Research Degrees
Important: these regulations apply to students enrolled in or after September 2016.
1. Purpose and Scope
1 General Principles
1.1 A copy of these Regulations (Part 8) shall be supplied to all research degree students, supervisors, examiners, and administrators. In the event of any contradiction or inconsistency between these Regulations and any other published material relating to the research degrees of our University, these Regulations prevail.
1.2 These Regulations, as per the Quality Assurance Agency’s Quality Code for Research Degrees, apply to MPhil, PhD (including MPhils and PhDs awarded based on published work), all forms of Professional Doctorate, and research Master's degrees where the research component (including a requirement to produce original work), is larger than the taught component when measured by student effort.
1.3 Our research degrees are awarded primarily based on a substantial thesis or body of published work or equivalent research output in a form other than the written word submitted by a student resulting from the student’s original research and defended by oral examination to the satisfaction of individually appointed examiners.
1.4 For information on the research degree awards offer by our University please see Manual of General Regulations (MoGR) Part 1: Awards and Courses.
2. Admissions requirements for Research Master’s, Master of Philosophy, Doctor of Philosophy and Professional Doctorate Degrees
2.1 For information on the admission requirements for the degrees of Research Master’s, Master of Philosophy, Doctor of Philosophy and Professional Doctorate, please see MoGR Part 2 – Admission of Students.
3. Minimum and maximum periods for the degrees of Masters (acquired primarily by research), Master of Philosophy, Doctor of Philosophy and Professional Doctorate
3.1.The normal minimum and maximum periods of study for research degrees are (including write-up periods):
| Award | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Masters (acquired primarily by Research) | ||
| Full-time | 12 months | 24 months |
| Part-time | 24 months | 48 months |
| MPhil | ||
| Full-time | 24 months | 36 months |
| Part-time | 48 months | 60 months |
| PhD (via transfer from MPhil) | ||
| Full-time | 36 months | 48 months |
| Part-time | 60 months | 84 months |
| PhD (Eur) | ||
| Full-time | 36 months | 48 months |
| Part-time | 60 months | 84 months |
| PhD (direct) | ||
| Full-time | 36 months | 48 months |
| Part-time | 60 months | 84 months |
| Professional Doctorate | ||
| Full-time | See individual courses | |
| Part-time | See individual courses | |
3.2 Normally a student may not submit their thesis for examination until they have been enrolled for the minimum period stipulated in paragraph 3.1. Exceptionally, Research Degrees Subcommittee may agree a shorter enrolment period.
4. Registration process for Masters (acquired primarily by research), MPhil, PhD, and Professional Doctorate courses
4.1 Registration of the research component can only take place following approval by Research Degrees Subcommittee that the requirements in Paragraph 4.5 have been met. This approval requires appropriate academic judgement to be brought to bear on the viability of each research proposal.
4.2 For this purpose, our University ensures that School Research Degrees Sub-Committees are composed of persons who are, or who have engaged in, research and who have appropriate experience of successful research degree supervision
4.3 In the case of Professional Doctorates, Schools may constitute course-specific sub-groups to make recommendations to School Research Degrees Sub-Committees concerning registration.
4.4 The constitution of such groups will be as specified in the terms of reference of School Research Degrees Sub-Committees as agreed by Academic Board.
4.5 In considering applications for registration, Research Degrees Sub committee shall satisfy itself that the following requirements are met:
(a) that students are suitably qualified – (Please see MoGR Part 2 – Admission of Students for course admission requirements)
(b) that students are embarking on viable research courses.
(c) that supervision is adequate and likely to be sustained.
(d) that the research environment is suitable.
4.6 Registration, via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL), for full-time students must occur within six calendar months of the date of enrolment. Registration for part-time students must occur within twelve calendar months of the date of enrolment.
4.7 Research Degrees Sub-committee may consider applications from students domiciled in the United Kingdom proposing to conduct research outside of the United Kingdom, provided the following conditions are met:
(a) Satisfactory evidence is provided as to the suitability of the proposed research environment.
(b) That the arrangements proposed for supervision enable frequent and substantial contact between the student and supervisor(s) based in the United Kingdom, including adequate face-to-face contact with the supervisor(s) and that such contact is documented. Students are required to have a minimum of 10 face-to-face meetings per year (full-time) and 5 face-to-face meetings per year (part-time). The student should not normally spend less than an average of six calendar weeks per academic year at our University.
