Research Degrees Management
The Postgraduate Researcher Sub-Committee (PGRSC) is responsible, at the institutional level, for the quality assurance of the University’s research degrees.
PGRSC responsibilities
The responsibilities include making recommendations about changes to regulations, policies and procedures relating to postgraduate researchers (PGRs); responsibility for approving new research degrees, and amendments to or withdrawal of existing research degrees; and input into and approval of any collaborative provision relating to PGRs (e.g. Collaborative Research Degrees; see Appendix 5 of the Procedures on Research Degrees (PoRD)). This page summarises key information about the associated processes.
PGR regulations, policies and procedures
The key documents relating to PGRs are summarised on the Regulation, policies and procedures webpage. The Procedures on Research Degrees (PoRD) are reviewed annually, with the approval process commencing in April each year. Regulation 23 is reviewed every three years, with the next review due in 2026/27. Queries on the application of the PoRD should be directed to pgr-governance@sussex.ac.uk, while queries relating to the academic regulations (including Regulation 23) should be directed to academicregulations@sussex.ac.uk.
Proposing and amending research degrees
Formal requests to propose a new research degree, amend an existing research degree or withdraw a research degree should be made on the appropriate form:
- Research Degree Programme Proposal
- External Assessor Report Form: Feedback on New Research Degree Programme(s)
- Research Degree Programme Amendment Proposal
- Research Degree Programme Suspension/Withdrawal Proposal
In all cases, colleagues are strongly encouraged to contact the Research Degrees Manager via pgr-governance@sussex.ac.uk to discuss the proposed amendment before completing the relevant form. Please note that, where a proposal relates to an iPhD, additional approvals may be required from PASC.
Approval process
The PGRSC meets four times a year and the dates of upcoming meetings are available on Sussex Direct.
Notice of intention to submit a proposal must be given to the Secretary of the PGRSC via pgr-governance@sussex.ac.uk at least two months prior to the PGRSC meeting the proposal is to be considered at (noting that proposals should have the support of the Faculty PGR Committee prior to submission). The completed form must be received at least one month before the meeting to allow external scrutiny (where required) and internal consultation.
For examples of previous submissions, please see the PGRSC page on Sussex Direct.
Proposing and amending collaborative research degrees
The University of Sussex may enter into collaborative research degree arrangements with other degree awarding institutions, whether within and/or beyond the UK. There are various possible types of collaboration, leading to single, joint and double degrees. Input on conversations about potential collaborations should be sought from the Research Degrees Manager from a very early stage (pgr-governance@sussex.ac.uk).
Principles and guidance
The University’s Principles, Guidance and Process for Collaborative Research Degrees lays out the stages for developing collaborative research degrees and should be read in conjunction with the Framework for Collaborative Research Degrees (see Appendix 5 of the Procedures on Research Degrees), which provides the regulatory framework.
Approval process
The approval stages and relevant paperwork are laid out below.
- Stage 1: Approval to Proceed
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All research degree collaborations must be considered by the Collaborative Provision Approval Sub-Committee (CPASC) and then Postgraduate Researcher Sub Committee (PGRSC) at Stage 1.
Notice of intention to submit a request for approval to proceed must be given to the secretaries of CPASC and PGRSC at least once month prior to the meetings at which the request is to be considered, and noting it must go to CPASC before PGRSC. The completed Collaborative Research Degrees Approval to Proceed form must be received at least two weeks before the respective CPASC and PGRSC meetings.
All proposals require the support of the relevant Faculty PGR Committee prior to submission. Where the collaboration is with an international partner/HEI, input from the TNE steering group must also be included. These steps should be factored into the timelines for submission.
- Stage 2: Development of Full Proposal
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If support is confirmed for the initial proposal, the Faculty will be required to convene a working group to develop the full proposal. Notice of intention to submit a full proposal must be given to the secretaries of CPASC (where relevant - see associated guidance) and PGRSC at least one month prior to the meetings at which the request is to be considered, noting that proposals involving international partners/HEIs must go to CPASC before PGRSC. The completed Collaborative Research Degrees Full Proposal form must be received at least two weeks before the respective CPASC (where relevant - see associated guidance) and PGSRC meetings.
All proposals require the support of the relevant Faculty PGR Committee prior to submission, and this should be factored into the timelines. Where the collaboration is with an international partner/HEI, input from the TNE steering group should already have been obtained at Stage 1.
The PGRSC meets four times a year and the dates of upcoming meetings are available on Sussex Direct.
CPASC meets on a termly basis (or more frequently at the discretion of the Chair). For any questions, please contact the CPASC Secretary, Kristina Rudge at K.Rudge@sussex.ac.uk.
The process for progressing Collaborative Research is outlined in more detail in the University's Principles, Guidance and Process for Collaborative Research Degrees.