Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This page includes FAQs on/for the following:
- Teaching Arrangements in 2021-22
- Assessments in 2021-22
- Library
- Finance & Fees
- Disability and Wellbeing
- Research (PGR) Students
- Vaccination Arrangements
For all other FAQs, please visit the University's dedicated FAQ page.
Last Updated: This page was last updated on Tuesday 1 February 2022.
Teaching Arrangements in 2021-22
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How will teaching be delivered in 2021-22?
Through our Campus Intentions we have committed to being on campus in September 2021.
What we mean by that is that we are timetabling for normal teaching capacity but will have measures in place such as one-way systems, increased ventilation, face masks in certain scenarios, and increased hygiene measures.
You may have some elements of your teaching delivered via our digital channels. This will be because your Programme Team has decided to retain what was useful about online delivery and use the face-to-face time with you in a different way, therefore be aware that not all of your teaching will be face-to-face.
Therefore you should expect a mixture of face to face and digital all of which are equally important in terms of your attendance and engagement. In person teaching and learning remains our primary mode of delivery as the class room is so vital for the sharing of ideas, developing new thoughts about what you are learning and interacting in person with both your lecturers and fellow students. Learning is a community based activity at Queen’s, so while digital delivery has some major benefits, we still believe in person is as important.
Important Update for January 2022
Having reviewed the developing public health situation and taken some clinical advice, the University has taken the decision to adjust our teaching arrangements for January 2022 as a precautionary measure. Teaching will return in person from 31 January 2022. Please refer to the all student email which was sent to your QUB address on 17 January 2022.
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Will all teaching be online in January 2022?
The majority of teaching will now be delivered remotely during January. Schools will be in touch with students directly when they have had the opportunity to review their arrangements, including regarding any upcoming assessments. Please note that this may not be until the New Year but your School will be in touch as soon as arrangements are clear.
The majority of lectures, tutorials and seminars will be delivered online. However, the following teaching will still go ahead in-person and on campus:
- Teaching that is practical in nature (for example, lab sessions, clinical skills etc.) that cannot be delivered remotely or deferred to a later date.
- Face-to-face teaching that is essential for professional accreditation and/or student progression reasons and which cannot be delivered online or deferred to a later date.
For a minority of students, therefore, it is possible that some classes may need to take place in person and on campus during this period. Where this is the case, your School will contact you directly.
Please be assured that stringent mitigation measures remain in place on campus and that our teaching spaces are fully risk-assessed.
- Can I study online for the whole of Semester 2?
The decision to move online applies only to January 2022 at present. We will continue to adjust our approach and keep you updated as the public health situation evolves.
- Can I still come to campus to study?
Yes - The Library, study spaces and support services will remain open.
Assessments in 2021-22
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What are the regulations and academic practice for assessments in Semester 2, 2021-22?
The University's Study Regulations apply for all programmes of study.
Tailored methods of assessment remain in place, utilising the most appropriate methods to assess the relevant learning outcomes of each module, which may include remote examinations.
Boards of Examiners continue to take robust decisions to ensure fair outcomes, which will include ensuring comparability of marks that reflect the achieved academic standard.
The Exceptional Circumstances process is open to all students, across all taught programmes, if your ability to undertake an examination or complete an assessment is impacted by COVID-19 or any other exceptional circumstances.*
To better support students completing assessments in these challenging times, an automatic 48 hour extension for coursework/continuous assessments will normally be available. This will apply from 17 January 2022 for the remainder for Semester 2, until 3 June 2022. In cases where a 48 hour extension cannot be accommodated, your School will let you know what arrangements will be in place.
Further details can be found in the below FAQs relating to assessment.
*Please note that the temporary increase in the maximum permitted self-certification period, in relation to exceptional circumstances applications for short-term illness and COVID related personal circumstances, ended on 31 January 2022. Therefore, the maximum permitted self-certification period has reverted to seven calendar days (excluding University closure periods) for assessments with a deadline of 1 February 2022 and thereafter.
- What types of assessments will be used in 2021-22?
A wide range of assessments will be administered in 2021-22 and there are two distinct groups to be aware of:
- Continuous assessment/Coursework – essays, projects, reports, portfolios etc.
