Programme of study for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy with Researcher Employability Project 2024/25

Candidates may undertake study for the degree of PhD with Researcher Employability Project in any faculty of the University or accredited institution, or in association with another institution approved as a partner to offer joint or dual degrees with 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.

The requirements for the degree, including periods of study and examination requirements are set out in Ordinance X and its associated regulations. The normal standard period of study for a full-time PhD is three calendar years, unless otherwise prescribed in the relevant programme of study.

All candidates for the degree of PhD are expected to undertake appropriate generic training. Candidates in some faculties may be required to undertake some elements of advanced study and complete written examinations satisfactorily before proceeding to the submission of a thesis.

This programme is normally only available to candidates who have been awarded a studentship through the University of Leeds under the White Rose College of the Arts and Humanities (WRoCAH) doctoral training programme.

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

Candidates will in the first instance be accepted either as a provisional candidate for the degree of PhD or as a postgraduate research student.

After the initial period of provisional registration, candidates are subject to the process whereby they are formally assessed and, if successful in the assessment, are transferred to the specific degree category of PhD or MPhil. For those programmes which have a standard period of study of four years full-time and the assessment for transfer to a specific degree category of either PhD or MPhil normally takes place towards the end of the second year.

Full-time candidates must undergo assessment by no later than 12 months of study. Part-time candidates must undergo assessment by no later than 24 months of study unless otherwise stated in the prescribed programme of study. Candidates must be present at the University of Leeds for the transfer assessment. This equally applies to a second (or repeat) transfer assessment, should one be needed. If they are unable to do so their studies may have to be suspended until such a time as they are able to attend for assessment.

The decision to transfer will be based on the submission of appropriate material for assessment and all postgraduate researchers (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 candidate. 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.

The arrangements for formal reports on progress by the supervisor(s) are described in the University Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures (PDF).

Researcher Employability Project (REP)

PGRs on this programme are expected to undertake a Researcher Employability Project. The REP is a project or placement with a partner organisation that is normally a non-academic organisation. The partner may be based in the UK or overseas.

Projects are not directly related to the PhD research project, and will normally last between one and three months. In exceptional cases they can last up to six months. REPs can be completed as a continuous block of work, or spread out over a longer duration, by negotiation between the partner organisation and the PGR. The REP will normally take place in year 2.

The learning outcomes for the REP are to:

• develop transferable skills outside the PhD project, particularly with regard to career
• aspirations
• explore different avenues of professional opportunity
• enhance the PGR’s Curriculum Vitae.

PGRs are expected to develop a Project Plan in consultation with the partner organisation. This should include:

• a clear statement of benefit for the partner organisation
• practical objectives to be achieved during the project
• learning outcomes in line with the PGR’s career aspirations
• a plan/method for evaluating the impact of the project.

The project plan must be submitted to the lead supervisor via GRAD no later than one month before the project is due to commence. The REP should be designed to produce a tangible outcome such as a report, performance, or exhibition.

On completion of the REP, PGRs are expected to produce a summary report describing the project, to be uploaded to GRAD. The report is expected to cover the following:

• a description of the output
• an evaluation of the benefit for the partner organisation
• a list of practical objectives achieved during the project
• an analysis of the learning outcomes in relation to career aspirations achieved against those set out in the original plan
• an evaluation of the impact of the project as set out in the project plan
• a description of the transferable skills developed through the project.

The REP will be assessed by the lead supervisor against the REP learning outcomes on the basis of the summary report. 

The assessment will be on a pass/fail basis. Where the result is a fail, PGRs will have one further opportunity to resubmit their summary report for reassessment according to a timetable negotiated with the lead supervisor. Reassessment will be on the same basis as the original assessment.

Successful completion of the REP is not a requirement for progression or award of the PhD.

Candidates must present a thesis (100,000 words maximum) on the subject of their research (except where an alternative method of submission is stipulated in the Regulations for Ordinance X) 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 binding and presentation of the work are published.

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 Philosophy by no later than:

• the end of the fourth year after their entry upon the approved course of full-time study and research
• the end of the fifth year after their entry upon an approved course of full-time study and research where the standard period of study is four years
• the end of the seventh year after their entry upon the approved course of part-time study and research
• the deadline specified in the relevant programme of study for part-time programmes where the standard period of study is longer than five years. Normally, part-time variants of full-time programmes where the full-time standard period of study is four years.

As permitted in Ordinance X (Article 8), when the progress and quality of the candidate’s research justify it, the relevant committee is empowered to reduce the required minimum period of study provided that no candidate shall submit for examination of the thesis before the completion of:

• a total of two calendar years of full-time study
• a total of three calendar years of part-time study
• the period specified in the relevant programme of study for part-time programmes where the standard period of study is longer than five years. Normally, part-time variants of full-time programmes where the full-time standard period of study is four years.

Following the oral 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 12 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 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 candidates 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 or ‘minor deficiencies’): These corrections must be made within within four or 12 weeks 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 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).
• g) Fail: the candidate 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:

• a) The candidate 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.
• b) The candidate 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 candidate 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. In the case of joint awards with another institution, the recommendation of the examiners is also subject to confirmation by the other institution.

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
• 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 candidate’s thesis (or alternative form of 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.