4.8 A policy is in place regarding arrangements for MPhil or PhD students domiciled outside of the United Kingdom (‘split-site students) and Schools must follow this when considering applications and putting in place supervision arrangements.
4.9 Where a research degree project is part of a piece of funded research, Research Degrees Sub-committee must establish to its satisfaction that the terms on which the research is funded do not detract from the fulfilment of the objectives and requirements of the student's research degree.
4.10 Where a student has previously undertaken research as an enrolled student for a research degree at another higher education institution, Research Degrees Sub-committee may approve a shorter than usual study period which takes account of all, or part of the time already spent by the student on said research. As a minimum, a student who transfers in this fashion must be registered as a research degree student with our University for 12 months on a full-time basis or 24 months on a part-time basis.
4.11 Research Degrees Sub-committee may permit a student to enrol for another course of study concurrently with their research degree enrolment, provided that either their research degree enrolment or the other course of study is undertaken on a part-time basis. A research degree student at our University may not be concurrently enrolled for a research degree at another institution without the permission of Research Degrees Sub-committee.
4.12 Where a student and our University wishes the thesis to remain confidential for a period after completion of the work, application for approval should normally be made to Research Degrees Sub-committee at the time of registration. In cases where the need for confidentiality emerges after registration, a special application for the thesis to remain confidential after submission must be made immediately to Research Degrees Sub-committee. The period approved shall not normally exceed two years.
4.13 Students whose work forms part of a larger group project may enrol for a research degree. In such cases, each individually registered project must be distinguishable for the purposes of assessment and be appropriate for the award being sought. The application must clearly indicate each individual contribution and its relationship to the group project.
4.14 All students must adhere to our University’s Student Code of Conduct.
5. Supervision for Masters (acquired primarily by research), MPhil, Professional Doctorate, and PhD courses
5.1 All Masters (acquired primarily by research), MPhil, PhD and Professional Doctorate students at the research stage shall have at least two, and not more than three, supervisors who together demonstrate an appropriate range of academic and/or professional experience, engagement in research activity and has relevant publications.
5.2 One member of the supervisory team shall be appointed as the Director of Studies and will ensure that the student is supervised on a regular, frequent basis with supervision meetings formally recorded via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL). Students are required to have a minimum of 10 face-to-face meetings per year (full-time) and 5 face-to-face meetings per year (part-time). A nominated member of the supervisory team will be the main point of contact between the student and the supervisory team and shall be responsible for agreeing the allocation of academic responsibilities within the supervisory team.
5.3 At least one supervisor shall have experience of successful supervision to completion of a research degree comparable to that for which the student is enrolled. In the case of an application to enrol for PhD or PhD via transfer from MPhil, one of the supervisors must have successfully supervised to PhD level.
5.4 A supervisory team is expected to have a combined experience of research degree supervision to successful completion of no fewer than two students.
5.5 Where only one member of the supervisory team has previously supervised a student to successful completion the University recommends that they serve as the Director of Studies. Normally, the proposed Director of Studies will have previously supervised at least one postgraduate research student to successful completion. Where this is not the case the rationale for the exception will be recorded in the relevant minutes of the School Research Degrees Subcommittee.
5.6 Research Degrees Sub-committee may permit the use of supervisors external to our University or collaborative partners provided suitable expertise cannot be provided by current staff. Any external supervisor appointed must have completed any relevant staff development equivalent to that expected of members of staff at UEL or a collaborative partner. External supervisors are not however permitted to be Directors of Study.
5.7 People holding emeritus positions at UEL may continue as a supervisor only on the nomination of the relevant School and where Research Degrees Subcommittee agrees it is in the best interests of the student and the university.
5.8 Where the use of external expertise is needed but the individual(s) cannot act as a supervisor, they may hold the status of advisor.
5.9 No person who is receiving supervision for a research degree at our University may act as a supervisor.
5.10 All members of the supervisory team must adhere to our University’s Personal Relationships Policy.
5.11 Proposals for a change in supervision arrangements should be made, via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL), to Research Degrees Sub-committee. Arrangements must be made for the provision of an interim supervisor if a member of the supervisory team is unable to fulfil their responsibilities for a prolonged period due to illness or other unforeseeable circumstances. In the event of a member of a supervisory team being granted a sabbatical or similar, arrangement must be made in advance of the period of sabbatical for regular contact to be maintained with the student or for an interim supervisor to be assigned, via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL), with the approval of Research Degrees Sub-committee.
