Research student guidance
As a research postgraduate researcher, you need to be aware of certain administrative guidelines, procedures and codes of practice during your time at Leeds.
This page is undergoing maintenance as we prepare to move all PGR policies and procedures to a Doctoral College policy and procedure hub on SharePoint. In the interim, if you are not able to find a policy that you need please check the Regulations, codes, policies and procedures for postgraduate researchers webpage or contact the Doctoral College communications team.
PGR handbook
The current Doctoral College handbook (pdf) is available here, however we would encourage you to use the For Students – Postgraduate research website as your main reference guide as the website will always have the most up to date information. The Doctoral College main handbook contains information that is relevant to all PGRs. The annexes contain information that is specific to PGRs in those schools or faculties:
Doctoral College 2024-2025 handbook annexes – all Faculties and Schools
Doctoral College 2024-2025 handbook annex – LUBS
For copies of Doctoral College handbooks for previous academic years, please get in touch with doctoralcollege@leeds.ac.uk.
Registration, fees and student records
All students need to register at the start of each year of study. As part of the registration process you are expected to confirm your agreement to abide by the rules, regulations, procedures and codes governing your studies, learning and conduct at the University and use of the services provided by the University as given in the Student Contract.
Student Cards - new and replacement
Financial implications of leaving early
Progress, assessment and monitoring
In order to support you, identify any training needs and to ensure you are on track your progress will be monitored and evaluated throughout your studies. Should you encounter any academic or personal difficulties there are a number of ways that the University can support you.
Graduate Record of Achievement and Development (GRAD)
Examination (Research Degree Assessment)
Suspensions and extensions of study policy (PDF)
Progress support procedure (PSP) (PDF)
Thesis submission and examination
Guide for candidates referred for resubmission (pdf)
Protocol for the format and presentation of an alternative style of doctoral thesis including published material:
- for candidates registered in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
- for candidates registered in the Faculty of Environment
- for candidates registered in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- for candidates registered in the Faculty of Biological Sciences
- for candidates registered in the Faculty of Medicine and Health
Guidelines on the Use of Solely or Jointly-Authored Publications within a Thesis Submission
Submission of a thesis in a language other than English (applies only to candidates registered in the School of Languages, Cultures & Societies)
Inclusion of supplementary material within a thesis submission for examination
Criteria for the appointment of examiners and independent chairs
Diploma Supplement and Statement: Guidance and Information
Formal Regulations and Codes of Practice
(Ordinance and regulations and programmes of study for research degrees are listed seperately at the end of this page)
Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures
Intellectual property rights (pdf)
University General Academic Regulations
University Code of Practice on Data Protection
Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Students Engaged in Teaching
Regulations for Use of Library
Equality and Diversity Policies
Policy on dignity and mutual respect
Whistleblowing procedure (pdf)
Applicants/students with criminal records
Code of Practice on Student Health and Conduct (DOCX)
Complaints, Appeals and Disciplinary Matters
General University Disciplinary Regulations (DOCX)
Cheating, Plagiarism, Fraudulent or Fabricated Coursework, and Malpractice in university examinations and assessments (PDF) (for those programmes with a taught element)
Engaging in research
National Researcher Development Framework
Protocol for investigating and resolving allegations of misconduct in academic research (PDF)
Exploitation and Intellectual Property Rights (PDF)
RIS: Research ethics and research integrity
Research Ethics - training and support from ODPL
Code of Practice on Data Protection
Guidelines for Retention of Personal Data
Request Form for Access to Personal Data
For a comprehensive list of policies relating to research see the Research Support website
Ordinance and Regulations and Programmes of Study for Research Degrees
Programmes of study for research degree awards 2024/25
Doctoral Degrees
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Doctor of Paediatric Dentistry (DPaedDent) 2023/24
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsychol)
Doctor of Clinical Education (DClinEdD) 2023/24
Master by Research
Master of Philosophy
Integrated degrees of PhD and Master
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Medical and Biological Engineering)
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Bioenergy)
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Fluid Dynamics) Full-time
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Fluid Dynamics) Part-time
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine - Innovation in Medical and Biological Engineering)
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Complex Particulate Products and Processes)
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Data Analytics and Society)
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Artificial Intelligence for Medical Diagnosis and Care) 2023/24
4 Year PhDs
4 year PhD – Physics Studies
4 year PhD – Soft Matter and Functional Interfaces
4 year PhD – Soft Matter for Formulation and Industrial Innovation (SOFI2)
4 year PhD – Anatomy
4 year PhD – Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes
4 year PhD – Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease
4 Year PhD – Aerosol Science
4 Year PhD – Molecules to Product
4 Year PhD – Nuclear Energy - GREEN (Growing skills for Reliable Economic Energy from Nuclear)
4 Year PhD – WISER (Water and Waste Infrastructure and Services Engineered for Resilience)
4 Year PhD – CDT SENSE: Satellite Data in Environmental Science
4 Year PhD – Medical Research
4 Year PhD – Nuclear Science and Engineering
Dual Award PhDs
Leeds University – University of Ljubljana (2020-2023 only: this programme is no longer recruiting)
Leeds University – Lulea Technical University (2020-2024 only: this programme is no longer recruiting)
Leeds University – Nanjing University
Leeds University – Beijing Jiaotong University
Leeds University – Petroleum University of China (QingDao Campus) (UPC)
Leeds University – Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) – 3 Year
Leeds University – Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) – 4 Year
Doctoral Training Partnerships
Doctor of Philosophy with Research in Practice with Integrated Postgraduate Certificate – White Rose DTP (3.75 years)