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Overview of PGR degree provision, including degrees that provide opportunity for off-campus study.

The general aims of doctoral research degree programmes are to:

• provide students with an opportunity to acquire expert knowledge in a specialist field of an academic discipline;
• furnish training in research methods, such as the use of technical literature and published materials, and the techniques of empirical research (e.g. experimental and/or fieldwork methods and the use of records and documents);
• enable students to design, implement and report upon an independent research project;
• foster development of a capacity for analysis, constructive criticism, originality and independence of thought;
• provide experience of participation in the research culture of an academic department, including (where appropriate and available) opportunities where appropriate to teach undergraduate students;
• enable students to develop the professional, practical, and personal skills and attributes for career progression in their chosen field;
• facilitate students to undertake autonomous research and make a contribution at the forefront of knowledge in their field.

The ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ delivers the following doctoral degrees at Level 8 of the .

• The Doctor of Philosophy which requires students to complete a programme of supervised research and preparation of a thesis.Ìý Assessment is solely by final thesis or by published work (also reference the Submission of a Research Paper PhD Thesis: Guidance), or by an artefact or performance that is accompanied by a written commentary placing it in its academic context.
• The Professional Doctorate which requires students to undertake a combination of taught compulsory and/or elective modules, individual and/or group projects, and preparation of a thesis.Ìý Such doctorates may also involve professional-based practice placements.
• The Integrated Doctor of Philosophy (iPhD) which requires students to completeÌýa prescribed programme of modules in the early stages of the degree with the remainder of candidature devoted to supervised research and preparation of a thesis.Ìý Also reference the Integrated PhD Policy.
• The Higher Doctorate degrees of Doctor of Letters, Music, Science, Science in the Social Sciences and Laws which may be awarded by the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ to an individual who has distinguished themselves by their contribution to research, learning or (in the case of the Doctor of Music) to musical composition.ÌýSee also the Submission for a Higher Doctorate Guidance.

Research degrees may be studied on a full- or part-time basis.Ìý In cases where there have been periods of full-time and part-time candidature, the calculation of the maximum permitted period of candidature shall be proposed by the Doctoral College (Faculty) Office to the Faculty Director of the Graduate School for approval.Ìý See also the Determining the maximum period of candidature when changing between full-and part-time studyÌýguidance.

There are numerous activities which may require a student to be located at another higher education institution, organisation, or other location away from ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ's campus to conduct some or all elements of their research degree.Ìý Such activities may need to be undertaken in the UK or overseas, and their duration, frequency and timing will be aligned with the nature of the student's research project.Ìý The Ìýis intended for ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ colleagues with responsibilities for PGR students and research degrees.Ìý

The Joint and Double Research Degree FrameworkÌýdefines and outlines the key functions and activities required for the management and day to day operation of a Joint and Double Research Degree arrangement that the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ enters into with a partner institution.Ìý All partnerships must be approved via the procedure outlined in the Education Partnerships Policy.

The Ìýdefines and outlines the key functions and activities associated with the development, management and operation of a ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ research degree that is to be delivered by distance learning, either to a defined cohort (where all research projects share a common disciplinary interest which support the development of a cohort identity) or to an individual student.Ìý Proposals should be made via the PhD by Distance Learning: Evidence of Compliance formÌýand approved by PGR QME Subcommittee. Each student must be provided with an Individual Doctoral Agreement - this is individual to the student and sets down the arrangements which are specific to the distance learning mode of attendance and which are considered necessary to support the student during their candidature.

The Split-Site PhDs: Principles and Procedures provides specific guidance to Schools wishing to set up this type of agreement.Ìý All partnerships must be approved via the procedure outlined in the Education Partnerships Policy.