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:

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.

Sussex Researcher School