Doing a research degree is different to being on a taught course – and how we check your attendance reflects this. Find out about the attendance requirements for postgraduate researchers.
Our duty towards postgraduate researchers
People who do research degrees at Sussex are known as postgraduate researchers (often abbreviated to PGRs).
In some ways, you’ll feel like a member of staff at the University. In other ways, such as in relation to attendance and engagement, we have the same duty of care towards PGRs as we do towards students on taught courses.
Postgraduate researcher attendance
Research degree students do not have any attendance requirements given the lack of any timetabled teaching and learning. Instead, the core requirement is one supervisory meeting a month throughout the year (for a full-time PhD, pro-rated for part-time). These are usually expected to take place in-person, unless you are doing research away from campus.
If you miss more than one monthly supervision meeting, concerns will be raised and you will be contacted about the reason for your absence.
If you have a Student visa, you should make sure you understand the requirements of your visa sponsorship and are not putting your studies at risk.
More information for PGRs is available in the full Attendance, Absence and Engagement Policy [PDF 279KB] and the Policy on Research Degrees.
Absences
It’s important to stay in touch with us and let us know when you might be absent.
Stay in contact with your supervisor so that missed monthly meetings can be rescheduled. Supervisory meeting usually take place in-person, unless you are undertaking research away from campus.
If you miss more than one monthly supervision meeting, concerns will be raised and you will be contacted about the reason for your absence. Do remember that, even with your level of independent study, you need to stay in regular contact and meet these minimum requirements.
Depending on the circumstances, and particularly if you haven’t engaged at all, you may be considered for temporary or permanent withdrawal by a School Student Progress Panel.
Find out more about this panel and how to appeal against its decision.
More support
You can get more guidance from the Sussex Researcher School.
It is the part of the University that supports postgraduate researchers, early career researchers and junior research associates.