Programme of study for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy with Work Placement 2026/27

PGRs may undertake study for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy with Work Placement (PhD (WP)) under the supervision of a member of staff who satisfies the eligibility requirements specified by the relevant committee in any faculty of the University where a placement has not already been integrated into the approved programme of study.

This work placement route is not available for split site PhD programmes and is not normally offered for distance learning study mode, although exceptions may be considered for PGRs residing in the UK.

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

The requirements for the degree, including periods of study and examination requirements are set out in Ordinance X and its associated regulations.

PGRs may study on a full-time or part-time basis.

Full-time candidatures

Study on 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) basis with a standard period of study of three years and a final submission deadline of four years. 

Part-time candidatures

There are two models for part-time study with different FTE attendance: 

• Study on 0.5 FTE basis with a standard period of study of six years and a final submission deadline of eight years.
• Study on 0.75 FTE basis with a standard period of study of four years and a final submission deadline of five years.

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

Other requirements for the degree, including examination requirements are set out later in this programme of study and in Ordinance X and its associated regulations.

Where offered by a school, PGRs may be approved to attend in person, by distance learning.

Distance learning

Applicants may be accepted for full-time PhD study by distance learning in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures, the Faculty of Environment, or the Faculty of Medicine.

Placement opportunities are not normally offered within this mode of study, although exceptions may be considered for PGRs residing in the UK.

All PGRs will undertake a work placement as part of this degree. The placement will normally be taken in year 2 or 3. 

The duration of the placement will normally be up to three months, either in one block or spread over a longer period.  

Work placements may be taken in any external organisation that allows the student to broaden their understanding of a range of career areas and will be assessed as follows:

Learning outcomes for a work placement

A work placement enables PGRs to undertake a period within a partner organisation (for example, industry partner, business) to support their personal and professional development. A work placement enables PGRs to enhance their understanding of career pathways and develop employability/transferable skills beyond their academic research. 

The learning outcomes for the work placement are to:

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

Assessment of the work placement

Work placements are not directly related to the PhD research project. The work undertaken as part of a work placement is not central to, or part of the thesis research. The work from the work placement is not included in the thesis and will be assessed as follows: 

On completion of the work placement, PGRs are expected to produce a 1,000-word Work Placement Summary Report describing the work placement, to be uploaded to GRAD. The PGR’s Work Placement Summary Report is expected to cover the following:

• a description of the work placement
• a list of practical objectives achieved during the work placement 
• a description of the transferable skills developed through the project
• an evaluation of the expected or realised impact of the work placement on the PGR’s personal and professional development, development of transferable skills and career aspirations.

The Work Placement Summary Report will be assessed by a member of the supervisory team against the work placement learning outcomes. The assessment will be on a pass/fail basis.

Where the result is a fail, PGRs will have one further opportunity to resubmit their Work Placement Summary Report for reassessment according to a timetable negotiated with the lead supervisor. Reassessment will be on the same basis as the original assessment. The supervisor’s assessment of the work placement will be uploaded to GRAD. 

If a candidate does not pass the work placement assessment they may continue with their PhD. Failure of the work placement does not prevent progression with PhD research or submission of the thesis for examination. However unsuccessful completion of the work placement will result in a final award against a programme that differs from the work placement programme. 

The pass/fail outcome of the work placement assessment forms part of the academic record, and will appear on the diploma supplement and statement. The degree award in all cases is “Doctor of Philosophy”. For student visa holders a failed work placement means they will not be eligible for the Graduate Route, even if they successfully complete and are awarded the PhD.

PGRs will in the first instance be accepted as provisional candidates for the degree of PhD. PGRs may only transfer to the PhD with work placement after they have successfully completed transfer to PhD.

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

• 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.

In exceptional circumstances, candidates for the degree of PhD may request to be considered for transfer to registration for the degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil), subject to approval by the parent school and the relevant committee.

In exceptional circumstances, PGRs may request to be considered for transfer to registration for the degree of Master by Research (MbyR), subject to approval by the parent school and the relevant committee.

Candidates who transfer to MPhil or MbyR after they have undertaken their work placement will have the placement recorded on their academic record. Candidates who transfer to MPhil or MbyR before undertaking a work placement will no longer be eligible to take a placement as this is only available as an integral component of the PhD with Work Placement programme. In this case the registration will be for the standard MPhil or MbyR without placement.

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.

For faculties where a format and presentation of an alternative style of doctoral thesis including published material is permitted, specific regulations for the presentation of the work are published on the thesis submission and the viva pages.

For candidates undertaking a PhD by an alternative form of thesis for practice-led research in specified schools in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures, a Protocol for practice-led research degree candidatures is 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 eighth year after their entry upon the approved course of part-time study and research at 0.5 FTE
• the end of the fifth year after their entry upon the approved course of part-time study and research at 0.75 FTE where the 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 30 calendar months of part-time study at 0.75 FTE where the standard period of study is four years
• a total of four calendar years of part-time study at 0.5 FTE where the standard period of study is six 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 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 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 ‘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 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.
• 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 relevant Head of 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.

Learning outcomes for the work placement

The learning outcomes for the work placement component are set out in the ‘Placements’ section of this page. The pass/fail outcome of the work placement assessment forms part of the academic record, and will appear on the diploma supplement and statement.

If a candidate does not pass the work placement assessment, they may continue with their PhD however at the point of award, a change programme will be processed and the PhD will be awarded against the standard (non work placement) PhD programme in the student record system. The degree award in all cases is “Doctor of Philosophy”.

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.

Full-time (FT, 1.0)

• Standard period of study: 36 months
• Overtime period: 12 months
• Maximum time limit: 48 months
• Earliest submission: 24 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: 72 months
• Overtime period: 24 months
• Maximum time limit: 96 months
• Earliest submission: 48 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
• o  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: 48 months
• Overtime period: 12 months 
• Maximum time limit: 60 months
• Earliest submission: 30 months 
• Reduction for earliest submission:18 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: 19.5 days a year
• Maximum suspension/extension: 36 month
• Maximum resubmission deadline for PhD following referral: 18 months.