Programme of study for the degree of Doctor of Medicine  Programme of study for the degree of Doctor of Medicine 2026/27

PGRs may undertake study for the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD) in the Faculty of Medicine Health of the University under the supervision of a member of staff who satisfies the eligibility requirements specified by the relevant committee. Supervisors will be appointed at the commencement of the programme of study.

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 registerable 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, currently at least 6.5 in IELTS (with no component below 6.0) or an equivalent English language qualification. Equivalent academic and English Language qualifications can be found on our entry requirements page.

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.

The standard period of study for full-time (FT) PGRs is two years and the maximum time limit is three years.

The standard period of study for part-time PGRs studying at 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) is four years and the maximum time limit is six years. The standard period of study for part-time PGRs studying at 0.75 FTE is two years and eight months and the maximum time limit is four years.

A list of milestones and deadlines is provided in the ‘Milestones and deadlines’ section of this programme of study.​​

This programme is not available for study by split-site or distance learning modes.

All candidates for the degree of MD are expected to undertake appropriate generic training.

Other requirements for the degree, including examination requirements, are set out in Ordinance X and its associated regulations.

PGRs will in the first instance be accepted as provisional candidates for the degree of MD. After the initial period of provisional registration, PGRs are subject to the process whereby they are formally assessed and, if successful in the assessment, are transferred to the specific degree category of MD.

Full-time PGRs must undergo assessment by no later than 12 months of study. Part-time PGRs at 0.5 FTE must undergo assessment by no later than 24 months of study. Part-time PGRs at 0.75 FTE must undergo assessment by no later than 16 months of study. 

The decision to transfer will be based on the submission of appropriate material for assessment and all PGRs 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 PGR. The PGR will be interviewed by the assessment panel in the form of a viva voce examination. 

A case for an extension to the period of provisional registration would have to be made on academic grounds to the relevant committee. In such cases any period of extension will be no more than six months. 

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.

In addition to the transfer process, there must be formal reports on progress as follows:

• First formal progress review (FFPR) at the mid-point of the first year (six months for full-time PGRs, 12 months for PGRs studying at 0.5 FTE and nine months for PGRs studying at 0.75FTE).
• Annual progress reports (APR) each year following transfer.

The arrangements for formal reports on progress by the supervisor(s) are described in the University Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures published on the postgraduate research policies and procedures page.

PGRs must present a thesis (80,000 words maximum), or alternative method of submission where stipulated in the Regulations for Ordinance X, on the subject of their research and satisfy the examiners as specified in Ordinance X and its associated Regulations.

In schools where an alternative form of submission is permitted, specific regulations for the presentation of the work are published.

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

• the end of the third year after their entry upon the approved course of full-time study and research
• the end of the sixth year after their entry upon the approved course of part-time study and research at 0.5 FTE
• the end of the fourth year after their entry upon the approved course of part-time study and research at 0.75 FTE.

As permitted in Ordinance X, when the progress and quality of the PGR’s research justify it, the relevant committee is empowered to reduce the required minimum period of study provided that no PGR shall submit for examination of the thesis before the completion of: 

• a total of one calendar year of full-time study 
• a total of two calendar years of part-time study at 0.5 FTE
• a total of 16 calendar months of part-time study at 0.75 FTE.

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 amendments’): these corrections must be made within six weeks or six months respectively from the date of the oral examination. The internal examiner is responsible for ensuring that ‘editorial and presentational corrections’ or ‘minor amendments’ are corrected by the PGR. The degree will not be awarded until confirmation that the corrections have been completed is received.
• c) Referral (the ‘referral recommendations’ section that follows explains this in more detail).
• d) Fail: the PGR has no further opportunity for submission.

Referral recommendations

If the thesis is not considered to be of sufficiently high standard to recommend the award of the degree of Doctor of Medicine but there is evidence of the potential of a successful MD, then on the recommendation of the examiners, the PGR will be granted permission to resubmit the work in a revised form for the degree of MD within a period of 18 months, on one occasion only and on 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
• evaluate critically current issues in research and advanced scholarship in the discipline of medicine
• formulate ideas and hypotheses independently, and to design, develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these
• take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others where appropriate
• 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
• discover, interpret and communicate new knowledge through original research and/or scholarship of publishable or potentially publishable quality, which satisfies peer review
• present and defend research outcomes that extend the forefront of a discipline of medicine by oral and written methods
• 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.

Full time (FT, 1.0)

• Standard period of study: 24 months
• Overtime period: 12 months
• Maximum time limit: 36 months
• Earliest submission: 12 months
• Reduction for earliest submission: 12 months
• Training plan required: three months
• First formal progress report: six months
• Transfer deadline: 12 months
• Maximum transfer after deferral: 18 months (six months after transfer)
• Annual progress review: annual post transfer
• Supervision meetings: 10 meetings per year
• Meeting gaps: no more than eight weeks
• Commitment to research activity: 37 hours per week
• Annual leave allocation: 26 days per year
• Maximum suspension/extension: 24 months
• Maximum resubmission deadline following referral: 18 months.

Part time (PT, 0.5)

• Standard period of study: 48 months
• Overtime period: 24 months
• Maximum time limit: 72 months
• Earliest submission: 24 months
• Reduction for earliest submission: 24 months
• Training plan required: three months
• First formal progress report: 12 months
• Transfer deadline: 24 months
• Maximum transfer after deferral: 30 months (six months after transfer). The assessment panel could, where a lot of additional work was required for resubmission, make a case to the relevant committee (currently PGR Progression and Examinations Group) for an extension of up to 12 months (to the end of month 36)
• Annual progress review: annual post transfer
• Supervision meetings: five meetings per year
• Meeting gaps: no more than 12 weeks
• Commitment to research activity: 19 hours per week
• Annual leave allocation: 13 days per year
• Maximum suspension/extension: 36 months
• Maximum resubmission deadline following referral: 18 months.

Part time (PT, 0.75)

• Standard period of study: 32 months
• Overtime period: 16 months 
• Maximum time limit: 48 months
• Earliest submission: 16 months 
• Reduction for earliest submission: 16 months 
• Training plan required: three months
• First formal progress report: nine months
• Transfer deadline: 18 months 
• Maximum transfer after deferral: 24 months (six months after transfer)
• Annual progress review: annual post transfer
• Supervision meetings: eight meetings per year 
• Meeting gaps of no more than: 10 weeks
• Commitment to research activity: 28 hours a week
• Annual leave allocation: 20 days a year (19.5)
• Maximum suspension/extension: 36 months
• Maximum resubmission deadline for PhD following referral: 18 months.