On this page you will find
PhD and MPhil Programme permission proforms and guidance
Permissions
When requesting permission to make changes to your degree programme you must ensure that you are familiar with the applicable Ordinances, Regulations and Code of Practice for PGR programmes as are contained in your handbook and/or by clicking here.
It is vital that you supply, where applicable, documentary evidence to support your application. University policy on extensions and interruptions to the PhD programme can be found here.
- to apply to change your programme to another programme, for example PhD to Mphil.
- to apply to change your mode of attendance, for example from full-time to part-time attendance.
- to apply to interrupt your programme: Interruption Application Form
- to request permission to register for the submission pending period - Submission Pending Application Form
- to request to change the title of your thesis - Thesis Title Change Application Form
- form to apply to Upgrade from MPhil to PhD Application Form
- to request to withdraw from your programme of study - Withdrawal Application Form
- To request a Change to your Supervisory Team, please fill in this form - Change of Supervisor/Supervisory team Application Form
- applications for fieldwork (see below)
- to apply for an extension to the submission date for a course unit assessment. Extension Application Form for submitting Course Unit assessments.
- Forms relating to the examination of and submission of your thesis can be found by selecting PhD/MPhil examination process in the menu on the left or by clicking here.
- Forms and guidance relating to obtaining ethical approval for your research can be found by selecting PG ethics from the menu on the left or by clicking here.
- Risk assessment forms are availabel on our ethical approval page (see above)
- Forms and guidance relating to finance/funding issues can be found by selecting Funding and Finance FAQs in the menu on the left or by clicking here.
The forms may be submitted electronically to the PGR Office but must show evidence that they have the approval of your supervisory team.
If anything is not clear to you please do not hesitate to contact your Programme Administrator, the Postgraduate Manager or call into our Postgraduate Office - for contact details click here
PG Information Desk - For help and advice with your programme the School Postgraduate Information Desk is located on the Second Floor of the Arthur Lewis Building (to the right as you come up the stairs/exit the lift) and is open Monday-Friday 10.00-16.00.
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Fieldwork (PGR Students only)
It is expected that some students will take the opportunity to devote part of their PhD degree to study and research outside of the University, as permitted in the regulations. Students are not permitted to spend more than 50% of the degree away from the University of Manchester.
Fieldwork is defined as primary, first hand data collection that takes place away from the University of Manchester.
The University has a duty of care to you throughout your period of registration and for insurance and legal purposes we must maintain an accurate system for recording any official and unofficial absences or periods away from the University.
Fieldwork Approval Procedure
You should explore and discuss your potential fieldwork with your supervisory team and complete a Fieldwork Approval Form in liaison with your supervisory team. You must have obtained ethical approval before going to the field. Application for Fieldwork will not be approved until you have obtained ethical approval.
The Fieldwork Approval Form (below) must be submitted to the PGR Office at least one calendar month before you leave for your fieldwork. This is to ensure that all records are updated and arrangements for a reduction in fees can be made. The Fieldwork Approval Form will be considered by the School Postgraduate Research Programmes Committee and the outcome of their consideration will be sent to you by your Programme Administrator to your University email address.
You must ensure that you add your fieldwork contact address onto your student record (under the category of ‘placement’) via Student Self Service: www.manchester.ac.uk/portal
If you are funded by the ESRC and wish to apply for an overseas university visit please refer to the following link http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/guidance/postgraduates/PFG.aspx. . Applications for OUV's are a separate procedure from UOM fieldwork applications. You must have OUV visits approved by the ESRC.
It is your responsibility to inform the School of any changes to the nature and details of the fieldwork. It is vital that you inform the PGR Office if the dates of your proposed fieldwork change.
Failure to notify the School of changes may be construed as an attempt to defraud the University of the appropriate tuition fee or fieldwork bursary This constitutes misconduct under the provisions of Regulation XVII (Conduct and Discipline of Students), and the handling of such cases will be pursuant to the procedures laid out in the regulation.Risk Assessment.
* applicable only to you if you started your programme before Sept 11.
Financial Assistance with Fieldwork Costs
If you started your PhD before September 2011 or you registered on an MA programme in Sept 10 as part of an approved 1+3 programme (this would be stated in your offer letter) you are entitled to receive a discount on your tuition fees for the period of time you are undertaking approved fieldwork.
If you commenced your programe of study on or after September 2011 and you are undertaking approved fieldwork, normally for a period of between three and twelve months, you can apply to the School of Social Sciences for a bursary to help with added expenses of fieldwork, if your fieldwork entails a level of cost above and beyond the normal expenses of attending the University of Manchester as a student (i.e. living expenses, expenses of travel to the University, expenses related to normal study at the University, etc.)
To be eligible to apply for a Fieldwork Bursary you must:
- be fully registered on a programme leading to the award of PhD;
- have applied to, or be in the process of applying to, all other plausible sources of financial support;
- be undertaking fieldwork normally for a period of more than three months and less than twelve months.
Level of fieldwork support
Depending on the nature of fieldwork and the costs involved, there are three levels of fieldwork support that you can apply for
| Band 1 |
Up to £1000 |
This will normally apply to students doing fieldwork in UK locations, undertaking fieldwork that entails additional living and transport expenses, among other things. This can include students doing fieldwork in or near Manchester. |
| Band 2 |
Up to £2000 |
this will normally apply to students doing fieldwork in European locations outside the UK, undertaking fieldwork that entails additional living and transport expenses, among other things. |
| Band 3 |
Up to £3000 |
this will normally apply to students doing fieldwork in locations outside Europe, undertaking fieldwork that entails additional living and transport expenses, among other things. |
Note: the above descriptions of bands are for guidance only. It is recognised that fieldwork circumstances may vary widely and entail varying costs; each application will be judged on its merits, but a coherent case must be made for realistic fieldwork expenses
The maximum award payable under this scheme is £3000. Applications for fieldwork bursaries require formal application which is considered by the a sub-group of School PGR Committee.
If you are sponsored, financial support for fieldwork may also be available from your sponsoring organisation. Your supervisory team may also be able to advise you of any other sources of financial help that may be available to you outside of the University.
If you receive support from sources (including a sponsor) and this is less than what you would have obtained under this scheme an award for the difference may be paid to you.
Deadlines for applications
There will be two application deadline rounds during 2011/2012 these will be:
Round 1: 30 March 2012 Round 2: 15 June 2012
Application process
A completed Fieldwork bursary application form should be submitted by the deadline to your Programme Administrator.
Payment of bursaries are conditional on
- you receiving formal approval to undertake the fieldwork
- you receiving ethical approval to undertake the fieldwork
- completion, where applicable, of risk assessments and insurance forms.
You will be informed by email of the outcome of your application.
All bursaries are paid directly into your Bank Account via your record on the portal/Campus Solutions. When your award has been approved for payment you can view it when you log onto self-service, choose campus finances and financial aid. It is vital that you have inputted your bank account details onto your record so that payment can be made to you. If you have not done this the student services centre will issue you with a cheque that must be picked up from their office.