Programme of study for Doctor of Philosophy – Cyber-Physical Systems for Medicines and Development Manufacturing  Programme of study for Doctor of Philosophy – Cyber-Physical Systems for Medicines and Development Manufacturing 2026/27

PGRs may undertake study for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy through the Cyber-Physical Systems for Medicines and Development Manufacturing (CEDAR) programme in the School of Chemical and Process Engineering under the supervison 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. 

This programme is delivered as part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Cyber-Physical Systems for Medicines and Development Manufacturing (CEDAR), and is delivered in partnership with University of Strathclyde (lead partner), University of Sheffield and Imperial College, London. 

Applicants will normally be required to have obtained a relevant degree at least equivalent to a UK upper second class (2:1) honours degree.

International applicants will normally be required to have achieved at least 6.0 in IELTS (with no component below 5.5) or an equivalent English language qualification. 

Equivalent academic and English Language qualifications can be found on the Applying for research degrees page.

This programme is only available to applicants who have been awarded a studentship through the University under the EPSRC CDT. 

Applicants will normally be expected to start the programme in October. 

For part-time applicants, specific arrangement for attending cohort activites must be agreed with the EPSRC CDT management before admission. 

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

The standard period of study for part-time PGRs studying at 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) is eight years and the maximum time limit is 10 years.

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

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

In addition, PGRs will undertake a structured programme of training including the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Researcher Professional Development delivered by the University of Strathclyde.

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

Year 1 

• University of Leeds induction.
• One-week induction to the CEDAR programme, at the University of Strathclyde in October.
• Six weeks of in-person training (three at the University of Strathclyde, one each at the University of Leeds, Imperial College and University of Sheffield). Cohort-wide, multidisciplinary technical and transferable training.

All PGRs will enrol on the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Researcher Professional Development delivered by the University of Strathclyde. After successful completion of the 60-credit CDT training programme the PGR will be awarded the PGCert from the University of Strathclyde, subject to the rules and regulations of that institution. Successful completion of this 60 credits is not a requirement for progression.

• Commencement of PhD research.
• The first formal progress report must be submitted by the end of month six.
• Full-time candidates must submit their transfer report and undergo assessment by no later than 12 months from the start of the candidature and will be required to successfully transfer to full PhD status by no later than month 18 in order to progress on the programme. Other details of the transfer assessment and possible outcomes are set out in the Programme of Study for Doctor of Philosophy.

Year 2

• PGRs will continue research under the direction of their supervisor(s). 
• PGRs will undertake an industrial placement, normally of 6 months’ duration (pro rata for part-time candidates), which will be linked to their research project. The placement will take place after transfer.

Year 3

• PGRs will continue research under the direction of their supervisor(s). 

Year 4

• PGRs will continue research under the direction of their supervisor(s). 

Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their thesis within the standard period of study (four years full-time), which will usually coincide with the funding period for CDT-funded candidates.

Where an overtime period is required to complete the writing up of the thesis, the thesis submission deadline is the end of month 60.

All PGRs will undertake a mandatory research placement as part of this degree. The placement may take place in year 2. The duration of the placement will normally be six months (pro rata for part-time PGRs). Successful completion of the placement is not a requirement for progression or award of the PhD. 

Research placements will be related to the PhD research. The work from the placement will contribute to the research degree project, and will be assessed as part of the thesis examination process. 

All PGRs are initially registered as provisional candidates for the degree of PhD.

Following the initial period of provisional registration, PGRs are required to undergo the formal transfer assessment. Successful completion of this assessment is required for progression to full PhD registration and continuation on the doctoral training programme.  

PGRs who do not meet the required standard for transfer to PhD may, where recommended by the Transfer Panel, transfer to the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil). Transfer to MPhil registration would be to the School’s standard MPhil programme which is independent of the doctoral training programme through which the PGR originally enrolled.

PGRs who are unsuccessful in the transfer assessment for either PhD or MPhil will be required to withdraw from their programme. 

Full-time PGRs must undergo assessment by no later than 12 months of study. Part-time PGRs must undergo assessment by no later than 24 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 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 and 12 months for part-time PGRs). 
• 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 which is published on the postgraduate research policies and procedures page. 

PGRs must present a thesis (100,000 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 on the Alternative format protocol for candidates registered in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences page.

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 Philosophy by no later than:  

• the end of the fifth year after their entry upon the approved course of full-time study and research
• the end of the tenth year after their entry upon the approved course of part-time study and research at 0.5FTE.

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 three calendar years of full-time study  
• a total of six calendar years of part-time study at 0.5FTE.

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) Recommend award of MPhil for those PGRs who fail to achieve the standard for the award of a PhD but who nevertheless satisfy the criteria for the award of the degree of MPhil. In these circumstances the degree of MPhil may not be awarded with distinction. 
• e) Recommend award of MPhil (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. In these circumstances the degree of MPhil may not be awarded with distinction. 
• f) Referral for MPhil (the Referral recommendations section that follows explains this in more detail).  In these circumstances the degree of MPhil may not be awarded with distinction.  
• g) 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 Philosophy but there is evidence of the potential of a successful PhD or MPhil submission, then on the recommendation of the examiners either:  

• The PGR will be granted permission to resubmit the work in a revised form for the degree of PhD within a period of 18 months, on one occasion only and on payment of an additional fee.
• The PGR will be granted permission to resubmit the work in a revised form for the degree of MPhil within a period of 12 months, on one occasion only and on payment of an additional fee.  

Any PGR whose thesis has been referred for the degree of PhD may, subject to approval by the Head of their School, exercise the option of resubmitting a revised thesis for consideration for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy.  

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:

• discover, interpret and communicate new knowledge through original research and/or scholarship of publishable quality which satisfies peer review
• present and defend original research outcomes which extend the forefront of a discipline or relevant area of professional/clinical practice
• demonstrate systematic and extensive knowledge of the subject area and expertise in generic and subject/professional skills
• take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others where appropriate
• independently and proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses and to design, develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these
• critically and creatively evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the discipline
• to demonstrate systematic knowledge of and be able to critically assess, analyse and engage with the ethical and legal context of their research and any ethical and legal implications of their research.

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 or industry
• 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 PGR’s thesis, or alternative form of thesis, and performance under oral examination. Assessment will involve the achievement of the PGR 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

• Standard period of study: 48 months 
• Overtime period: 12 months 
• Maximum time limit: 60 months 
• Earliest submission: 36 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 of 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 for PhD following referral: 18 months.

Part-time

• Standard period of study: 96 months 
• Overtime period: 24 months 
• Maximum time limit: 120 months 
• Earliest submission: 72 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 the PGR Progression and Examinations Group) for an extension of up to 12 months (ie to the end of month 36). 
• Annual progress review: annual post transfer 
• Supervision meetings: five meetings per year 
• Meeting gaps of 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