The section lists the PGR degree programmes governed by the regulations and code of practice for research degree programmes and set outs any additional regulations for specific degrees.
1.1. The regulations and code of practice for research degrees apply to the following degrees.
1.2. Doctoral degrees
1.2.1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in all faculties.
1.2.2. Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in the Faculty of Engineering.
1.2.3. Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
1.2.4. Doctor of Medicine (MD) in the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Life Sciences.
1.2.5. Doctor of Education (EdD) in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law.
1.2.6. Doctor of Educational Psychology (DEdPsy) in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law.
1.3. Research master’s degrees
1.3.1. Master of Music (MMus) in the Faculty of Arts.
1.3.2. Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law.
1.3.3. Master of Science by Research (MScR) in all faculties.
1.4. There are additional regulations that cover specific research degrees set out in this section.
1.5. PGR degrees with musical composition are covered by separate additional regulations.
1.6. Doctoral degrees by published works are covered by separate additional regulations.
1.7. PGR students in relevant situations are also subject to the following policies:
1.7.1. Policy for research degrees by distance learning
1.7.2. Policy on PGR placements
1.7.3. Policy on PGR students who teach.
1.8. The additional regulations for a PhD by dissertation are specified here.
1.9. A PhD by published work is covered by separate additional regulations.
1.10. A PhD with musical composition is covered by separate additional regulations.
1.11. A student must fulfil the relevant doctoral award criteria to obtain a PhD degree.
1.12. A student who is registered on a PhD programme that contains mandatory credit-bearing taught units must also fulfil the requirements of the taught component. The student is subject to the regulations and code of practice for taught programmes and to the relevant programme specification for the assessment of any taught component.
1.13. PhD students must satisfy any other formal requirements set by the faculty or by a sponsor, which can include satisfactory performance in any prescribed work.
1.14. A full-time PhD student who is funded by an official sponsor can have up to an extra year added to their maximum period of study in the following circumstances:
1.14.1. They started before 24 September 2018 and the additional time was agreed as part of their registration.
1.14.2. They started on or after 24 September 2018 and they registered as part of a doctoral training entity on an PhD programme that was set up before this date and where the additional time was agreed when the programme was set up.
1.15. Doctoral training entities that were formed on or after 24 September 2018, including those that have been re-established following a re-bidding process, are not permitted to extend the standard maximum period of study.
1.16. A student registered on a PhD with an integrated taught component, who has obtained the necessary credit points, might be eligible for a taught exit award in the following circumstances:
1.16.1. They decide to leave before completing the PhD programme.
1.16.2. They fail in the examination of their dissertation.
1.16.3. They are required to withdraw following, for example, a Registration Review Panel.
1.17. To be eligible for the exit award of a taught masters, a postgraduate diploma, or a postgraduate certificate, a student must meet the requirements in the programme specification, the University’s credit framework and in the regulations and code of practice for taught degrees.
1.18. The additional regulations for an EngD are specified here.
1.19. An EngD by published work is covered by separate additional regulations.
1.20. An EngD programme contains a taught component and a research component.
1.21. A student must fulfil the following requirements to be awarded an EngD degree:
1.21.1. Successfully complete the taught component. The student is subject to the regulations and code of practice for taught programmes and to the relevant programme specification for the assessment of the taught component.
1.21.2. Fulfil the relevant doctoral award criteria in the examination of the dissertation in the research component. In addition, an EngD student must demonstrate an appreciation of the industrial context and significance of the research in their dissertation.
1.22. A full-time EngD student who is funded by an official sponsor, can have up to an extra year added to their maximum period of study in the following circumstances:
1.22.1. They started before 24 September 2018 and the additional time was agreed as part of their registration.
1.22.2. They started on or after 24 September 2018 and they registered as part of a doctoral training entity on an EngD programme that was set up before this date and where the additional time was agreed when the programme was set up.
1.23. Doctoral training entities that were formed on or after 24 September 2018, including those that have been re-established following a re-bidding process, are not permitted to extend the standard maximum period of study.
1.24. An EngD student who has obtained the necessary credit points might be eligible for a taught exit award in the following circumstances:
1.24.1. They decide to leave before completing the EngD programme.
1.24.2. They fail in the examination of their dissertation.
1.24.3. They are required to withdraw following, for example, a Registration Review Panel.
1.25. To be eligible for the exit award of a taught masters, a postgraduate diploma, or a postgraduate certificate, a student must meet the requirements in the programme specification, the University’s credit framework and in the regulations and code of practice for taught degrees.
1.26. The additional regulations for an MD are specified here.
1.27. An MD by published work is covered by separate additional regulations.
1.28. A student must fulfil the relevant doctoral award criteria to obtain an MD degree. In addition, an MD student must demonstrate their contribution to the advancement of medical knowledge in their dissertation.
1.29. Individuals are eligible to apply to register for an MD if they graduated at least two years ago with a Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery from a UK university or with an equivalent degree from an overseas university.
1.30. An individual must also satisfy at least one of the following criteria:
1.30.1. They have previous research experience.
1.30.2. They have evidence of publication in a related field.
1.30.3. They have evidence of contributing to successful research funding proposal/s.
1.31. The additional regulations for a DDS are specified here.
Requirements for a DDS award
1.32. A DDS programme contains a taught component and a research component.
1.33. A student must fulfil the following requirements to be awarded a DDS degree:
1.33.1. Obtain at least 180 credit points in taught modules at level M, followed by at least 360 credit points of study at level D comprising research and clinical practice.
1.33.2. Successfully complete the taught component, including satisfactory completion of clinical assessments and/or placements. The student is subject to the regulations and code of practice for taught programmes and to the relevant programme specification for the assessment of the taught component.
