Regulations for postgraduate research students: Glossary

Term

Definition

(Generative) Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Generative Artificial Intelligence refers to systems that appear to have “intelligent behaviour by analysing their environment and taking actions – with some degree of autonomy – to achieve specific goals” (European Commission, 2018, p. 4). AI-based tools can be used to transform, produce or generate any kind of content, such as text, images, art, music, or programming code.

Academic judgement

This is a judgment about the standard of your work in relation to learning outcomes or research misconduct that can only be made by someone who has relevant academic expertise.

Academic year

This is the phrase we use when talking about the year in which you will study. It runs from August to July.

Appeal

If you do not agree with a decision the University has made about your conduct, results or withdrawal you can ask us to review it.

Approved

This is an outcome you will be given if we accept an interruption or extension request.

Balance of probabilities

This is the burden of proof we apply when making decisions in disciplinary cases. This means that based on the evidence presented, the circumstances are more likely to have occurred than not.

Complaint

A formal expression of dissatisfaction by a student about the University’s action or lack of action, or about the standard of service provided by or on behalf of the University.

Completion of procedures letter

This is the letter that is issued in response to an appeal or complaint, once we have completed all our internal procedures. You can take this letter to the OiA and ask them to carry out an independent review of our final decision.

Concern

An issue, query or request for clarification that is raised by a student.

Course Assessment Meeting (CAM)

A panel of academics who reach decisions on your performance, your progression to the next stage of your course or your final award. For Professional Doctorate candidates only.

Credit

This is the value of a module you successfully complete. For Professional Doctorate candidates only.

Dean

The senior academic in charge of a School and its departments.

Dean of the Graduate School

The senior academic in charge of overseeing graduate education across the University.

Deferral

(Taught elements of professional doctorates only) You are permitted to retake an assessment task that was affected by extenuating circumstances as if for the first time. This means the module will not normally be capped at the minimum pass mark unless you have previously been referred. A deferral is only given when you have failed the module. le  .

Deputy Vice Chancellor

The senior member of University staff who holds this job title, or their nominee.

Director of Registry

The senior member of University staff who holds this job title, or their nominee.

Discrimination

In determining whether discrimination has occurred, the University will have regard to the Equality Act 2010, any definitions formally adopted by the UK Government and its duties under the Freedom of Speech legislation.

Engagement

Engagement refers to the level of extent to which you are taking ownership of your learning and participating actively in your learning journey. We expect you to engage with all aspects of your course which includes both online and in-person activities. Engagement correlates positively with higher levels of academic attainment and increased satisfaction with your course.

Exclusion

You are permanently removed from the University and not allowed to return to undertake any further study with us.

Extension

You apply for this when you cannot meet your deadline and need a short period of extra time to complete the work.

Graduate School

The Graduate School brings together staff and services from across the University to support PGRs. They are the central administration team which manage core functions of a PGRs journey, provide training opportunities and provide access to a community of researchers and supervision and examination teams.

Gross disciplinary breach

A very serious form of misconduct which breaches our policies and disciplinary procedures and results in a fundamental breakdown in trust and confidence between the University and the student.

Harassment

Behaviour that includes unwanted behaviour or conduct which makes a person feel offended, intimidated or humiliated if it occurs because of, or connected to, protected characteristics. For an indicative list of what may constitute harassment, please refer to the University’s Code of Conduct.

Independent evidence

Evidence from a third party, normally a healthcare professional but not a friend or family member that confirms the impact your circumstances have had on you in relation to any relevant procedure.

Interruption of Study

An interruption of study is a formal procedure which allows you to request a break from your studies.

Investigator

An appropriate member of staff who investigates allegations and / or issues raised under any of our procedures.

Major disciplinary breach

A form of misconduct which breaches our policies and disciplinary procedures and results in considerable impact or harm.

Minor disciplinary breach

A form of misconduct which breaches our policies and disciplinary procedures and results in limited impact or harm.

Mitigation

Independent evidence of any circumstances you would like us to consider when investigating allegations against you under these regulations. It might result in a lesser penalty if you are found to have breached the regulations.

