Version number: 2.0 

Review date: June 2024 

Owner: Academic Council Graduate Studies Commitee 

Approval Body: ACGSC 5 June 2024

Next Review: Three years  

Best Practice on Postgraduate Research Students Studying Remotely 

While research students at UCC will normally be based at a reasonable distance from the university and will not have trouble attending campus or accessing facilities, it may arise, at admission or during the approved registration period, that an academic unit agrees to allow remote study for a research student. The decision to do so is primarily a matter for the academic unit. When a student proposes to study remotely, the following points must be considered:

1. The academic unit will make clear to the student that a certain level of physical attendance will be required; for example: induction, module completion, supervision meetings, health and safety training or other research related activities. Visa requiring students who may need to attend UCC physically at some point during their remote studies must familiarize themselves with visa regulations relating to entering Ireland.
2. The student must provide a personal statement setting out their reasons for studying remotely rather than basing themselves at UCC and outline the steps that they will implement to ensure research progression, in addition to complying with UCC requirements such as, physical attendance for specified occasions, module completion and communication with supervisors.
3. The student and supervisors must ensure that the Research Learning Plan reflects the agreed arrangements. If the annual progress review's outcome is unsatisfactory, then attention should be paid to the remote arrangements' effectiveness.

Related documents

UCC Policy on Progress Reviews for Research Student

Policy on the Supervision of Research Students

Policy on Modules for Research Students

Contact for Further Information

Chair of Academic Council Graduate Studies committee (see ACGSC Terms of Reference for name of current Chair)