phd by publication law

PhD by publication

PhD awards for published researchers

Explore how you can turn your existing peer reviewed research publications into a PhD qualification

What is a PhD by publication?

A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree that's based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.

Depending on the subject area, peer reviewed academic papers, complete books, chapters in anthologies, or equivalent materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed may be eligibl e. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6–12 months after registering with us.

These materials will be accompanied by a commentary of 5,000–10,000 words, which outlines your work's coherence, significance and contribution to knowledge, and you'll be examined through an oral defence of your research, known as a viva voce. Applicants must have held a first or higher degree from a UK higher education institute – or a recognised equivalent non-UK degree of the same standard – for at least 5 years.

Once you've been awarded a PhD by publication, you'll be in a great position to move onto further research or to use your new postgraduate qualification to progress your career.

The cost of getting a PhD by publication in most of our subject areas is £4,500 for external candidates – check your research subject area page for more details.

How to apply

To be considered for a PhD by publication, you'll need to have held an undergraduate or postgraduate degree – awarded either by a UK higher education institute or a recognised non-UK equivalent – for at least 5 years.

To apply you'll need:

A CV and the names of two referees
A title of the proposed PhD
A listing of the published work on which the application is based
A statement of not more than 1000 words setting out your view of the nature and significance of the work submitted

Apply from the relevant subject area page .

If your application is successful, you'll need to submit the already-published materials – those that you wish to be considered as part of your PhD by publication award – between 6–12 months after registering with us.

PhD by published work

The PhD by published work route is intended primarily for mid-career research-active academics who, for one reason or another, haven’t had the opportunity to undertake a research programme leading to a PhD.

Submissions for this award will consist of a coherent body of work which is of the same quality, rigour and volume as required of a standard PhD in your field and which constitutes an original contribution to knowledge.

We welcome applications from Westminster staff and from outside the University. Applications are considered on their merits within the relevant colleges and applicants are advised to approach the relevant members of academic staff for an informal discussion before applying.

If your application is successful, you will be assigned one or more supervisors who will advise on which of your publications should form your final submission to be examined and how your commentary should be written. The commentary (15,000 words) describes the aims of the research you’ve undertaken to produce your publications, incorporates an analytical discussion of the main results and puts the total work submitted in context.

What kind of publications are considered to be appropriate for a submission via this route?

books and book chapters
refereed journal papers
Other media/other public output (eg architectural or engineering designs)
The submission of a single book, work or artefact is also possible
The body of work may not include any material produced more than ten years before the date of submission

How do I apply?

You should first make contact with the relevant academic or relevant College for an informal discussion of your publications and how they might be considered for a PhD by Published Work. If you decide to apply, you will make an application in the normal way.

What should my application consist of?

In addition to the standard application process, your application should also include a portfolio of publications, accompanied by a proposal not exceeding 2,000 words in length, which contextualises the selected publications, demonstrates their coherence and outlines the intended contribution to knowledge.

View the guidance on how to write your PhD by published work research proposal .

What happens after I’ve applied?

Your application will be considered by a College panel, which will assess the quality and the coherence of your publications and your proposal, and if the panel wishes to take your application further, it will invite you to interview, following which you will receive a decision.

How long will it take from initial enrolment to final submission of the work for examination?

This is a part-time programme which takes a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 24 months.

What should I do next?

Check that you meet the entry requirements and review your options for funding your programme
Find out if we cover your proposed area of research and if there is a supervisory team available

If you decide to proceed, you can find links to apply and all the information you need on our Research area pages .

Fees and funding.

How much will it cost to study a research degree?

Entry requirements

Find out if you can apply for a Research Degree at the University of Westminster.

Research degree by distance learning

Find out about Research Degree distance learning options at the University of Westminster.

We use cookies to ensure the best experience on our website.

By accepting you agree to cookies being stored on your device.

Some of these cookies are essential to the running of the site, while others help us to improve your experience.

Functional cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility.

Analytics cookies help us improve our website based on user needs by collecting information, which does not directly identify anyone.

Marketing cookies send information on your visit to third parties so that they can make their advertising more relevant to you when you visit other websites.

PhD by Publication
Research with us
Postgraduate Research
Postgraduate Qualifications Explained
Culture, Creativity and Belief
Healthy living and ageing
Rethinking Society
Securing Energy, Food and Water
Understanding Human and Natural Environments
Understanding the Fundamentals
What to expect from your PhD
Application Deadlines
How to write your research degree proposal
Latest PhDs and Research Studentships
How To Apply
Make An Enquiry
Find a PhD Supervisor
Studentships and Stipends
Stipends and Fee Levels
Self-Funded PhD Research
ARIES - Environmental Sciences
CHASE - Arts and Humanities
NRPDTP - Biosciences
Agri-FoRwArdS Researchers
Critical Decade for Climate Change Leverhulme Doctoral Scholars programme
EDESIA Supervisors
Wellcome Trust Biomedical Vacation Research Studentships
EDESIA FAQs
EDESIA Case Studies
MRC DART iCASE - Antimicrobial Resistance
SENSS - Social Sciences
Environment
Funding and how to apply
Professional Doctorates
Postgraduate Research Themes
Master's by Research
Arts and Humanities Graduate School
Medicine and Health Graduate School
Science Graduate School
Social Sciences Graduate School
Earlham Institute
John Innes Centre
Quadram Institute Bioscience
The Sainsbury Laboratory
Training Programme
Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership
John Innes Centre /The Sainsbury Laboratory Rotation
EDESIA - Plants, Food and Health
University of Suffolk Graduate School
Training Pathways
Facilities for Postgraduate Researchers
Annual Reports
Meet our Research Students
New Students FAQs
Make an enquiry
How to Apply
Arts and Humanities Fellowships
Social Sciences Fellowships
Science Fellowships
Archives and Collections Visiting Fellowships
Meet our Fellows
Working at UEA
Performance
UEA’s AHRC Impact Acceleration Account
Deictic Communication
Climate-relevant Ocean Measurements and Processes on the Antarctic Continental Shelf and Slope (COMPASS)
Social Influence and Disruptive Low Carbon Innovations (SILCI)
Volcanoes: eruptive style, pre-eruptive evolution and risk (VESPER)
Global Challenges Research Fund
Newton Fund
Quality Related GCRF
Global Research Translation Award
Partnerships
UEA REF21 Impact
Norwich Research Park
Research Portal
Open research: Microfinance misconceptions
Open research: Brain evolution
Open research: A royal shipwreck
Research Culture Timeline
Research groups and centres

The PhD by Publication is an accelerated, part-time PhD award intended for those who have carried out extensive research over a significant period of time and have a number of publications arising from this work which have already been published in high-quality journals.

This should not be confused with the standard PhD (3-4 years full-time).

If you have any questions about the PhD by Publication degree which are not answered on this page, please email us or call us .

What should the word length of the submitted publications be?

Where written publications are being submitted as evidence in the application for admission to the PhD by Publication, the total word length of publications when combined with the critical analysis (15,000 words) should be broadly comparable to that of a submission for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, which is typically between 80,000 and 100,000 words. The quality of the journals within which publications have been published will be assessed as part of the application procedure.

Can only standard academic publications be considered?

As well as standard academic or creative publications, for Schools in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, ‘published work’ may include performance, exhibition, installation, media of various kinds as defined in the University’s Award Regulations, provided that it is made available in an appropriate digital or other recorded format.

How is the PhD by Publication assessed?

As well as submitting the published work, candidates for the PhD by Publication need to prepare a critical analysis of around 15,000 words and to undertake an oral examination (viva) on the critical analysis and the published work. The University provides supervisory support for this.

Can it be done in every subject?

UEA currently offer the PhD by Publication within all Schools and Institutes, except for the following:

The School of Education and Lifelong Learning only accept PhD by Publication applications from current members of UEA staff subject also to further conditions listed on the Course Catalogue page, in the Entry Requirements section.
The School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing is not currently accepting any PhD by Publication applications.

How long does it take?

The period of study is six months part-time (0.5FTE), extendable at the discretion of the School or Institute to a maximum of twelve months part-time study.

Who is the PhD by Publication suitable for?

The PhD by Publication may be appropriate for you if:

You have been carrying out research over a long period of time (at least seven years)

This work is already published in high-quality journals (or equivalent as above), forms a coherent programme of research and represents a significant contribution to understanding

You want to seek academic recognition for this work by a doctoral award.

What are the academic requirements of the programme?

The minimum University academic requirement for a PhD by Publication degree is the same as that required for a PhD: you need the equivalent of a 2:1 in a UK Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree in a relevant field of study. However, depending on which School you are studying in, some may set a higher or more specific entry requirement. If English is not your first language, you may also be asked to provide evidence of proficiency in English language. This will be listed as a condition on your offer letter.

What should I do if I want to apply?

To apply for a PhD by Publication degree, we advise that you take a look at the research areas UEA offers and then contact at least one potential academic supervisor you would be interested in working with, stating your interest. At this point it would be a good idea to read up on your potential supervisor’s research papers that are related to your interests. You will then be able to fill in an application form which needs to contain your formal research proposal. Take a look at our guidance on how to write a research degree proposal .

What are you looking for?

Law MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works
Courses by subject

Postgraduate PG

MPhil: Full time 12 months - 3 years, Part time 30 months - 5 years PhD: Full time 2 years - 4 years, Part time 3 years - 6 years PhD by Published Works: 1 - 2 years

October, March

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU Students enquiries

[email protected] 0300 303 2772

International Students enquiries

[email protected] +44 (0)1604 893981

This PhD programme at the University of Northampton with our Faculty in Business and Law , offers the opportunity to undertake advanced legal research. If you are a graduate in Law or similar discipline, this Law MPhil/ PhD / PhD by Published Works programme offers an excellent route to expand your knowledge and research skills. A PhD in Law entails writing a thesis over a period of three, or at most four years (four to six years for part-time students). Students in our PhD programme receive excellent training and work under the supervision of academic supervisors. Our doctoral students become members of a lively academic community which plays a significant role in the education of lawyers and law teachers from around the world. Successful defence of the final thesis will provide the researcher with the highest qualification that any UK university can award and offer an excellent opportunity to move into higher management positions within the industry.

Find out more about the following Research Institutes and Centres:

Centre for Sustainable Business Practices (CSBP)
Centre for Global Economic and Social Development (GESD)
Centre for Sustainable Futures
Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice (IPSCJ)

The closing dates for applications for the October intake is 1 August, and for the March intake is 11 December.

Updated 16/04/2024

Immerse yourself in sustained, in-depth study into a specific topic
Stimulate real change while you work across our core fields in terms of both legal and policy issues
Join a community of established researchers and contribute to a diverse intellectual environment
Receive research training in law and social sciences
Regular research seminars, conferences and research activities led by our Research Centres and the Graduate School .

Course Content

This Law PhD programme is a way for you to develop your specialism and improve your research, written, presentation and practice skills. While developing and setting up research projects, you will initially receive general, discipline-based and project specific training so that you can conduct your research effectively and independently. You will be supervised throughout your project by Law staff who are specialists in their areas and will guide you through the process with regular in-person or online meetings. When you finish this course, you will be able to find research and development roles within the industry, progress into an academic career or enter business at a managerial level.

Research topics

This course is unique to the University of Northampton. We can supervise topics including:

Environmental Law and Justice
Sustainability (including human rights)
Trafficking of Wild Animals
Medical law and Ethics
Treatment decisions and critically ill babies
Experiences of families in medical settings
The Hart-Dworkin Debate
Naturalised jurisprudence/ legal positivism
Criminal Justice
Criminal Procedure
Suspects’ rights
Fair trials

Previously we have supervised doctoral research on:

Airport Security and Counterterrorism
Post-conflict state reconstruction
Modelling the use of legal English for Algerian law tutors

We offer opportunities to develop interdisciplinary study and Practice as Research projects.

