Research student guidance
As a research postgraduate researcher, you need to be aware of certain administrative guidelines, procedures and codes of practice during your time at Leeds.
Detailed information and guidance on all aspects of research degrees can be found in the Doctoral College Handbook. Please go to the Regulations, codes, policies and procedures for postgraduate researchers webpage to find a copy of the Doctoral College Handbok or contact your Graduate School.
PGR handbook
The current Doctoral College handbooks (also known as the PGR handbook) for each Faculty/School can be found on the SES webpage Regulations, codes, policies and procedures for postgraduate research. For copies of Doctoral College handbooks for previous academic years, please get in touch with doctoralcollege@leeds.ac.uk.
Registration, fees and student records
All students need to register at the start of each year of study. As part of the registration process you are expected to confirm your agreement to abide by the rules, regulations, procedures and codes governing your studies, learning and conduct at the University and use of the services provided by the University as given in the Student Contract.
Student Cards - new and replacement
Financial implications of leaving early
Progress, assessment and monitoring
In order to support you, identify any training needs and to ensure you are on track your progress will be monitored and evaluated throughout your studies. Should you encounter any academic or personal difficulties there are a number of ways that the University can support you.
Graduate Record of Achievement and Development (GRAD)
Examination (Research Degree Assessment)
Absences, suspensions and extensions of your research
Progress support procedure (PSP) (PDF)
Thesis submission and examination
- The Guide to the thesis examination process for students (which includes the thesis format requirements)
- Guide for candidates referred for resubmission
- Protocol for the format and presentation of an alternative style of doctoral thesis including published material:
- for candidates registered in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
- for candidates registered in the Faculty of Environment
- for candidates registered in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- for candidates registered in the Faculty of Biological Sciences
- for candidates registered in the Faculty of Medicine and Health
- Guidelines on the Use of Solely or Jointly-Authored Publications within a Thesis Submission
- Submission of a thesis in a language other than English (applies only to candidates registered in the School of Languages, Cultures & Societies)
- Inclusion of supplementary material within a thesis submission for examination
- Criteria for the appointment of examiners and independent chairs
- Diploma Supplement and Statement: Guidance and Information
Formal Regulations and Codes of Practice
- Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidatures
- Ordinances and Regulations and Programmes of Study for research degrees and higher doctorates
- Intellectual property rights (PDF)
- Student contract
- University General Academic Regulations
- University Code of Practice on Data Protection
- Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Students Engaged in Teaching
- Regulations for Use of Library
- Equality and Diversity Policies
- Policy on dignity and mutual respect
- Whistleblowing procedure (PDF)
- Applicants/students with criminal records
- Code of Practice on Student Health and Conduct (DOCX)
Complaints, Appeals and Disciplinary Matters
- General University Disciplinary Regulations (DOCX)
- Student complaints procedure
- Academic appeals
- Procedures for investigating plagiarism in research degree work prior to and within the submission for a research degree
- Cheating, Plagiarism, Fraudulent or Fabricated Coursework, and Malpractice in university examinations and assessments (PDF) (for those programmes with a taught element)
Engaging in research
- National Researcher Development Framework
- Protocol for investigating and resolving allegations of misconduct in academic research (PDF)
- Exploitation and Intellectual Property Rights (PDF)
- Safeguarding data
- Information Protection Policy
- RIS: Research ethics and research integrity
- Research Ethics - training and support from ODPL
- Code of Practice on Data Protection
- Guidelines for Retention of Personal Data
- Request Form for Access to Personal Data
- Policy on Publications
For a comprehensive list of policies relating to research see the Research Support website
Ordinance and Regulations and Programmes of Study for Research Degrees
- Ordinance X (research degrees)
- Ordinance IX (first degrees and undergraduate awards)
- Ordinance XI (taught postgraduate awards)
- Ordinance XII (higher doctorates)
Programmes of study for research degree awards 2024/25
Doctoral Degrees
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Doctor of Paediatric Dentistry (DPaedDent) 2023/24
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsychol)
Doctor of Clinical Education (DClinEdD) 2023/24
Master by Research
Master of Philosophy
Integrated degrees of PhD and Master
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Medical and Biological Engineering)
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Bioenergy)
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Fluid Dynamics) Full-time
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Fluid Dynamics) Part-time
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine - Innovation in Medical and Biological Engineering)
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Complex Particulate Products and Processes)
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Data Analytics and Society)
Integrated degree of PhD and MSc (Artificial Intelligence for Medical Diagnosis and Care) 2023/24
4 Year PhDs
4 year PhD – Physics Studies
4 year PhD – Soft Matter and Functional Interfaces
4 year PhD – Soft Matter for Formulation and Industrial Innovation (SOFI2)
4 year PhD – Anatomy
4 year PhD – Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes
4 year PhD – Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease
4 Year PhD – Aerosol Science
4 Year PhD – Molecules to Product
4 Year PhD – Nuclear Energy - GREEN (Growing skills for Reliable Economic Energy from Nuclear)
4 Year PhD – WISER (Water and Waste Infrastructure and Services Engineered for Resilience)
4 Year PhD – CDT SENSE: Satellite Data in Environmental Science
4 Year PhD – Medical Research
4 Year PhD – Nuclear Science and Engineering
Dual Award PhDs
Leeds University – University of Ljubljana (2020-2023 only: this programme is no longer recruiting)
Leeds University – Lulea Technical University (2020-2024 only: this programme is no longer recruiting)
Leeds University – Nanjing University
Leeds University – Beijing Jiaotong University
Leeds University – Petroleum University of China (QingDao Campus) (UPC)
Leeds University – Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) – 3 Year
Leeds University – Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) – 4 Year
Doctoral Training Partnerships
Doctor of Philosophy with Research in Practice – White Rose DTP (3.5 years)
Doctor of Philosophy with Research in Practice with Integrated Postgraduate Certificate – White Rose DTP (3.75 years)