This policy will apply to students undertaking postgraduate taught masters programmes based in Swansea University and/or with approved partner institutions in a collaborative arrangement.
1. Responsibility
1.1
Faculties/Schools/Partner Institutions must provide advice and guidance to the student with the aim of facilitating the production of directed independent learning of the requisite standard for a Taught Master's degree. The work shall be the candidate's own, (the content shall be the responsibility of the student), albeit achieved with the benefit of advice and guidance from the supervisor.
1.2
Students based in Swansea University will normally be allocated one supervisor. Students undertaking a collaborative programme with a partner institution may be allocated a lead supervisor and a second supervisor, Supervision is ordinarily provided by Swansea and the partner where appropriate for collaborative programmes.
1.3
Supervisors should exercise great care in the comments made to candidates regarding the final outcome of the degree to which the directed independent learning will contribute i.e. Supervisors should not attempt to predict that the student will pass with merit/distinction.
1.4
Full-time students are required to be in attendance at the University for the whole programme, unless the programme incorporates periods of study/research away from Swansea, and must be available for supervision when undertaking the directed independent learning. Students who have completed the taught element of their programme and for personal reasons wish to complete the directed independent learning element away from Swansea must request authorisation from the Faculty/School Executive Dean or their delegate and Visa Compliance (in the case of students with visa sponsorship from the University). Students with visa sponsorship should note that if their request is approved, their Student visa would be curtailed, as they would not be returning to the UK. It should be noted that students whose visa has been curtailed they would not be eligible to apply for the Graduate Route post-study work visa. Students must engage with supervision whilst away from Swansea. Students who are absent without authorisation may be withdrawn from the University in accordance with the Engagement Monitoring Policy for Taught Students.
2. Selecting a Topic
2.1
Faculties/Schools/Partner Institutions collectively or through a designated individual (e.g. the Programme Director ), should ensure that the topics are appropriate for a Postgraduate Taught Master's research related degree programme. It is expected that the topic would normally be agreed before the completion of Part One for students on standard masters programmes, and as specified by the Faculty/School/partner institution for students on extended and flexible programmes. Topics should be recorded on the Record of Supervision sheet (see 5.1).
2.2
The proposal should lie within the broad field of expertise of the Supervisor(s).
2.3
The subject should be identified following discussion between the student and the supervisor(s) and should be approved centrally by the Faculties/Schools/Partner Institutions . Where possible, topics should be so designed that more than one member of staff may assist the student. The names of staff suitably qualified should be conveyed to the student.
2.4
Candidates on standard programmes may begin preparatory work on their directed independent learning during Part One of the programme but will only be permitted to submit their work following successful completion of Part One. Candidates on Extended or Flexible programmes will be invited to begin preparatory work on their directed independent learning, as instructed by the Faculty/School.
3. Timescale
3.1
The proposal should be agreed in accordance with University's deadline for submission and should be suitable for completion within the allotted time span.
3.2
Students experiencing unexpected personal or medical difficulties should notify their Faculties/Schools/Partner Institutions as soon as possible. Faculties/Schools/Partner Institutions may consider requesting an extension to the time-limit.
4. Timetable of Supervision
4.1
The University requires Faculties/Schools/Partner Institutions to hold a minimum of three formal compulsory meetings. Where possible, these should take the form of meetings between the Supervisor and student. However, in exceptional circumstances supervision may be provided online e.g. via Zoom or Teams. Student attendance at these meetings shall be monitored. Faculties/Schools/Partner Institutions wishing to provide additional supervision may do so. Faculties/Schools/Partner Institutions requiring additional meetings should make these requirements known to the student via Canvas or the student handbook.
4.2
Normally the same supervisor would be expected to be present for all of these meetings.
4.3
Faculties/Schools/Partner Institutions must ensure that cover is provided to students in cases of staff absence, including holidays or sickness. Faculties/Schools/Partner Institutions should ensure that students are informed of cover arrangements during non semester/ term times.
4.4
A record will be kept of students who fail to attend meetings and such records shall be available to Examination Boards/Appeals Committees.
4.5
Every Faculties/Schools/Partner Institutions shall hold a minimum of three formal meetings for full-time students as outlined below. In the case of part-time students, it may be more appropriate to offer additional meetings to monitor progress over their studies and it is recommended that a minimum of four meetings are held. A record, agreed between the Supervisor and the student, shall be kept including dates, action agreed and deadlines set (a recommended template is available from Education Services). The student shall be responsible for maintaining this record and shall submit it with the work. Supervisors should keep a copy of this record.
It is expected that the student will meet with the Supervisor in person. However, it is recognised that this may not be possible. In such circumstances the Faculties/Schools/Partner Institutions student are expected to keep a formal record of the meeting, including reference to the format of the meeting e.g. email, video conferencing, telephone. Students undertaking research away from the University or Partner Institution or leaving for personal reasons must request an authorisation of absence from the Executive Dean, partner institution equivalent or their delegate.
4.5.1 Meeting 1
For Standard Master's Programmes the first meeting shall take place immediately following confirmation of the completion of Part One. For all other programmes the date of the first meeting shall be determined by the Faculty/Schools/Partner Institutions and published to students in Canvas or the student handbook.
This meeting should be used to formalise a detailed work plan, set deadlines for completion of work and discuss the structure.
It is recommended that this meeting also be used to ensure that the student understands the issues associated with academic misconduct (including commissioning and plagiarism) and the referencing style required.
4.5.2 Meeting 2
For full-time Standard Master's Programmes a second meeting should normally take place approximately four weeks after the first meeting. For all other programmes the date of the first meeting shall be determined by the Faculty/School/partner institution and published to students in Canvas or the student handbook.
In the case of part-time students on Standard Master's Programmes this meeting will normally occur within twelve weeks of the first meeting. Faculties/Schools/partner institutions may wish to hold a further meeting for part-time students to monitor their progress.
Faculties/Schools/partner institutions/students may use this meeting to discuss progress and discuss draft sections of the work. Supervisors should ensure that a student is still able to complete the work in accordance with their work plan.
In the case of full-time students any issues which may necessitate requesting an extension (such as personal difficulties/illness which will affect their ability to complete on time) should be identified at this meeting and Faculties/Schools/partner institutions should consider whether they wish to submit a request for an extension to the submission deadline.
It should be noted that requests for extension for full-time students will normally be considered, administratively on behalf of the Student Cases Board, at the beginning of September and therefore applications should be considered and approved by the Faculty/School by the end of August. Dates may differ for collaborative programmes delivered with partner institutions. Specific deadlines will be circulated to Faculties/Schools each session. Extension requests should be submitted, by the Faculty/School/partner institution, to Education Services.
4.5.3 Meeting 3 - (part-time students only)
Faculties/Schools/partner institutions may wish to introduce a further meeting in the case of part-time students to monitor progress and ensure that a student is still able to complete within the schedule outlined in the work plan. Draft sections of work may also be discussed at this meeting.
Any issues which may necessitate requesting an extension, such as personal difficulties/illness should be identified at this meeting and Faculties/Schools/partner institutions should consider whether they wish to submit a request for an extension to the submission deadline.
4.5.4 Final Meeting
A third and normally final meeting should be held approximately one month later (for full-time students) which should allow for final amendments.
In the case of part-time students on Standard Master's Programmes this meeting should occur 15 months on from completion of Part One.
This meeting shall include a report on the progress of the student and a draft of the final work should be discussed. Students are expected to provide a draft of the final work in good time for Supervisors to read and comment on the draft at the meeting. Supervisors are expected to comment on the draft in broad terms but are not expected to proof read, correct typographical errors etc.