Terms of reference

1. To consider proposals from departments and institutes for the establishment, modification and deletion of MPhil and PhD degree programmes.
   
    
2. To consider proposals from departments and institutes for the establishment, modification and deletion of component courses to be offered to students in the School within MPhil and PhD programmes.
   
    
3. To approve proposals as in 1 and 2 above, subject only to:
   1. the approval of APRC as regards requirements for additional resources,
   2. the approval in principle of TLAC for the deletion of a degree programme,
   3. the advice of TLAC on degree programme proposals where deemed necessary by the Subcommittee.
      
       
4. To keep under review all other regulations relating to research degrees.
   
    
5. To establish arrangements for the appointment of internal and external examiners for research degree examinations in line with School criteria, drawing on the advice of TLAC where deemed necessary by the Subcommittee.
   
    
6. To establish arrangements for the award of MPhil and PhD degrees to successful students.
   
    
7. To consider examiners' recommendations for the terms on which unsuccessful candidates are to be allowed to resubmit their theses.

Mode of Operation

1. To meet when required and normally at least annually.
   
    
2. To report annually to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Committee.
   
    
3. To ensure that the business of the Subcommittee is publicized effectively so that representatives of departments and programmes are given an opportunity to comment on issues affecting them.
   
    
4. To invite any other person to attend its meetings to assist in the conduct of its business, always including the proposer of any business before the Subcommittee under terms of reference 1-4.
   
    
5. To set up subgroups where appropriate to carry out the business of the Subcommittee with delegated authority.
   
    
6. To delegate to the Chair authority to approve arrangements for, for example, extension and suspension of students' periods of registration.

Membership

• A chair (appointed by a process overseen by the Academic Nominations Committee);
• Two elected members from each of the five Academic Board constituencies;
• One student member nominated by the Research Students' Consultative Forum.