Frequently Asked Questions

If I apply for Full award, can I get Associate if the application isn’t strong enough?

There is no automatic offer of the Associate award if the submission for the Full award is referred. (Partly this is because the Associate award requires peer observation.) If in doubt, it would be best to apply for the Associate award, and then the Full award at a later date. Please also see this page.

If my experience is close to that required for the Full award, is there a justification to apply for the Associate award and then — one or two years later — apply for the Full award? Or would it be better to wait until I am ready to apply for the Full award?

The awards are judged against the same criteria, using the same framework. If you apply for the Full award, and the evidence you provided for the Associate award is still within the five-year window required, then you may of course re-use that evidence for the Full award. (Please note that reviewers are specifically tasked with looking at whether the evidence provided is ​‘recent’ — i.e. within five years.)

I have acted as an external adviser for a PhD thesis, reviewing student’s work and giving comments and recommendations. Would that count towards the award?

Sounds like the associate award could be a great path for you. Take a look at the evidence needed here.

If I have successfully worked with a postgraduate researcher to completion at an international institution, can I apply for the full award?

Yes, absolutely. Although the evidence must be from the past five years, and if the international experience is drawn on extensively, then reviewers might expect the referee to be in a position to validate this.

Does PGT supervision count for the recognition, or MRes supervision, or is it only doctoral supervision?

Most of your evidence should relate to doctoral supervision. You may refer to other kinds of research supervision, but the majority of your evidence should be from doctoral supervision. [FAQ corrected on 24/9/24]

I have supervised one PhD student (overseas) and have experience of as an external examiner for a PhD viva. Am I eligible for the Recognised Supervisor award?

If it was within the last five years then, yes, this counts. You would require a reference from the candidate. Typically, people who submit for the Full award have seen around three completions as first or second supervisor.

Is there a minimum number of students you need to have supervised to be likely to be successful for the recognition (Full and Associate)?

Usually successful applicants for the Full award have seen at least two to three doctoral candidates through final examination and completion. Evidence of supervisory practice from ​“secondary” supervisors counts towards the Full award, provided that you can provide evidence across all ten criteria (e.g. some secondary supervisors may not be involved in recruitment/​selection).

If someone has been a second supervisor for a postgraduate researcher who has completed, can this count as evidence towards the Full award?

Both awards look for references from those who can speak to your contributions as a supervisor, of which second supervisor counts. However, typically people who submit for the Full award have seen around three completions as first or second supervisor.

Is being a third supervisor sufficient for point 8 of the Framework ​“Supporting candidates through completion and final examination”?

Applicants for the Full award have two-to-three completions to draw on in providing evidence. This enables them to provide comprehensive answers to the following kinds of questions: ​“What has been your experience of giving feedback on thesis drafts in the final stages?”, ​“How does this differ from feedback at other times in the doctoral process?” and ​“How do you go about nominating examiners? Has it been appropriate, in your experience, to consult with candidates?” Please also see this page.

Does the supervision observation need to be of someone in your discipline or can it be any supervisor?

It can be from any discipline.

Much of my experience has come from acting as a Thesis Mentor – i.e. working directly with PhD candidates on their thesis, not really as part of a supervisory team. Would this be appropriate to use as a basis for Associate Supervisor recognition, given the requirement for ​“Supervisory relationships with co-supervisors”?

Being named as part of the formal supervisory team is not a requirement for Associate recognition. However, there is an expectation that your work with the candidate co-ordinates with the work of the supervisory team. Please see this sample application for how you might approach this.

Does all the evidence have to come from supervision or can input as an adviser, independent to the supervisory team count? Also, what about experience as an examiner, not just for final thesis but also internally for progression points?

This recognition focuses on supervisory practice. If your work as an examiner or your involvement in progression points has led you to change or reflect on your practice as a doctoral supervisor, then this is relevant evidence.

For the Recognised Supervisor award, can the reference required from a formal doctoral candidate be from a candidate you were second supervisor to?

Yes, provided that between the two references referees are able to verify all aspects of the evidence provided. Reviewers sometimes ask for additional references if there is any doubt.

Does all the evidence have to come from one student from start to finish?

If you’ve been a supervisor of a researcher who has completed, they can provide you with a reference for the award, but you might draw on experience from across your supervisory practice. Typically, people who submit for the Full award have seen around three completions as first or second supervisor. Please note that if there is any doubt, reviewers may request additional references.

Is there a form or an Expected Format (TOC) for the application report?

The pro-forma for each award can be found here: UKCGE | How to apply. There is one reference form for all referees.