School of Education research degrees

Gipsy Lane Campus

Research students have access to the Faculty’s shared hot-desking PC workstations in room B1.12 of the Buckley Building (see Links in the Useful Documents and Links for a map of the Campus). The door code to access this room can be obtained from Gareth Preston (see Research Administrators in the Important Contact Details). You will also have access to a small meeting-room contained within room B1.12. The Buckley Building is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, throughout the year. If you intend to use this room outside these hours, you need to apply for a 24 hour access card. To arrange a swipe card you need to complete an application form, which can be obtained from the Graduate Office.

You will also have access to room BG.02, a University pooled computer room for all Postgraduate students (Postgraduate taught course and research students). This room is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Outside these hours it can only be accessed by swipe card. To arrange a swipe card, you will need to complete an application form, which can be obtained from and must be approved by Jill Organ (see Graduate Office in the Important Contact Details) If you intend to use this room outside normal opening hours, you need to make it clear on your application that you are applying for a 24 hour access card.

Room BG.05, on the ground floor of the Buckley Building is the Postgraduate Research Student Common Room. You are free to use this room but should be aware that it can occasionally be booked out for events.

The ground floor of the Buckley Building offers a several rooms, all of which can be booked, that are available for research students. There are 2 seminar rooms which hold up to 50 people (BG.10 & BG.11); a common room (BG.05); a large meeting room (BG.01) and a smaller meeting room (BG.04). All room booking requests for rooms BG01, BG04, BG05, BG10 and BG11 should be e-mailed to: buckleybookings@brookes.ac.uk.

Harcourt Hill Campus

Research students have access to the Faculty’s shared hot-desking PC workstations in the Smetham Room in block D4 (see Links in the Useful Documents and Links section for a map of the Campus). The door code to access this room can be obtained from Gareth Preston or Marinka Walker (see Research Administrators in the Important Contact Details). The opening hours are between 08:00 - 20:00 Monday to Friday. Weekend access is possible by arrangement with the caretakers (wiecaretakers@brookes.ac.uk).

If you encounter any computer-related problems when using any of the above rooms please contact the OBIS helpdesk:

Email: servicedesk@brookes.ac.uk
Tel: 01865 483311

Full-time research students (as indicated on their PIP page) can now apply for Faculty funds to support research-related expenditure of up to a maximum of £150 per academic year. Part-time students and those in the "writing up" stage of their research degree (ie. paying the continuation fee, which generally starts in the 4th year for full-time and the 7th year for part-time PhD students) can apply for a maximum of £75 to support their research-related expenses. Students in “:submission” or on “approved temporary suspension” (as indicated on their PIP page) are not eligible to apply for these Faculty funds.

These funds can be used to support a range of research-related expenses, including: travel, accommodation, subsistence and registration costs associated with conference attendance or visiting an archive, printing and photocopying expenses, and stationary and software costs. You may apply for research-related expenses not listed here providing it is approved by your Director of Studies and the relevant Postgraduate Research Tutor (please note, these funds cannot be used for inter-library loans – requests for these must be sent to and approved by the relevant Head of Department). It is entirely up to you how you choose to use your annual allowance. For example, you may wish to use your entire budget on a single type of expense (eg. printing) or alternatively use your allowance on a range of research-related expenses (eg. printing, photocopying, conference attendance). Please note, once you have used your annual allowance you will not receive further Faculty funds until the start of the next academic year. Furthermore, you cannot carry over any unspent money from one academic year to the next. To ensure that you don't lose your year’s allowance, claims for expenditure (see below) must be processed before the end of the financial year. This means that they need to be received no later than 1st June each year.

The procedure for claiming research-related expenses has two stages:

1. First, all requests for Faculty funding support must first be approved using the Research Student Expenses Application Form (this can be downloaded under Documents in the Useful Documents and Links). This must be signed by both your Director of Studies and the relevant Postgraduate Research Tutor. Once your application has been approved please forward it onto the relevant Research Administrator who will keep a record of what has been approved.
2. Second, reimbursement of expenses can be claimed using the Research Student Expenses Claim Form (this can be downloaded under Documents in the Useful Documents and Links section). Please remember to attach all receipts and sign the claim form as the claimant. Forms that are not supported by receipts will not be processed. Completed claim forms should be forwarded onto the relevant Research Administrator for processing.

Using your allowance for printing support

If you wish to all/part of your allowance for printing costs you will first need to complete the Research Expenses Application Form as outlined above. Once this has been approved by your Director of Studies and the relevant Postgraduate Research Tutor you will need to top up your individual printing account in person at Computer Services Reception (Gipsy Lane Campus) or at one of the University’s libraries. You will then need to complete the Research Expenses Claim Form as outlined above, making sure that you attach a receipt which states the amount that has been credited to your account.

Using your allowance for photocopying support

If you wish to all/part of your allowance for photocopying costs you will first need to complete the Research Expenses Application Form as outlined above. Once this has been approved by your Director of Studies and the relevant Postgraduate Research Tutor please forward the form onto the relevant Research Administrator who arrange for your photocopying card to be processed (the requested amount will be credited to the card). You will then be emailed once your card is ready for collection. Each card will be provided with its own pin number and can only be used in the University’s libraries. Please note you will not need to complete a Research Expenses Claim Form when using all/part of your annual allowance for a photocopying card. However, your expenditure will be recorded and deducted from your annual allowance.

Much of the research done within the Faculty is grouped into Research Centres or Groups. Most of them hold seminar series, lectures and conferences as integral components of their activities. We very strongly encourage you to attend these events as much as possible. Furthermore, most research centres or groups also have informal subject groups which meet regularly, and which students are similarly encouraged to attend. In addition, the University runs a series of training events for research students.

More specific training in research methods may also provided within each Department/School of the Faculty. Please check this with your Director of Studies.

Personal Development Planner and diary

All sources of training and professional development support should be drawn upon in relation to the Personal Development Planner and Diary for Postgraduate Research Students Generic Skills Training guide that is issued to all new students at enrolment by the Graduate Office (see Documents in the Useful Documents and Links).

The planner and diary is provided for students and supervisors to plan a programme of study best suited to the needs of their research and to provide the appropriate skills training necessary for studies and/or employment here or elsewhere.

You will be asked to fill this planner in with your Director of Studies at least twice a year – at the start of the year and towards the end of the year to review your progress.