GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Here is a brief glossary of terms used within the Research Student web site. You will enter here either via links to anchor points from other pages or directly through the Glossary link found on most pages.
TIC RDC
Each Faculty of Birmingham City University has a Research Degrees Committee (RDC), commonly a Subcommittee or of the Faculty Research Committee. TIC-RDC is chaired by the TIC research Coordinator, who also represents TIC at the University Research degrees Committee (URDC). TIC-RDC includes within its membership academic staff from the TIC who have significant experience of Research Degrees procedures and processes and who have successfully supervised and examined MPhil and PhD degrees.
TIC-RDC is responsible for the internal approval of all Research Degree matters, including Initial Interviews, Registrations, Approval of Examiners, prior to consideration by URDC. TIC-RDC is also responsible for implementing the QAA Code of Practice for Research Degrees and the operation of the Annual Monitoring Processes for Research Students.
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URDC
The University Research Degrees Committee, URDC, is a committee of Senate and is ultimately responsible for all matters pertaining to research degrees of MPhil, PhD and the DBA programme. URDC is chaired by the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) currently Prof. Phil Walking, and has a single representative from each Birmingham City University Faculty (including TIC).
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ENROLLING
Enrolling is when you first become, or renew your status as, a research student of Birmingham City University. Initial enrolment cannot happen before you have undergone an initial interview and have been offered a place to study for a research degree, which you have accepted. First enrolment can occur at any time during the academic year and annual re-enrolment is required in September of each year. If you enroll part-way though a year then the required enrolment fee is calculated pro-rate from the annual fee.
If you are not enrolled you are not a student of Birmingham City University / tic and are not entitled to use any student facilities; to receive supervision or undergo any examination.
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REGISTRATION
Registration of your Research Degree proposal is the point at which you finalise the programme of research that you plan to undertake for MPhil or PhD and this proposal, submitted on the Birmingham City University9R form is approved by URDC. Up until this point, although enrolled as a research student of Birmingham City University , your programme of study has not been formally approved.
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UCE9R
The UCE9R form is the Research Proposal Registration form on which you submit the details of your proposed research programme for approval by TIC-RDC and URDC. The form can be found by clicking here ...
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RESEARCH
Research is understood as original investigation undertaken in order to gain knowledge and understanding. It includes work of direct relevance to the needs of commerce and industry, as well as of the public and voluntary sectors; scholarship; the invention and generation of ideas, images, performances and artifacts, including design, where these lead to new or substantially improved insights; and the use of existing knowledge in experimental development to produce new or substantially improved materials, devices, products and processes, including design and construction.
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RESEARCHER
A student of the University or a member of staff engaged in research activity.
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PARTICIPANT
Individuals and/or organisations that come into contact with the University through research activity.
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