- Examinations/Tests – remote examinations, timed take home assessments, in-person examinations/practicals, class tests etc.
Specific details of your assessments will be outlined in your module handbooks. If they change as a result of public health restrictions, your School will be in touch to confirm the alternative assessment arrangements.
Boards of Examiners
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What is a Board of Examiners?
Boards of Examiners confirm module marks and degree outcomes. They play a vital role in protecting academic standards and upholding the integrity of the degrees awarded by Queen’s. This is important to ensure that degree outcomes remain comparable over time and that your own degrees are held in equal value to those of past and future cohorts.
- How do Boards of Examiners determine marks?
Each Subject has a Board of Examiners, which is drawn from the academic staff teaching the subject, and also includes an external examiner. The external examiner is normally a senior academic from another University or, where relevant, a senior practitioner. External examiners play a particularly important role in assuring the Board that its assessment standards are comparable with those of other universities. External examiners provide formal feedback to the University via annual reports which are made available to students, usually via your School SharePoint site.
Subject Boards of Examiners are responsible for agreeing final marks for all modules in their subject by ensuring that appropriate moderation procedures have been applied. Normally, these procedures include:
- The production of assessment criteria for each module.
- Internal procedures for marking and checking of marks.
- Internal procedures for ensuring consistency and equity of marking, both within a cohort and over time.
The University also uses a conceptual equivalents scale for the assessment of student work and the marking of all summative assessments should be in alignment with the relevant descriptors and criteria. The use of this scale promotes accuracy, reliability and transparency in marking and fairness in the way all students are assessed which is crucial to maintaining academic standards and ensuring a high quality degree.
In light of the continuing impact of COVID-19, Subject Boards of Examiners will take additional measures to ensure the normal moderation procedures take this into account. These measures include:
- Recalibration of the assessment criteria, where necessary, so that academic standards are maintained at the appropriate level while taking account of the potential impact of COVID-19.
- Analysis of the results of your cohort to ensure they remain comparable with previous cohorts, with further moderation applied if considered appropriate.
48 Hour Extension
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What does an automatic 48 hour extension mean?
Managing your time to meet your deadlines is an important skill for success both at University and in future employment. Therefore, it is important that you do your best to submit all work on time. However, the University is aware that the continuing nature of this pandemic mean that students are facing additional pressures and it can be extremely challenging to keep on top of everything.
To support you in these challenging times, from Monday 17 January 2022, all students will be provided flexibility with deadlines for coursework/continuous assessments up to 48 hours beyond the specified deadline. This flexibility will apply for the remainder of Semester 2 (up to 2 June 2022). This means that no late penalty marks will be deducted from your assessment if it is submitted within a 48 hour window of the specified deadline. It is hoped that this flexibility will help students to continue to plan their work and manage deadlines, particularly if they have some that are close together.
There will be some continuous assessments where a full 48 hour extension cannot be accommodated, for example, in cases where feedback is provided to the class within the 48 hour window. However, in such cases, your School will let you know what arrangements will be in place.
This flexibility with deadlines does not apply to examinations (in-person or remote), open book examinations or timed take home assessments, or class tests i.e. assessments where late penalties would not apply.
- What happens if I submit beyond this permitted flexibility?
For coursework/continuous assessments submitted beyond the flexibility provided above, including during the weekend, a late penalty will be applied as per Study Regulation 3.2.
- What if I need more time and have been impacted by exceptional circumstances?
If you have been impacted by COVID-19 related personal circumstances, or other exceptional circumstances, and require further additional time, you may apply for an extension to your coursework/continuous assessment deadline via the Exceptional Circumstances process.
- I am a student registered with Disability Services and am already permitted flexibility with deadlines – what does this mean for me?
The flexibility with deadlines recommended under your Individual Student Support Agreement (ISSA) is still applicable, in addition to the 48 hour flexibility available to all students. However, you are reminded that the flexibility with deadlines under your ISSA is normally recommended to account for potential fluctuations of your condition. Therefore, you should be working to the specified deadline where possible. If you do require additional time in relation to your registered disability/long-term condition, you should liaise directly with your School to arrange this.
