Resources and facilities

This page sets out the University's requirements in relation to the availability of study resources and facilities for Postgraduate research students. This information is relevant to staff and students across all of the UK, China and Malaysia campuses.

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1.0 Purpose

Every research student should have reasonable access to the study facilities and equipment which are necessary to, and which will facilitate, the successful completion of their research studies.

2.0 Key Principles

Ensure resources are available

Prior to the commencement of a research degree, the School must establish that the essential resources and facilities will be available when the student begins their research.

These resources and facilities may be offered either within the School or elsewhere within the University or (by agreement) in another institution or outside laboratory - and the student and supervisor shall have reasonable access to them.

If resources become unavailable

If in exceptional circumstances it becomes impossible to continue to provide these resources (for example, when a sponsor unexpectedly withdraws funding or equipment), the School should make reasonable efforts to identify alternative means of enabling the student to gain access to suitable facilities so that they may continue their studies at Nottingham.

However, this may mean that in some circumstances it may be necessary to advise that the student carries on their research work in co-operation with another institution.

Note: If in exceptional circumstances access to specific resources and facilities is reduced or limited in capacity (for example, due to Covid-19 working practices) a local prioritisation process will be used to manage access to these. This may mean that in some circumstances, the PGR is unable to make as extensive use of these facilities and resources as they had originally planned. In such situations, supervisory teams will support PGRs to make changes to their research design and plans in order that they can address the doctoral outcomes and progression requirements.

Study space

Schools must ensure that a full-time research student (prior to entering the thesis pending period) has an appropriate individual study space where the student can work and keep their books.

Access to other facilities

Research students must also have reasonable access to the following. In some cases it may be possible to cover the costs from research grants relevant to the students' work:

Computing facilities: School or open-access University computing facilities. The opening hours of the University facility must be advertised in Schools and local arrangements concerning access to School facilities must be listed in the School Handbook.
Printing: Schools must offer a minimum of £50 p.a. to full-time research students and £25 p.a. to part-time research students to assist with the cost of draft printing for required reports.
Photocopying: Schools must offer a minimum of £50 p.a. to full-time research students and £25 p.a. to part-time research students to assist with photocopying costs.
Inter-library loans: Schools must offer a minimum of £50 p.a to full-time research students and £25 p.a. to part-time research students to assist with inter-library loans.
Telephones: Students must have access to a telephone service which permits internal telephone calls and in-coming external calls.
Recreational area: where sufficient space has been provided to a School by the University, and where there is no suitable University or Students’ Union facility in the vicinity, the School must provide a recreational area. This need not be dedicated to research students but might be shared with other students and staff.
Other student services: The University will provide a range of other student services. For example, the Researcher Academy, the Accommodation Service, the Counselling Service, and the Centre for English Language Education.