No Contact Agreement

This may be used during a student disciplinary investigation and may be temporary or permanent. It is a signed voluntary agreement that you will not make any direct or indirect contact of any kind with another named student, or request that others make contact on your behalf. A No Contact Agreement will remain in place while you and the other student are members of the University of Huddersfield community or until Registry determines that the agreement is no longer required and this is communicated to both parties in writing. If you breach this agreement, an investigation under the Student Disciplinary regulations may take place. The agreement may also help to prevent any further breaches of the community code of conduct.

No Contact Order

A compulsory agreement set as an outcome of a University investigation that you will not make any direct or indirect contact of any kind with another named student, or request that others make contact on your behalf. The order may also help to prevent any further breaches of the community code of conduct. A No Contact Order will remain in place while you and the other student are members of the University of Huddersfield community or until Registry determines that the agreement is no longer required, and this is communicated to both parties in writing. If you breach this order, an investigation under the Student Disciplinary regulations may take place.

OiA

The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education. This is higher education independent body who review unresolved student complaints about Universities.

Precautionary measures

We take a risk-based approach to investigating allegations. We take the safety and protection of our students, staff and the general public very seriously. If we consider that you are at risk or pose a risk to others, we may take precautionary measures based upon a risk assessment, which could for example restrict your access to campus or your University activities such as attending placements. If we decide to impose precautionary measures, we will explain why. Where precautionary measures have been taken, the course team should ensure that you receive any handouts or notices pertinent to the course.

Pro Vice Chancellor

A senior member of University staff who holds this job title, or their nominee.

Procedural irregularity

A substantial mistake in our procedure that is likely to have changed the outcome of the matter.

Progression monitoring

This is a formal assessment of your progress. For Doctoral candidates only.

Referral

When you have not met the pass criteria for a module and have to undertake reassessment. The module will be capped at the minimum pass mark. For Professional Doctorate candidates only.

Registry

The University’s central service which manages the regulations and procedures that support the student journey.

Report

Anyone, including members of the public, can make a report to the University expressing dissatisfaction with student’s behaviour. This will normally be investigated using the Student Disciplinary Procedure.

Reporting party

A person who reports an incident, behaviour, or a concern to the University via the Student Disciplinary Procedure.

Research misconduct

Cheating which includes copying (reproducing or imitating), collusion (agreement to deceive, using the words or ideas of colleagues or other students and not acknowledging the source, allowing another student to see or use an assessment), preventing or attempting to prevent another student from being able to be assessed properly, contract cheating, plagiarism, self-plagiarism and other breaches of assessment or other examination regulations or procedures.

Responding party

A person who receives a report about their behaviour or an incident they were involved in via the Student Disciplinary Procedure.

School

The University is split into Schools, where related subject areas are managed and taught.

School Director of Graduation (or deputy)

The senior academic in charge of overseeing graduate education in your School.

School support services

A range of pastoral and academic support services available within each School.

Sexual misconduct

Relates to all unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. For an indicative list of what may constitute sexual misconduct, please refer to the University’s Code of Conduct.

Student conciliator

A member of University staff who has been trained to help students to resolve their problem with the University. The conciliator is impartial and will work with you to try to provide a reasonable solution to the problem, if this is possible.

Supervision

This is regular interaction with academic staff who are supporting and guiding you through your research degree.

Supporter

A person who supports the student during a University procedure. For example, an adviser from the Students’ Union Advice Centre. They might attend meetings with you or help to complete paperwork.

The University

The University of Huddersfield.

Unauthorised partnership

When you have worked too closely with another person when submitting work for an assessment that has led to you trying to achieve an unfair advantage.

University community service

This is a form of restorative justice. If you are found to have breached our regulations on how we expect you to behave, we may require you to compensate the University community.

Upheld

This is an outcome you will be given if we agree to overturn a decision we have made.

Us

The University of Huddersfield and its staff members.

Vice Chancellor

The senior member of University staff who holds this job title, or their nominee

Viva or viva voce examination

Is the final examination whereby you will give the verbal defence of your thesis.

We

The University of Huddersfield and its staff members.

Withdrawal

You are removed from your degree and will have to formally re-apply if you wish to return to further study with us.

Witness

A person who has seen an event take place and is willing to provide evidence during one of the University’s procedures. They might do this on behalf of the University or you.

Working day

Any day between Monday and Friday when the University is open. It excludes public holidays and University closure days.

You

The student who is using the procedure.