PhD Quantum Technology Engineering 2024-25

Centre for Doctoral Training in Quantum Technology Engineering

Academic Regulations: Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Final AwardDoctor of Philosophy
with exit awards of:
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Programme(s)PhD Quantum Technology Engineering (CDT-QTE)
Last modified March 2024

The Academic Regulations apply to and regulate the programme(s) listed above.

On occasion, programmes can be exempted from one or more of the clauses in the Regulations; one or more of the clauses can be varied; and programmes can impose additional requirements.

  • Exemptions are characterised by the omission of the relevant clause.
  • Variations are characterised by the replacement of the clause with alternative wording.
  • Additions are characterised by requirements in addition to those detailed in the Academic regulations.

The programmes listed have approval from the Academic Quality and Standards Subcommittee for the exemptions and/or variations and/or additions to the regulations noted below.

Exemptions

The clause(s) listed below describe where an exemption to the Regulations exists:

None apply

Variations

The clause(s) listed below describe where a variation to the Regulations exists:

None apply

Additional requirements

The following clause(s) are in addition to the Regulations.

Existing University Regulation

Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidature and Supervision 

Approved Variation
18. Progression Monitoring and Reviews
18.8Progression reviews must be sufficiently rigorous to provide an adequate test of the research student’s knowledge and understanding of the subject material, of progress to date, and of plans for the remainder of their candidature.  Faculties will bring to the attention of research students and relevant staff, clearly defined formats for the written report submission which will inform each Progression Review, and the criteria to be used for defining outcomes from Progression Reviews.  Any additional assessment criteria specific to the student’s programme of study will be published in the Academic Regulations

The student will be required to attend and pass two compulsory credit-bearing taught modules, selected from the CDT-QTE defined suite of modules.  All components requiring summative assessment will be described within the relevant module profile.  

  • The student will be required to pass each module at the postgraduate module pass mark of 50 and achieve an average mark of 50 or above across both modules.  
  • A pass by compensation may be given where the average mark has been achieved or exceeded and where the postgraduate qualifying mark of 35 in each module has been achieved.
  • If the student has an average mark of less than 50, all modules where the mark achieved is less than the postgraduate module pass mark will be considered failed taught modules.
  • The student may take referral assessments in failed taught modules.  The mark obtained at referral will be used for calculating the average.  Capping will not be applied.
  • The student will be required to meet the standard criteria to pass the First Progression Review and the criteria associated with the compulsory credit-bearing modules as described in these regulations.
    • Should the student fail to pass any element of the required criteria, they will be deemed to have failed their first attempt at the First Progression Review.
    • Failure to pass the second attempt at the First Progression Review at the second attempt will result in (i) transfer to MPhil candidature and withdrawal of the CDT-QTE scholarship or (ii) termination of candidature.

The student will be required to attend and engage with six non-credit-bearing QTE-CDT modules to support their training and development (Scientific Skills 1 & 2, Technical Skills 1 & 2, Technical & Commercial Awareness, Commercial Skills) and undertake a 12-week industrial placement.  

  • The student will be required to attend and engage with the non-credit-bearing CDT-QTE modules to a minimum of 50% in each module.
  • Attendance and engagement will be monitored and measured through (including, but not limited to) lectures, workshops and seminars, individual and group activities, and non-summative assessed assignments.
  • Should the student fail to meet the 50% minimum in any module, they will be required to complete additional and comparable work.  The scope and level of the work required will be determined on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the circumstances presented. The student will be required to undertake a 12-week industrial placement, normally during the summer of Year 1 of their candidature.
  • The placement is an integral and assessed part of the CDT-QTE.
  • The student will be required to complete and submit a reflective report which demonstrates their learning and skills and which will be assessed during the Second Progression Review viva voce.
    • Should the student fail to submit their report and/or demonstrate their learning and skills they will be required to revise and resubmit the report.  
    • Should the placement be delayed so that it is not possible to submit the reflective report for assessment during the Second Progression Review, the report should be submitted and reviewed at the subsequent Progression Review.
  • The student will be required to meet the standard criteria to pass the Second Progression Review and the additional criteria associated with the non-credit bearing modules and the industrial placement as described in these regulations.
    • Should the student fail to pass any element of the required criteria, they will be deemed to have failed their first attempt at the Second Progression Review. Failure to pass the second attempt at the Second Progression Review will result in (i) transfer to MPhil candidature and withdrawal of the CDT-QTE scholarship or (ii) termination of candidature.
  • The student will be required to meet the standard criteria to pass the Third Progression Review and the additional criteria associated with the non-credit bearing modules and the industrial placement (if delayed) as described in these regulations.
    • Should the student fail to pass any element of the required criteria, they will be deemed to have failed their first attempt at the Third Progression Review.  Failure to pass the second attempt at the Third Progression Review will result in (i) transfer to MPhil candidature and withdrawal of the CDT-QTE scholarship or (ii) termination of candidature.
18.5An Exceptional Progression Review may be scheduled on the direction of the Faculty Director of the Graduate School if significant academic concerns about a research student’s progress have been raised, either independently or through the Progression Review process. An Exceptional Progression Review will be required to assess the student’s skills and learning from the industrial placement in cases where, due to exceptional circumstances, the placement has been delayed to a time close to or after the Third Progression Review. 

These regulations should be read in conjunction with the Doctoral programme profile.

Disclaimer

As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our programmes to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. As a result, these regulations may be revised during a student’s period of registration, however, any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Please read our Disclaimer to see why, when and how changes may be made to a student’s programme.