Current Joint PGR Guidance

Enrolment

Students on joint or collaborative doctoral programmes are usually required to enrol at both institutions for the full duration of their studies.

Each institution will provide information about its own enrolment process and deadlines. It is important that you regularly check the student email accounts provided by both institutions, as important enrolment information may be sent to either account.

If you have questions about enrolment requirements, please contact the relevant institution directly.

Monitoring and Engagement

Students on joint or collaborative doctoral programmes are usually enrolled at both institutions throughout their research degree. This means that the normal monitoring and engagement requirements of each institution will continue to apply, even when you are studying at your partner institution or are outside the UK.

If you hold a Student visa, further information about Warwick's engagement monitoring requirements can be found on our Monitoring and Engagement FAQs. Link opens in a new window

Supervision

Students on joint or collaborative doctoral programmes will normally have supervisors at both institutions.

You should maintain regular contact with your supervisory team throughout your degree. The frequency and format of meetings will be set out in your programme agreement and monitoring requirements.

Travel Between Institutions

Most joint and collaborative doctoral programmes require students to spend time studying or conducting research at each institution. The specific arrangements will be set out in your individual agreement.

The following requirements apply to all students:

• Agree travel plans with your supervisors and notify us All travel dates must be agreed with supervisors at both institutions. You should notify the Warwick Doctoral College of your planned travel dates using the online travel form Link opens in a new window as soon as possible. If your plans change, you must submit updated dates.
• Ensure you have the correct visa If you are coming to Warwick as part of your programme, you are responsible for obtaining the correct immigration permission to study in the UK. The dates you provide to the Doctoral College will be used when determining the length of your visa, so it is important that they are accurate.
• Check whether you need ATAS clearance Some students must obtain an ATAS certificate Link opens in a new window before starting their studies at Warwick or applying for a visa. If you are unsure whether this applies to you, please contact the Doctoral College.
• CAS for students starting at Warwick If Warwick is your home institution and you are beginning your programme at Warwick, the Postgraduate Admissions Team Link opens in a new window will arrange your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
• CAS for students joining Warwick later in their programme If you started your doctoral research at another institution and will join Warwick part way through your programme, the Visa Advice Service Link opens in a new window will arrange your CAS.
• Complete enrolment when you arrive in the UK You will only be fully enrolled once you have arrived in the UK, completed the required Right to Study checks, and met any enrolment requirements. You cannot take part in on-campus activities until enrolment has been completed.
• Studying overseas while holding a UK Student visa If you hold a Student visa sponsored by Warwick and will be studying at a partner institution overseas, you must submit a Change of Study Location Request Link opens in a new window .

Thesis Submission and Examination

The rules and procedures for examining a doctoral thesis vary between countries and institutions. These differences may include:

These arrangements should be discussed and agreed as part of the programme agreement to ensure that the requirements of both institutions can be met.

• Whether the examination includes a public or private defence.
• The possible examination outcomes.
• The composition of the examination panel.
• The language in which the thesis and examination are conducted.
• Thesis word limits and formatting requirements.

Degree Award and Certification

Students who successfully complete a joint or collaborative doctoral programme will normally receive an award from both institutions.

Depending on the agreement between the institutions, this may take the form of:

The certification arrangements are normally agreed when the programme agreement is established.

• Two separate degree certificates; or
• A single joint degree certificate.

Research areas