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Period of study for postgraduate research students

The period of study is the length of time which the University regulations permit you to be registered for your degree, and is usually expressed as a prescribed and a maximum period of study.

The maximum period of study is the total number of months the regulations allow a student to be registered for.  The prescribed period of study is a certain portion of the maximum period and is the period that is spent doing experimental or research work and for which tuition fees are paid.  The prescribed period is always noted in the formal offer of admission issued by the College of Science and Engineering.

Students who have completed the prescribed period of study are deemed to be writing-up rather than conducting experimental/research work, and are therefore normally registered as a continuing student until the end of the maximum period of study. The periods of study will generally be:

Degree	Full Time	Part Time
PhD	Prescribed period 36 months, maximum period 48 months	Prescribed period 48-72 months, maximum period 72 months
MPhil	Prescribed period 24 months, maximum period 36 months	Prescribed period 36-60 months, maximum period 60 months
MSc by Research	Maximum period 12 months	Maximum period 24-36 months

The University of Edinburgh places considerable emphasis on prompt completion and submission of the thesis, and students are expected to submit a thesis by the end of the maximum period of study. 

However, the University also recognises that things may not always go according to plan and that unforeseen medical, academic or personal circumstances can prevent students from studying effectively and therefore submitting on time. There are two types of concession, an authorised interruption and an extension, which, if granted, permit students and supervisors to cope with unexpected problems and difficulties.

An interruption 'stops the clock' and so interruptions do not count towards the prescribed and maximum periods of study. An extension lengthens the maximum period of study.  Neither an interruption nor an extension will lead to a funded studentship being extended and payments may be suspended during a period of authorised interruption.

It is important to note that students who fail to submit a thesis on time, and who have not been granted one or more of these concessions, may be deemed to have withdrawn and will have their registration recorded as lapsed.  Please also note that only the College Postgraduate Studies Committee has the authority to grant concessions to the period of study and that applications must be approved by the Informatics Graduate School.

More detailed guidance for students and supervisors is available at the College website and in the Code of Practice for Supervisors and Research Students, and a brief summary is also given at the bottom of this page.

Application procedure

1. The student and supervisor(s) should
   
2. • agree the type of concession (authorised interruption or extension)
   • clearly define the reasons or grounds for the request (see the Code of Practice)
   • agree the period of time to be requested (in complete calendar months) and the start and end dates.
     
     
3. The supervisor should download, complete and sign the appropriate request form:
   Request for Authorised Interruption (Word Document;  PDF Version)
   Request for Extension (Word Document;  PDF Version)
   
   
4. The completed request form should be sent to the Informatics Graduate School office (do not send directly to College)
   
5. • with interruption requests attach any supporting documents (e.g. medical certificate)
     
   • with extension requests include a plan showing how project completion and submission will be achieved within the period being requested
     
     
6. If approved, College will write to the student and supervisor confirming the length of the concession and the effect on the thesis submission deadline.

Important notes

• Applications for an interruption or extension should be submitted as soon as possible after the problem has arisen.
• The College Postgraduate Studies Committee process straightforward applications in a batch about once per month, so allow 6-8 weeks for a decision.
  
• Retrospective applications, which are strongly discouraged, should include the reason or circumstances leading to the late application.
  
• Any concession granted will be confirmed in writing by the College Postgraduate Office.
  

Summary of concessions available

Authorised Interruption Not permitted during the first 9 months of registration. Total periods of authorised interruption must not exceed five years. No fees are normally  payable during periods of authorised interruption. Supervisor must request an equivalent 'interruption' from the Research Council or funding body, if appropriate. MSc by Research students may also be granted interruptions, up to a maximum of 4 months.

Extension Not permitted during the first 9 months of registration. Senatus approval required if total exceeds 24 months (for PhD/MPhil). Supervisor must request an equivalent 'extension' from the Research Council or funding body, if appropriate. Continuation fees will be charged where the original maximum period is exceeded.

Extension or Interruption?

The guidance below is designed to help you choose the correct concession for the circumstances.

The student is experiencing difficulties due to a medical, personal or family problem.	Authorised Interruption will be appropriate if the student is unable to work on the thesis.  Extension may be appropriate if the student can work on the thesis but not  with their full attention, and this is likely to lead to a delay in submission.
The student is delayed by a problem, such as getting access to facilities or equipment.	Extension may be appropriate if the issue was genuinely 'unforeseen', e.g. Plan A didn't work, Plan B didn't work, now trying Plan C but taking longer than expected. Authorised Interruption will not normally be appropriate in these circumstances.
The student wants to go on a training course or take paid employment	Authorised Interruption will only be appropriate if (1) it  is for a short defined period, and (2) it can be shown that there are benefits to the student's research project or skills training. Extension may be appropriate for short periods of employment which are not regarded as beneficial to the research project or student's skills training.

 If you need further advice or assistance please contact the Graduate School Office (informatics.gradschool@ed.ac.uk)