We are delighted to announce that the Privy Council confirmed RDAP to St Mary's University on 1st April 2021.
From 1st May 2021 (post RDAP)
What was the research degree-awarding powers (RDAP) project?
Research degree awarding powers (RDAP) gives UK higher education providers the right to award doctoral degrees (PhD/EdD) and master's degrees where there is a research component (MPhil). Currently Liverpool Hope University and the University of Surrey award research degrees on behalf of St Mary's. St Mary's RDAP project started in the summer of 2014 and has involved data collection and the creation of a research culture suitable for our research students.
In April 2018 St Mary's submitted its application to be granted its own Research Degree Awarding Powers. The application consisted of a critical self-analysis document along with evidence that it has attained the necessary metrics in terms of staff capacity and expertise to supervise and teach at doctoral level. Following a 12 month visit by a QAA scurtiny panel, the Awarding of Degree Awarding Powers (ACDAP) meeting confirmed progression of our application to the Privy Council. Due delays with the change in regulator and the COVID-19 pandemic, the confirmation of the RDAP award was delayed. The Privy Council confirmed the award of Research Degree Awarding Powers on 1st April 2021.