Approval Process

Approval of conditional PhD enrolment
Approval of MPhil programme
Initial enrolment in an MPhil
Approval of an EdD programme
Enrolment in qualifying courses (MPhil, PhD)
Applying for an embargo

Approval Of Conditional PhD Enrolment

Initial approval for a PhD thesis proposal is usually conditional for six months full-time or twelve month part-time. The transfer to full enrolment normally occurs within six months after the approval of conditional enrolment.

Before approving an application for conditional enrolment, the Postgraduate Studies committee will need to be assured that:

the nature and scope of the research are appropriate for the degree sought
the proposed supervisors are competent and willing to act
the department can provide, or have access to, any particular resources required by the research programme
the candidate is proficient in the language in which the research will be undertaken
ethical concerns have been addressed
proficiency is demonstrated in any qualifying skills required e.g., statistical analysis

The period of conditional enrolment is an opportunity for the candidate and supervisors to agree on a research design and plan, and for the candidate to demonstrate the capacity to undertake research at doctoral level by undertaking initial work on the research project. The candidate is encouraged to develop a full research plan within six months (fulltime) or twelve months (part-time) of enrolment and should obtain any necessary ethical approval.

Approval Of An MPhil Programme

Approval is considered on the basis of the thesis proposal which must include an ethics statement.

Initial Enrolment In MPhil

The MPhil is a qualification in its own right and is not anticipated as a usual route to PhD enrolment. However, when the normal prerequisites for enrolment in a doctoral degree have not been fulfilled, or the Postgraduate Studies Committee is unsure about any aspect of the candidate's application, the candidate may be required by the Postgraduate Studies Committee to register as an MPhil candidate. The transfer to the doctoral programme may be permitted after a minimum of 6 months for a full-time MPhil candidate, or 1 year for a part-time MPhil candidate, provided there is clear evidence that the candidate is capable of completing the requirements for the PhD within the period of enrolment for that degree. Candidates are required to submit a revised research proposal and to complete the normal PhD application process.

Approval Of An EdD Programme

Progression to Part Two of the EdD, the research (thesis) component, is dependent on the satisfactory completion of Part One and approval of a thesis proposal by the Postgraduate Studies Committee. EdD candidates approved to proceed to Part Two will usually proceed directly to unconditional enrolment, since they have already completed their full research plan provided ethics approval for the envisaged research has been obtained. Candidates awaiting results from the external examination of their dissertation, may apply for provisional enrolment in Part Two.

Enrolment In Qualifying Courses (MPhil, PhD)

Before approving enrolment in a PhD or MPhil, the Postgraduate Studies Committee may, either on its own initiative, or on the recommendation of the proposed chief supervisor or chairperson of department, require a candidate to demonstrate knowledge of particular research skills, of language and/or to improve knowledge of the proposed research area. If qualifying papers are required, they should not be of such a nature as to duplicate to any major extent the material likely to be examined in the thesis. The details for any such requirements will be notified to the candidate.

While performance in qualifying papers may be used to determine whether the candidate should proceed to the degree, the decision over the award of the degree shall be based solely upon the quality of the thesis submitted for examination and the candidate's performance at any oral examination held.

Embargoes, Withholding Access To Thesis

An application for withholding access to a thesis should normally be made when the candidate applies for approval as a higher degree student of the University. For detailed information see: Embargoes and Intellectual Property.