge behaviours and
attributes of successful researchers. These are divided amongst
four domains, each split into three subdomains with an average
of five descriptors. For example, the domain knowledge
and intellectual abilities contains the sub-domain Creativity
which includes the descriptor Innovation. Researchers are
encouraged to choose areas which they wish to develop, and
to map these onto several professional development phases.
For more information, see www.vitae.ac.uk: Researchers:
Researcher Development Framework .
Registration: This term differs from Enrolment (see above) in
that although you may be enrolled for a research degree, you
are not registered for it until you have submitted a proposal
(RD1) to the FRDC and it has been formally approved by the
University. Proposals are referred by the Committee if it feels
that there is insufficient evidence that you are at the appropriate
stage to begin your research. In the case of a referral, you will

be given advice on what needs amendment or further detail,
and you will need to re-submit the modified proposal. MMU
Postgraduate Student regulations stipulate that a full-time
student should complete Registration for the degree to
which they are enrolled no later than 3 months (6 months
part-time) after enrolment, so you need to work diligently
to enable your proposal to evidence your preparedness for
registration within the time limit.
Research Training: This takes several forms. MIRIAD runs
its own Researcher Development Programme. In a series
of seminars and workshops, training is delivered directly
by subject specialists. Additionally, Dr Steven Gartside
offers a series on theoretical writing in the arts designed
as an introduction to a broad range of themes; and there
is a writing course called Writing Matters. More generic
developmental training is offered by the Graduate School for all
postgraduate students regardless of their subject. The taught
postgraduate programme runs a series of lectures that MIRIAD
postgraduates are welcome to attend. There are further training
opportunities offered through the Library, and self-directed
study such as software tutorials. For training on workshop
equipment, see: Workshop Inductions.
RI: Research Institute. MIRIAD is the RI for the Manchester
School of Art (see above).
Righton Building: This is the base for the MIRIAD Research
Degrees programme. It houses a postgraduate student office
(Rooms 114-115), a bookable meeting room (Room 103), a
postgraduate notice board, a communal kitchen for light food
and drink preparation, and a flexible social and exhibition
space. It also houses the offices for the Director of MIRIAD and
the Head of Faculty Research Degrees, alongside the offices
of Research Fellows based in MIRIAD. The Righton address
can be used for deliveries: MMU, Righton Building, Cavendish
Street, Manchester M15 6BG.
SCONUL: Society of College, National and University
Libraries. SCONUL operates various cooperative schemes to
help users of one library make occasional use of another. Over
170 higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland participate
in the SCONUL Access scheme which allows registered
postgraduate researchers borrowing privileges.
See: www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access
Student Hub: MMU has centralised departmental support and
administration structures. Administrative support for students
is found at the Hub for each campus. At All Saints South, there
are four hubs. These are found on the ground floor level of
the Geoffrey Manton Building, the Business School, Righton
Building, and John Dalton Building. They are well sign posted.
Formally, the Geoffrey Manton Hub is for School of Art students,
but for most purposes you can use any Hub.
Student Representatives: See Faculty Postgraduate Student
Representatives
Student Union: The Student Union, located at 21 Higher

