Supervision and third party monitoring

Supervision

• MPhil/PhD students are supported by a minimum of two internal supervisors, both responsible for academic guidance. One acts as the lead supervisor, overseeing day‑to‑day administrative requirements such as registration, progression and completion.
• Professional Doctorate students are supported by a minimum of two supervisors, one of whom most be internal.
• ARC students have 2–3 supervisors and the Director of Studies acts as the lead supervisor.
• Some students may also have an external supervisor who provides additional subject expertise.

Early in the programme, students and supervisors agree working arrangements, including supervision frequency and key milestones such as upgrade and annual progress monitoring. Full‑time students must have at least ten formal supervision meetings per year (part‑time students at least five). For full-time PhD students meetings are normally held in person on campus unless the student is registered for distance learning. After each meeting, students record agreed outcomes in PGR Manager.

Supervision may involve written reports, draft chapter submissions, or periods of focused reading and literature review. All supervision records are uploaded to PGR Manager. Annual progress reporting takes place after upgrade, with informal reporting occurring beforehand.

Expectations for both supervisors and students are set out in 'Appendix 2 The code of practice for supervisors and research students' in the Research Degree Regulations | Student Policies and Regulations | The Open University.

Third‑party monitoring

Every student has access to an independent third‑party monitor – a member of academic staff outside their supervisory team. The monitor provides confidential, impartial support, offering a space to discuss any issues that may be affecting progress.

Students receive monitor contact details within their first month. The first meeting must take place by month five, with at least one meeting held each year thereafter. Any notes from these sessions must be mutually agreed.

Further details on the role of third‑party monitors are provided in the Research Degree Regulations | Student Policies and Regulations | The Open University.