Programme of study for the degree of Doctor of Medicine 2024/25

Subject to requirements and the approval of the admission panel for the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD), the following may be accepted as candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine within one of the medical institutes in the Faculty of Medicine and Health:

• Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery of the University of not less than two years standing prior to acceptance as candidates for the degree.
• Graduates of other UK or EU universities holding an appointment or an honorary appointment within a medical or dental institute of the University, or a National Health Service clinical appointment at the level of Registrar or above, who have held a qualification registrable with the UK General Medical Council for at least two years prior to acceptance as candidates for the degree.
• Overseas applicants, who have had not less than a two year period of clinical training subsequent to the award of a medical degree, and qualifications that confer eligibility for full or provisional registration with the UK General Medical Council, may be considered for admission as candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

Candidates for the degree of MD should normally undertake their postgraduate study in a Medical Institute of the University of Leeds or its associated hospitals, whilst holding a full time, part-time or honorary University appointment.

Obtaining any full or provisional registration with the General Medical Council required for the work will be the responsibility of the candidate, who may be offered a place on the degree programme subject to the submission of the standard University application form for postgraduate study, together with the following supporting documentation:

• The title of the proposed thesis
•  A short outline description (maximum two pages of A4) of the research project to be undertaken, indicating the research question or hypothesis to be addressed, the scope of the work and the methods to be used, and agreed with a qualifying supervisor with a University or honorary University contract
• Details of where the research will be undertaken and how it will be funded
• How the research time required for the proposed work will be compatible with clinical work commitments (if applicable)
• A full and up-to-date curriculum vitae
• Evidence of proficiency in English language to the required level specified for this degree programme.

Candidates may also be eligible for acceptance if they have satisfactorily completed a period of at least one year of approved research as a research student of the University. Such applications will be given individual consideration.

At least two supervisors will be appointed for each postgraduate researcher (PGR) at the commencement of the candidature.

The arrangements for formal reports on progress by the supervisors are described in the University Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures which is published in the Postgraduate Researcher Handbook.

Candidates will be accepted initially as provisional MD candidates. By the end of the first year of study, full-time candidates are required to prepare a report and undergo a transfer viva to assess their progress before proceeding to Year 2 and transfer to the specific degree category of MD.

In the case of part-time candidates, the transfer assessment process will normally take place within the first eighteen months of study. The decision to transfer will be based on the submission of appropriate material for assessment and all postgraduate researchers must undergo an oral examination by an assessment panel which must include at least two independent individuals who have not been involved in the supervisory support of the candidate. The PGR will be interviewed by the assessment panel in the form of a viva voce examination.

The following options are open to the assessment panel:

1. To recommend transfer to MD registration
2. To require that the report is revised for reassessment within a period of time of between three and six months
3. To require that the candidature is terminated.

In exceptional circumstances, candidates for the degree of MD may be considered for transfer to candidature for the degree of PhD, subject to approval by the relevant committee.

Candidates are required to submit at least two copies of a thesis (80,000 words maximum), which shall be specially written for the purpose, must be written in English and must contain a critical account of original studies carried out personally by the candidate, and satisfy the examiners as set out in Ordinance X and its associated regulations.

Except with the special permission of the relevant committee, every candidate is required to submit their thesis for examination for the degree of Doctor of Medicine by no later than:

•  the end of the fifth year after entry upon the approved course of part -time study and research, or
•  the end of the third year after entry upon the approved course of full -time study and research.

Where the progress and quality of the candidate’s research justify it, the relevant committee is empowered to reduce the normal minimum period of study, as specified in Article 5 of Ordinance X, provided that no candidate shall submit for examination before the completion of:

•  a total of one calendar year of full-time study
• a total of two calendar years of part-time study.

Following examination, the examiners will be asked to make one of the following recommendations:

• a) Pass.
• b) Pass (subject to the correction of ‘editorial and presentational corrections’ or ‘minor deficiencies’): these corrections must be made within four or twelve weeks respectively from the date of the oral examination. The internal examiner is responsible for ensuring that ‘editorial and presentational corrections’ or minor deficiencies are corrected by the candidate. The degree will not be awarded until conf irmation that the corrections have been completed is received.
• c) Referral.
• d) Fail: the candidate has no further opportunity for submission.

If the thesis is not considered to be of sufficiently high standard to recommend that the degree be awarded but there is evidence of the potential of a successful MD submission, then on the recommendation of the examiners the candidate will be granted permission to re-submit the work in a revised form within a period of 18 months on one occasion only and on the payment of an additional fee.

The recommendation of the examiners is subject to confirmation by the Graduate Board’s Examinations Group which will consider the examiners’ report.

On completion of the research programme, PGRs should have shown evidence of being able:

• to demonstrate extensive knowledge of the subject area and expertise in generic, subject specific and professional skills
• to evaluate critically current issues in research and advanced scholarship in the discipline of medicine
• to formulate ideas and hypotheses independently, and to design, develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these
• to take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others where appropriate
• to demonstrate diligence in professional working practice through a thorough understanding of the ethical, legal, health and safety issues pertaining to the research, including adherence to data protection
• to discover, interpret and communicate new knowledge through original research and/or scholarship of publishable or potentially publishable quality, which satisfies peer review
• to present and defend research outcomes that extend the forefront of a discipline of medicine by oral and written methods
• to evaluate critically the implications of their research outcomes in the relevant area of professional/clinical practice.

PGRs will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities through the research training and research specified for the programme:

• the skills necessary for a career as a researcher and/or for employment in a senior and leading capacity in a relevant area of professional/clinical practice
• evaluating their own achievement and that of others
• self-direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations
• independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development.

This will include the critical analysis of, and decision making in, complex and unpredictable professional and/or clinical situations.

The structure of the programme will provide research and/or professional training, breadth and depth of study and opportunities for drawing upon appropriate resources and techniques.

Opportunities will be provided for PGRs to:

• develop to a high level interests and informed opinions
• develop to a high level their design and management of their learning activities
• develop to a high level their communication of their conclusions
• make an original contribution to the field.

PGRs will be expected to engage in the exercise of autonomous initiative in their study and work in professional environments.

Achievement will be assessed by the examination of the candidate’s thesis and performance under oral examination. Assessment will involve the achievement of the candidate in:

• evidencing an ability to conduct original and independent broad and in-depth enquiry within the discipline or within different aspects of the area of professional/clinical practice normally leading to published work
• drawing on and/or developing a range of research techniques and methodologies appropriate to enquiries into the discipline/area of professional practice
• demonstrating independent critical ability in the application of breadth and depth of knowledge to complex issues within the discipline or specialist area of professional/clinical practice
• drawing on a range of perspectives on the area of study
• evaluating and criticising received opinion
• making reasoned and well-informed judgements on complex issues within the specialism whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data
• the written style and overall presentation of the thesis.