Problems with PhD

Research degrees require high levels of student autonomy and self-direction. That said, students undertaking a PhD or another research degree should receive appropriate support and supervision. They should have access to the right equipment, research facilities and help during the process of writing up their thesis. At the end of the process, they should expect a fair Viva Voce examination.

These are minimum expectations for PhD candidates, but all too often, these are not met. Problems of omission and error can occur, particularly concerning supervision. When supervision issues arise, they can become significant, ultimately leading to a candidate withdrawing from their research.

While most PhD issues can be resolved internally, some cannot. If the relationship between the student and the university breaks down, then legal support can help the candidate negotiate their way through these challenging circumstances.

We can provide expert advice on PhD problems and disputes, including:

• Problems with PhD supervisors
• Issues with PhD materials
• An unfair Viva Voce

We offer an online fixed fee initial consultation with one of our specialist education solicitors to discuss your needs and see how we can help. Any further work beyond the initial fixed fee consultation will be agreed with you in advance. We aim to provide certainty over the costs involved.

Types of PhD problems and disputes with which our team can assist

Problems with PhD supervisors

A supervision relationship should ideally be supportive and healthy. A good relationship can make a significant difference to the overall PhD experience and the quality of the research that’s undertaken.

A productive working relationship between a student and supervisor can mean the difference between completing the study or not. A solid relationship depends on good communication. If any issues arise, they need to be relayed to a supervisor.

Establishing a strong working relationship takes effort on both sides, but if problems develop despite the best efforts of the student, it can be unsettling and disruptive.

Some of the most common issues that occur with a supervisor are:

• Poor communication
• Poor or non-existent feedback
• Failure to represent the student adequately at a panel meeting
• Taking extended breaks or holidays, particularly at key points in the research process.
• Attempting to lead the student in research directions beyond the scope of their original proposal

Our education law solicitors can provide independent, confidential advice on whether you may have grounds for challenging your supervisor’s conduct and/or level of support.

We can help to make sure you have appropriate supervision for your research and that you can get the best result possible from your PhD.

Here is an example of a PhD case that we dealt with, as well as summaries showing the range of education issues we can assist with.

Issues with PhD materials

As well as PhD problems arising between a student and supervisor, issues can occur with materials. A student may not receive adequate materials from the university, or a supervisor may not follow through on a promise to provide materials vital to the student’s research.

We can advise on the steps you can take to ensure you receive appropriate materials promptly and that any repeated issues are properly challenged so there is no long term impact on your PhD.

Unfair Viva Voce

Ideally, a Viva Voce should represent the culmination of the research process. They should be conducted professionally and fairly, with any criticism of a thesis underpinned by strong subject knowledge. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and prejudices or irrelevant criticism can blight the process.

Our educational law experts can provide impartial advice on whether you may have been treated unfairly in your Viva and what you can do to make sure this is addressed and you do not lose out as a result.

Our PhD problems legal advice fees

We offer an in-depth fixed fee consultation at a time convenient to you.

Should you wish to proceed, after the fixed fee initial consultation, we will provide a realistic cost estimate for dealing with your matter. Any work carried out will always be agreed upon with you in advance, giving you complete certainty and transparency over the costs involved.

The exact cost of our services will depend on the nature of your problem, the amount of time required to undertake the work and the level of expertise needed to support you effectively. We will be happy to discuss this with you when you contact our team.

For more information on our education law pricing, please get in touch. If you would like to proceed with an online initial fixed fee consultation, Rachael, our senior legal administrator, will send you a link to our online booking suite, to select a time and day convenient to you.

Common questions about PhD problems

How can I challenge inadequate supervision?

If you are facing inadequate supervision at university, you should first attempt to resolve the issue by discussing your concerns with your supervisor or departmental head to see if the situation can be improved. Where possible, try to schedule a meeting in person to discuss your concerns.

If the situation cannot be resolved directly with your supervisor or they are not engaging with your concerns, then you should consider contacting the university to discuss the matter.

You can review your university’s grievance or complaints procedure, typically found on the university website. This may involve submitting a formal complaint through the university’s official channels or seeking advice from student unions or support services.

For legal guidance and representation, consult a solicitor experienced in educational law to ensure your rights are protected and to navigate the formal complaint process effectively. This may give you the best possible chance of the problem being resolved.

Can I appeal the decision of my Viva Voce?

Yes, you can appeal the result of a Viva. You should start by raising your concerns to your supervisor or head of department. They will be able to tell you what steps to take next.

If you choose to raise an appeal with your university, you should check the university website for details on the appeals process, including how to make an appeal and how long you have to appeal.

If you have grounds for an appeal, the university will then typically investigate the matter internally and come back to you with the results, usually within 60 days.

If you are still unhappy with the university’s conclusion after they have completed their internal review processes, you can request the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) to review the outcome of your academic appeal.

To escalate your review, you should file a complaint with the OIA within 12 months of receiving your university’s Completion of Procedures Letter. It’s advisable to submit your complaint to the OIA as soon as possible.

Our specialist university lawyers can assist with your complaint and request for an external review, ensuring that all necessary documents and submissions are thoroughly prepared and submitted on your behalf.

Get personal support and advice for PhD problems and disputes

If you would like to know more about how we can help you with your education law PhD enquiry, please contact our education law senior legal administrator, Rachael, on 01895 207230 or by email at educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk. If you would like to proceed with a consultation with one of our specialist education solicitors, Rachael will send you a link to an online booking suite, for you to select a day and time of your consultation.