School of somethingFACULTY OF OTHER

PGR support structure options appraisal

Meetings 15th and 20th November 2012

Programme of change for postgraduate research at Leeds to support the PGR student experience and towards increasing the PGR student community:

• Fund raising, scholarships and other means of financial support of PGRs

• Marketing and internal communications

• Developing our international reputation as a centre for doctoral studies

• Organisational effectiveness- standard processes and service level agreements- delineated areas of responsibility - more standardised administrative support for CDTs- consistent levels of support and facilities for PGRs

Context

Overall aim to maintain a distinctive postgraduate research experience for PGR students whilst aligning with changes to Student Education Services.

i.e. to ensure appropriate, consistent, high-quality support for all PGR students and effective support for all relevant staff.

Context

Deliver a postgraduate research experience that attracts the world’s best students

Threats: increased competition for PGRsdeclining international numbers and Home office restrictionschanging funding landscape

Internal issues: differing levels of support in faculties / schoolsnon uniformity of structures, processes, and roleslack of coherent IT systemsdoes not meet ‘One University’ principles.

Strategic issues: Leeds is behind its competitors – 18th (of 24) in Russell Group for PGR fate / academic fate; 23th (of 24) in Russell Group for proportion of PGR students in the total student body. Completion rates below world-class target.

1. Support increased recruitment of high-quality Postgraduate researchers

2. Ensure PGR students are well supported, academically and pastorally

3. Ensure PGRs develop skills vital for research, employment, entrepreneurship and citizenship

4. Work effectively with other relevant units to ensure that PGR students are well-equipped for a range of careers upon graduation.

5. Work in collaboration with private and public sector partners and other educational institutions to deliver excellent postgraduate research education and support.

6. Influence the external funding environment to promote Leeds as a centre of excellence for PGR.

Objectives for a new PGR support structure(aligned to University strategy)

7. Support consistent, effective and efficient PGR processes, with high quality service, and appropriate staff support and cover.

8. Ensure clear and shared understanding of the objectives of all PGR processes.

9. Support and propagate a "one-university" culture

10. Streamline the administrative and bureaucratic load on academic staff

11. Support sustainable and consistent IT systems that help to deliver resource efficiencies

12. Student admissions processes that- improve (i.e. decrease) turnaround times- are responsive to user needs- ensure students are matched to the right supervisors and projects and are properly supported

Objectives for a new PGR support structure

1. More coherent and formalized central ‘hub’ + 9 consistent faculty units

2.a. More coherent centre with fewer faculty units, e.g. aligned with Research Councils

2.b. More coherent centre with fewer and cognate faculty units

2.c. More coherent centre with two faculty-level units, STEM and HSS/Arts

3. A single central University support unit (perhaps with faculty ‘satellite’ offices)

Options identified

By 10 DecemberOptions back to faculties and PGR stakeholders for discussion (including academic and administration staff and PGR student representatives)

By end DecemberIdentification of a preferred option for a PGR support structure

January 2013Paper to FMG putting forward a business case for a preferred option

February 2013Paper to Senate on the proposed change;Move forward in alignment with Student Education Services Project - but with distinctive PGR support.

Next steps