Administrative matters
All postgraduates must ensure that they are familiar with applicable University regulations and policies:
- Senate regulations for postgraduates
- Academic regulations and policies
- Other regulations and policies.
Any questions regarding regulations and policies should be raised as soon as possible, for example, with the Director of Postgraduate Research.
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The University policy, "Length of study and associated fees for postgraduate research students" states:
Students are entitled to reasonable periods of holiday, provided that these are properly agreed in advance with the principal supervisor and conform to the stipulations of the funding body (if applicable). In line with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) research council terms and conditions, postgraduate research students may take up to 37 days of annual leave per year (pro rata for part-time students) unless otherwise stipulated by their funding body. The annual leave allowance must include the five statutory bank holidays (1st and 2nd January, May Day, and the 25th and 26th of December), and the period in December and January during which the university is closed. If a period of annual leave means that a student will be away from St Andrews for a period of greater than 28 consecutive days (including weekends), or 37 days over Christmas, when University is closed, a change of location application must be completed through MySaint. Due to UKVI restrictions, students on a Student Visa must complete a change of location application through MySaint for any time away from the University which will result in the student being at an alternative location for periods exceeding 28 consecutive days. This includes periods spent on annual leave.
Annual Leave allowances are included in standard period of study calculations. They cannot be rolled over from one academic year to the next, and cannot be used to extend a student’s end of studies date. Annual leave for research students does not need to be reported centrally and should be monitored as necessary in each School.
See the full policy that explains annual leave (PDF).
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Student visas
If you require a Student visa to be in the UK as a student, it is vital that you are aware of and adhere to the immigration rules; if you fail to comply with the rules, you not only risk your student status and an adverse immigration record, but you also risk the University's Sponsor Licence and the status of all the international students studying with the University.
Please familiarise yourself with the information and your responsibilities at Information about student visas.
Location of studies
All students are expected to reside at a term address within a commutable distance from the University unless they have formal permission for their study location to be outside of St Andrews.
Further information about location of studies and requesting a change in location can be found at Requesting a change of location.
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Raising general postgraduate research issues within the Departments of Management and Finance
The place to raise any issues that might affect the postgraduate research community as a whole is with the PGR student representatives who will then raise it with the DoPGR. If there is a problem that must be addressed immediately, the student representative/s can ask to meet with the DoPGR, any member of the PGR SSLC, or with the Head of either the Departments of Management or Finance.
Resolving student-supervisor difficulties
Minor differences of opinion and difficulties in the student-supervisor relationship are normal and are often highly creative. Here are the steps to be followed in order to resolve any problems that concern you:
- Arrange a meeting with your supervisor(s) so that all directly related parties can be made fully aware of the issues, and steps can be taken to resolve them.
- If Step 1 fails, arrange a meeting with the DoPGR who is responsible for dealing with any grievances, and for coordinating any Departmental response to such disagreements.
- If Step 2 fails, the DoPGR will refer the matter on to the Head of Department
Supervisors who experience difficulties with their students should follow the same steps in attempting to resolve the problem.
Resolving problems with doctoral training
If you are experiencing problems with any aspect of the programme, you should discuss this with your supervisor, unless the issue relates to your supervisor and then you should contact the DoPGR. The DoPGR will discuss issues arising relating to the programme or supervision of work to identify possible ways forward.
The role of the DoPGR is to provide advice, support and guidance in relation to most aspects of being a postgraduate student. You are encouraged to voice your concerns to the DoPGR when a problem arises. This includes anything that might adversely affect your work – issues concerning your life within or outside the School as well as specific issues related to your academic relationship with your supervisor or the progress (or lack thereof) of your work. The DoPGR is essentially a resource that can be called upon to assist you by, for example, appropriately directing your complaint, making representation on your behalf or providing a listening ear. Any issues that you raise will be treated in strict confidence.
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The University provides other specialist services for those who need support with academic or personal matters.
Further details can be found at Advice and guidance for postgraduates.