Programme of study for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy – Yorkshire Environmental Sciences – Doctoral Training Network (YES-DTN)  Programme of study for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy – YES-DTN (Yorkshire Environmental Sciences – Doctoral Training Network) 2026/27

PGRs may undertake study for the degree of PhD through the Yorkshire Environmental Sciences - Doctoral Training Network (YES-DTN) programme of study in School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability of the University under the supervision of a member of staff who satisfies the eligibility requirements specified by the relevant committee.

In addition to Earth, Environment and Sustainability, supervisors may be based in the Schools of Chemistry, Geography, or Biology. Programme variants will be created in all four schools. Supervisors will be appointed at the commencement of the programme of study.   

This programme is delivered as part of the YES-DTN Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Doctoral Landscape Award, and is delivered in partnership with the University or York.

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

International candidates 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 our entry requirements page.

This programme is only available to candidates who have been awarded a studentship through the University of Leeds under the Natural Environment Research Council YES-DTN NERC Doctoral Landscape Award.

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

The standard period of study for full-time (FT) PGRs is three years and six months and the maximum time limit is four years. The standard period of study for part-time PGRs studying at 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) is seven years and the maximum time limit is eight 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 PhD are expected to undertake appropriate generic skills 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.

In addition, there will be an optional transferrable skills training programme developed for each cohort to be delivered by external trainers.

There are opportunities to complete a placement as part of this degree programme. This may be either a case placement, a research placement, or a work placement. The placement may take place in year 2 or year 3.

The duration of the placement will normally be up to three months, either in one block or spread over a longer period, although for CASE students only, it may be up to 18 months in length. Successful completion of the placement is not a requirement for progression or award of the PhD.

CASE placements

CASE placements (for candidates with CASE studentships) will be at the industry partner, will contribute to the research degree project, and will be assessed as part of the thesis examination process as set out in the ‘Examination and assessment’ section.

Research placements

Research placements (for non-CASE studentships) 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 as set out in the ‘Examination and assessment’ section.

Work placements

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 be as follows:

Learning outcomes for a work placement

A work placement enables PGRs to undertake a period within a partner organisation (e.g. 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:

• a) to develop transferable skills outside the PhD project, particularly with regard to career aspirations
• b) to explore different avenues of personal and professional development
• c) to 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) a description of the work placement
• b) a list of practical objectives achieved during the work placement 
• c) a description of the transferable skills developed through the project
• d) 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 the main supervisor 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. 

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

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 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 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 studying at 0.5 FTE)
• 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 (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.

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 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.

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 two calendar years of full-time study 
• a total of four calendar years of part-time study at  0.5 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) 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:

• a) 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.
• b) 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
• 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 (FT, 1.0)

• Standard period of study: 42 months
• Overtime period: six months
• Maximum time limit: 48 months
• Earliest submission: 30 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: 84 months
• Overtime period: 12 months
• Maximum time limit: 96 months
• Earliest submission: 60 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.