Proven and potential academic excellence

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their international equivalent:

an upper second-class or higher undergraduate degree with honours  in a relevant subject to the proposed area of research
a Masters degree in a relevant subject to the proposed area of research

In the absence of the above qualifications, candidates may be admitted with lower-level qualifications or qualifications in a different subject area, and relevant experience will also be considered on an individual basis.

Performance at interview

All suitable candidates will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

English Language Requirements

This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement.  The minimum scores required to meet the University’s higher level are IELTS at 7.0, with no component less than 6.5 specifically in writing (or equivalent). Applications received with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components will not be considered.

All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:

successful interview by the University
suitable Research Supervision Support

For Additional information on how to apply to study with us, how to find a potential Supervisor and what documents are required as part of the application process, please see our  How to Apply page .

2024/25 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees

Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) practice based in the Arts, Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

UK – Full Time: £5,500
UK – Part Time: £2,775
International – Full Time: £15,950
International – Part Time: £7,450

Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by Means of Published Works

UK – Part Time: £3,500
International – Part Time: £7,650

Please visit the funding pages and our scholarship pages for more details on how to fund your study.

2023/24 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

UK – Full Time: £5,340
UK – Part Time: £2,695
International – Full Time: £15,480
International – Part Time: £7,245
UK – Part Time: £3,400
International – Part Time: £7,460

Simon Sneddon

Associate Professor in Learning & Teaching

Faculty of Business and Law

Ed Johnston

Associate Professor in Criminal Justice & Procedure

Ebenezer Laryea

Associate Professor in Sustainable Development Law

Konatsu Nishigai

Senior Lecturer in Law

Nicola Smithers

Careers and employability.

UON Research students will pursue a range of career paths after completion of their doctorate degree. Many will take up academic posts or pursue postdoctoral research of one sort or another. Some will enter legal practice as solicitors, barristers, advocates, or judges; others will become legal advisors, advising government departments, non-governmental organisations, and private companies.

The University of Northampton has an excellent careers service. Our Careers and Employability Service is dedicated to equipping students with the skills to thrive, adapt and innovate in our ever-changing world.

Our PhD students have access to exceptional research facilities such as:

Opportunities for research collaboration with staff and students
Dedicated PhD study area with computer and printer in the Learning Hub
Spacious individual and group working space and discussion areas
Well-equipped library with access to academic e-books, journal articles and learning resources for on-site and off-site study
Excellent social groups for student meetings and engagement
Library and Learning support for PhD students
Skills support for PhD students
Teaching and Research Assistant opportunities should you meet the requirements

Related Courses

Law LLB (Hons)

If you are intending to qualify as a solicitor or barrister then this is the course for you.

Law (Two-Year Accelerated) LLB (Hons)

This accelerated LLB allows you to condense three years of study into two years, accelerating your career development.

Law with Criminology BA (Hons)

This course undertakes a comprehensive study of the law and combine this with the study of crime, social order and social control that is central to the study of Criminology.

Doctor of Business Administration DBA

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a professional doctorate with the same status as a PhD.

Is this course for you?

PhD by Publication – Explained
Types of Doctorates

Introduction

Obtaining a PhD by publication is relatively uncommon in higher education. It can, however, be especially useful for established researchers who have published work but don’t yet have a PhD. This article gives information on exactly what a PhD by publication is, how it works and what the advantages and disadvantages are. Read on to learn more.

What is a PhD by Publication?

A PhD by publication is a doctoral degree awarded to a person who has several peer-reviewed publications that have been put together as separate ‘chapters’, contributing to a unified research theme within a specific field.

This format typically consists of a significant introductory chapter, up to 10,000 words, similar to a traditional thesis, followed by around five published research papers and a final chapter to bring things to a conclusion. Although these papers will be separate bodies of work, it’s important that they’re connected along one research theme.

This route to PhD can be attractive to researchers that have published a lot in their academic career but have not followed the traditional PhD path. It helps them gain recognition for their contributions to their research field and recognition that the work they have done has been of a doctoral level without having to write a separate PhD thesis.

A PhD by publication is awarded following a viva (also known as an oral examination) with examiners, similar to the process of a traditional PhD.

What are the Advantages?

A clear advantage of a PhD by publication is that you’re submitting a portfolio of work that has already gone through extensive peer review. This means that by the time you come to defend your work at a viva, it’s much easier. For example, the questions your examiners may ask you could be very similar to the questions you were asked by your reviewers during your paper publication phase and so you will already have prepared suitable responses to these.

Another advantage of this route is that it’s a much quicker way of obtaining a PhD degree; traditional PhD programmes take between three and four years from registration to completion whereas you can get a PhD by publication within one year of registration with the University, assuming that you enrol on this degree having already published all the papers that you will include in your portfolio of work. The shorter duration means that you often will only have to pay for one year of University fees, meaning that this approach is cheaper than a traditional method. It’s often possible that you can work any part-time job alongside preparing your publication portfolio for viva examination submission.

What are the Disadvantages?

Not all research fields or questions are suitable for a PhD by publication. In some cases, it may be necessary to design, set up and run a new PhD project in the field, recording the generation of further data. Additionally, it may be difficult to expand upon your previous publications and explore different research ideas as you put together your portfolio of papers. As this approach is a relatively uncommon way to get a PhD, some institutions may be unfamiliar or not set up to facilitate a PhD by publication. While the final viva examination will be the same as that in a traditional PhD, there is always the risk that some examiners may not see this publication route as being a ‘real’ PhD.

You’re also likely to miss out on some other aspects of PhD life by going down the publication route, including opportunities to teach or supervise undergraduate students and the experience of working within a research lab alongside other PhD students.

How Long Does a PhD by Publication Take?

You should expect a PhD by publication to take six months to one year to obtain from your point of registration with a UK University. This is on the basis that you have already published work for all the material that you would plan to include within your PhD portfolio, or that it is currently going through the review process. This approach is shorter than pursuing a traditional PhD, which typically takes between three and four years as a full-time student.

What is the Application Process?

You apply using the standard process required by the university to enrol, in the same way as the traditional route of a PhD. In addition, however, you will be asked to submit a portfolio of your prior publication track record and a supporting statement outlining the work of these existing publications, detailing how they tell a coherent story with the relevant subject area you’re applying to. You won’t need to submit a formal PhD research proposal as most, if not all, of the research should already have been completed.

Do you have Supervision?

Yes, in the same way that a traditional PhD student will have a primary supervisor to oversee your project. The role of the supervisor will be to help you establish a clear narrative for the theme you’re putting together of your publications, offering critical appraisal where necessary.

He or she will advise you on how to structure the introductory and concluding bodies of work that are required before you submit your portfolio for external examination and viva. Remember that the supervisor is there to advise and not tell you how to structure your dissertation; this is the same for any research student doing a standard PhD.

With this researcher-supervisor relationship, your options may be open in terms of whether you need to be based at the University in person or if you choose to work remotely as a distance learning student, communicating with your supervisor over email or video calls.

How does Assessment Work?

The body of work that you submit will be read and assessed by two examiners that are experts within your subject area of research. This will be followed by the viva examination with the two examiners, in line with the conventional PhD approach. To be awarded this research degree you will need to demonstrate that your work has made an original contribution to furthering the subject knowledge within your field.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How Much Does It Cost?

As a PhD by publication usually takes about a year to complete, most universities typically charge a fee equivalent to one year of PhD study. The exact amount will vary depending on the University, but usually, the tuition fee will be around £4,500 for one year for UK and EU students, and considerably more if you are an international student. It’s challenging to secure funding for these types of PhD degrees and you will find that you’re unlikely to be eligible for financial support from research councils or other routes of funding.

What Kind of Publications Can I use in my Portfolio?

Universities will have specific guidance about factors such as how many publications you can include in your portfolio and there may be some restrictions on when they should have been published. Typically, you will include 5 publications in your submission to your PhD examiners, but this can in some circumstances be as low as 3 or 4 or as high as 10 separate papers. Most often these will be in the form of journal articles accepted by peer reviewed journals but can also include published book chapters, scientific or technical reports that have been published or other forms of publication that have gone through a level of peer review.

A PhD by publication is a good way for you to graduate with a doctorate if you enter this research programme having already published several academic papers on a single research theme. You need to demonstrate that you have made a significant contribution to your field through previous research. At this stage it is likely to be the cheapest and fastest route to gaining a PhD. However, applicants should be mindful when they apply that it may be challenging to secure funding for this.

Browse PhDs Now

Join thousands of students.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

A PhD by publication or how I got my doctorate and kept my sanity

Associate, Children's Policy Centre, Australian National University, Australian National University

Disclosure statement

Mhairi Cowden does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Australian National University provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.

View all partners

Doing a PhD is a difficult business. Long hours, personal stress, institutional pressure to complete on time – and all this for what?

Increasingly a PhD alone does not guarantee an academic career. We are expected to publish, teach and contribute to professional development. Oh and did I mention you have to publish, publish, publish?

However there is a way to publish and do a PhD - hopefully without perishing.

I recently completed my PhD by publication, which for me was a way of getting a doctorate while keeping my sanity.

What is a PhD by publication?

A PhD by Publication is just what it sounds like, instead of producing one large monograph, you produce a series of articles to be published in peer reviewed journals or as book chapters.

The normal format is four to five research papers bookended by a substantial introductory chapter and a concluding chapter. The thesis must still read as a cohesive whole and therefore despite the articles being stand alone pieces, they must also relate to each other.

The aim is that when they are read together they become more than just the sum of their parts.

It is a relatively new concept within the social sciences and humanities but has been around for a while in the hard sciences here in Australia. It is much more common in European Universities where it is often the standard approach for doctoral studies.

The advantages

There are many advantages to doing a PhD this way. One of the more self-evident ones is that it allows you to publish and finish a PhD – academically hitting two birds with one stone.

There are many pressures of doing a PhD that are taken away from publishing. PhD by publication focused my writing on achieving output and helped to avoid the trap of always pushing the publications to the side.

A PhD by publication also helps you to develop practical skills. Through my own process, I learnt how to write to journal editors, deal with rejection and pitch articles – all skills that are important for professional academic life.

This method also divides the PhD up into more manageable chunks – sometimes the hardest thing about a PhD is the enormity of the task it presents. But dividing it up into five discrete papers allowed me to see a way ahead making the PhD seem more achievable.

Last but not least, you can get both expert feedback and it can provide that “tick” factor. PhD students were usually high achieving undergraduate students used to receiving recognition and reward for their work. Entering the land of doctoral studies, you don’t get the pay off from your work until the end of many years and lack of recognition can be deeply un-motivating.

But each time something is published is a chance to celebrate and take a deep breath before moving on to the next portion.

The expert feedback you get during this process is also very helpful even it’s not always pleasant (see below). By the time your PhD goes to examiners it has already gone through a rigorous peer review process.

In times of PhD panic, it was comforting to think that my work can’t be that bad if someone had already agreed to publish it.

The disadvantages

Of course, though, there are some disadvantages to electing to do a PhD in this way.

Chief among them is the pressure to start publishing immediately. Publishing is hardly a quick process; it can sometimes take up to two years from submission to a journal long periods of fieldwork may not be compatible.

Therefore candidates taking this route need to start straight away. Aim to have your first paper finished within the first 6 months.

It’s also worth recognising that this is not a format for the faint hearted. Rejections from journals can be brutal. You need to be prepared to take this on the chin and send it out again.

That said, this is a skill you need to develop for academia. Being exposed to it early helped me develop a thick skin and be humble about my work.

With the benefit of feedback, there’s also the downside of extra work. You may often need to rewrite work for journal editors.

After all, editors have their own agenda and interests and in some respect you are writing for them and not for you. However this taught me to stand my ground with editors and defend things I wished to keep as well as framing things for different audiences.

