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Postgraduate research policy and procedures

As a postgraduate researcher (PGR), you need to be aware of certain administrative guidelines, procedures and codes of practice during your time at Leeds. 

If you require any of these documents in an alternative format, please email email the Doctoral College at doctoralcollege@leeds.ac.uk. 

Postgraduate research handbook

  • Doctoral College 2024 – 25 handbook annexes – all faculties and schools
  • Doctoral College 2024 – 25 hanbook annex – LUBS

For copies of Doctoral College handbooks from previous year email the Doctoral College at doctoralcollege@leeds.ac.uk.

We recommend that student regularly check the Postgraduate researcher section of this website for the most up to date information.

Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures

This Code sets out a framework of shared responsibilities between the University, supervisors and candidates with the aim of delivering successful research degree programmes and to inspire all our research students to develop their full potential. The Code also outlines the minimum standards students can expect in connection with the supervision of their research degree study. 

Code of practice for research degree candidatures

For those PGRs registered in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures for a research project which is defined as practice-led, a supplementary protocol for practice-led research degree candidatures is provided which includes details of arrangements specific to practice-led research and assessment. 

Protocol for practice-led research degree candidatures (from November 2023)  

The previous practice-led protocol is provided for reference:

Previous Arts, Humanities and Cultures practice-led protocol (to October 2023) 

For those PGRs registered at Leeds Trinity University or York St John University please contact the relevant institution regarding the implementation of the University’s Code of Practice and Practice-led Protocols. 

Progress, assessment and monitoring

Attendance monitoring policy

Suspensions and extensions of study policy

Progress support procedure (PSP)

PGR-supervisor agreement form 

Concurrent registrations

Change of research degree arrangements

Policy for the use of video streaming for the viva examination

Module enrolment guide and form

Thesis submission and examination

The Guide to the thesis examination process for students (which includes the thesis format requirements)

Guide for candidates referred for resubmission

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

Reasonable adjustments and support for PGR level assessment/examination

Diploma supplement and statement: guidance and information

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

For supervisors, Directors of Postgraduate Research and assessors/examiners

For information for staff supporting PGRs (for example supervisors and Directors of Postgraduate Research Studies) please see the Doctoral College pages of the Staff Intranet.  

Transfer panel guidance  

Criteria for the appointment of examiners and independent chairs

Annual progress review (post-transfer) guidance  

Examiners report form  

Increasing bench fees after registration: guidance and form

Research degree examiners additional information 

Guide for external examiner briefings  

External examiner's fees  

Eligibility for research degree supervision 

Formal regulations

Complaints, appeals and disciplinary matters

PGR academic misconduct procedures (For submissions made on or after 01 September 2024) 

PGR academic misconduct procedures (For submissions made up to 31 August 2024) 

PGR Turnitin guidance

Procedures for investigating plagiarism in research degree work prior to and within the submission for a research degree

For the following regulations and procedures relating to complaints, appeals and disciplinary matters please visit the Secretariat website.

  • General University Disciplinary regulation 
  • Student complaints procedure 
  • Academic appeals
  • Cheating, plagiarism, fraudulent or fabricated coursework, and malpractice in university examinations and assessments
  • Whistleblowing
  • Student health and conduct
  • Retention of and access to personal data

Engaging in good research practice

For a comprehensive list of policies relating to research practice please see the following websites: 

Library

  • Safeguarding data 
  • Regulations for use of Library 
  • Policy on publications 

 
Research Innovation Service

  • Protocol for investigating and resolving allegations of misconduct in academic research  
  • Research ethics and research integrity 
  • Research misconduct 

 
IT

  • Information protection policy 

Ordinance and regulations and programmes of study for research degrees

Ordinances define the qualifications the University awards and the associated regulations. They form part of the University Constitution. The full set of ordinances is held on the Secretariat website. They include:
Ordinance X (research degrees)
Ordinance IX (first degrees and undergraduate awards)
Ordinance XI (taught postgraduate awards)
Ordinance XII (higher doctorates)
 
Ordinance X relates directly to postgraduate researchers and provides details of the general University regulations regarding entry requirements, assessment of progress, time limits for examination and the criteria that must be met before a research degree can be awarded.
 
Programmes of study for research degree awards 2024/25
(Ordinances for previous academic years can be found listed at the bottom of the page)
 Doctoral Degrees

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  • 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
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
 
Integrated degrees of PhD and Master

  • Integrated degrees of PhD and Master (General)
  • 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)

 4 Year PhDs

  • 4 year PhD – Integrated Tribology
  • 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 – Aerosol Science (part time)
  • 4 Year PhD – Medicine, Health and Human Disease
  • 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
  • 4 Year PhD – Materials
  • 4 Year PhD – Biological Sciences
  • 4 Year PhD – TARGET CDT

 Dual Award PhDs

  • Leeds University – University of Coimbra (2020-2023 only: this programme is no longer recruiting)
  • 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 Researcher Employability Project
  • Doctor of Philosophy with Research in Practice – White Rose DTP (3.5 years)
  • Doctor of Philosophy with Research in Practice with Integrated Postgraduate Certificate – White Rose DTP (3.75 years)

 Ordinances for previous academic years

 

Related links

Pre-arrival information for postgraduate researchers Research practice Postgraduate AI researcher guidance
Studies