Exceptional Circumstances Process
The below FAQs summarise some key information for this year's Exceptional Circumstances process. Further Guidelines for Students on Exceptional Circumstances are also available on our website.
- What is the COVID-19 related exceptional circumstances process?
- What do I do if I have been impacted by other exceptional circumstances?
If your assessments have been impacted by other exceptional circumstances, you should submit an exceptional circumstances application to your School as normal to ensure these are considered. Evidence requirements for other exceptional circumstances have also been relaxed for this year in acknowledgement that it may be difficult to obtain the medical evidence we normally require, at this time.
- What does self-certification mean and how long can I self-certify for?
Students can self-certify an exceptional circumstances application if it relates to impact caused by a short-term illness (e.g. migraine, food poisoning – something were it would not be appropriate to attend with your G.P) or COVID-19 related personal circumstances. This means that a self-certification statement can be provided to support your application, rather than independent evidence.
The maximum period for self-certification is up to a maximum of seven calendar days (excluding University closure periods).*
You will be required to identify the number of days for which you wish to self-certify your application, up to the maximum self-certification period. You should not seek more days than are required, and your School will review your application and determine the length of any extension to be granted / period of absence to be sanctioned.
Please note that once an assessment has been submitted, you have deemed yourself fit to complete that assessment. Therefore, retrospective self-certification cannot be considered.
If you are impacted beyond the maximum self-certification period, evidence of your circumstances will be required. However, evidence requirements for exceptional circumstances have been relaxed for this year in acknowledgement that it may be difficult to obtain the medical evidence we normally require within the University published deadlines, at this time. Students should submit documentation you already have to hand to verify your exceptional circumstances, if required and alert your School to any difficulties you may have in obtaining evidence beyond the self-certification period.
*Please note that the temporary increase in the maximum self-certification period ended on 31 January 2022. - How will I be supported to complete my assessment if I have been impacted by exceptional circumstances?
The table below provides an overview of how the exceptional circumstances process has been designed to support you if you are impacted by COVID-19 or something else unexpected:
You have been impacted and are ... Due to submit coursework but need more time. Due to take an examination but are unable to do so. Experiencing illness or technical difficulties during a remote examination. You are eligible to be considered for… An extension, in line with the impact of your circumstances. Can be self-certified up to the maximum self-certification period. A deferral of the examination to the next available opportunity for an uncapped attempt. Either:
- a short extension to account for the issue you experienced during the examination, or;
- a deferral of the examination to the next available opportunity for an uncapped attempt.
You should… Inform your module co-ordinator and submit an Exceptional Circumstances application to your School, as soon as you are impacted, within three days of the coursework deadline.
Consider not taking the examination and submit an Exceptional Circumstances application to your School, by the specified University deadline.
Inform your School immediately of the issue and submit an Exceptional Circumstances application to your School, by the specified University deadline.
Your School will… Consider your application, as soon as possible within the semester, and let you know the outcome.
Consider your application, at the end of the semester, and let you know the outcome. Consider your application, at the end of the semester, and let you know the outcome. If successful, you will be provided with… Extra time to complete and submit your assessment, to make up for the impact of your circumstances. An opportunity to take the deferred examination at the next available opportunity, normally in the summer, for full marks. Either:
- your mark for the work you submitted late (within a short period of the deadline) or;
- another opportunity to take the examination, normally in the summer, for full marks.
- I feel my ability to complete assessments has been impacted by COVID-19, should I submit anyway?
It is important to be aware of the fit to sit principle - if you submit an examination or a piece of continuous assessment/coursework, you are deeming yourself fit to be assessed and extra marks cannot be awarded for exceptional circumstances. Therefore, it may be in your best interests to defer a piece of assessment, if you are experiencing difficulties that mean you are unable to perform to the best of your ability.
You also cannot apply for exceptional circumstances on the basis of self-certification if you attempt an assessment. Supporting evidence to show an emergency occurred during the assessment or that you were subsequently deemed not fit to sit the assessment is required.
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What will happen if I miss the deadline for submission of an assessment and have not been impacted by exceptional circumstances?
For continuous assessment/coursework (essays, projects, reports, portfolios etc.) submitted beyond the set deadline, Study Regulation 3.2 Late Submission of Continuous Assessment/Coursework will apply as normal. Please note that this regulation has been updated to calculate the penalty based on calendar days from 2021-22 onwards.
