Committees and approvals
A review-panel recommendation or supervisor agreement is not always the final approval. Different matters go through School or University committees, with administrative support from the Operations Team.
| Body | What students need to know |
|---|---|
| School Research Degrees Committee (SRDC) | Formal reviews, local progression and School-level decisions; chaired by the School Research Degrees Leader |
| University Research Degrees Committee (URDC) | Overall governance, award approval described in its remit, standards and student experience; reports to University R&I Committee |
| Research Degrees Examination Board (RDEB) | Examination arrangements/outcomes, exceptional extensions, Published Works admission and suspension beyond 12 months; reports to URDC |
The 2026/27 framework describes other oversight working groups as ad hoc and time-limited, not separate permanent formal committees. Two research-student representatives and an ENSA officer are included in the URDC constitution.
Approval timing and independence
Allow for committee meeting dates and paper-submission deadlines. The framework lists six meetings a year for each University body; check current dates with Contacts. Board papers go through the Operations Team at doctoralcollegeoffice@napier.ac.uk.
No one can approve their own decision or appointment. A conflicted signatory must delegate to an appropriate alternative.
Several passages disagree about final award approval and grace/early-submission authority. See Source differences and clarifications; Completion and graduation explains what confirmation students should obtain.
Regulations
Framework §1.1 says to use it with Section A General Regulations and Section D Research Degree Regulations. The official Section D PDF is linked from Source register. Current policies are located through the official Document Centre.
Sources: Framework §§1.1–1.2 and Appendices 1a/1b, pp. 6–7, 99–101; D2.3. Main description · Committee remits.