Another thing to be wary of when considering a PhD by publication is that you need to understand that it’s not a professional Doctorate. A Professional Doctorate recognises contribution to a profession and usually doesn’t include the same level of original contribution or indeed a thesis.

PhD by publication is still examined to the same standards as a traditional PhD. However countering this assumption that it is not a “real” PhD is sometimes hard.

Finally, because you’re likely to be treading new ground in your institution, there’s not always a clear path before you.

I did my PhD in a department which was still sorting out its policy towards this format. As a consequence I needed the strong support of your supervisor and head of department to make this work (which I was lucky enough to have). You shouldn’t expect a clear set of instructions here; guidelines and policies seem to vary between departments, disciplines and universities.

The up shot

The biggest advantage is that I have come out of my doctoral studies not only with a PhD but with a healthy publication record. This I hope will assist me when taking the next step in my career.

For me, PhD with publication provided a framework, a way forward from which I could see the path to submission. It provided me with a way to get my doctorate without worrying about the process. It allowed me the opportunity to contribute to debates while developing my ideas.

If academia is to expect Australian candidates to now finish their PhD and publish, then it should promote and encourage alternative formats such as this. It can only be good for both PhD candidates and the profession at large.

Universities
Higher education

Research Fellow

Senior Research Fellow - Women's Health Services

Lecturer / Senior Lecturer - Marketing

Assistant Editor - 1 year cadetship

Executive Dean, Faculty of Health

Schools & departments

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Law

Upcoming Introduction to Postgraduate Study and Research events

Join us online on the 19th June or 26th June to learn more about studying and researching at Edinburgh.

Choose your event and register

Research profile

The Edinburgh Law School is a vibrant, collegial and enriching community of legal, sociolegal and criminology researchers and offers an excellent setting for doctoral research.

Edinburgh Law School is ranked 3rd in the UK for law for the quality and breadth of our research by Research Professional, based on the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021).

Our doctoral researchers are key to the School’s research activities, and we work hard to ensure that they are fully engaged with staff and projects across all of our legal disciplines.

You will find opportunities in the following fields:

company and commercial law
comparative law
constitutional and administrative law
criminal law
criminology and criminal justice
environmental law
European law, policy and institutions
European private law
evidence and procedure
gender and sexuality
human rights law
information technology law
intellectual property law
international law
legal theory
medical law and ethics
obligations
contract delict
unjustified enrichment
property, trusts and successions
Roman law and legal history
socio-legal studies

Training and support

Doctoral researchers enjoy full access to the University’s research skills training which the Law School complements with a tailored research and wider skills programme.

The training programme in Year One (six seminars) includes workshops on research design, writing and research ethics.

The focus of the training programme in Year Two and Three is on supporting the dissemination of work with opportunities to present work.

Opportunities are also available for research exchanges through the League of European Research (LERU) network, as well as an annual research training exchange programme with KU Leuven.

Find out more about the training and support available

Doctoral researchers are able to draw upon a fantastic range of resources and facilities to support their research.

The Law School has one of the most significant academic law libraries in the UK which offers outstanding digital resources alongside a world-leading print collection (almost 60,000 items including a unique collection for Scots law research).

You will also have access to the University’s Main Library which has one of the largest and most important collections in Britain, as well as the legal collection of the National Library of Scotland.

Career opportunities

Upon completion of the PhD, the majority of our students progress to postdoctoral research or lecturing and teaching roles.

Recent graduates have also found employment in roles as diverse as prison governor, solicitor and policy adviser for organisations including:

the International Criminal Court
Anderson Strathern
HM Prison Service

Our PhD programme

Edinburgh Law School can offer expert supervision across an exceptional range of subject areas for PhD study.

A PhD at Edinburgh Law School involves undertaking independent research, culminating in the submission of a thesis of up to 100,000 words, which should be an original piece of work that makes a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of study and contains material worthy of publication.

As a doctoral student, you will join a diverse community of around 100 postgraduate researchers and will become an integral part of the intellectual life of the School.

Find our more about studying for a PhD at Edinburgh Law School

Studying for a PhD video

Entry requirements.

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

PhD Law: a UK 2:1 honours degree in law, arts or social sciences, and a UK Masters degree with at least 60% in the taught section and 65% or more in the dissertation, or their international equivalents.

The majority of our applicants have studied law, but we are a comprehensive Law School covering a range of approaches to legal topics including social science, historical and philosophical enquiry; applications from non-law students with relevant studies and experience will be considered and if you require further guidance please contact us.

Entry to this programme is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements for consideration does not guarantee an offer of study

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

Entry requirements by country
English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other components. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 25 in writing and 23 in all other components.
C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 185 in writing and 176 in all other components.
Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 70 in writing and 62 in all other components.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

School of Law funding opportunities
Research scholarships for international students
Principal's Career Development PhD Scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

your programme
the duration of your studies
your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

Search for funding

Further information

Postgraduate Research Office
Phone: +44 (0)131 650 2022
Contact: [email protected]
School of Law (Postgraduate Research Office)
Old College
South Bridge
Central Campus
Programme: Law
School: Law
College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Law - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd law - 6 years (part-time), application deadlines.

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

For students

Current Students website
Email web access
Make a payment
iExeter (students)
Programme and module information
Current staff website
Room Bookings
iExeter (staff)
Finance Helpdesk
IT Service Desk

Types of research degrees

What is a research degree?

Research degrees are the highest level of qualification awarded by universities in the UK, and are at level 8 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) . Candidates carry out an independent research project under supervision over an extended period of time, before submitting a thesis or dissertation consisting of original material.

Research degrees offer a challenging and exciting opportunity to work at the cutting-edge of research: if you have these qualities we can offer a rich, dynamic and supportive environment in which to pursue research. At the University of Exeter, research students are supported by our Doctoral College .

We offer a range of research degrees, including:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Masters by Research (MbyRes)

Engineering doctorate (EngD)

Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Master of Surgery (MS)
Professional doctorates (such as DClinPGR and EngD)

You can find out about the length of each type of degree on our degree durations page.

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and MPhil (Master of Philosophy)

The MPhil, although a qualification in its own right, is often used as a route to the longer PhD. A PhD is only awarded when the results make an original contribution to knowledge in the field, which is normally assessed by a written thesis and oral examination.

Thesis / PhD by publication

Research degrees usually involve the completion of a written thesis, although alternatives may be allowed where suitable. Alternatives can include the presentation of part or all of the thesis as a multimedia document or a piece of art, or a record of professional practice in the form of a series of case-studies, which must be accompanied by a commentary. If you are interested in completing a thesis by alternative submission please contact the appropriate department to discuss this during the application process. If you publish research you have undertaken during your studies, it may also be possible to include such work in its published form in your thesis.

If you already have a portfolio of suitable quality published work which demonstrates a coherent research direction, you may be eligible for the PhD by Publication. This option reduces the study duration, and you will work with a supervisor to produce an integrating chapter explaining how the publications form a coherent whole.

How long does a PhD take?

A PhD takes three-to-four years when studied for full time, and six-to-seven years when studied for part time. And MPhil takes two-to-three years full time, and four-to-five years part time.

Can I study for a PhD part-time, distance learning or split-site?

In many instances, it's possible to study your PhD in a way that suits you. This may be part-time, around work or childcare, or from a distance. If you have access to appropriate academic facilities, becoming a split-site researcher may be an option. All off-campus research students receive supervision and support from our staff and are normally expected to attend the University for limited periods.

Further information about split-site study

Further information about part-time study

Details of which research degrees offer distance learning or split-site study are on individual research topic pages.

How can I pay for my PhD?

There are many ways to fund a research degree, from full studentships that pay your tuition fee and a significant living stipend, to small grants from educational charities and trusts. You can find out much more about funding your research degree on our regularly-updated PhD funding pages.

Masters by Research

The MA or MSc by Research lets you obtain a research degree without the commitment of a longer-term PhD. Not to be confused with the taught MRes degree, it’s ideal for people interested in pursuing a specific shorter-term research project, perhaps while working. You will have the option to apply to transfer to an MPhil or PhD.

Professional Doctorates

Professional doctorates combine a significant taught element with production of a research thesis, and are designed to help members of specific professions develop both their academic and professional knowledge (eg educational psychologists, clinical psychologists, teachers and lecturers).

Professional Doctorate, Psychology (DClinPGR)

The Professional Doctorate programmes in Psychology are different from conventional PhDs, which essentially offer training in academic research skills. These programmes all include taught academic and clinical research modules as well as applied psychological practice (DClinPsy and DPPClinPrac) and leadership (DClinPsy and DClinRes). All programmes include a major research project dissertation. Find out more

An EngD is equivalent in level to a PhD and is awarded for industrially relevant research. The degree provides a vocationally oriented approach to obtaining a doctorate in engineering. You can find out more about the EngD degrees we offer on our Engineering page.

Doctor of Medicine (MD)/Master of Surgery (MS)

These professional degrees contain no taught element and, like a PhD, are only awarded if an original contribution to knowledge is made. The degrees require a clinical degree or equivalent. Please see our Healthcare and Medicine page for further information.

PhD Funding

Doctoral College

Research proposal

Connect with us

Information for:

Current students
New students
Alumni and supporters

Quick links

Streatham Campus

St Luke's Campus

Penryn Campus

Truro Campus

Using our site
Accessibility
Freedom of Information
Modern Slavery Act Statement
Data Protection
Copyright & disclaimer
Privacy & cookies

About the LSE Impact Blog
Comments Policy
Popular Posts
Recent Posts
Subscribe to the Impact Blog
Write for us
LSE comment

August 20th, 2018

A phd by publication is a great way to build your academic profile, but be mindful of its challenges.

12 comments | 50 shares

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Peer-reviewed publications are the bread and butter of the academic world. The quantity and quality of papers a researcher publishes can influence job applications, grant applications, performance reviews, and promotions. Unfortunately, the craft of writing academic papers and facilitating their publication is not typically a focus of doctoral education.

To help better prepare candidates for the realities of academia, universities increasingly allow the option to complete a PhD by publication, a model which encourages candidates to publish during their candidature, and to include their publications as, or within, their final submission. Jørgen Carling has previously outlined the benefits of completing the PhD by publication. While we agree there are many advantages to adopting this model, there are also challenges that need to be considered to ensure success.

We understand many of these challenges, having both completed a PhD by publication in the past five years. In our field (education) and location (Australia), the traditional thesis dominates, and while that is slowly changing, we encountered a range of problems for which there was little advice or support available at the time. Here we anticipate some of the many questions candidates may ask, and offer possible answers based on our experiences and research.

How many papers should I publish?

There is no one correct answer! Regardless of the thesis mode, the goal of doctoral study is to make an original and significant contribution to a field. How many papers it will take to meet this goal will depend on many factors. We found that the average number of papers included in Australian theses was 4.5, but this ranged anywhere from one to 12 papers. Publishing in itself is not a guarantee of conferral of your degree, and quality may be more important than quantity.

Should I co-author with my supervisor?

Doctoral candidates often publish with their supervisors. Supervisors have always assisted their students in the development of their traditional thesis, to differing degrees, but in the past this has gone relatively unacknowledged. Most university guidelines will require candidates to declare each author’s contribution to a paper, and thus a higher level of authorial transparency is achieved. Co-authoring papers gives doctoral students an apprenticeship in writing journal articles, as well as experience in collaborative writing and working in research teams – a regular part of an academic’s job.

Early and frank communication is important. The three co-authored papers in Shannon’s thesis were written in the beginning stages of her candidature when more hands-on support in the process of writing and publishing was needed. She was then well-equipped to write the remaining four papers alone. Margaret’s thesis was unusual as all included papers were sole authored, which was only possible as she had already co-authored two peer-reviewed papers prior to candidature.

We strongly recommend establishing clear mutual expectations between candidate and supervisor as early as possible.