Cambridge Street, offers a wide range of services, including
a shop with discounts above those of ordinary commercial
premises. It aims to represent the interests of the entire student
body at MMU. See: www.theunionmmu.org There is a link on
the website for the Student Union Advice Centre which provides
free, independent advice.
Supervisory Team: A team will usually comprise one or two
supervisors in addition to the Director of Studies, and it would
be usual for those supervisors to have expert knowledge in one
aspect of your project and the work necessary to complete it
satisfactorily. The Director of Studies has overall responsibility
for your academic supervision, and for ensuring that the team
talks and plans together throughout your study.
Tacit: Tacit is a digital journal and blog developed and edited
by MIRIAD students and staff, and welcoming contributions by
postgraduate students. The journal explores emergent practiceled research, especially as this relates to the ways digital
technologies change the nature of arts research.
See: http://www.tacitjournal.org/
Viva Voce: Abbreviated as viva, this is the Latin for oral
examination. This is your final examination as a research
student in which you are required to defend your thesis under
questioning from an Internal Examiner (MMU) and an External
Examiner (from another University), with a Chairperson present
to lead the session. For PGR students who are also members
of staff at MMU (either on a fractional contract or full-time), two
External Examiners are used in order to aid objectivity. A viva
is also held at the progression stage of transfer from MPhil to
PhD, by two internal staff without a Chairperson.
The defence of your thesis is not quite as draconian as it may
sound. Having spent years researching the minutiae of a
subject, you rapidly become an expert in the field of your thesis.
Your examiners will have an expert knowledge of a related field
or a broader field than you are presenting. So, having read
your thesis, they will be keen to ask questions about how you
went about the research, why you made certain decisions, why
the thesis (or argument) you advance is presented in the way
it is, and whether the conclusions you draw are robust. This
might take the form of an engaged discussion (probably no one
will ever read your work more closely), but it can also take the
form of questions. The examination may expose some flaws
within the thesis, and if this is the case, you will be given the
opportunity to revise your work accordingly, with guidance from
the examiners.
Workshop Inductions: Inductions for postgraduates are
organised through your supervisor(s). A message will be
sent to the Technical Group Manager who is in charge of
inductions and a time will be arranged for the induction to
take place. When possible, postgraduates will be inducted to
workshops along with other groups. It is aimed to complete
these inductions before November, so notify your supervisors
early on if you think you will require use of particular workshops.
For more information about the workshop facilities that
are available, see: www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/resources/
workshops/
33
Writing Matters: This is a course offered on Wednesdays

over the period of two terms. Sixteen place are available,
and a commitment to attend the full course is required. The
course develops art-and-design-based writing skills, nurtures
the development of your individual voice, and supports
development of a peer-led writing group. See the Researcher
Development Programme brochure for details.
WEBSITE INDEX
Arts and Humanities Research Council, see
www.ahrc.ac.uk
Catering facilities, see
www.mmu2.ac.uk/food
Code of Practice, see www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/
graduate-school-intranet Follow link to Regulations, Code of
Practice & Supporting Material
Contact details updating, see
www.mmu.ac.uk/enrol click on update arrow
Disability disclosure advice, see www.mmu.ac.uk/sas/
studentservices/learner-development
Forms for administrative needs, see www2.mmu.ac.uk/
graduate-school/online-forms Follow link to Online Forms
Guide to UK doctorate, see www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/
InformationAndGuidance/Doctorate Pages/Doctorateguide.aspx
Images from Visual Resources Centre, see
www.flickr.com/photos/mmuvisualresources
International student MMU website, see
www.mmu.ac.uk/international
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, see
www.ktponline.org.uk
MIRIAD Online, see
www.miriadonline.info
MIRIAD, see
Oral history ethics guidance, see
www.ohs.org.uk/ethics.php
Print machines,
www.mmu.ac.uk/itservices/mmuprint
Print services contact
repro@mmu.ac.uk
RD1 and other RD forms:
www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/online-forms
34
Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) web site:

www.mmu.ac.uk/rke
Research Student Handbook (University-wide), see
www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/regulationscop-supporting-material and click on the Supporting Materials
tab.
Researcher Development Framework, see
see https://www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers-professionaldevelopment/about-the-vitae-researcher-developmentframework-planner
Researchers Weekly Bulletin Blog, see
www.library.mmu.ac.uk/rwbb
Schedule of research, see
www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/ Follow link to For
Research Students then click on Research Student Journeys
Special Collections, see www.specialcollections.mmu.ac.uk
Student Development Programme, see www2.mmu.
ac.uk/graduate-school Follow link to Research Students
Development, then click on Workshop Descriptions
Student Services (university-wide), see
www.mmu.ac.uk/students/ or www.mmu.ac.uk/sas/
studentservices/
Support Officer, see www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/studentsupport
Taught MA programmes, see www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/
courses/postgraduate
UK Data Archive (ethics and consents), see
www.data-archive.ac.uk/create-manage/consent-ethics
Vitae, see
www.vitae.ac.uk
Workshop facilities
www.artdes.mmu.ac.uk/resources/workshops
GENERAL INDEX
International Welfare Officer:

International students:
GENERAL INDEX
All Saints South Campus:
1, 2
Aulich (Prof.), Head of Faculty Research Degrees:

Annual review:
4, 31
17, 18, 21, 22, 31
Morris (R.), Student Support Officer:
4, 23
Bchler (Prof.), Tuesday Talks Programme:
Building locations:
Cash machine:
Catering services:
2, 6, 34
Change to subject of study:
22
Child Care:
Code of Practice and Regulations:
1, 8, 34
Committee dates:
11
Conferment of degree:
28, 29
Davis (J.), Curator of Visual Resources Centre:
Director of MIRIAD: Professor John Hyatt:
Disability disclosure and advice:
15, 23, 34
Doctoral and masters level skills:
12
Downing Collection, textile pattern books:
E-mail: Forwarding student to private address:
E-mail: Student e-mail accounts:
Emergency:
ring Security 247 1334
Emergency contact number:
18
English language requirements:
24
English language services (ELSIS):
24
Enrolment and registration:
10, 29, 32
Entry requirements:
29
Ethics check:
15, 30
Ethics Committee (Faculty):
29-30
Ethics and consent forms:
29-30, 34
Examination and post-exam process:
27-28
Examiners:
27, 30
Exhibition spaces (Righton):
5, 33
Extension of registration:
11, 21, 32
External advisors:
17
Financial services (Credit Control) contact:

Forms for administrative needs:
4, 25
8, 15-16, 29-32, 34
Full-time/part-time study (changes):

Graduate School Manager: C. Holdcroft:
21
4, 8
Graduate School Workshops:
Handbook Editor: Dr P. Sykas:
Head of Faculty Research Degrees: Prof. J. Aulich:

Health and Safety contact:
Holdcroft (C.), Graduate School Manager:
4, 31
4
4, 8
Hyatt (Prof.), Director of MIRIAD:
Identity (ID) cards:
Induction: Graduate School:
3, 31
Induction: MIRIAD Induction:
3, 31
22, 24, 34
Language of thesis:
12
Library, art and design collections:
Libraries, associated university (SCONUL):
Library, news bulletin:
Libraries and archives, local:
Lockers:
MA by research:
14, 16
Masters level skills:
14
MPhil by thesis:
14, 16
Meeting room:
5, 33
Mode of Study change:
21
Non-submission:
26
OConnor (D.), Research Administrator:
4, 31
PARC North West:
7, 31
Penalties for not submitting thesis on time:
26
Period of registration:
10, 32-33
Personal development portfolio (PDP):
31
PhD by practice (route 3):
13-14
PhD by published work (route 1 & 2):
12-13
PhD by thesis (traditional route):
12
Photocopying and scanning:
Poulton (M.), manager of workshops:
Postgraduate student space:
Post Offices:
Practice-based research:
12
Printing, large format:
Public engagement:
8-9
Rawlings (Dr), Research Methods Support:
4, 23
Research Degrees Committee meetings:

RD1:
11
10, 11, 15-16,
RD forms:
32
Referral of research proposal:
11, 33
Registration and enrolment:
10, 29, 32
RKE Office (Research and Knowledge Exchange):
8, 32
Research Administrator (Art & Design): D. OConnor:
4, 31
Research environment:
7-9
Research Methods Support: Dr B. Rawlings:
4, 23
Research proposal (RD1) and registration:
15-16
Research Training Co-ordinator:
Researcher Development Framework (RDF):
8, 15, 17, 32
Researcher Development Programme:
7, 33
Shops, faculty-run:
Special Collections (Library):
Student Development Programme (Graduate School):

Student Representatives:
4, 30, 31
Student/staff forum:
31
Studentships, MIRIAD:
35
Submitting your thesis:
25-26
Supervisory meetings:
17-18
Supervisory team:
17-18, 21, 29
Supervisory team changes:
21
Support: Student Support: R. Morris:
4, 23
Suspension of registration:
11, 21-22
Sykas (Dr), Curator of the Downing Collection:
Taught MA programmes:
Thesis submission requirements:
25
Timetable (postgraduate):
29
Transfer from MA to MPhil:
19
Transfer from MPhil to MA:
20
Transfer from MPhil to PhD:
19-20
Transfer from PhD to MPhil:
20
Transfer report:
12, 14, 19-20, 29
Transfer viva:
20
Trustram (Dr), Research Training Co-ordinator:
Tuesday Talks Programme: Prof. P. Bchler, co-ordinator:
Visas: International student visas:
4, 21, 22, 24
Visual Resources Centre:

Vitae (supported by Research Councils UK):
Viva voce examination:
Withdrawal of registration:
Workshop inductions:
Workshops: M. Poulton, Technical Group Manager:
Workshops:
36
6, 34
8
27, 33
22
6, 33
4
6, 33
37
All the images selected for this issue of the Handbook come from our own Visual
Resources Centre. The Centre holds an extensive archive of images built up over
many decades of teaching in the Manchester School of Art. These reflect a plethora of
subjects that trace the changing preoccupations of art and architecture historians and
researchers during years of radical transition. Recently acclaimed as one of the most
important slide libraries in the country, curator John Davis has kept it at the forefront of
developments with popular postings on Flickr and Twitter
(see https://www.flickr.com/photos/mmuvisualresources/ and use Twitter identity
@VisResCentreMMU). On the level of postgraduate research, the collection is the
focus of attention on how the technologies of images and their physical condition shape
our understanding of the content. Analogue images are entwined with the materiality of
their presentation, and are not interchangeable with digital reproductions.

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MIRIAD research degrees

handbook 2015 2016

MIRIAD research degrees handbook 2014 - 2015

Welcome to the research community

This Handbook is a source of information on

(i) All Saints South Campus. Alongside Oxford

Road, the campus is clustered around All Saints Park; the

(ii) Campus food and drink. Several refectories and

cafes are provided on the All Saints South Campus: All

(iii) The All Saints environs. On the pavement, outside

in progress, Number 70 located north of the Campus on

All Saints Park

MIRIAD research degrees handbook 2015 2016

Booth Street East

Booth Street West

A57M Mancunian Way

Rosamond Street West

(iv) Books and stationery: The Precinct Centre,

south of the Geoffrey Manton Building, past the Royal

(v) Banks and post office: The nearest cash machine

(vi) Child care: The closest child-care facility to the

University is Paintpots Nursery on Charles Street north

Issuing of student ID cards. ID cards can be picked

email account becomes activated. This is accessed using your

Two separate inductions are offered. The first is a one-day

Faculty Research Administrator (Art & Design):

Student Research Methods Support Officer:

Dr Barbara Rawlings, Honorary Fellow,

Deputy Head of Faculty Research Degrees:

Faculty Student Support Officer:

Postgraduate Student Representatives:

OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS:

Professor John Hyatt

Research and Knowledge Exchange:

Research Training Co-ordinator:

MIRIAD research degrees handbook 2015 2016

Tuesday Talks Programme Co-ordinator:

Postgraduate Student Handbook Editor:

Marion Poulton, Technical Group Manager

Health and Safety Advisor

Financial Office, Cavendish South Room CG02

Immigration and Welfare Team:

Nicola Ross and Rebecca Bradley

(i) Postgraduate student space: Where you choose

to study on campus will depend on your own preferences

MIRIAD Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) have the use

Righton has a small communal kitchen on the ground

The 5th floor of Chatham Building is available for the

(ii) Bookable Rooms and Spaces. Room 103 is a

meeting and viewing space that can be booked on your

(iii) Photocopying, scanning and printing: There

are two multifunctional printer/ scanner/ photocopiers in

(iv) Faculty shops: Many stationery items and art

materials can be obtained on campus through various

(v) Workshops: The faculty workshops are centralised

within the Benzie Building and the adjoining Chatham

(vi) Exhibition spaces: There are a number of exhibition

(vii) Visual Resources Centre and Downing

on the main floor of Grosvenor Building, Room G22,

(viii) MMU Library Special Collections. Located on the 3rd

MIRIAD research degrees handbook 2015 2016

(ix) University Catering Outlets:

All Saints Snack Bar: on the ground floor of the All

Art School Caf: on the ground floor of the Benzie