Degree information
When you pursue a research degree, there are no formal lectures, essays, assignments or tutorial work. Instead, two supervisors will help you with the development and progress of your self-directed project. As a result, it’s very important that you’re both motivated and well organised. Ultimately you will have to write a thesis based on your research, which will be presented for examination. It needs to be substantial and demonstrate a sound knowledge and critical appreciation of your discipline. It must also:
In the light of the requirements, it’s important to ask yourself exactly why you’re choosing a particular area of study and a particular supervisor. You’ll need to read some past examples of theses and talk to existing students, as well as academics other than your proposed supervisor – such as your undergraduate tutor. There are also practical considerations to do with time, accommodation, family and money – all of which require careful consideration.
You will be required to submit your thesis for examination within the following periods
- make a distinct contribution to knowledge and provide evidence of your originality by the discovery of new facts;
- show your ability to test ideas;
- demonstrate a knowledge of the research techniques appropriate to your discipline and to show that they have been successfully applied;
- show your ability in the organisation and presentation of material in the thesis and demonstrate clarity of expression and appropriate literary style;
- not normally exceed 80,000 textual words for a PhD or 40,000 textual words for an MPhil.
You and your thesis will be examined by at least two examiners and there will be two stages to the process, a preliminary assessment and a defence by viva voce (oral examination).
In the light of the requirements, it’s important to ask yourself exactly why you’re choosing a particular area of study and a particular supervisor. You’ll need to read some past examples of theses and talk to existing students, as well as academics other than your proposed supervisor – such as your undergraduate tutor. There are also practical considerations to do with time, accommodation, family and money – all of which require careful consideration.
You will be required to submit your thesis for examination within the following periods
Full-time - PhD (36 months)
Full-time - MPhil (12 months)
Part-time - PhD (48 months)
Part-time - PhD (48 months)
Part-time - MPhil (24 months)
If you are a full-time student, you should normally expect to spend an absolute minimum of 37 hours per week for at least 45 weeks per year on your research. This amounts to 5,000 hours, if you are to submit your thesis for a PhD examination within the time period shown above.
You will normally be registered initially for an MPhil. After 12 months as a full-time student, or 18 months as a part-time student, your progress will be reviewed formally. It is at this stage that any decision to re-grade your registration from MPhil to PhD will be taken. The transfer process will be based on a formal interview. Your progress will also be subject to a formal process of monitoring each year, which normally takes place in May/June.
You will normally be registered initially for an MPhil. After 12 months as a full-time student, or 18 months as a part-time student, your progress will be reviewed formally. It is at this stage that any decision to re-grade your registration from MPhil to PhD will be taken. The transfer process will be based on a formal interview. Your progress will also be subject to a formal process of monitoring each year, which normally takes place in May/June.