For examinations, including class tests, remote examinations or timed take home assessments, it will not be possible to submit after the deadline. If an examination is not submitted by the specified deadline, and you have not submitted an exceptional circumstances application, you will be marked as absent for the component.
Library
For information and FAQs related to the libraries at the University, please see Library Quickstart.
Finance & Fees
For information on fees, student loans and the University's Hardship Fund, please visit: https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Feesandfinance/fees-and-funding-faqs/
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Is the University going to offer fee refunds for 2020-21?
We appreciate that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption to students (and staff) this academic year and it has not been the experience any of us anticipated. We made a commitment to do as much face to face as we could, as soon as we could, depending on the public health measures in place during the year. You can read more about this in our Campus Commitment
https://www.qub.ac.uk/our-campus-commitment/
Teaching and learning has continued to be delivered to help students meet the learning outcomes of their programme. Called ‘Connected Learning’, the University has invested in resources so that your teaching could still be delivered despite the restrictions. This investment has included reorientating course content so that it can be delivered through online platforms, the purchase of software to help us teach on a range of online platforms, safety measures for those on campus as well as those delivering classes digitally but from campus, student engagement and community building initiatives, online practicals for labs and clinical skills programmes, and a range of other measures depending on your year of study and the nature of your programme.
Campus facilities have remained open all academic year, including the Library, support services, University accommodation and the Graduate School. And for those not able to get to campus all support services have remained open and busy for those wanting to access support opportunities remotely.
The University will therefore not be offering fee refunds due to the covid-19 pandemic. However if you have concerns about the quality of your learning experience through Connected Learning please see the Student Complaints Procedure. You will note that in the first instance you will need to raise your complaint with your School. Follow the link for guidance on the complaints procedure, including support from Advice SU.
- I am considering withdrawing from my programme due to the impact of Covid-19, what are my options?
We understand that this year has been very unsettling for university students. While we hope we have done all that we can to give you access to your programme in a very unusual year, we do know that it has been very different than what we all expected. Our first piece of advice would be to talk to someone in your School as it could be that there are things that we could do to help you engage with your studies. If you are not sure who to speak to, start with your School Office and they will point you in the right direction. If you still want to take a temporary or permanent withdrawal please be aware that there may be implications for your fees.
- What are the difference between and implications of a temporary and a permanent withdrawal?
Temporary Withdrawal
A temporary withdrawal is an approved absence from University for a set period of time (see Regulations for Students 1.20).
Students may request a period of temporary withdrawal for a range of reasons including:
- Medical;
- Maternity;
- Personal circumstances.
If for any reason you feel that you may need or benefit from ‘time-out’ from your studies, you should discuss the situation first with your Adviser of Studies/supervisor who will be able to offer guidance and support. You must receive approval from your School in advance of your period of temporary withdrawal, and your School will be responsible for initiating the relevant procedures, if deemed appropriate.
The University, in accordance with the relevant regulations and procedures, may require that a student withdraws temporarily in the following situations:
- If there are concerns over attendance and/or progress;
- If there are concerns over student’s fitness to study.
Please note that:
- If you are on a period of temporary withdrawal, you retain your place on your course but you are not considered an active student and have no right to avail of University services. As such you will not normally be permitted to submit coursework or to sit examinations while on temporary withdrawal.
- A period of temporary withdrawal cannot exceed one year and the cumulative limit on periods of temporary withdrawal is two years.
- Time out from your course will be counted towards any restrictions on total periods of registration for taught courses. Such restrictions will be outlined in your Programme Specification, if applicable.
- A period of temporary withdrawal from a research degree programme will not be counted towards the total period of study (see Study Regulation for Research Degree Programmes 5).
- A period of temporary withdrawal may have tuition fee implications. For further information, please see Section 5 Withdrawals and Refunds of the Student Finance Framework.
- Temporary withdrawal is also likely to affect your student funding, and you may be asked to repay any money you have received for the period you are withdrawn from the University. Students on temporary withdrawal are not normally entitled to state benefits, however there are some exceptions to this. It is your responsibility to find out the financial implications of your decision to take a temporary withdrawal. For advice, please contact Advice SU.
