Student Advisory Committee

Before registering with the Open University, a principal supervisor must be identified and the research project must receive initial scrutiny by the Research Degree Coordinator to ensure that it is likely that the program will meet the Open University’s requirements. The student and principal supervisor, together with the Research Degree Coordinator, must select a Student Advisory Committee comprising at least four members. The chair of the committee should be the principal supervisor and should be listed as an Open University recognized supervisor (or Director of Studies on the application form). A second supervisor is required.  If the principal Supervisor does not have experience in supervising post-graduate students in the UK system, the co-supervisor must have this experience.  An additional member of the committee may also be registered as a co-supervisor (maximum of three including the primary supervisor/Director of Studies). The remaining member(s) of the committee may be members of the Stowers Institute or members of affiliated research institutions. The Research Degree Coordinator must approve the composition of the Student Advisory Committee and any changes.  Changes to the named supervisors must also be approved by the Open University.

The Student Advisory Committee will meet with the student at least twice each year.  After each meeting, the student will write an evaluation summarizing the student’s progress and a revised timeline. This evaluation is sent to the committee for comments and approval. The final report and any visual aids (i.e. PowerPoint presentation to the committee) must be submitted to the Research Degree Coordinator within three weeks of each meeting. These reports aid during the preparation of the annual progress report provided to the Open University.

The duties of the Student Advisory Committee include:

Identification of any training needs, including generic skills training, and subject and project specific training. This development evaluation needs to be an inclusive process, between the committee and the student. Progress in acquiring these skills and training will be monitored by the Student Advisory Committee.

Guidance in early development of the thesis project.

Evaluation and report of student progress after the 12 months probationary period to determine the appropriate degree registration (Ph.D. or M.Phil.). The probationary period report involves a major review of the student’s progress so that a recommendation can be made about which degree s/he is to be registered for (see Open University's Progress Guidelines).

After successful completion of the probationary period, the committee will continue to guide the student’s dissertation research.

Review and evaluate the dissertation to help prepare the student for his/her dissertation’s oral defence (viva).