A PhD is awarded on the successful completion of supervised research, a verbal examination and a final thesis. In the case of a 'fail' at resubmission of your PhD thesis, an MPhil may be awarded.
Supervision
Full-time doctoral students should meet with their supervisors at least 12 times each year. Part-time doctoral students should meet with their supervisors at least six times each year. If you are supported by a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, then retention of your visa depends on regular academic engagement and participation in supervisory meetings.
Assessment
PhD students must submit and verbally defend a thesis (maximum 100,000 words), demonstrating to the examiners' satisfaction that the research project and thesis represents a knowledgeable and original contribution to the field(s) of scholarship and research.
Confirmation of studies review
All doctoral students are required to successfully complete a 12,000-word confirmation of studies review within one year of full-time study. Confirmation of studies is approved on the basis of the 12,000-word written academic paper and report as well as a verbal defence with an internal assessor usually assigned from within the school.
Annual review
Following the successful completion of the confirmation of studies review, all doctoral students are required to submit further annual reviews at the end of each academic year to progress to the next stage of study.
For all annual progress review assessments, records of regular supervisory meetings will need to be submitted with annual progress review reports as evidence of ongoing and consistent engagement in your studies.
All elements and milestones of your programme need to be passed annually for you to continue your research programme and progress to the next stage of study.
Following any progression review, if the outcome recommendation is that you not progress to the next stage of study, your registration may be withdrawn, or it may be recommended that you transfer to an MPhil award. Please see further progression review information in our Quality Manual.
Doctoral development
Doctoral students also will be required to participate fully in doctoral development seminars and events throughout their studies with us, through the School of Education as well as the Researcher Academy. This includes full participation in the annual doctoral student-led PGR conferences as well as progress-dependent seminars that are required attendance and participation such as those on ethics and research integrity and others.