- If you are an international student on a Tier 4 / Student Route visa it may not be possible for you to take temporary withdrawal and remain in the UK. You must seek advice from an International Student Support Officerbefore you make any changes to your studies.
Permanent Withdrawal
The guidance below talks through the various withdrawal procedures and what they mean for you as a student:
Deciding to permanently withdraw
While it is hoped that all students will find their chosen course enjoyable and rewarding, it is accepted that not everyone will have made the right choice and/or your circumstances have changed to the point that you no longer wish to study at this point. If you are thinking of withdrawing from the University, you should start the process by talking to your Adviser of Studies/supervisor.
It is important that you complete the formal procedure to withdraw including filling out a withdrawal form, available from your Adviser of Studies or School Office. If you simply stop attending classes, you will continue to be held liable for fees.
Fee liability and refunds, if appropriate, depend on the date of withdrawal. Adjustments to tuition fees are calculated with reference to the date of a student's withdrawal from the University, not the last date of attendance. Withdrawals cannot normally be implemented retrospectively. For further information, please see Section 5 Withdrawals and Refunds of the Student Finance Framework.
Withdrawing from the University is also likely to affect your student funding, and you may be asked to repay any money you have received from the date you are withdrawn. For advice, please contact Advice SU.
If you are a Tier 4 / Student Route visa holder and you decide to withdraw from your course, the University will be required to make a report to the Home Office. You must seek advice from an International Student Support Officer before you make any changes to your studies.
Disability and Wellbeing
For support and information for students with a disability, please visit: www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/disability/studentinformation/Covid-19-Info/
For general wellbeing and mental health support, including guidance on how to register with a GP or for support if you are concerned about the impact of Covid-19 on your wellbeing, please visit: www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/wellbeing/Covid-19/
Research (PGR) Students
Information for researchers, particularly about adaptations to research methods and ethics can be found here.
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I have not been able to fully progress my research – will I get additional time at the end, and how do I request this?
The University has put in place support for all students registered at some point in the 2019-20 academic year up to 23 March 2020 (excluding new students starting a research degree programme after 23 March 2020), on any registration status, to allow additional time without fees (a fee free period (FFP)). This is tiered support depending on how much additional time is needed and can only be requested when students are approaching the end of your ‘normal’ period of studies. Further details on how to request an FFP can be found on the Graduate School website.
- How do I find out about facilities available to me as a research student and their current opening?
- Is there any guidance about how to adjust to impact on research?
Information relating to ethical approval and changes in methodology to accommodate social distancing can be found on the Researchers and Funding FAQs page.
The Graduate School has ongoing opportunities for discussing your research and supporting its development, see information about support and development opportunities here.
As always, please contact your supervisors to discuss how best to approach your particular situation.
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How do any delays to my research affect my funding?
Institutional support for PGR students will continue to be reviewed in the light of continuing disruption, data collected from students about impact, and funding body positions.
All funded postgraduate researchers in receipt of a stipend will continue to be paid as normal, unless they take a temporary withdrawal (Leave of Absence) or change to part-time study.
We are communicating with students as we hear from their funding bodies about availability of further funding extensions.
The University has also allocated funding to support research students impacted by Covid-19 who are self-funded or whose funding bodies have not provided extensions. We are continuing to seek further funds that can be used for this purpose. At this time, we are able to consider applications for funding support from research students whose funding is due to end up to 30 September 2022 and has not had an extension from their funding body, OR if they have been self-funding for their research degree programme, their normal period of studies is due to end by 30 September 2022.
For students who started their research degree after March 2020, use your ongoing discussions with your Supervisor and formal progress points to highlight impacts and how you have adapted your research to address the challenges. This will provide an evidence base for ongoing discussions about impact, to look at support you need now and as you progress your research.
The process, criteria for eligibility and prioritization of funding allocation has been set out in the Guidance.
For international students sponsored by government or other organisations in their home country, please stay in touch with the International Office (intl.office@qub.ac.uk), and we will continue to monitor the position for you.
For students who are experiencing financial hardship, the University’s Hardship Funds have been extended and you are encouraged to make an application. See the information here for more details about how to apply.
