Terms of Reference – PhD Programme Management Board, University of Kent and Northeastern University London (PhD PMB)

Context

The PhD Programme Management Board University of Kent and Northeastern University London, (PhD PMB) will be the lead unit for the strategic oversight of doctoral programmes at Northeastern University London delivered through the validation agreement with the University of Kent, for regular reviews of their operations and for approval of any significant changes.

Terms of Reference

Whilst the PhD PMB will have oversight of all matters relating to the delivery of this programme and the wider validation agreement, it will give particular attention to:

1. The agreement of recruitment and selection processes for doctoral projects and students, and sign-off of recruitment and selection decisions as required.
2. Approve Supervisory Chairs in accordance with AQF17: Research Programmes of Study, Part H: Supervision.
3. Consider the case made for the appointment of external supervisors and determine whether the reasons outlined by the supervisory team for this appointment are justified. AQF17: Research Programmes of Study, Part H: Supervision 
4. Monitoring the delivery of regular supervision monitoring reports and periodic student reviews as required by the University of Kent’s Code of Practice and AQF17: Research Programmes of Study, and ensuring that any individual or programme-level issues arising from these are addressed.
5. Understanding the student experience on these programmes, including from feedback from student representatives and the Student Engagement Committee Doctoral School for doctoral students at Northeastern University London, and identifying initiatives that can enhance for the students’ training and wider experience.
6. Reviewing, on an annual basis, any available continuation and completion data for students on these doctoral programmes, and ensure that delivery of the programmes is consistent with standards and thresholds required by the Office for Students in their Conditions of Registration.
7. Considering any further ways in which the programmes might be developed or enhanced in relation to national policy development or discussions in relation to good practice in doctoral support and training.
8. Ensuring that the programmes are delivered in accordance with the University of Kent’s Code of Practice for Research Courses of Study, and the Memorandum of Agreement for these validated programmes.
9. Consider and recommend proposals for the appointment or reappointment of internal and external examiners to Kent University.
10. Ensure that all students are examined in accordance with the appropriate University Regulations.
11. Consider and where appropriate recommend proposals for new programme(s) of study to Kent University.
12. Receive feedback from the Doctoral School Student Engagement Committee and make recommendations.
13. Ensuring programmes submitted for approval conform with the requirements of Kent University this Code (see Annex B: Approval and Withdrawal of Research Courses).
14. Delivering programmes as approved.
15. Providing an environment which will encourage students to flourish and achieve their potential. 
16. Ensuring, in co-operation with the GRS, that all students are provided in good time with all appropriate information relating to their programme (see Part: Information to Students).
17. Annual monitoring of programmes and determining action to be taken as a consequence (see Part E: Monitoring). 
18. Providing academic advice and support for their students (see Part G: Personal Academic Support System).
19. Obtaining and considering the views of students on the education which the GRS  provides (see Part L: Student Evaluation).
20. Responding to the reports of internal review panels.
21. Hearing serious quality concerns and appropriately escalating them to the relevant departments/individuals within the University.
22. Reviewing the progress of students on the programme(s) and determining action to be taken as a consequence (see Part J: Progression and Examination).
23. Approving the recommendations of upgrading and examination panels and mediating in the cases where panels are unable to reach a consensus (see Part J: Progression and Examination).

Membership

Director, Graduate and Researcher College, UoK (Chair)

Dean, NU London

Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange, NU London

Head of Operations, Graduate and Researcher College, UoK

Deputy Dean, NU London

Associate Vice President for Academic Services and Student Engagement, NU London

Director of Doctoral School, NU London

Associate Director of Doctoral School, NU London

Student reps

School Directors of Graduate Studies, UoK

Quorum

Meetings will be quorate when the Chair and 50% of the student representatives are present.

Frequency

The PMB will meet three times in each academic year, with the expectation that at least one of these meetings will take place in-person, rotating between being hosted at Northeastern University London (NU London) and the University of Kent (UoK).

Reports to

Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee

Reports from

Student Engagement Committee 

Supervision Monitoring Reports

PhD Annual Programme Report

Version History