How can I publish everything in time?

The process of preparing a manuscript, submitting to a journal, waiting for reviews, attending to requests for revisions, copy editing, and final publication can be extensive in some fields. This can be very frustrating for candidates who are working to a doctoral submission deadline. It is important to check journal guidelines for their average turnaround times. Once a paper is under review, don’t be afraid to follow up politely once this time has passed.

It is also important to check your PhD-by-publication guidelines, because many universities allow the submission of papers at various stages of production, such as those still under review. This allowance is particularly helpful to ensure the inclusion of papers developed in the later stages of your candidature.

What if my paper gets rejected?

For doctoral candidates just developing their new identities as researchers, rejection can be difficult to take. The reality is that even experienced academics deal with rejection at some time, perhaps more often than they might like to admit! The important thing to remember is that rejection is a normal part of the process. The decision is not always about the quality of the paper, but its fit within that particular journal at that particular time. It is important to become familiar with any journal that you intend to submit to, including the theories and methods that are favoured, and the type of academic voice appropriate for that journal.

What if my papers don’t flow as a thesis?

There are particular difficulties in developing a single submission based on multiple publications, each with their own focus, style, and format, and, as we recently explored , there are a number of favoured options for structure. Nikander and Piattoeva offer useful advice on how to use the integrating chapter to connect papers together.

There are also other issues that might arise from the transformational nature of doctoral study, where students learn while doing. For example, Margaret began to question her use of one of the informing concepts she had used in her early papers. In her subsequent work, she challenged her own simplistic use of this concept. Rather than become discouraged by the discovery of earlier flaws in our work, we understand that as researchers, we will continue to grow and cast a critical gaze over our past knowledge base. We both used the integrative chapter of our theses to highlight these limitations, but also to make explicit the evolution in our understanding; as such, it was a very enjoyable chapter to write!

We found that completing our thesis by publication offered rewards and challenges that were in many cases unique to this thesis mode. That we both emerged as advocates for this thesis type would suggest it is well worth undertaking for those candidates who want their findings to translate quickly and disseminate widely.

To see the authors’ research in this area, please go to their project page on ResearchGate: “ Publishing during PhD candidature ”.

Featured image credit: John-Mark Smith , via Unsplash (licensed under a CC0 1.0 license).

Note: This article gives the views of the authors, and not the position of the LSE Impact Blog, nor of the London School of Economics. Please review our comments policy if you have any concerns on posting a comment below.

About the authors

Shannon Mason is Assistant Professor in the Department of Education at Nagasaki University, Japan. Her research interests include teacher attrition and retention, and language education pedagogy and policy. Her experiences completing a PhD by publication in 2017 led to her recent interest in emerging approaches to doctoral education.

Margaret K. Merga currently works as a Senior Lecturer at Curtin University in Western Australia. Margaret primarily conducts literacy research that spans the early years to adulthood. She also explores issues on educational psychology, adult education, higher education and health workforce education. She is currently working on projects related to the role of teacher librarians in fostering literacy in primary and secondary schools.

About the author

12 Comments

Readers may also be interested in our most recent paper, “Early career experiences of navigating journal article publication: Lessons learned using an autoethnographic approach”.

It is available here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/leap.1192

IN VIEW OF COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION, IS ARTICLE COHERENCE THAT NECESSARY FOR PhD BY PUBLICATION?

I agree on practically all you had to say and I appreciate that you have not made emphasis on the need to develop a coherent narrative between the journal papers.

In my previous unanswered reply posts on three PhD blogs I wrote that with low coherence it might not be possible to develop an overarching hypothesis or a general research question covering a number of diverse studies. This however, does not mean that if you are presenting a list of widely varied articles (yet, with a common denominator eg. public health) you cannot show your assessors that you are capable of answering any research question through acceptance or rejection of the null hypothesis. On the contrary, you would probably have covered several hypotheses testing that you would not even know from where to start! After all, it still reflects great competency to be able to publish several loose papers.

I see no academic feat in having a strong element of connectedness between the papers especially if this comes to the detriment of:

(a) the quality or rate of journal submission acceptance in terms of originality. Candidates who successfully manage to achieve a PhD by publications in science normally present no more than three or four papers revolving on the same theme or repetitive methodology with one paper building on the other (there’s a limit on how much you can keep adding onto the previous study to produce a coherent narrative.

(b) the level of the student’s (author’s) widespread generation of new knowledge since the papers would be closely related to each other (strong coherent body).

and (c) the number of papers which can be kept being added (and repeated) onto previous studies.

I feel that the requirement for coherence is not the right way of defending the standards of a PhD by published works, whether retrospective (ie. by prior publications) or prospective (when you start publishing your studies with the university you have registered your application). One has to understand that the point of departure with a PhD by publications (sometimes called, article-based PhD) is totally different from when you decide to undertake a conventional or traditional PhD by monograph with only ideas or proposal in your hands.

So, whereas when you go for a monograph of a single specialised subject it is justified to have a coherent narrative, for a thesis by publication (involving a synthesis, commentary or integrative chapter), which is basically a form of compilation written independently by the student, it is a different story. To start with, you only need to prepare a 10-15,000 commentary constituting a summary of the appended papers, whereas with a one-topic monograph you can go up to 100,000 words and sometimes even more.

Needless to say, the PhD by publication student should clarify the actual contribution to knowledge, especially if the papers are written by several authors. What’s important is that the commentary should not provide new results, but should critique the papers and preferably offer new conclusions since the extent of the journal articles normally does not allow this kind of longer discussion.

In brief, I feel that coherence should not remain central and more weight should be directed on single-authorship, number of papers published, originality and widespread contribution to knowledge. In my opinion, these should be the distinct features of this relatively new type of PhD.

One may wish to contact me personally on [email protected]

Charles Micallef Author of: ‘Critical analysis: a vital element in healthcare research’.

Excellent Write up. I have throughly gone through the article and according to my personal observations, I think it is amazing.Being associated with writing profession, I must mention that https://academicwritingpro.com/research-paper-writing-services/ are quite helpful nowadays. Furthermore, quality is also an important aspect.

Pingback: 2018 in review: top posts of the year | Impact of Social Sciences

Great write up! Here is one more tip regarding ‘How can I publish everything in time?’ If a PhD student has an R&R with minor revisions, it’s worth noting that in the thesis, especially if it is for a prestigious journal. So even if the student can’t publish in time, they can get credit for almost publishing in time.

Dear Mollie,

Thank you for your comment. Great point, totally agree.

I think it is good to remember that even though the TBP might be ‘packaged’ as a product, it really is more about the process of learning to be a researcher, and that really is never ending. Communicating the different phases at which a researcher is engaging is a great idea. Indeed, I included details of publication rejections that I experienced, and my different reactions to them (by way of emails to my supervisor) at different stages of the journey, an inclusion that my assessors commently highly on.

A PhD by publication is nonsense if the faculty prescribe the journals where your work must be published. who said every journal would like to publish every research? for the university with restricted academic freedom, they mistake some ridiculous rules for having higher bar of pursuing doctoral degrees when the Times Higher Education (THE) ranks far away from their pre-conceived opinions. I submit that PhD by publication is good where freedom to publish in alternative high quality journals exist. absence of that its a total mess!

Dear Peter,

Absolutely agree, and this is something that has been raised in an upcoming study. We absolutely advocate for doctoral researcher agency in selecting the outlets for their publications that are best suited to their study, field, and career stage.

Create an online publication or write a newspaper good writing skills is very important.

Dear All; Thank you very much for the quality article and feedback . It is very interesting topic. I think during Covid-19 the quarantine imposed on people including students, completing PhD using this approach can be very suitable. I have the following questions: – Has the PhD candidate to register in a University? and if so, can you please share the names of the Universities that can accept such type of PhD studies? Many thanks again and best regards Omar

Pingback: Academic writing: resources – ECHER

Dear Authors,

This is a great article. Is Phd by Publication equal merit to traditional route of Phd? What degree title a candidate will get in the route of Phd by Publication?

I think there is still discrimnation in academic field between one who hold phd by Publication and other Phd in Traditional route.

Regards, Yadam

The dream of ‘editormetrics’ – Why a FAIR dataset of journal editors would benefit all researchers

October 18th, 2022.

From scientists, for scientists, and beyond: a method to develop a comic based on your research

November 19th, 2018.

Easy steps towards open scholarship

May 24th, 2013, the republic of blogs: a new phase in the development and democratization of knowledge, june 12th, 2012.

Visit our sister blog LSE Review of Books

Current students
Staff intranet
Find an event

Doctor of Laws

The degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) is awarded, on the recommendation of the Sydney Law School, for published work that has been recognised by scholars in the field concerned as a distinguished contribution to knowledge. Persons contemplating the submission of work for the LLD should first consult the Dean of the Law School. Only a mature scholar would be likely to present work meeting this requirement. The degree may also be awarded on an honorary basis in recognition of distinguished achievement.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded by the University on the basis of a thesis, which is regarded by the examiners as a substantially original contribution to the area in which it is written. Candidates are required to submit a thesis of approximately 80,000 words, including footnotes, which may be exceeded by no more than 20,000 words with the permission of the Associate Dean. The word limit does not include appendices. The following is a summary of the requirements.

There are three main conditions of admission, namely:

academic qualifications,
research and publication experience, and
suitability of the proposed course of study and research.

An applicant for admission to candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) must submit to the Sydney Law School a proposed program of advanced study and research. The applicant must submit satisfactory evidence of training and ability to pursue the proposed program.

Academic qualifications

The normal requirement is that the applicant has completed one of the following degrees:

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with First or Second Class Honours; or
Master of Laws (LLM); or
Qualifications which the University's Committee for Graduate Studies considers equivalent.

Satisfactory evidence of training and ability to pursue the proposed program may be demonstrated by showing the successful completion of a sustained piece of research in an earlier degree program, scholarly publications, or sustained research in a professional capacity. Candidates who are not able to demonstrate sufficient research experience may be admitted first to an LLM by research with a view to upgrading to a PhD if there is satisfactory progress.

Proposed program of study

The proposal must be:

suitable in scope and standard for the PhD,
one that the applicant is competent to undertake, and
one for which supervision and facilities can be properly provided.

Rules governing research

The Rules governing the degree of Doctor of Philosophy are the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 and the Thesis and Examination of Higher Degree by Research Policy 2015 . The most recent versions of these rules are found the Policy Register .

Research Coursework

The University of Sydney introduced a new coursework requirement for Higher Degree by Research students commencing from Research Period 1 2021.

Coursework is intended to give students the opportunity to take units of study that expand their existing skills or work toward developing novel capabilities that will complement their research and career development.

Units of study students can choose to fulfil the Higher Degree by Research coursework requirement are listed in Table R of the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook.

Students can enrol in units of study in Sydney Student and plan professional and academic development activities with their supervisors in the Research Education Candidature System. Award requirements for each degree are outlined in the respective course resolutions.

Find an expert
Media contacts

Accessibility
Website feedback

Study Postgraduate

Phd by published work, what is phd published work.

A PhD awarded for the submission of a portfolio of published research to the standard of a regular PhD.

Who can apply?

Candidates may apply for the PhD by published work under Regulation 38 and the associated Guidance on the Requirements for the Award of Research Degrees .

Candidates must be either:

Members of academic staff or administrative or library staff of equivalent status of the University. Normally has been employed by the University for at least three years immediately prior to the submission of published work; or
Graduates of at least seven year’s standing normally holding a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

Please note: You do not need to be a Warwick graduate to be able to apply for the PhD by published work.

