Graduate School

On this page we have tried to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about being a postgraduate at the University of Portsmouth.

This page is relevant to both Postgraduate Research Degree students (PGRD), for example MPhil, PhD or MSc, and students registered for a professional doctorate.

Getting started

Informing us of changes in status

Research degree studies

General

Getting started

How do I enrol with the University?

All research students will need to register online each year.

If you are a new student you must obtain your student computer account username and password from www.port.ac.uk/studentaccount. You will need your Student ID number and date of birth.

If you already have your student account details you can access the form to register as a student at the University of Portsmouth, by going to http://www.port.ac.uk/register.  You will need to enter your student account details in the Username and Password boxes at the bottom of this page to access the registration form.

If you experience problems logging into the online registration form using your account details, contact the Service Desk on 023 9284 7777. For any other issues, please contact regform@port.ac.uk or telephone 023 9284 5259.

You need to complete all the sections of the registration form and submit the form to become a full university student for the forthcoming academic year. You can enter and exit your forms as many times as you wish before you submit it, but once it has been submitted you will not be able to access it again.

Once you have submitted your completed registration form, please check your Student Google email to receive confirmation that you have successfully submitted the form.  This email will also contain a link where you can upload a photograph for your campus card. [back to top]

How do I get my first campus card?

New students are required to apply for a student campus card before registration. [back to top]

How do I obtain an IT account and email address?

After you have registered you can obtain your IT account and email address by applying online with your student ID and date of birth. [back to top]

How do I request proof of my student status?

Reasearch students can obtain a letter to provide proof of student status for council tax purposes by taking your campus card to the ground floor of University House. [back to top]

Informing us of changes in status

My name has changed. How do I let you know?

PGR students will need to show an original document (marriage certificate/deed poll certificate) to the appropriate school or department administrator and a copy of the document needs to be sent to the Research section, QMD, Academic Registry. [back to top]

I have moved house and want to inform you of my new address. How do I do this?

PGR students should email the appropriate school/department administrator with new address. Alternatively you can update when you re-register. [back to top]

Research degree studies

What are the regulations on studying away from the University?

For PGR students this is as per the Academic Regulations. The University Research Degrees Committee may permit a student to conduct part or all of the course of study and research elsewhere than in the University provided that it is in the interests of the student and/or the programme of research and that both the facilities for research and the supervisory arrangements at the external location are satisfactory. Such candidates are expected to spend an agreed period of time conducting research and study at the University. Except with the permission of Academic Council, the final viva voce examination will be held in the University.[back to top]

How do I apply for a formal extension to my period of study?

PGR students should refer to the Handbook for Postgraduate Research Degree Students and the Academic Regulations for Higher Degrees by Research for the periods of registration for each award. Email reminders are sent each July to those students who could apply for an extension to their registration. A UPR12 Form will need to be completed to gain the support/signature of your first Supervisor prior to sending the Faculty Research Degrees (FRD) Coordinator. Once your extension has been approved you will receive a letter from the Research Section, Academic Registry, stating your final end date.

All our Research Degree programmes are regulated by our quality management processes which are guided by the QAA UK Code for Higher Education.  Our Code or Practice for Research and other Regulations and Guidance can be found on our Research Degrees Section pages.[back to top]

How do I change my mode of attendance?

PGR students should complete the relevant section on the UPR4 Form and gain the support/signature of your First Supervisor prior to sending the relevant Faculty Research Degrees (FRD) Coordinator.

Professional Doctorate courses are part-time, therefore it is not possible to change the mode of attendance.[back to top]

How can I withdraw from the University?

PGRD should complete the relevant section on the UPR4 Form and gain the signature of your First Supervisor prior to sending to the Faculty Research Degrees (FRD) Co-ordinator.

How do I interrupt my studies?

PGR students may apply for an interruption of your research degree registration for up to one year. You must complete the relevant section on the UPR4 Form and gain the signature/support from your first supervisor prior to sending to the Faculty Research Degrees (FRD) Coordinator. Once your interruption has been approved you will receive a letter from the Research section of the Academic Registry confirming your new expected end date.[back to top]

How do I arrange to take a holiday?

You can take up to six weeks annual holiday, by arrangement with your First Supervisor and Head of Department.[back to top]

Can I transfer to Portsmouth?

If you wish to transfer your registration to Portsmouth you will need to apply in the usual way. [back to top]

General

How do I order a duplicate copy of my degree certificate and/or transcript of study?

More information about ordering duplicate copies of your degree certificate and/or transcript of study.[back to top]

What are the term dates for future academic years?

Term and semester dates Please note that some postgraduate routes do not follow the term and semester system observed on undergraduate courses. For example, research degree students studying full-time will not follow the same holidays as undergraduate routes. Your department will be able to provide you with more information about the time that you will be expected to spend studying and provision for holidays and time-off.

Further, the University is closed for the Christmas period. The dates vary each year and a full timetable can be found on the Intranet.

For postgraduate students who do not follow the term and semester structure, it is also important to note that the library operates reduced opening hours outside of the University term dates as do the Sport and Recreation facilities.

Holiday opening hours for the library

Holiday opening hours for the Sports and Recreation facilities [back to top]

How do I get a replacement campus card?

Lost cards: If you lose your campus card you must tell the Campus Card team immediately. This will enable them to block your card to prevent it being used by anyone else. To obtain a new campus card you will need to complete the online form and pay the £10 fee.

Stolen cards: If your card has been stolen you should report this to both the Police and Campus Card team immediately. If you obtain a Crime Reference Number from the Police your replacement card will be provided free of charge.

Faulty cards: If you think your card is faulty it can be checked at the Campus Card team office. Once you have your replacement card you will need to take it to the Library Issue Desk who will transfer any loans from your old campus card to the new one. [back to top]

What is the annual appraisal?

The annual appraisal is an important cornerstone of the quality training of PGR students. It will involve the completion of the UPR8 form based on a discussion between you and your Supervisory team about your progress on your research degree. It is important for a number of reasons:

  • To confirm that you are actively engaged in the approved programme of research.
  • To confirm your progress in the previous year (year 2 onwards).
  • To agree a programme and timetable for your coming year.
  • To discuss any problems and report them to the Faculty Research Degrees Committee (FRDC) for action, where appropriate.

The annual appraisal form will be signed by you, your Supervisor y team and the Chair of Faculty Research Degrees Committee.  The Annual Appraisal is a regulatory requirement for all PGR students except those who are formally registered on an approved period of interrupted study.

Academic Registry will remind you and your First Supervisor that the annual appraisal is due. It will take place between 1 March and 31 May each year. Further information can be found in the student handbook. [back to top]