Attendance and engagement
Attendance requirements
If you are registered on a full-time postgraduate research programme, you are expected to devote your whole time to the degree programme.
Residency requirements
The University requires you to reside within a commutable distance from Manchester during your time as a registered student, unless you are on approved fieldwork/a formal placement or are on a period of 'submission pending'. This is to ensure that you are able to meet attendance expectations and participate in wider research activities within your discipline area and/or school.
Should you be unable to do this at any point during your programme, a formal case must be made to the Faculty office, together with the full support of your supervisor(s). The University reserves the right to reject such a request where it is considered that your residency could have a detrimental impact on the progression and engagement of your studies.
Attendance and engagement
Your attendance and engagement on the degree programme will be monitored on a monthly basis.
Your supervisory team has the responsibility of checking off your attendance and engagement in your eProg record which has a formal record that:
- you are in regular contact with your main supervisor;
- regular contact is taking place between the main supervisor and student as appropriate;
- you have attended seminars and training events as required; and
- you have been engaged and present in the University as required by their studies and UK visa (if you are holding a student visa).
Most supervisors have meetings with their students formally and informally very regularly and no additional contact or meetings should be required to complete this monthly eProg form.
The minimum standard, however, is for the main supervisor and student to maintain contact at least once a month to discuss progress, training needs, and plans for the next phase of work, and this eProg form which monitors attendance and engagement can be completed as part of these regular meetings or contact points.
Most students make excellent progress. If, however, the timetable or progress begins to slip then it is important to discuss these issues explicitly, to note them using this form and to make plans to rectify the situation.
Good planning and monitoring of progress are key to a successful and timely completion.
International student census
If you are an international student who requires a student visa to study in the UK, in addition to the above monthly monitoring you will also be required to present yourself in person to the Doctoral Programmes Office on a quarterly basis.