Principles for the Appointment of an External PGR Advisor

Principles 

1. Where a student’s research programme is subject to a collaborative joint or dual award arrangement, or would benefit from specialist expertise which is not available internally, the appointment of an External Advisor could be considered. 

2. Where a DTC/CDT agreement or a Memorandum of Agreement is in place, this will take precedence over this document.

3. The External Advisor can be appointed from outside UK HEIs, including international and industrial based appointments. 

4. In cases where an External Advisor is appointed, there will normally be two internal supervisors, one  of whom will act as the student’s lead academic supervisor. 

5. Normally IP will reside with Newcastle University unless otherwise specified at the outset of the arrangement. 

6. These principles do not apply to staff that hold an honorary contract with the University. 

Appointment Process 

7. The proposed External Advisor will be considered for approval by the relevant Head of Academic Unit (or nominee) followed by sign-off by the relevant Dean of Postgraduate Studies through completion of an Application for Change in Supervisory Arrangements, accompanied by an up-to-date CV. 

8. When considering the appointment, the Dean of Postgraduate Studies will refer to the guidance in the Supervisory Arrangements section of the Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes. (https://www.ncl.ac.uk/student-progress/pgr/publications/ )   

9. Any payment to be made to the external supervisor will be considered and approved locally and should be agreed in advance of appointment.

Last modified, November 2018 (previously April 2015)