Application Process

Candidates must make a research application using the standard online Postgraduate Application Form
Candidates must apply for the PhD most relevant to the portfolio of work that they will be submitting
Candidates should state clearly on the form that they wish to be considered for the PhD by Published Works
Candidates should then submit their CV (this can be uploaded with their application) and copies of the Works to be considered
Candidates should submit between 3 - 8 publications, which will form the intellectual basis of the examination for the award, for consideration (this may vary dependent on the discipline and focus of the candidate's research)
Submissions should include further contextual information regarding the publications, including, but not limited to, the profile of journals that articles have been published in, the candidate's individual contribution to each of their publications, the number of citations, and their significance to the field.

Consideration Process

The Head of the relevant Department will initially consider the submission. (S)he will appoint an Academic Advisor to provide guidance to the candidate on the presentation of the published work.
The Academic Advisor should produce a statement that outlines the Candidate's suitability for admission to a PhD programme, an assessment of the quality of publications presented, and any further relevant details regarding the Candidate, including their employment (current or past), area of expertise and profile within their discipline/field of research.
If the Head of Department is satisfied with the submission, (s)he will ask that the Chair of the Faculty Education Committee consider the submission.
If the Chair of the relevant Faculty Board is of the view that the Works are of the appropriate standard, (s)he will make a recommendation to the Chair of the Board of Graduate Studies that the candidate is admitted to the PhD.
An offer can only be made once the Chair of the Board of Graduate Studies has given his/her approval following consideration of the aforementioned recommendation.
Candidates should be aware that a successful application does not guarantee the award of the degree – candidates are required to successfully complete the examination process as set out in the Guide to Examinations for Higher Degrees by Research .

Period of Registration

The normal period of registration will be for 12 months.
Where the candidate is not a member of the staff of the University, submission for examination for the degree of PhD may be made after a minimum period of six months' registration.
Where the candidate is a member of the staff of the University, submission for examination for the degree of PhD may be made after a minimum period of three months' registration.
During the period of registration, students will additionally need to submit the Works to be assessed and a Covering Document of between 5,000 and 10,000 words setting out the relationship between the Works presented, the significance of the Works as a contribution to original knowledge within the relevant field, and, as an appendix, a full bibliography of all of the works ever published by the candidate.
The normal fee is an amount equivalent to one year’s full-time fee for the traditional PhD in the relevant academic year and department regardless of the date of submission of the work.
The fee for members of staff and for graduates of the University is charged at 20% of the home full-time postgraduate research fee.

Further information

All inquiries regarding applying for a PhD by published work should be directed to the Postgraduate Admissions team.
For detailed information on the requirements for an examination of the PhD by published work, see Regulation 38 and the associated Guidance on the Requirements for the Award of Research Degrees , and the Guide to Examinations for Higher Degrees by Research .
For information on the fees for your registration for the PhD by published work, please consult Student Finance .

Useful Links

Postgraduate Admissions
Student Finance
Regulation 38
Guidance on the Requirements for the Award of Research Degrees
Guide to Examinations for Higher Degrees by Research

All categories

Leiden Law School

Doctorate Study

Successful completion of the procedure to obtain a doctorate culminates in the conferral of the academic degree of Doctor in a specific subject.

In order to obtain a doctorate degree independent and original research must be carried out under the guidance of a supervisor and co-supervisor. This period of research generally takes 4 years in the case of a full-time appointment as a PhD student (doctoral candidate). The results of the research are presented in a doctoral thesis or dissertation.

The faculty has various categories of doctoral candidates: doctoral candidates who are employees and external doctoral candidates.

The doctoral candidates who are employees are divided into two categories:

PhD Candidates (formerly known in Dutch as ‘assistenten in opleiding’ or AiOs ) , paid for with the first (government funded), second (research council funded) or third (contract funded) flow of funding, with a contract for four years in principle and with a teaching component of 10%;
PhD Fellows , with a contract for six years in principle, and a teaching component of 30%.

External Doctoral Candidates are not employed by the faculty. The two most important categories are:

the contract doctoral candidates , who receive a grant from their country of origin to carry out full-time doctorate research;
the external doctoral candidates , who write a doctoral thesis in their own time with guidance from a supervisor at the faculty.

In order to become an External PhD Candidate you should have a research proposal which fits within the research carried out in the research programmes of the faculty.

A decision on an application for admission to the PhD programme can only be made on the basis of the completed and submitted online form including the required attachments. The full application must include:

a specific, innovative and fairly elaborate proposal;
the name of a possible supervisor (professor) whose research interests and area of specialization fit your research proposal ( more information about research and potential supervisors );
a completed master's degree which should be the equivalent of an LLM or masters degree obtained in the Netherlands including the corresponding list of grades;
an English language test score of 100 (TOEFL) or 7.0 (IELTS), unless the candidate is a native speaker;
at least one published article/chapter relevant to the field of the proposed research.

External PhD Candidates have to make their own arrangements for the funding of their research and living costs. External funding possibilities can be explored with your supervisor(s). Paid positions as employed PhD candidate at Leiden Law School are advertised .

Becoming an external PhD candidate at Leiden University in most cases does not involve paying a fee.

However, as of 1 April 2018 the International Institute of Air and Space Law , The Van Vollenhoven Institute and the Grotius Center for International Legal Studies offer PhD tracks (see below). Training

PhD candidates, PhD fellows, contract doctoral candidates and external PhD candidates in a PhD track follow the Graduate School’s PhD Training programme . External PhD candidates do not follow the PhD Training programme. They only follow the mandatory course ‘ Scientific Conduct ’.

More Information

The PhD Training Programme . More questions about the PhD programme can be sent by mail to the Graduate School.

The exit qualifications for the PhD Training Programme are laid down in the university PhD Regulations.

It includes components such as methodology, research design, academic accountability and academic integrity. The training is composed primarily of the guidance provided by the supervisor and other co-supervisors. In addition, the training includes an obligatory training requirement amounting to 840 hours. The Graduate School’s training programme consists of three components: 1) research skills, 2) transferable skills, 3) individual part of the training programme.

1. Research skills (at least 420 hours)

Out of the 840 hours in total, the Graduate School prescribed that half of the courses followed (420 hours) are aimed at acquirement and improvement of methodological knowledge and skills. There are only two courses within this category that are compulsory: Scientific Conduct (15 hours), and Data Management Training Leiden Law School (28 hours). Compulsory courses can only be replaced (by other courses) in consultation with the dean of PhD studies. For the remaining hours, PhD researchers are free to choose any of courses offered by the Graduate School, but they can also take courses outside the Graduate School.

The Graduate School of Law currently offers the following courses: - Philosophy of Science for Lawyers (140 hours) - Legal Methodology (140 hours) - Qualitative Empirical Research Methods in Law (84-140 hours) - Quantitative Empirical Research Methods in Law (140 hours) - Scientific Conduct for PhDs in Law (15 hours) 2. Transferable skills (at least 140 hours) According to the PhD Guidelines, at least 140 hours worth of courses of must be followed in the area of transferable skills. Examples include Project management for PhDs, Introduction to teaching for PhDs, Communication in science, Academics and (social) media, and Speed Reading. PhD researchers can make use of the offer within the University Training program PhDs' . All PhD researchers with teaching tasks should follow the course ‘introduction to teaching for PhDs’, or at least one of the 5 modules of the University Teaching Qualification (BKO). 3. Individual part of the training PhD researchers can follow various training courses that benefit their personal development or that offer more in-depth substantive knowledge connected to the topic of their dissertation. Examples include courses from Master programs, language education (e.g., in relation to data collection abroad), Summer Schools, and conference participation.

As of 1 April 2018 the faculty has three so-called PhD tracks: at the Van Vollenhove Institute , the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies and the International Institute of Air and Space Law .

All PhD candidates on a PhD track will participate on the obligatory training programme unless they have been granted an exemption by the PhD Dean.
Together with the PhD Dean the department can develop a tailor-made training programme (“e-learning”) for exempted PhD track candidates.

Office space and travel allowance

All PhD candidates on a PhD track will in principle also get an office space and a travel allowance which can be necessary for the research or are fitting in the light of progress achieved.A different arrangement can be agreed upon at a preliminary stage.

The standard fee is 10,000 euro a year with a maximum of four years.
In the case of PhD candidates on a PhD track who are not entitled to office space and a travel allowance, an adjusted fee of 5,000 euro a year will apply with a maximum of four years.

Fee reduction

Criteria for a fee reduction include: (1) a substantive connection, or other substantive synergies with existing research projects of the Centre/Department, which is obvious and which justifies the application of a reduction; (2) the candidate is of excellent quality; (3) financial need of the candidate.
These criteria are applied cumulatively.
If a reduction is awarded, the amount of the fee will be set at 2,500 euro a year with a maximum of four years.

Most doctoral theses in the field of law are written in the form of a book, but they may also consist of a number of articles combined to form a coherent whole. Once the supervisors have approved the dissertation, it is forwarded to a doctoral committee to be assessed. If the assessment of the doctoral committee is positive, the public defence of the doctoral thesis is scheduled. The conferral of the doctorate degree entitles holders to use the title Doctor.

Due to the selected cookie settings, we cannot show this video here.

Publish and Graduate?: Earning a PhD by Published Papers in Australia

Bruno Starrs QUT

How to Cite

Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)

There is, however, a slightly more palatable alternative to this nail-biting process of the traditional PhD, and that is the PhD by Published Papers (also known as PhD by Publications or PhD by Published Works). The form of my own soon-to-be-submitted thesis, it permits the submission for examination of a collection of papers that have been refereed and accepted (or are in the process of being refereed) for publication in academic journals or books. Apart from the obvious benefits in getting published early in one’s (hopefully) burgeoning academic career, it also takes away a lot of the stress come final submission time. After all, I try to assure myself, the thesis examiners can’t really discredit the process of double-blind, peer-review the bulk of the thesis has already undergone: their job is to examine how well I’ve unified the papers into a cohesive thesis … right? But perhaps they should at least be wary, because, unfortunately, the requirements for this kind of PhD vary considerably from institution to institution and there have been some cases where the submitted work is of questionable quality compared to that produced by graduates from more demanding universities. Hence, this paper argues that in my subject area of interest—film and television studies—there is a huge range in the set requirements for doctorates, from universities that award the degree to film artists for prior published work that has undergone little or no academic scrutiny and has involved little or no on-campus participation to at least three Australian universities that require candidates be enrolled for a minimum period of full-time study and only submit scholarly work generated and published (or submitted for publication) during candidature. I would also suggest that uncertainty about where a graduate’s work rests on this continuum risks confusing a hard-won PhD by Published Papers with the sometimes risible honorary doctorate.

Let’s begin by dredging the depths of those murky, quasi-academic waters to examine the occasionally less-than-salubrious honorary doctorate. The conferring of this degree is generally a recognition of an individual’s body of (usually published) work but is often conferred for contributions to knowledge or society in general that are not even remotely academic. The honorary doctorate does not usually carry with it the right to use the title “Dr” (although many self-aggrandising recipients in the non-academic world flout this unwritten code of conduct, and, indeed, Monash University’s Monash Magazine had no hesitation in describing its 2008 recipient, musician, screenwriter, and art-school-dropout Nick Cave, as “Dr Cave” (O’Loughlin)). Some shady universities even offer such degrees for sale or ‘donation’ and thus do great damage to that institution’s credibility as well as to the credibility of the degree itself. Such overseas “diploma mills”—including Ashwood University, Belford University, Glendale University and Suffield University—are identified by their advertising of “Life Experience Degrees,” for which a curriculum vitae outlining the prospective graduand’s oeuvre is accepted on face value as long as their credit cards are not rejected. An aspiring screen auteur simply specifies film and television as their major and before you can shout “Cut!” there’s a degree in the mail. Most of these pseudo-universities are not based in Australia but are perfectly happy to confer their ‘titles’ to any well-heeled, vanity-driven Australians capable of completing the online form. Nevertheless, many academics fear a similarly disreputable marketplace might develop here, and Norfolk Island-based Greenwich University presents a particularly illuminating example. Previously empowered by an Act of Parliament consented to by Senator Ian Macdonald, the then Minister for Territories, this “university” had the legal right to confer honorary degrees from 1998. The Act was eventually overridden by legislation passed in 2002, after a concerted effort by the Australian Universities Quality Agency Ltd. and the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee to force the accreditation requirements of the Australian Qualifications Framework upon the institution in question, thus preventing it from making degrees available for purchase over the Internet. Greenwich University did not seek re-approval and soon relocated to its original home of Hawaii (Brown).

