Your supervisory team

During your time at Manchester, you will be supported by a supervisory team who will work with you throughout your programme.

Your supervisory team consists of your main supervisor, at least one co-supervisor and an

academic advisor. Your supervisors will be your main points of contact whilst you are studying. You will have regular supervisory meetings and annual progress reviews and you should ensure that you prepare for these meetings in discussion with your supervisors.

Main Supervisor

The main supervisor takes full responsibility for the overall management and direction of the student’s research degree in addition to administrative issues relating to the student's registration, attendance and progress.

Co-Supervisor

The co-supervisor will normally be appointed to contribute their specific expertise to support the development of the student’s research degree and may act as a supervisor of sections of work in consultation with the main supervisor. The co-supervisor may be required to offer specialist advice to complement the main supervisor’s expertise or to provide continuity of supervision when the main supervisor is absent from the University in addition to providing the student with a second opinion on research matters. The balance of responsibility for the student’s day-to-day supervision should be negotiated between members of the supervisory team, in consultation with the student, as the research progresses.

PGR Advisor (Pastoral)

Each PGR candidate is allocated a PGR Advisor (Pastoral) whose main role is to provide an independent line of support to the PGR, separate to the supervisory team.

A PGR Advisor (Pastoral) is an academic member of staff who is completely independent of the supervisory team.  The role of the PGR Advisor (Pastoral) is  to support the PGR and assist in monitoring the general progress, provide pastoral support to the PGR and providing advice accordingly.  If the PGR has any difficulties that they would prefer to discuss with someone other than their supervisor(s), they can approach their PGR Advisor (Pastoral) in the first instance.

 The PGR can expect to meet PGR Advisors (Pastoral) near the start of programme in a group setting, as well as a one-to-one meeting per year.

Head of PGR

Each Department also has a dedicated Head of Postgraduate Research who can also offer independent advice and support.

Further information about your responsibilities and the responsibilities of the supervisor team can be found in the Supervision Policy for Postgraduate Research Degrees.