Regulations for awards (research degrees): Section H

Section H: Regulations for the Award of PhD by Prospective Publication

 

The following regulations govern the specific rules for award for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Prospective Publication. They should be read in conjunction with the General Regulations Governing all Research Degrees.

 

This award may only be offered in Schools where published guidelines exist, that have been through validation and subsequently been approved by the University Research Committee and the Senate.

 

H1. The Award

H1.1 A PhD by Prospective Publication involves the submission of a thesis containing submitted (and accepted for publication) or fully published articles (in peer-reviewed academic papers, books, cited works or other materials that have been placed in the public domain) published within the student’s period of registration only. The award is only available to members of staff of the University who are employed in academic roles, but who do not possess a PhD.

 

H1.2 PhD by Prospective Publication

H1.2.1 The PhD by Prospective Publication is awarded to a candidate who has:

• Submitted a series of peer-reviewed academic papers, books, cited works or other materials that have been placed in the public domain as articles that have been published, accepted for publication, exhibited or performed, prior to enrolment.
• Presented a substantial commentary linking the published work, putting it in context and outlining its coherence and significance in terms of knowledge creation
• Demonstrated the acquisition and utilisation of research skills equivalent to those of a traditional PhD student.
• Included a literature review in the submission.
• Successfully presented and defended the body of work by viva examination to the satisfaction of examiners.

 

H2. Thesis length

H2.1 The work as a whole should be equivalent in length or volume to the work required for a full Doctoral thesis.

H2.2 It is expected that the majority of publications presented will be recent.

H2.3 Examples of work which might be suitable for PhD by Prospective Publication could include:

• Four or five articles which have been published in quality academic journals;
• One or more academic books, chapters, monographs, scholarly editions of a text.

 

H2.4 The text of the commentary should be a minimum of 15,000 words (excluding references and appendices). 

 

H3. Period of enrolment

Mode of Study	Length
Full-time	36 months
Part-time	72 months

H3.1 Candidates must submit their work at the end of the permitted period of enrolment. Failure to do so will lead to a termination of the candidate’s registration on the grounds of non-submission.

H3.2 PhD by Prospective Publication candidates are not permitted to apply for additional time or a writing-up period. 

H3.3 Interruptions are not normally available to PhD by Prospective Publication candidates, but they may apply in very exceptional circumstances.

 

H4. Admission criteria

H4.1 In addition to the general criteria, normally the minimum level of attainment required for entry is:

• A body of published work which, prima facie, is appropriate for the award of a Doctorate; AND
• A Master's degree from a UK University or equivalent, normally with a classification of merit or distinction, in a discipline appropriate to the proposed programme to be followed; AND
• An upper second class honours degree from a UK university in a discipline appropriate to that of the proposed programme to be followed; AND
• Appropriate research or professional experience at postgraduate level, which has resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment.

 

H5. Final thesis examination

H5.1 Final thesis examination 

H5.1.1 A PhD by Prospective Publication candidate shall be examined by at least two external examiners and one internal examiner who has undergone University training for the role. 

H5.1.2 The examination for PhD by the publication route has two stages:

• The submission of the actual publications with a commentary and an abstract.
• Its defence by viva examination. 

H5.1.3 On referral, the requirement for a viva examination is at the discretion of the examiners. However, the examiners may not recommend that a candidate fail without holding a second viva examination.   

 

H5.2 Recommendations Following Examination: 

H5.2.1 Following examination including a viva examination, the examiners may recommend:

• Award (without amendments).
• Award subject to the completion of editorial, presentational and minor corrections. The revised submission must be presented to the satisfaction of the internal examiner only, normally within one month from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred unless the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made. Any further editorial corrections, given as an outcome of the revised resubmission, must be completed within 2 weeks from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination.
• Award subject to minor amendments. The resubmission addressing all amendments must be completed to the satisfaction of the internal examiner within three months from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred unless the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made.
• Referral to complete major amendments. The candidate may be required to make amendments to the commentary and/or possible additions to the publications.  Any additions must be from a body of work published prior to enrolment for the award. The resubmission addressing all amendments must be completed to the satisfaction of all examiners within six months from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. On receipt of the resubmitted work, the examiners reserve the right to require a further viva examination.
• Fail so that the candidate is not awarded a degree. 

 

H5.3 Recommendations Following the Submission of Minor Amendments:

• Award (without amendments).
• Award subject to the completion of editorial, presentational and minor corrections. The revised submission must be presented to the satisfaction of the internal examiner normally within one month from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred unless the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made. Any further editorial corrections, given as an outcome of the revised resubmission, must be completed within 2 weeks from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination.
• Fail so that the candidate is not awarded a degree.

H5.3.1 Where a candidate has been required to complete minor amendments and resubmits work that is not to the satisfaction of the internal examiner, the work must be presented for consideration by all examiners before a recommendation can be made.

 

H5.4 Recommendations Following the Submission of Referred Work:

H5.4.1 Only one opportunity for referral is permitted (referral to complete major amendments). 

H5.4.2 Following the examination of referred work (including a viva examination where required), the examiners may recommend:

• Award (without amendments).
• Award subject to the completion of editorial, presentational and minor corrections. The revised submission must be presented to the satisfaction of the internal examiner normally within one month from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred unless the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made. Any further editorial corrections, given as an outcome of the revised resubmission, must be completed within 2 weeks from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination.
• Award subject to minor amendments. The resubmission addressing all amendments must be completed to the satisfaction of the internal examiner within three months from the date of the notification of the outcome of the examination. No award will be conferred unless the internal examiner is satisfied that all corrections have been made.
• Fail so that the candidate is not awarded a degree. 

H5.4.3 Upon their initial assessment of the referred work, if the examiners are of the view that the candidate’s work should be failed then they are required to invoke a viva examination before deciding the outcome.    

H5.4.4 Where the outcome of an examination (either at initial consideration or following referral) is that the candidate should not be awarded the degree, candidates are not permitted to submit a new application within two years from the date of the original examination. A second or subsequent application must include evidence of additional work.