Programme of study for integrated degrees of PhD and Master (MA, LLM or MSc) 2024/25

The Integrated degrees of PhD and Master, which provide for the integrated award of both degrees, are undertaken by a combination of taught specialist modules, training and skills courses and research study.

This integrated approach offers postgraduate researchers (PGRs) a learning environment in which to broaden and deepen subject knowledge while providing the opportunity for inter -disciplinary study to extend their expertise in new directions.

The University currently offers the following programmes leading to the Integrated degrees of PhD and Master:

• Integrated degree of PhD and MSc in Oral Science (Paediatric Dentistry) – entry to this programme was suspended from 2018-19
• Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Medical and Biological Engineering)  – entry to this programme was suspended from 2018-19
• Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Bioenergy) – entry to this programme was suspended from 2019-20
• Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Fluid Dynamics)
• Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine – Innovation in Medical and Biological Engineering) – entry to this programme was suspended from 2019-20
• Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Complex Particulate Products and Processes) – entry to this programme was suspended from 2019-20
• Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Data Analytics and Society)  – entry to this programme was suspended from 2023-24
• Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Artificial Intelligence for Medical Diagnosis and Care)  – entry to this programme was suspended from 2023-24.

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 PGRs will normally be required to have achieved at least 6.0 on IELTS (with no component below 5.5) or an equivalent English language qualification. Some Schools may require higher levels of English language. There is normally one entry point for the integrated degrees of PhD and Master in September/October of each academic session.

The integrated degrees of PhD and Master are normally four-year full-time programmes of study. Part-time modes of attendance are specified for some individual programmes.

Progress is formally reviewed at appropriate stages and, at least annually, candidates are required to undergo a thorough review process, emphasising the different stages in the progress, development and training. The arrangements for formal reports on progress by the supervisors are described in the University Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures (PDF). A training plan must be in place within three months of starting the research project.

The relevant committee has modified the arrangements for provisional registration for the integrated degrees of PhD and Master in accordance with article 5c of Ordinance X. Candidates are accepted for study to the registration category of postgraduate research.

Upon completion of the first year, candidates are required to undergo a review of their academic progression, against the rules of the award as outlined in the relevant programme of study, to determine if transfer to Provisional PhD status is approved.

If successful in transfer to Provisional PhD status, candidates will be required to undergo the formal assessment procedure for transfer to full PhD status before the end of the second year of study.

To allow flexibility to explore the most appropriate format, as needed for academic or other reasons, there are three possible models for a research degree transfer:

• Fully in person (all parties together on campus for a face-to-face viva)
• Fully remote (all parties complete the viva via Microsoft Teams or Zoom)
• Hybrid (some parties are in person whilst others are online).

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 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).

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

In exceptional circumstances, candidates may request to be considered for transfer to registration for the degree of Masters by Research, subject to approval by the parent school and the relevant committee.

Supervisor(s) will be appointed for each PGR at the commencement of the candidature to guide the PGR through an appropriate pathway of optional courses and to assist with planning for the integration of all the elements of the programme.

In all years of study, the supervisors will take responsibility for ensuring that appropriate skills and other training is undertaken and that the University’s policy on personal development planning is applied.

The normal expectation is that candidates will successfully complete a number of modular courses before the start of year 3 of study and will submit their theses for examination by the end of year 4, although an additional overtime period of up to 12 months will be available if necessary. Some candidates may leave the programme at an earlier stage and may be awarded an alternative qualification, subject to fulfilling the relevant requirements.

Candidates are required to submit a thesis (100,000 words maximum) for examination by no later than the end of the fifth year after entry upon the approved course of study and research.

When the progress and quality of the candidate’s research justify it, the relevant committee is empowered to reduce the required period of study provided that no candidate shall submit a thesis for examination before the completion of a total of three calendar years of study.

A University Examination Board for Taught programmes will confirm the award of the degree of Master (if the candidate has satisfied the regulations for the award of that degree under Ordinance XI (Taught Postgraduate Awards) under the relevant rules for award.

Following the 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 twelve 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 ‘minor deficiencies’): These corrections must be made within four or twelve 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. 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:

• The candidate will be granted permission to resubmit the work in a revised form for the degree of PhD within a period of eighteen 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 twelve 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.

Candidates for the Integrated degrees of PhD and Master are required to meet the learning outcomes for both the degrees of PhD and Master, which are described in the additional information for the specific Integrated degree programme.

Candidates for the Integrated Degrees of PhD and Master who have fulfilled the requirements for the award of the degree of Master and then proceed to examination for the award of the degree of PhD, but who are not successful in the PhD examination are eligible for the award of the degree of MPhil if they satisfy the requirements for examination set out in Article 13 of Ordinance X. 

If successful in the examination for the MPhil degree such candidates will receive two separate degree awards, namely the relevant degree of Master (MA, LLM or MSc) and the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy.

Candidates will normally be deemed to have failed the Programme of Study for the Integrated degree of PhD and Master and be asked to withdraw from the programme if:

• they fail to meet the requirements for the award of the degree of Master (as set out in Ordinance XI (Taught Postgraduate Awards))
• unless otherwise stated in the programme of study entry for the specific subject area, they fail to pass at least 180 taught credits with at least 50% in each course undertaken
• they fail to satisfy the Examination Board in year 1 and the transfer panel in year 2
• they fail to satisfy the examiners in the research thesis (there is no opportunity for resubmission where the examiners recommend that a research degree thesis be failed).

Candidates who do not achieve a satisfactory standard at the first attempt in examinations or assessments for modular courses must undertake any re-examination, as set out in Regulation 18 of the Regulations for Ordinance X

Candidates are required to pass to the required standard all compulsory courses and modules which form part of their prescribed programme of study.

Candidates are eligible for the award of Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Mastership qualifications at certain exit points in the programme, provided that they have satisfied the relevant regulations for the award of these qualifications as set out in Ordinance XI (Taught Postgraduate Awards) and the Rules for award, if they either decide to leave or do not progress beyond the relevant stages:

• Postgraduate Certificate (60 taught credits)
• Postgraduate Diploma (120 taught credits unless otherwise stated)
• MA, LLM and MSc (150 taught credits)