1.33.3. Pass a clinically focussed examination in Dental Surgery. If the student has a higher clinical dental qualification or is listed on the General Dental Council’s Specialist Register, the examiners can exempt the student from the clinical examination.
1.33.4. Fulfil the relevant doctoral award criteria in the examination of the dissertation in the research component.
1.34. A DDS student who fails to achieve satisfactory performance in the assessment of clinical skills will normally be withdrawn from the programme.
1.35. Individuals are eligible to apply to register for a DDS if they passed the final examination for a Bachelors of Dental Surgery at least two years ago.
1.36. A DDS student who has obtained the necessary credit points might be eligible for a taught exit award in the following circumstances:
1.36.1. They decide to leave before completing the DDS programme.
1.36.2. They transfer to a lower-level award.
1.36.3. They fail in the examination of their dissertation.
1.36.4. They are required to withdraw following, for example, a Registration Review Panel.
1.37. To be eligible for the exit award of a taught masters or a postgraduate diploma, a student must meet the requirements in the programme specification, the University’s credit framework and in the regulations and code of practice for taught degrees.
1.38. The additional regulations for a DEdPsy are specified here.
1.39. A DEdPsy programme contains a taught component and a research component.
1.40. A student must fulfil the following requirements to be awarded a DEdPsy degree:
1.40.1. Successfully complete the taught component. The student is subject to the regulations and code of practice for taught programmes and to the relevant programme specification for the assessment of the taught component.
1.40.2. Successfully complete the required fieldwork placements.
1.40.3. Fulfil the relevant doctoral award criteria in the examination of the dissertation in the research component.
1.41. Successful DEdPsy students must also be deemed to have achieved personal, academic, and professional competence as specified in the British Psychological Society core curriculum and the Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency.
1.42. A DEdPsy student must successfully complete the required fieldwork placements, as follows:
1.42.1. In year 1: three placements.
1.42.2. In year 3: undertake required placement learning for three days a week.
1.43. Placements are assessed as follows:
1.43.1. Professional practice portfolio.
1.43.2. Self-assessment profiles.
1.43.3. Summary reports provided by fieldwork supervisors.
1.43.4. Completion of a 4,000-word assignment or equivalent for each practice-based unit.
1.44. A DEdPsy student must fulfil the following criteria to progress to the research component:
1.44.1. Pass the taught component and the required fieldwork placements.
1.44.2. Successfully complete any designated pre-requisites as preparation for the research component and dissertation.
1.44.3. Submit a research proposal, which must be approved by the school. When considering the proposal, the school must consider the feasibility of the study and the student’s ability to complete the dissertation within the time permitted.
1.44.4. Obtain any ethical approval required for the research.
1.45. A DEdPsy student is only required to participate in annual progress monitoring when they have progressed to the research component.
1.46. A DEdPsy student who has obtained the necessary credit points might be eligible for a taught exit award in the following circumstances:
1.46.1. They decide to leave before completing the DEdPsy programme.
1.46.2. They transfer to a lower-level award.
1.46.3. They fail in the examination of their dissertation.
1.46.4. They are required to withdraw following, for example, a Registration Review Panel.
1.47. To be eligible for the exit award of a taught masters, a postgraduate diploma or a postgraduate certificate, a student must meet the requirements in the programme specification, the University’s credit framework and in the regulations and code of practice for taught degrees.
1.48. The additional regulations for an EdD are specified here.
1.49. An EdD programme contains a taught component and a research component.
1.50. A student must fulfil the following requirements to be awarded an EdD degree:
1.50.1. Successfully complete the taught component. The student is subject to the regulations and code of practice for taught programmes and to the relevant programme specification for the assessment of the taught component.
1.50.2. Fulfil the relevant doctoral award criteria in the examination of the dissertation in the research component.
1.51. The taught component must normally be completed within two years for full-time students (pro-rata equivalent for part-time students), subject to unit availability. Students who do not conform with this timeframe may have to exit with a lower award.
1.52. An EdD student who has obtained a Master of Science or equivalent degree can apply for recognition of prior learning to cover up to 100 credit points of the taught component.
1.53. An exemption from part of the taught component because of the recognition of prior learning is only relevant if the student goes on to be awarded the EdD degree. Recognition of prior learning is not permitted for taught exit awards.
1.54. An EdD student must fulfil the following criteria to progress to the research component:
1.54.1. Pass the taught component. 100 credit points must be gained by achieving the pass mark at the first attempt.
1.54.2. Successfully complete any designated pre-requisites as preparation for the research component and dissertation.
1.54.3. Submit a research proposal, which must be approved by the school. When considering the proposal, the school must consider the feasibility of the study and the student’s ability to complete the dissertation within the time permitted.
1.54.4. Obtain any ethical approval required for the research.
1.55. An EdD student is only required to participate in annual progress monitoring when they have progressed to the research component.
1.56. An EdD student who has obtained the necessary credit points might be eligible for a taught exit award in the following circumstances:
1.56.1. They decide to leave before completing the EdD programme.
1.56.2. They transfer to a lower-level award.
1.56.3. They fail in the examination of their dissertation.
1.56.4. They are required to withdraw following, for example, a Registration Review Panel.
1.57. To be eligible for the exit award of a taught masters, a postgraduate diploma or a postgraduate certificate, a student must meet the requirements in the programme specification, the University’s credit framework and in the regulations and code of practice for taught degrees.
1.58. The additional regulations for the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and the Master of Science by Research (MScR) are specified here.
1.59. The Master of Music (MMus) and the MPhil in Musical Composition are covered by separate additional regulations.
1.60. A student must fulfil the relevant award criteria to obtain a research master’s degree.
1.61. Students registered for a research master’s degree must satisfy any other formal requirements set by the faculty or by a sponsor, which can include satisfactory performance in any prescribed work.