But even real universities flounder in similarly muddy waters when, unsolicited, they make dubious decisions to grant degrees to individuals they hold in high esteem. Although meaning well by not courting pecuniary gain, they nevertheless invite criticism over their choice of recipient for their honoris causa, despite the decision usually only being reached after a process of debate and discussion by university committees. Often people are rewarded, it seems, as much for their fame as for their achievements or publications. One such example of a celebrity who has had his onscreen renown recognised by an honorary doctorate is film and television actor/comedian Billy Connolly who was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters by The University of Glasgow in 2006, prompting Stuart Jeffries to complain that “something has gone terribly wrong in British academia” (Jeffries). Eileen McNamara also bemoans the levels to which some institutions will sink to in search of media attention and exposure, when she writes of St Andrews University in Scotland conferring an honorary doctorate to film actor and producer, Michael Douglas: “What was designed to acknowledge intellectual achievement has devolved into a publicity grab with universities competing for celebrity honorees” (McNamara). Fame as an actor (and the list gets even weirder when the scope of enquiry is widened beyond the field of film and television), seems to be an achievement worth recognising with an honorary doctorate, according to some universities, and this kind of discredit is best avoided by Australian institutions of higher learning if they are to maintain credibility.

Certainly, universities down under would do well to follow elsewhere than in the footprints of Long Island University’s Southampton College. Perhaps the height of academic prostitution of parchments for the attention of mass media occurred when in 1996 this US school bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Amphibious Letters upon that mop-like puppet of film and television fame known as the “muppet,” Kermit the Frog. Indeed, this polystyrene and cloth creation with an anonymous hand operating its mouth had its acceptance speech duly published (see “Kermit’s Acceptance Speech”) and the Long Island University’s Southampton College received much valuable press. After all, any publicity is good publicity. Or perhaps this furry frog’s honorary degree was a cynical stunt meant to highlight the ridiculousness of the practice? In 1986 a similar example, much closer to my own home, occurred when in anticipation and condemnation of the conferral of an honorary doctorate upon Prince Philip by Monash University in Melbourne, the “Members of the Monash Association of Students had earlier given a 21-month-old Chihuahua an honorary science degree” (Jeffries), effectively suggesting that the honorary doctorate is, in fact, a dog of a degree.

On a more serious note, there have been honorary doctorates conferred upon far more worthy recipients in the field of film and television by some Australian universities. Indigenous film-maker Tracey Moffatt was awarded an honorary doctorate by Griffith University in November of 2004. Moffatt was a graduate of the Griffith University’s film school and had an excellent body of work including the films Night Cries: A Rural Tragedy (1990) and beDevil (1993). Acclaimed playwright and screenwriter David Williamson was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by The University of Queensland in December of 2004. His work had previously picked up four Australian Film Institute awards for best screenplay. An Honorary Doctorate of Visual and Performing Arts was given to film director Fred Schepisi AO by The University of Melbourne in May of 2006. His films had also been earlier recognised with Australian Film Institute awards as well as the Golden Globe Best Miniseries or Television Movie award for Empire Falls in 2006. Director George Miller was crowned with an Honorary Doctorate in Film from the Australian Film, Television, and Radio School in April 2007, although he already had a medical doctor’s testamur on his wall. In May of this year, filmmaker George Gittoes, a fine arts dropout from The University of Sydney, received an honorary doctorate by The University of New South Wales. His documentaries, Soundtrack to War (2005) and Rampage (2006), screened at the Sydney and Berlin film festivals, and he has been employed by the Australian Government as an official war artist.

Interestingly, the high quality screen work recognised by these Australian universities may have earned the recipients ‘real’ PhDs had they sought the qualification. Many of these film artists could have just as easily submitted their work for the degree of PhD by Published Papers at several universities that accept prior work in lieu of an original exegesis, and where a film is equated with a book or journal article. But such universities still invite comparisons of their PhDs by Published Papers with honorary doctorates due to rather too-easy-to-meet criteria. The privately funded Bond University, for example, recommends a minimum full-time enrolment of just three months and certainly seems more lax in its regulations than other Antipodean institution: a healthy curriculum vitae and payment of the prescribed fee (currently AUD$24,500 per annum) are the only requirements. Restricting my enquiries once again to the field of my own research, film and television, I note that Dr. Ingo Petzke achieved his 2004 PhD by Published Works based upon films produced in Germany well before enrolling at Bond, contextualized within a discussion of the history of avant-garde film-making in that country. Might not a cynic enquire as to how this PhD significantly differs from an honorary doctorate? Although Petzke undoubtedly paid his fees and met all of Bond’s requirements for his thesis entitled Slow Motion: Thirty Years in Film, one cannot criticise that cynic for wondering if Petzke’s films are indeed equivalent to a collection of refereed papers.

It should be noted that Bond is not alone when it comes to awarding candidates the PhD by Published Papers for work published or screened in the distant past. Although yet to grant it in the area of film or television, Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) is an institution that distinctly specifies its PhD by Publications is to be awarded for “research which has been carried out prior to admission to candidature” (8). Similarly, the Griffith Law School states: “The PhD (by publications) is awarded to established researchers who have an international reputation based on already published works” (1). It appears that Bond is no solitary voice in the academic wilderness, for SUT and the Griffith Law School also apparently consider the usual milestones of Confirmation and Final Seminars to be unnecessary if the so-called candidate is already well published.

Like Bond, Griffith University (GU) is prepared to consider a collection of films to be equivalent to a number of refereed papers. Dr Ian Lang’s 2002 PhD (by Publication) thesis entitled Conditional Truths: Remapping Paths To Documentary ‘Independence’ contains not refereed, scholarly articles but the following videos: Wheels Across the Himalaya (1981); Yallambee, People of Hope (1986); This Is What I Call Living ( 1988); The Art of Place: Hanoi Brisbane Art Exchange (1995); and Millennium Shift: The Search for New World Art (1997). While this is a most impressive body of work, and is well unified by appropriate discussion within the thesis, the cynic who raised eyebrows at Petzke’s thesis might also be questioning this thesis: Dr Lang’s videos all preceded enrolment at GU and none have been refereed or acknowledged with major prizes. Certainly, the act of releasing a film for distribution has much in common with book publishing, but should these videos be considered to be on a par with academic papers published in, say, the prestigious and demanding journal Screen ? While recognition at awards ceremonies might arguably correlate with peer review there is still the question as to how scholarly a film actually is. Of course, documentary films such as those in Lang’s thesis can be shown to be addressing gaps in the literature, as is the expectation of any research paper, but the onus remains on the author/film-maker to demonstrate this via a detailed contextual review and a well-written, erudite argument that unifies the works into a cohesive thesis. This Lang has done, to the extent that suspicious cynic might wonder why he chose not to present his work for a standard PhD award.

Another issue unaddressed by most institutions is the possibility that the publications have been self-refereed or refereed by the candidate’s editorial colleagues in a case wherein the papers appear in a book the candidate has edited or co-edited. Dr Gillian Swanson’s 2004 GU thesis Towards a Cultural History of Private Life: Sexual Character, Consuming Practices and Cultural Knowledge , which addresses amongst many other cultural artefacts the film Lawrence of Arabia (David Lean 1962), has nine publications: five of which come from two books she co-edited, Nationalising Femininity: Culture, Sexuality and Cinema in Britain in World War Two, (Gledhill and Swanson 1996) and Deciphering Culture: Ordinary Curiosities and Subjective Narratives (Crisp et al 2000). While few would dispute the quality of Swanson’s work, the persistent cynic might wonder if these five papers really qualify as refereed publications. The tacit understanding of a refereed publication is that it is blind reviewed i.e. the contributor’s name is removed from the document. Such a system is used to prevent bias and favouritism but this level of anonymity might be absent when the contributor to a book is also one of the book’s editors. Of course, Dr Swanson probably took great care to distance herself from the refereeing process undertaken by her co-editors, but without an inbuilt check, allegations of cronyism from unfriendly cynics may well result.

A related factor in making comparisons of different university’s PhDs by Published Papers is the requirements different universities have about the standard of the journal the paper is published in. It used to be a simple matter in Australia: the government’s Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) held a Register of Refereed Journals. If your benefactor in disseminating your work was on the list, your publications were of near-unquestionable quality. Not any more:

DEST will no longer accept nominations for listing on the Register and will not undertake to rule on whether a particular journal article meets the HERDC [Higher Education Research Data Collection] requirements for inclusion in publication counts. HEPs [Higher Education Providers] have always had the discretion to determine if a publication produced in a journal meets the requirements for inclusion in the HERDC regardless of whether or not the journal was included on the Register of Refereed Journals. As stated in the HERDC specifications, the Register is not an exhaustive list of all journals which satisfy the peer-review requirements (DEST).

The last listing for the DEST Register of Refereed Journals was the 3 rd of February 2006, making way for a new tiered list of academic journals, which is currently under review in the Australian tertiary education sector (see discussion of this development in the Redden and Mitchell articles in this issue). In the interim, some university faculties created their own rankings of journals, but not the Faculty of Creative Industries at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) where I am studying for my PhD by Published Papers.

Although QUT does not have a list of ranked journals for a candidate to submit papers to, it is otherwise quite strict in its requirements. The QUT University Regulations state, “Papers submitted as a PhD thesis must be closely related in terms of subject matter and form a cohesive research narrative” (QUT PhD regulation 14.1.2). Thus there is the requirement at QUT that apart from the usual introduction, methodology and literature review, an argument must be made as to how the papers present a sustained research project via “an overarching discussion of the main features linking the publications” (14.2.12). It is also therein stated that it should be an “account of research progress linking the research papers” (4.2.6). In other words, a unifying essay must make an argument for consideration of the sometimes diversely published papers as a cohesive body of work, undertaken in a deliberate journey of research. In my own case, an aural auteur analysis of sound in the films of Rolf de Heer, I argue that my published papers (eight in total) represent a journey from genre analysis (one paper) to standard auteur analysis (three papers) to an argument that sound should be considered in auteur analysis (one paper) to the major innovation of the thesis, aural auteur analysis (three papers). It should also be noted that unlike Bond, GU or SUT, the QUT regulations for the standard PhD still apply: a Confirmation Seminar, Final Seminar and a minimum two years of full-time enrolment (with a minimum of three months residency in Brisbane) are all compulsory. Such milestones and sine qua non ensure the candidate’s academic progress and intellectual development such that she or he is able to confidently engage in meaningful quodlibets regarding the thesis’s topic.

Another interesting and significant feature of the QUT guidelines for this type of degree is the edict that papers submitted must be “published, accepted or submitted during the period of candidature” (14.1.1). Similarly, the University of Canberra (UC) states “The articles or other published material must be prepared during the period of candidature” (10). Likewise, Edith Cowan University (ECU) will confer its PhD by Publications to those candidates whose thesis consists of “only papers published in refereed scholarly media during the period of enrolment” (2). In other words, one cannot simply front up to ECU, QUT, or UC with a résumé of articles or films published over a lifetime of writing or film-making and ask for a PhD by Published Papers. Publications of the candidate prepared prior to commencement of candidature are simply not acceptable at these institutions and such PhDs by Published Papers from QUT, UC and ECU are entirely different to those offered by Bond, GU and SUT. Furthermore, without a requirement for a substantial period of enrolment and residency, recipients of PhDs by Published Papers from Bond, GU, or SUT are unlikely to have participated significantly in the research environment of their relevant faculty and peers. Such newly minted doctors may be as unfamiliar with the campus and its research activities as the recipient of an honorary doctorate usually is, as he or she poses for the media’s cameras en route to the glamorous awards ceremony.

