The regulations in this section cover the additional regulations for doctoral degrees by published work.
2.1. The additional regulations for a doctoral degree by published work are specified here.
2.2. A doctoral degree by published work relies on publications completed before registration.
2.3. A student studying for a doctoral degree by published work must fulfil the relevant doctoral award criteria to obtain their degree.
2.4. The following doctoral degrees are open for registration by published work:
2.4.1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2.4.2. Engineering Doctorate (EngD).
2.4.3. Doctor of Medicine (MD).
2.5. Individuals who meet one of the following criteria can apply to register for a doctoral degree by published work:
2.5.1. A member of staff who has a contract of employment with the University of Bristol, in either an academic or professional services role, and who has been employed by the University for at least two continuous years.
2.5.2. An honorary member of staff of the University of Bristol who has held this status for at least two continuous years.
2.5.3. A graduate of the University of Bristol who was awarded their degree at least six years ago.
2.6. In exceptional circumstances, the Faculty PGR Director can consider an applicant who does not fully meet a minimum period in the eligibility criteria.
2.7. An applicant who meets the eligibility criteria must show that their published work meets the following thresholds:
2.7.1. The publications must relate in a coherent way to the field of knowledge and represent a significant and original contribution.
2.7.2. The publications must contribute to research at a level and scope equivalent to the relevant doctorate by dissertation route.
2.7.3. The publications must show evidence of the applicant’s ability to pursue independently original research based on a good understanding of the relevant techniques and concepts.
2.8. When applying, an applicant must provide the following:
2.8.1. A synopsis of approximately 500 words, outlining the extent, range, quality, and coherence of the work to be submitted.
2.8.2. A statement confirming the applicant’s substantial contribution to any publications that have been co-authored.
2.8.3. A declaration that the applicant has not submitted any of the publications for any other award.
2.8.4. A list of publications that the applicant intends to submit.
2.8.5. A curriculum vitae, which must include details of the applicant’s employment or honorary status at the University of Bristol where relevant.
2.9. The Faculty PGR Director will decide whether the applicant can register for a doctoral degree by published work. The Faculty PGR Director’s decision will be based the following:
2.9.1. Does the applicant meet the eligibility criteria?
2.9.2. Is there sufficient appropriate material to indicate that the applicant has a reasonable chance of being awarded a doctorate? It will not be possible to form a judgement unless there is a considerable amount of published work that would typically be expected for the discipline.
2.9.3. Does the work relate in a coherent way to a field of knowledge? The works can range over different topics, but they must cohere.
2.9.4. Is there extensive treatment of the topics covered? Greater weight will be attached to a small number of substantial publications rather than to a larger number of brief notes.
2.9.5. Has the work been produced at an appropriate rate relevant to the circumstances in which the research was conducted?
2.9.6. Has the applicant clearly identified their substantial contribution to any co-authored works?
2.9.7. For an EngD by published work, do the publications indicate an appreciation of the industrial context and significance of the research?
2.9.8. For an MD by published work, do the publications indicate a contribution to the advancement of medical knowledge?
2.10. If the Faculty PGR Director decides that the applicant can register for a doctoral degree by published work, the applicant must pay the relevant registration and submission fee as part of their registration as a student.
2.11. A student who is permitted to register for a doctoral degree by published work must not assume that this will automatically result in a doctoral award, as they must pass an examination in the same way as any other doctoral student.
2.12. The Head of School (or nominee) must appoint an appropriate advisor to support and guide the student during the preparation of their work for submission. The advisor must be a senior academic at the University who is familiar with the standard required and with the student’s field of work.
2.13. The Head of School (or nominee) must ensure that the advisor has appropriate knowledge and skills and has the time to carry out their advisory duties.
2.14. The student must submit for examination within one year of their registration. In exceptional circumstances, the Faculty PGR Director can extend the registration period.
2.15. The registered period does not equate to full-time study, as no new substantial research is required.
2.16. The student must submit for examination and to Turnitin in accordance with the standard submission process.
2.17. The student’s submission must consist of the following:
2.17.1. The standard preliminary pages, as set out in the dissertation content and format section.
2.17.2. A signed statement on how far the published work is based on their own independent study. The student must make clear how far each published work was conducted in collaboration or with the assistance of others and the circumstance in which the work was carried out. The student must describe how they have made a substantial contribution to any co-authored works.
2.17.3. A substantial commentary of up to 10,000 words. The commentary must state the aims and nature of the research, demonstrate the coherence across the published work, and indicate the student’s view of their work’s significance and original contribution to the field.
2.17.4. A curriculum vitae that focuses on the student's research career and on the circumstances in which the research that led to the published work was carried out.
2.17.5. Copies of the publications. The student can include publications beyond those listed in their application if they are at least in press at the point of submission.
2.18. A doctoral award by published work must be of an equivalent standard to a doctoral degree by dissertation, as set out in the award criteria.
2.19. An EngD by published work student must also demonstrate an appreciation of the industrial context and significance of the research in their submission and examination.
2.20. An MD by published work student must also demonstrate their contribution to the advancement of medical knowledge in their submission and examination.
2.21. A doctoral degree by published work is examined in the same way as all research degrees with an oral examination. The advisor will undertake the role allocated to the main supervisor in selecting examiners.
2.22. Examiners can recommend any of the standard outcomes from an examination. For outcomes that require revisions, the examiners can only specify changes to the text in the commentary and not to the publications. Examiners can also require that individual publications are removed as part of the revision process.