- Who is eligible for the funding extensions provided by the DfE?
Stage 5 is for students whose funding is due to end by 30 September 2022. Further information about who is eligible, how to apply and timelines is available here.
DfE has been very positive about recognising the need to address impacts to further groups of students, and although we are not currently aware of the timeframe or extent, we are optimistic that further stipend extension support will be made available to students who started their research degree prior to lockdown in March 2020.
- I am a self-funded PGR and pay my own fees, or have no access to additional funding from any external sources – is there any help specifically for me?
The University has ensured that all research students who were registered students in the 2019-20 academic year prior to lockdown have access to up to 6 months’ extension without charges or fees.
The University has also allocated funding to support research students impacted by Covid-19 who are self-funded or whose funding bodies have not provided extensions. We are continuing to seek further funds that can be used for this purpose. At this time, we are able to consider applications for funding support from research students whose funding is due to end up to 30 September 2022 and has not had an extension from their funding body, OR if they have been self-funding for their research degree programme, their normal period of studies is due to end by 30 September 2022.
The process, criteria for eligibility and prioritization of funding allocation has been set out in the Guidance.
Should you be facing immediate difficulties, you may wish to seek support from the Queen’s Hardship Fund.
- Who is eligible for the funding extensions provided by UKRI?
UKRI have set out very specific guidance for the next stage of funding allocations, which will be based on flexibilities within individual research projects or Doctoral Training Partnerships.
UKRI has indicated that they expect that the majority of students will be allocated a maximum of 3 months’ stipend extension, and that stipend extensions beyond 3 months will be in very exceptional cases.
Students who are part of the NINE DTP and EPSRC DTP should still submit applications through the Queen’s funding process at the relevant stage for their funding end date. Other DTP students or those funded by a research grant should speak to the DTP Co-ordinator or Principal Investigator for the grant.
- If I have taken, or now take a temporary withdrawal, can I still apply for a funding extension?
If you have had approved leave of absence(s) or other programme changes (e.g. change to part-time study), you may apply for funding if your revised funding end date, or end of normal period of studies if self-funded, is on or before 30 September 2022.
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My research is currently impacted by Covid-19, should I take a temporary withdrawal?
This is an option for any research degree student who is unable to make progress on their research at this time. We recognise that this may not be the best option for you, as it will stop your stipend payment if you are a funded student
If you are a self-funded student who is unable to make any progress on your research at this time, then taking a temporary withdrawal is a way to pause the time and fee payments for your research degree.
Discuss your situation with your supervisor, to determine whether there are different methodologies that can be used, or other preparations you can be undertaking at this time, such as preparing for annual programme review, writing and communicating your research, and building skills for your research.
All postgraduate students, including those who are on a temporary withdrawal during this time, will continue to have access to wellbeing support through the University, and to personal development, employability and training support through the Graduate School.
The University regulations establish a maximum cumulative period of temporary withdrawals (Leaves of Absence) of two years. Leaves of Absence taken between March and November 2020 will not contribute to this maximum. If a student now takes a Leave of Absence (i.e. post November 2020) due to ongoing Covid-19 impact, and then reaches the 2 year maximum, it is highly likely that a concession will be approved, following the normal process for extensions to LOA periods.
- Can I change to part-time study?
Temporarily changing to part-time study may be a way to manage the ongoing impact of Covid-19. This is already permitted by some funding bodies (e.g. UKRI). From 1 March 2021, DfE has made a temporary allowance under their Terms and Conditions to permit research students to temporarily change from full-time to part-time status due to Covid-19 impact. This temporary change in status allowed a student within their funded period to change to part-time study for a minimum of 2 months, until 1 September 2021 at the latest. This was a temporary arrangement and has now ended.
- Since I am unable to travel, I won’t be able to use my full Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG). Can this be used for other purposes, or can it be carried forward to next year?
Department for the Economy (DfE) provide an annual RTSG amount (normally £900 for the full year) to their students to assist with incidental expenses related to their research e.g. travel and accommodation costs for a conference or to purchase a laptop.