Much of my argument in this paper is built upon the assumption that the process of refereeing a paper (or for that matter, a film) guarantees a high level of academic rigour, but I confess that this premise is patently naïve, if not actually flawed. Refereeing can result in the rejection of new ideas that conflict with the established opinions of the referees. Interdisciplinary collaboration can be impeded and the lack of referee’s accountability is a potential problem, too. It can also be no less nail-biting a process than the examination of a finished thesis, given that some journals take over a year to complete the refereeing process, and some journal’s editorial committees have recognised this shortcoming. Despite being a mainstay of its editorial approach since 1869, the prestigious science journal, Nature , which only publishes about 7% of its submissions, has led the way with regard to varying the procedure of refereeing, implementing in 2006 a four-month trial period of ‘Open Peer Review’. Their website states,

Authors could choose to have their submissions posted on a preprint server for open comments, in parallel with the conventional peer review process. Anyone in the field could then post comments, provided they were prepared to identify themselves. Once the usual confidential peer review process is complete, the public ‘open peer review’ process was closed and the editors made their decision about publication with the help of all reports and comments (Campbell).

Unfortunately, the experiment was unpopular with both authors and online peer reviewers. What the Nature experiment does demonstrate, however, is that the traditional process of blind refereeing is not yet perfected and can possibly evolve into something less problematic in the future. Until then, refereeing continues to be the best system there is for applying structured academic scrutiny to submitted papers.

With the reforms of the higher education sector, including forced mergers of universities and colleges of advanced education and the re-introduction of university fees (carried out under the aegis of John Dawkins, Minister for Employment, Education and Training from 1987 to 1991), and the subsequent rationing of monies according to research dividends (calculated according to numbers of research degree conferrals and publications), there has been a veritable explosion in the number of institutions offering PhDs in Australia. But the general public may not always be capable of differentiating between legitimately accredited programs and diploma mills, given that the requirements for the first differ substantially. From relatively easily obtainable PhDs by Published Papers at Bond, GU and SUT to more rigorous requirements at ECU, QUT and UC, there is undoubtedly a huge range in the demands of degrees that recognise a candidate’s published body of work. The cynical reader may assume that with this paper I am simply trying to shore up my own forthcoming graduation with a PhD by Published papers from potential criticisms that it is on par with a ‘purchased’ doctorate. Perhaps they are right, for this is a new degree in QUT’s Creative Industries faculty and has only been awarded to one other candidate (Dr Marcus Foth for his 2006 thesis entitled Towards a Design Methodology to Support Social Networks of Residents in Inner-City Apartment Buildings ). But I believe QUT is setting a benchmark, along with ECU and UC, to which other universities should aspire. In conclusion, I believe further efforts should be undertaken to heighten the differences in status between PhDs by Published Papers generated during enrolment, PhDs by Published Papers generated before enrolment and honorary doctorates awarded for non-academic published work. Failure to do so courts cynical comparison of all PhD by Published Papers with unearnt doctorates bought from Internet shysters.

Brown, George. “Protecting Australia’s Higher Education System: A Proactive Versus Reactive Approach in Review (1999–2004).” Proceedings of the Australian Universities Quality Forum 2004. Australian Universities Quality Agency, 2004. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.auqa.edu.au/auqf/2004/program/papers/Brown.pdf >.

Campbell, Philip. “ Nature Peer Review Trial and Debate.” Nature: International Weekly Journal of Science . December 2006. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.nature.com/nature/peerreview/ >

Crisp, Jane, Kay Ferres, and Gillian Swanson, eds. Deciphering Culture: Ordinary Curiosities and Subjective Narratives . London: Routledge, 2000.

Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). “Closed—Register of Refereed Journals.” Higher Education Research Data Collection , 2008. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/research_sector/online_forms_services/ higher_education_research_data_ collection.htm >.

Edith Cowan University. “Policy Content.” Postgraduate Research: Thesis by Publication , 2003. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.ecu.edu.au/GPPS/policies_db/tmp/ac063.pdf >.

Gledhill, Christine, and Gillian Swanson, eds. Nationalising Femininity: Culture, Sexuality and Cinema in Britain in World War Two. Manchester: Manchester UP, 1996.

Griffith Law School, Griffith University. Handbook for Research Higher Degree Students . 24 March 2004. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.griffith.edu.au/centre/slrc/pdf/rhdhandbook.pdf >.

Jeffries, Stuart. “I’m a celebrity, get me an honorary degree!” The Guardian 6 July 2006. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/comment/story/0,,1813525,00.html >.

Kermit the Frog. “Kermit’s Commencement Address at Southampton Graduate Campus.” Long Island University News 19 May 1996. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.southampton.liu.edu/news/commence/1996/kermit.htm >.

McNamara, Eileen. “Honorary senselessness.” The Boston Globe 7 May 2006. ‹ http://www. boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/05/07/honorary_senselessness/ >.

O’Loughlin, Shaunnagh. “Doctor Cave.” Monash Magazine 21 (May 2008). 13 Aug. 2008 ‹ http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/monmag/issue21-2008/alumni/cave.html >.

Queensland University of Technology. “Presentation of PhD Theses by Published Papers.” Queensland University of Technology Doctor of Philosophy Regulations (IF49) . 12 Oct. 2007. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.mopp.qut.edu.au/Appendix/appendix09.jsp#14%20Presentation %20of%20PhD%20Theses >.

Swinburne University of Technology. Research Higher Degrees and Policies. 14 Nov. 2007. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/docs/RHDpolicy& procedure.pdf >.

University of Canberra. Higher Degrees by Research: Policy and Procedures (The Gold Book). 7.3.3.27 (a). 15 Nov. 2004. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.canberra.edu.au/research/attachments/ goldbook/Pt207_AB20approved3220arp07.pdf >.

Author Biography

Bruno starrs, qut.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licenced under a Creative Commons Attribution - Noncommercial - No Derivatives 4.0 Licence that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (see The Effect of Open Access ).

M/C Journal

Current issue.

Upcoming Issues
Contributors
About M/C Journal

Journal Content

Information.

For Readers
For Authors
For Librarians

Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.

Find a course
Undergraduate study
Postgraduate study
Research degrees
Short courses
MOOCs - free short courses
Why study with us
Where to study
Online learning
Study with a local teaching centre
Study in Paris
Study humanities in London
Fees and funding
Costs of your course
Funding your study
How to pay your fees
How to apply
Undergraduate applications
Postgraduate applications
Help with your application
Entry routes
Am I qualified?
English requirements
Computer requirements
Recognition of prior learning
Supplying evidence
What happens next?
Transferring from another institution
Student terms and conditions
Inclusive practice and access
Worldwide education delivered locally
Register your interest
Student Stories
Taster courses for schools
Current students
Student portal
Student blog
Student services
Accommodation in London
Library services
BLOOM @ Senate House
Requesting a transcript or certificate
Support and wellbeing
Clubs and societies
Getting involved
Careers service
Recent graduates
Working with alumni
Working with academics
Information for employers
Examinations and assessment
Assessment timetables
Entry and deadlines
Exam centres
Exam entry and results dates
Assessment offences
Mitigating circumstances
Academic regulations
Policies and procedures
Access and Participation Statement
Refund and Compensation Policy
Student Protection Plan
Student guide
The Student Charter
Complaints and appeals
Preparing to graduate
After Graduation
Past ceremonies
Students of federation members
Research challenges
Institutes, centres & initiatives
Institute in Paris
Centre for Online and Distance Education
London Research & Policy Partnership
Institutes at School of Advanced Study
Public engagement
Fellowships
Projects and experts
Postgraduate research
Research governance
Our federation
Our Chancellor
Senior Executive Team
Our history
Our global reputation
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Our civic role
Strategy 2020-25
Research & public engagement
Study with us
School of Advanced Study
What makes us unique
Board of Trustees
Collegiate Council
Statutes and Ordinances
Academic Regulations
Honorary Awards
Annual reports and financial statements
Charitable status
Doing business with us
Trust Funds
Core policies
Academic quality assurance
Student policies and procedures
Our services
Senate House Library
Intercollegiate Halls
The Careers Group
Our research libraries
Conference & event hire
Private housing services
Short stay accommodation
University Merchandise
University of London Press
Work for us
Becoming a teaching centre
Contact and find us
News & Events
Past events
Student blogs
The Student Insider magazine
Alumni & Supporters
Alumni ambassadors
Your alumni community
New graduates
Get involved
Keep in touch
Request a transcript
The Convocation Project
Ways to give
Areas to support
Recognising our donors
Your impact
Contact the Development Office

What are you looking for?

Popular courses.

BSc Business Administration
BSc Computer Science
BSc Psychology
International Foundation Programme
MSc Computer Science
MSc Cyber Security
MSc Professional Accountancy

Research (MPhil / PhD) Entry Route

The University of London academic community pursues and achieves excellence in a wide range of research activities and scholarship.

Share this page on Facebook
Share this page on X
Share this page on LinkedIn

Research opportunities

MPhil and PhD opportunities are available on-campus and by arrangement through our self-governing member institutions and research institutes, including the School of Advanced Study

Many of these institutions have performed highly in the Research Excellence Framework and are consistently ranked highly for research among UK universities.

Postgraduate research is offered via distance learning through the School of Advanced Study (Opens in new window) .

Research activity

The majority of academic staff are actively engaged in research, so you will be taught by experienced and motivated researchers who are eminent in their field.

To find out more about research opportunities, you can either search our courses to see which areas of research are available, or contact a university that offers related subjects to see if they can support your proposal.

+41 79 464 29 89
[email protected]
Rue de la Cité 1, Geneva
8am-8pm CET

The European Postgraduate & Research Studies - Avrio Institute

In cooperation with the European Programme of Azteca University | The Official Branch Campus in Switzerland

🇨🇭 Avrio Institute in Geneva 🇨🇭 European Postgraduate & Research Studies

Azteca university – the european study programmes, azteca university university master and doctoral study programs.

In Addition to the English Language, if the study program doesn’t require a year of study, you can enroll in the program in German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Arabic to work on your thesis. For more details, please contact us

Professional Certification

Master in Professional Studies

Industrial Engineering
Health and Nursing Sciences
Computer Science
Environmental Technology

Doctor in Professional Studies

Social and Economic Sciences

Health Sciences

Environmental Science
Recognition of Transfer Credits

Master / Doctor in Individual Studies

Educational Sciences
Environmental Sciences
Computer science
Validation of Prior Learning

Master / Doctor in Advanced Studies

Doctor by prior learning assessment, doctor of the university in competence studies.

in Social and Economic Sciences, Health Sciences, Education, Psychology, Engineering Management, Health Care Management, Informatics, Environmental Policy, Environmental Technology, Environmental Management, Environmental Science.

Degree Validation

Doctor by prior output and achievement, doctor of science of the university (dr.sc), doctor of letters of the university (dr.litt), doctor by publications.

In one of the degree programmes above in the following disciplines

Business Administration and Management

International commerce, international relations, environmental science and environmental management, public health, public administration, social and political sciences, information technology, phd by thesis.

In all Specializations you find above.

Doctor of the University in Legal Studies: Doctor in Law LLD By Thesis

International Law
International Law and International Relations

Master Study programs

By Prior Learning Assessment , Professional Certification , Credits Transfer & Degree Validation

Master of the University in Professional Studies (MPS)

Industrial Engineering Health and nursing Sciences Computer Sciences Environmental Technology

Master of the University in Advanced Studies (MAS)

Social and economic Sciences Health Sciences Educational Sciences Psychology Environmental Sciences

Master of the University in Individual Studies (MIS) *

Industrial Engineering Health and nursing Sciences Computer Sciences Environmental Technology Social and economic Sciences Health Sciences Educational Sciences Psychology Environmental Sciences

Doctorate Study programs

By Thesis (PhD) (& as well as by Publication , P rior Learning A ssessment , or Prior Output and Achievement )*

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) by Thesis

In all Disciplines offered by Universidad Azteca

Doctor of Education (D.Ed.)

