CURRENT HARPER ADAMS STAFF ONLY: Part-time PhD

Harper Adams University offers a part-time (PT) PhD programme exclusively for current members of staff. The following conditions apply to the scheme.

PT PhDs run for 6 years. The proposed research project must align with the university's research strategy and areas of research activity. In an academic year, only 1 member of staff per department/facility can start a PT PhD.

Fees will be waivered against the continual professional development fund. Supervisors can apply for up to £10,000 from QR for project costs over the 6 years of the PhD. Half a day a week will be given for PhD time under the work load model.

If a member of staff leaves the employment of HAU within 2 years of completing their PhD, they will be responsible for reimbursing the fees in line with HR policy.

Procedure for Academic Staff:

Staff should discuss their interest in carrying out a PT PhD with their PDR reviewer. If the PDR reviewer is not the applicant's Head of Department (HoD), the reviewer may also need to discuss this with the HoD.

By 31st October, staff must submit a PhD application through Stonefish. The application must include: a PhD proposal including identified supervisors and indicative project costs; a letter explaining why they wish to carry out a PT PhD while employed by HAU; and a letter of support from their HoD confirming that the time allocation of half a day a week has been agreed under the WL plan and that the resource can be covered within the department.

In November, all applications will be assessed with respect to the university's standard PhD entry requirements. Applications will be assessed by the Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) (APVCR) and Head of the Harper Adams Graduate School (HoHAG), and applicants will be informed about interviews as soon as is reasonably practical.

In December/January, applicants will be interviewed by the APVCR, HoHAG, proposed Director of Studies and a research-active colleague with subject expertise. If successful, the workload allocation will be made for the next academic year.

Successful applicants will attend the PGR student induction and start their PhD at the end of September/early October.

Procedure for Professional Services Staff:

Professional Services staff follow the above procedure with sign-off from their line manager and Head of Department. They can submit their application at any time. If successful, they will be able to start their PhD on the next appropriate PhD start date (e.g. September/October or April) as agreed with their line manager and the PGR Office.