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Changes to policy and curriculum

Show all changes for 2021/22

Research Degree Regulations

In July 2022, The Open University made some amendments to our Research Degree Regulations

These regulations form part of your contract with the University.

The changes made:

Universal changes

  1. Renumbering as required

Substantive Changes

  1. Added Principle 3 equality and diversity statement
  2. Principles - 8a clarified to indicate the need for subject appropriate supervision
  3. Principles - 8b ‘material not in the written form’ changed to ‘material that is not in the written form’
  4. Principles - 11 additional clauses (e) relating to students being able to access facilities and resources; (f) requiring the need for contracts to be in place before the student registers
  5. Added safe spaces reporting statement
  6. Changes to regulations – 1 deleted from ‘time to time’ and changed ‘accessibility of regulations’ to ‘accessibility of the regulations’
  7. Notice of changes – changed ‘the date they take effect’ to ‘the date that they will take effect’.
  8. Interpretation of regulations – Changed the wording of (d) and (e). Added section f with regard to the Reasonable Adjustment Regulations
  9. RD 2.2, PD 2.2 & PW 2.2 changed wording to add that the previous experience must be related to the proposed research
  10. RD 2.3 amended to note that the choice of mode of study may be dependent on the funder
  11. RD 2.4 & PD 2.4 amended to refer to equivalent SELTS tests that may be accepted
  12. RD 2.6 & PD 2.6 amended to note the specific requirements for the university to accept applications.
  13. RD 2.7 & PD 2.7 amended to note reference to a research proposal.
  14. RD 2.8 & PD 2.8 ‘in conjunction with’ amended to ‘that contributes to’
  15. RD 3.3 & PD 3.3 addition made to reflect the fact that students may apply to specific projects
  16. RD 3.5 & PD 3.5 added the requirement that students comply with the registration requirements and attend induction
  17. RD 5.5, PD 4.5 & PW 4.2 added clarification to the criterion for supervisors
  18. RD 5.6 replaced a missing word
  19. RD 5.8, PD 4.8 & PW 4.4 added clarification re the eligibility of staff to be supervisors
  20. RD 5.9 replaced ‘on’ with ‘with’
  21. RD 5.10, PD 5.10 & PW 4.6 clarification regarding the requirement for approval for new supervisory arrangements.
  22. RD 6.3 & PD 5.3 removed ‘normally’
  23. RD 7.2 & PD 6.2 removed repetition
  24. RD 7.4 replace ‘shall be’ with ‘are’
  25. RD 7.6 & PD 6.6 removed section of text
  26. RD 8.1 added ‘Affiliated Research Centre’
  27. RD 8.3 & PD 7.3 amended to provide reference to the Academic Engagement and Attendance Policy
  28. RD 9.4 & PD 8.4 added clause re use of accrued study breaks
  29. RD 9.6, PD 8.5 & PW 6.5 corrected grammar
  30. RD 9.7, PD 8.6, PW 6.6 & HD 4.6 removed repetition
  31. RD 11.1 amended to acknowledge that some funders do not permit changes of mode
  32. RD 12.2 & PD 10.2 New regulation added to note that students who fail to engage will be deemed to have withdrawn.
  33. PD 13.1 amended to note that the upgrade process must be completed within 24 months including any revisions.
  34. RD 13.1 & PD 11.1 Added clause regarding failure to comply with the Academic Engagement & Attendance policy
  35. RD 15.2 Added the word ‘Same’
  36. RD 15.3 & RD 15.6 a) iii) Added ‘into appropriate context’ and b) added ‘and the’
  37. RD 15.5 changed to reflect that specific funding schemes may impact on a student being able to complete upgrade within the existing regulatory times.
  38. RD 16.4 & PD 14.6 Added clause (e) relating to the Academic Engagement & Attendance policy
  39. RD 16.5 c) & PD 14.7 added ‘or if failing to engage and attend satisfactorily’
  40. RD 17.2 added clause vi relating to the thesis word count
  41. RD 17.5 & PD 15.5 added a note to show what was included and removed the section that relates to the minimum amount of time to submit a request for an overlength thesis and added a section clarifying when an overlength thesis is permitted following revisions.
  42. RD 18.7, PD 16.7, PW 11.7 & HD 9.7 added clause to note that it is not permissible to shadow a nominated Chair during a student’s viva voce exam.
  43. RD 18.9, PD 16.9 & PW 11.9 amended to clarify that the Chair should not ask questions during the examination. Clause (d) amended to reaffirm that the observed can only attend the examiners meeting is invited to answer a specific question. Clause (g) amended to reaffirm that the examinations must be able to complete the oral examination to their satisfaction.
  44. RD 18.11, PD 16.11, PW 11.1 & HD 9.11 Section added to note that Associate lecturers who also hold an academic position at the Open University may be appointed as internal examiners.
  45. RD 18.14, PD 16.14, PW 11.14 & HD 9.14 added Associate Lecturers to the group that cannot be appointed as external examiners.
  46. RD 18.18, PD 16.18 & PW 11.18 removed the wording ‘in the viva voce’
  47. RD 19.7, PD 17.7 & PW 12.7 added a section noting that the student must attend the entire viva voce examination
  48. Appendix 4, Delete repetition in point b

For more help or information

Please talk to your Student Support Team if you need any further information. You can find out how to contact them on Contact the OU.