Doctor of the university in professional studies (dps).

Industrial engineering Health and nursing sciences Computer science Environmental technology

Doctor of the University in Advanced Studies (DAS)

Social and economic sciences Health sciences Educational sciences Psychology Environmental sciences

Doctor of the University in Individual Studies (DIS)

Industrial engineering Health and nursing sciences Computer science Environmental technology Social and economic sciences Health sciences Educational sciences Psychology Environmental sciences

Doctor of the University in Environmental Studies (DES)

Environmental policy Environmental technology Environmental management Environmental science

Doctor of the University in Competence Studies (DCS)

Social and Economic Sciences Health Sciences Education Psychology Engineering Management Health Care Management Informatics Environmental Policy Environmental Technology Environmental Management Environmental Science

Doctor of the University in Legal Studies (LLD)

Law International Law International Law and International Relations

Science Technology

Arts Humanities

* At Avrio Institute we do offer the Research-Based and the taught-Research Study programmes. However, you can apply for the other study methods through Avrio Institute to benefit from our help, service, and the possibility to obtain our diploma if applicable.

Avrio Institute at Glance

Avrio institute.

Rue de la Cité 1, 1204 Genève

The Institute

About Avrio Institute
Quality Assurance
Educational Partners
Joint/Dual Programmes

Good to Know

Study Methods
Evening Courses
Admission Criteria
Admission Procedure
Tuition Fees

Study Programs

Bachelor in Business
Master in Business
Doctorate in Business
Bachelor in IT
Master in IT
Doctorate in IT

Stay Connected

Join Avrio on Facebook
Follow Avrio on Twitter
Follow Avrio on Instagram
Join Avrio on Linkedin
Talk to us on Whatsapp
Telegram Avrio

Avrio Sarl Institute in Geneva is not responsible for admission, certification, or quality assurance. The role of the institute is limited to providing pre and after-registration services, including education delivery. Therefore, all the information you find on this website is a compilation made by the Institute of what has been written on the websites that belong to both Universities and their European Pogrammes, and/or the documents that had been sent to the Institute directly from the Deanship of Europe Universities. Bearing in mind that there are some paragraphs that have been etranslated from German or Spanish into English. The website was reviewed by the Deanship of the European Program, and on February 3, 2022, the contents of the website were approved after the proposed amendments were made, and accordingly, and based on these facts, the Institute disclaims any responsibility for the content of this website and therefore does not bear any legal or moral responsibility for what is stated on the pages of this site.

Impressum | Privacy Policy | Quality Assurance | Contact us

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Full Name * Full Name
Study Programme *

1. Cookie declaration: 1.1. Strictly necessary Strictly necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation, website security and access to information that requires authentication. 1.2. Preferences These cookies enable storage of information that changes the way a website behaves or looks, like settings for your region. 1.3. Statistics Statistics cookies help us to understand how visitors interact with our websites by collecting and reporting information. 1.4. Marketing Marketing cookies are used for tracking browsing activity and to customise and display ads that are relevant and engaging.

About cookies Cookies, clear gifs and similar technologies (cookies) are used on our sites to personalise content and ads, provide and improve product features and to analyse our traffic on our sites by Avrio, our business partners and authors. As a part of our commitment to upholding a high standard of transparency with our users, we’ve created this guide to explain the tracking technologies we use on our sites. What are cookies, clear gifs and similar technologies? Cookies are a small data file sent to your web browser or mobile device that is stored on your browser cache. Clear gifs and pixel trackers are tiny graphics with a unique identifier and are similar in function to cookies, and are used to track the movements of web users between pages and websites. They are embedded invisibly on web pages and are about the size of a single pixel. First party cookies are set by us when you’re visiting one of our sites, and third party cookies are set by a party other than the website you’re visiting. Cookies and similar technologies are used for the following purposes on the Avrio sites. Strictly Necessary: Strictly necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation, website security and access to information that requires authentication. Preferences: These cookies enable storage of information that changes the way a website behaves or looks, like settings for your region. Statistics: Statistics cookies help us to understand how visitors interact with our websites by collecting and reporting information. Marketing: Marketing cookies are used for tracking browsing activity and to customise and display ads that are relevant and engaging. Third Parties: Our business partners and authors use cookies for the purposes described above. How to manage your preferences and settings Please keep in mind that your experience may not be as we intended if you change the standard settings. Visitors located in the European Union can select their preferences with the preferences panel, and can change their preferences by clearing their cookies, refreshing the page, and selecting their preferences again.

Privacy Overview

Thesis-based programs are available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Arabic. It is important to be aware that the site has undergone electronic translation primarily from English, occasionally from German or Spanish into English, and subsequently into other languages. Consequently, it is imperative to acknowledge that the non-English content may lack precision, and some information could be inaccurate. The translation serves promotional purposes, and complete reliance on it is not advisable.

Please note that the thesis writing is feasible in any of the aforementioned languages. However, all official documents and communications are exclusively handled in English. Should your proficiency in English be insufficient, you may, at your own discretion, seek assistance from a third party to facilitate communication with the institute.

IMAGES

PhD in Law
PhD by Publication Explained
Should You Do a PhD by Publication? (VIEWER QUESTION)
PhD by Publication
PhD by Publication
Writing a Law PhD Research Proposal in 11 Steps

VIDEO

Research and publication Ethics|VTU PhD Coursework April 2024|Question paper
PhD Coursework exam
New Program Start
Research & Publication ethics Paper|| phd course work|| #phd #pyqs
Scientific Conduct| Research and Publication Ethics
Why publication is important when doing PhD

COMMENTS

PhD/MPhil Law • City, University of London
The City Law School. +44 (0)20 7040 4568. [email protected]. Sebastian Street Northampton Square London EC1V 0HB United Kingdom. The PhD/MPhil programme at the City Law School offers you the opportunity to carry out legal research and to contribute to professional knowledge in this constantly evolving field.
PhD by Publication
PhD by Publication. A PhD by publication is a degree awarded in recognition of an extensive amount of research published in numerous formats or journals. Unlike a conventional doctorate, you are not expected to undertake a new research project. This page will give a simple overview of what a PhD by publication is, and how to get one.
Law postgraduate research degrees
A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us. Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed.
PhD by publication
To be considered for a PhD by publication, you'll need to have held an undergraduate or postgraduate degree - awarded either by a UK higher education institute or a recognised non-UK equivalent - for at least 5 years. To apply you'll need: A CV and the names of two referees. A title of the proposed PhD. A listing of the published work on ...
Law (PhD by publication) Law Research Programmes PhD ...
FindAPhD. Search Funded Law Research Programmes in Law, PhD by publication. Search for PhD funding, scholarships & studentships in the UK, Europe and around the world.
Doctor of Philosophy by publication
A Doctor of Philosophy by publication (also known as a Ph.D. by Published Work, PhD by portfolio or Ph.D. under Special Regulation; also a thesis by publication, a thesis with publications, a publication-based thesis, an articles-based thesis, a manuscript-style dissertation, a compilation thesis and a journal format thesis) is a manner of awarding a Ph.D. degree offered by some universities ...
PhD by published work
The PhD by published work route is intended primarily for mid-career research-active academics who, for one reason or another, haven't had the opportunity to undertake a research programme leading to a PhD. Submissions for this award will consist of a coherent body of work which is of the same quality, rigour and volume as required of a ...
PhD By Publication
Law School School of Psychology School of Social Work ... Where written publications are being submitted as evidence in the application for admission to the PhD by Publication, the total word length of publications when combined with the critical analysis (15,000 words) should be broadly comparable to that of a submission for the degree of ...
Law PhD
A PhD in Law entails writing a thesis over a period of three, or at most four years (four to six years for part-time students). Students in our PhD programme receive excellent training and work under the supervision of academic supervisors. Our doctoral students become members of a lively academic community which plays a significant role in the ...
PhD by Publication
A PhD by publication is a doctoral degree awarded to a person who has several peer-reviewed publications that have been put together as separate 'chapters', contributing to a unified research theme within a specific field. This format typically consists of a significant introductory chapter, up to 10,000 words, similar to a traditional ...
A PhD by publication or how I got my doctorate and kept my sanity
A PhD by Publication is just what it sounds like, instead of producing one large monograph, you produce a series of articles to be published in peer reviewed journals or as book chapters. The ...
Law PhD
A PhD at Edinburgh Law School involves undertaking independent research, culminating in the submission of a thesis of up to 100,000 words, which should be an original piece of work that makes a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of study and contains material worthy of publication.
Types of degree
Thesis / PhD by publication Research degrees usually involve the completion of a written thesis, although alternatives may be allowed where suitable. Alternatives can include the presentation of part or all of the thesis as a multimedia document or a piece of art, or a record of professional practice in the form of a series of case-studies ...
A PhD by publication is a great way to build your academic profile, but
A PhD by publication is nonsense if the faculty prescribe the journals where your work must be published. who said every journal would like to publish every research? for the university with restricted academic freedom, they mistake some ridiculous rules for having higher bar of pursuing doctoral degrees when the Times Higher Education (THE) ranks far away from their pre-conceived opinions.
Doctorates
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded by the University on the basis of a thesis, which is regarded by the examiners as a substantially original contribution to the area in which it is written. Candidates are required to submit a thesis of approximately 80,000 words, including footnotes, which may be exceeded by no more than ...
PhD by Published Work
Candidates should state clearly on the form that they wish to be considered for the PhD by Published Works. Candidates should then submit their CV (this can be uploaded with their application) and copies of the Works to be considered. Candidates should submit between 3 - 8 publications, which will form the intellectual basis of the examination ...
Full article: The PhD by publication in the humanities and social
The PhD by publication may be undertaken during an extended period of study as with other types ... Media Studies (1), Art History (1), Film (1), Religious Studies (1), Archaeology (1), Law (1), Sport and Leisure (1) and Library Studies (1). The published works included in the UK submissions were journal articles, books chapters and papers from ...
Doctorate Study
As of 1 April 2018 the faculty has three so-called PhD tracks: at the Van Vollenhove Institute, the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies and the International Institute of Air and Space Law. Training. All PhD candidates on a PhD track will participate on the obligatory training programme unless they have been granted an exemption by ...
Publish and Graduate?: Earning a PhD by Published Papers in Australia
Similarly, the Griffith Law School states: "The PhD (by publications) is awarded to established researchers who have an international reputation based on already published works" (1). It appears that Bond is no solitary voice in the academic wilderness, for SUT and the Griffith Law School also apparently consider the usual milestones of ...
PDF Guide to obtaining a doctorate on the basis of articles Leiden Law
A number of guidelines are in response to questions raised by the Board of Deans of Leiden Law School (RDR) in the draft guidelines. Two guidelines (2.b and 7) have been added by the Van Boom Committee. ... Period of time after publication. The PhD Regulations state that the period of time between the publication of the articles and the ...
Research (MPhil / PhD)
MPhil and PhD opportunities are available on-campus and by arrangement through our self-governing member institutions and research institutes, including the School of Advanced Study. Many of these institutions have performed highly in the Research Excellence Framework and are consistently ranked highly for research among UK universities ...
PhD by Publication
Applicants can submit published work for examination only after a minimum period of six months from enrolment. The doctoral degree of PhD by Prior Output is awarded by UCN after the successful presentation of prior output and a covering document of 10,000 to 15,000 words, and an examination. The covering document should contextualise the prior ...