In the light of the current Covid-19 situation, and with students now having to work from home, the restrictions on the use of RTSG were eased (for the 2020-21 academic year in the first instance). Reasonable expenses incurred while facilitating home research can now be claimed. They include the following:
- Printers, print cartridges, paper and other consumables required to undertake your research
- Registration costs associated with on-line conferences or training opportunities
- As a contribution towards undertaking the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Management facilitated through the Graduate School (payments can be made now for units to be delivered from 2020-21)
This list is not exhaustive and normal school purchasing protocols continue. In some cases items above can be purchased less expensively through the university procurement system. If you have any queries surrounding RTSG then liaise with your School contact in the first instance or email: pgawards@qub.ac.uk.
Students who receive RTSG as part of a Doctoral Training partnership (DTP) or Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) should contact the relevant administrator for any queries surrounding its use.
Queries have been raised regarding carrying forward RTSG to the next academic year in the light of conference cancellations and travel restrictions. The funding body sets funding conditions which require unspent funds to be returned at the end of the year, which remains the case at this point.
- As a research student, can I access data that is held securely in the University while working remotely?
Research students who need access to securely stored data remotely through a VPN service can contact their Director of Graduate Studies / PGR to request access. Access to the service will be decided on a case by case basis.
- Can I access equipment / software to support working remotely?
The University realises that access to IT support and a suitable computing device is more important than ever at the moment. A web page has been set up to help with how to choose a suitable device for your studies, where to go to purchase at a discounted rate, and where to go within the University to ask for support if you do not have access to a device / suitable internet connection. https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/InformationServices/Student/StudentComputing/getting-a-device-and-getting-online-for-your-studies/
If you have equipment or specialist software needs, Discuss with your Supervisor / Director of Graduate Studies, who can raise with Information Services.
Your funding body may also allow you to use your RTSG to ensure you have appropriate equipment – speak to your DTP administrator or PG Office administrator
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What arrangements are in place for academic milestones for a research student (for example, annual programme review, differentiation)?
Academic milestones such as Annual Progress Reviews (APRs) and differentiation have been successfully carried out in a remote setting across the University and may continue to do so, where appropriate. Where a milestone meeting is held remotely, the meeting should be conducted in compliance with the Study Regulations for Research Degree Programmes (6. Progress).
The APR panel is the ideal place to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on your research, and panels are supportive of the fact that this has been a very challenging time for you.
- What arrangements are in place for viva examinations?
Viva examinations have been successfully carried out in a remote setting across the University and may continue to do so, where appropriate. This should be arranged at School-level using video conferencing software such as Microsoft Teams.
Where a viva is held remotely, the examination should be conducted in compliance with the Study Regulations for Research Degree Programmes (7. Assessment/Award). Guidance for Remote Vivas has been developed to support panellists and research students, and can be found here.
If you are concerned about having a reliable internet connection or quiet space to undertake your remote viva examination, McClay Library can arrange a private room for the day of the exam. Contact s.bridge@qub.ac.uk to request a space.
The Graduate School can arrange a private room for the day of the exam. Contact graduateschool@qub.ac.uk.
- How will I submit my thesis?
The soft submission (pre-viva) version of a student’s thesis will be submitted electronically by the School on the student’s behalf. Students should liaise with their Supervisors or Postgraduate Office as appropriate to provide the thesis copy
The final approved (post-viva) thesis version should be uploaded electronically to Pure by the student upon completion of the Thesis Deposit Form by Supervisor and Examiner. The Deposit Form should be sent to e-thesis@qub.ac.uk
Full instructions can be found here: https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/srecords/Examinations/Postgraduate-Research/SubmissionProcess/
COVID-19 Vaccination Arrangements
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Where can I find information on vaccination arrangements?
We are strongly encouraging all students to get vaccinated as soon as they are able to. We have had pop up vaccination centres on campus and hope to again in the autumn – however please do not wait until you come to Queen’s to get vaccinated if you have the opportunity to do so sooner.
International students will be able to receive a vaccination (first or second dose) in the UK.
The Information for Students Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page sets out key questions on vaccination arrangements including:
- Where can I find information on the Northern Ireland COVID-19 Vaccination programme?
- Can international students get a vaccine in the UK?
- Will I have to be vaccinated before I can return to campus?