Research Degree Programme Structure and Awards
Research students can commence their studies on either 1 October or 1 February each year.
The vast majority of our research students are currently registered for, or will transfer to, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). A small number of our research students register and are examined for the degree of Master of Philosophy. There is also a new award of PhD by Prior Publication which may be suitable for students with an existing body of published work.
PhD Degree
Doctorates are awarded for the creation and interpretation of knowledge which extends the forefront of a discipline, usually through original research. Holders of doctorates will be able to conceptualise, design and implement projects for the generation of significant new knowledge and/or understanding.
All research students in the School are initially registered at MPhil level and transferred to PhD, normally after the first year, provided that progress is satisfactory. Students transferring from MPhil to PhD are required to complete a transfer report and give a transfer seminar which is attended and assessed by members of the School's academic staff.
Students can register either on a full time or a part time basis and either as an internal student or an external student. The maximum period of study for full time students is 4 years and the maximum period for part time students is 8 years.
Internal students follow a course of research within the University and are appointed one or two internal supervisors who provide day-to-day supervision. External students follow a course of research either in an approved educational institution or an industrial/commercial institution and have an external supervisor at the external institution that provides day-to-day supervision and internal supervisor based in the School. External students are expected to make arrangements for the appointment of the external supervisor.
PhD students are required to submit a thesis on their research of not more than 100,000 words and defend their work at an oral (viva voce) examination in front of at least two examiners.
MPhil Degree
Students who choose not to complete the transfer from MPhil level to PhD can submit a thesis and be examined for the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil). Holders of an MPhil degree will need to have shown originality in the application of knowledge and understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research but at a lower level than that required for a PhD. The MPhil thesis should be not more than 50,000 words.
PhD by Prior Publication
The University approved a new award of PhD by Prior Publication in 2006. Students registering for a PhD by Prior Publication must have an existing body of published work and be nominated by a member of the School's Professorial staff who can show a common research interest with the candidate.
The award is open to new candidates with an existing publication record which must be of a suitable type and quality to lead to the award of the degree. The student must prepare a list of the publications upon which the assessment for the degree will be based which will be assessed at the application stage before the student is permitted to register for the award. The student must prepare an overarching critical analysis of the publications of no more than 20,000 words, present their work to their department and submit it for examination. The minimum period of registration for the award is 1 year and the maximum is 2 years.
Further information on the PhD by Prior Publication can be found in the regulations.