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HomeResearchYork Graduate Research SchoolPolicy, forms and documentsPolicy on Research Degrees17. Collaborative arrangements for York-enrolled PGRs

17. Collaborative arrangements for York-enrolled PGRs

PGR exchange agreements 

17.1 Exchange agreements can be set up at PGR level (either exclusively PGR level or allowing some transference between taught and PGR numbers). PGR exchange agreements must follow the approval process set out in the Policy Statement on Study Abroad, amended as appropriate. The exchange must be approved by the relevant Graduate Chair and the Dean of YGRS (if it also involves taught students, also the PVC for Education and Students). Each incoming/outgoing PGR on an exchange programme should receive an individual agreement that sets out the supervision and other practical arrangements that they will receive at York/their host institution. PGRs must not be awarded a qualification by the institution that they are visiting. Incoming exchange PGRs should apply via the usual postgraduate admissions process for visiting PGRs.

Collaboration for external co-supervision/TAP membership only

17.2 An individual PGR may, with the approval of departmental Graduate School Board concerned, have a co-supervisor or TAP member based in industry or in another academic institution (university or research institute).  

17.3 External co-supervisors and TAP members must be approved by the department concerned (see section 5) and recorded on SkillsForge. The department is responsible for ensuring that the co-supervisor/TAP member  is qualified to take on the role (including undertaking right to work checks if required) and has an understanding of relevant York policies and procedures to enable them to undertake their role successfully. For external co-supervisors it is recommended that there is a written agreement between the parties concerned (see section 5). Any financial implications are the responsibility of the department concerned. Responsibility for monitoring external co-supervisors and TAP members lies with the departmental Graduate School Board.

Collaboration for external training only 

17.5 An individual may, with the approval of departmental Graduate School Board concerned, receive training, or undertake taught courses, at a partner. The PGR should not be enrolled at the partner and must not be eligible for an award from the partner (see below for alternative models). Any financial implications are the responsibility of the department concerned. Responsibility for monitoring externally provided training lies with the departmental Graduate School Board. 

A collaborative DTE PGR programme: York PGRs receive input from other partners in the UK or overseas but only receive a York award 

17.5 A departmental Graduate School Board must seek approval from RIKE/YGRS for a PGR programme leading solely to a York qualification but which requires or permits academic input from one or more academic partner institutions. This will typically be the case where York is a member of an approved multi-institution DTE. 

17.6 The academic input may include appointment of co-supervisors or TAP members, training, or credit-bearing modules. It may also include a requirement for a period of study at a partner (subject to the time restrictions set out for a change of study location) which may involve enrolment at the partner institution as a visiting PGR.

17.7 Where credit-bearing modules are taken at an academic partner, the partner will be expected to provide a transcript for the PGRs and the result will be recorded on the PGRs’ records at York as recognition of prior learning.

Offsite/splitsite PGR programmes: York PGRs are hosted by an external partner in the UK or overseas but receive only a York award 

17.8 A departmental Graduate School Board must seek approval from YGRSB for a PGR programme leading solely to a York qualification but where PGRs are hosted and co-supervised by the partner institution.

17.9 Any prospective offsite/splitsite PGR programme must be flagged to YGRS as soon as possible. Offsite/splitsite PGR programmes must adhere to the Framework for Collaborative Offsite and Splitsite PGR Programmes (F4 of the PoRD). For approval, the procedure for the approval of offsite and splitsite PGR provision must be followed. 

Joint/double/dual/cotutelle PGR programmes: York PGRs are hosted by York and the partner in the UK or overseas and receives an award from both York AND the partner

17.10 Where strategically justified, the University may collaborate with other, mainly international, universities to offer joint/double/dual PGR programmes (these may be referred to as cotutelles).

17.11 Due to the complexity of setting up joint/double/dual awards, YGRS will only consider requests for joint/double/dual PGR programmes where these are part of a strategic project and/or with strategic partners and/or associated with a significant research grant.

17.12 The rules that govern a joint/double/dual PGR programme (e.g. in terms of selection, admission, induction, supervision, progress and review arrangements, training, and assessment) will be negotiated between the institutions, so that the minimum requirements of both can be met. When considering a joint/double/dual PGR programme, YGRS will need to give approval to any exceptions to the PoRD and will only do this where there is good reason and when YGRS can be assured that the standard of the PhD and the quality of the PGR experience will not be compromised.

17.13 Any prospective joint/double/dual PGR programmes must be flagged to YGRS as soon as possible. For approval, the collaborative provision approval process must be followed.