5.12 Our University will ensure that the quality of supervision is not put at risk because of an excessive volume and range of responsibilities being assigned to individual supervisors. School Research Degrees Sub-Committees will routinely monitor supervisory allocations and should notify the relevant Dean of School if there are concerns around the volume of responsibilities being allocated to an individual supervisor. School Research Degrees Sub-Committees will report on this matter in their annual PGR report. Research Degrees Sub-committee will periodically review institutional policy on the maximum number of students a supervisor can be responsible for.
Research Degrees Sub-committee will be guided by the overall workload of the individual. All newly appointed supervisors who do not have previous experience of research degree supervision to successful completion must attend an appropriate course of staff development within six months of appointment and this should be recorded by both the relevant School and Office for Postgraduates, Research and Engagement (OPRE).
5.13 Our University expects experienced supervisors to avail themselves of opportunities to attend relevant staff development activity and to share their good practice with colleagues new to the activity. Experienced supervisors attend a relevant staff development activity at least once every five years. Research Degrees Subcommittee will periodically receive reports on attendance from OPRE and will communicate attendance to the relevant School.
6. Examination of research degrees
6.1 Masters (acquired primarily by research), MPhil, PhD and Professional Doctorate students must successfully complete all assessed elements of their course before award of the degree can be made
6.2 The examination of the research component of all research degrees has two stages: firstly, the preliminary assessment of the submission (thesis alone, or thesis and creative/non-textual work), and secondly, its defence by oral examination.
Theses should be submitted for examination in PDF format via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL).
6.3 Students are normally examined orally. The examination is on the course of research and on the field of study in which the course lies.
6.4 Where, for reasons of sickness, disability or comparable valid cause, Research Degrees Sub-committee is satisfied that a student would be at serious disadvantage if required to undergo an oral examination, an alternative form of examination may exceptionally be approved. Any alternative arrangements requested on the grounds of disability can only be agreed in discussion with the Disability and Dyslexia Team and after appropriate evidence has been validated. Such approval shall not be given on the grounds that the student has inadequate knowledge of the language in which the thesis is presented.
6.5 The oral examination should normally take place within three months of the student submitting their thesis.
6.6 A research degree student is examined by at least two and not more than three examiners, of whom at least one must be an external examiner
6.7 A student's supervisor, be it presently or at any point in the student’s current research course, may not be an examiner.
6.8 Supervisors may, with the consent of the student, attend the oral examination but may not participate in the discussion and must withdraw before the deliberations of the examiners on the outcome of the examination.
6.9 Where the student is a member of staff of our University or a collaborating establishment (or is deemed by Research Degrees Sub-committee to be closely related to our University in a comparable manner), the examining team shall include two external examiners
6.10 Prior to the oral examination, each examiner shall independently complete a preliminary report on the thesis via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL).
6.11 If Research Degrees Subcommittee is made aware of a failure to comply with the procedures of the examination process, it may declare the examination null and void and appoint new examiners.
6.12 Oral examinations are normally held in the United Kingdom. However, in exceptional cases, Research Degrees Subcommittee may give approval for the examination to take place abroad.
The duties of our University
6.13 The Director of Studies, in consultation with the Research Degrees Leader, or relevant research director, will propose to Research Degrees Sub-committee, via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL), the intended date for submission of the thesis.
6.14 The proposed examination arrangements must be approved by Research Degrees Subcommittee, via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL) at least three months before the intended date of submission of the thesis.
6.15 Where Research Degrees Sub-committee approves the proposed arrangements, examination conditions will be in effect. As such, no form of contact (thesis and thesis content) should occur between the candidate or their supervisors and the approved examiners. Where such contact occurs, the Director of Office for Postgraduates, Research and Engagement will be responsible for taking appropriate action on behalf of the University.
6.16 The oral examination may not take place until the examination arrangements have been approved by Research Degrees Sub-committee. Once approved, examination arrangements are in effect for a period of no longer than six months.
6.17 Where the oral examination is delayed for a period of six months, or more, beyond the date where arrangements were approved, the Director of Studies will resubmit the arrangements, via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL) to Research Degrees Sub-committee for re-approval.
6.18 In exceptional circumstances, the Chair of Research Degrees Sub-committee may act directly to appoint examiners and make arrangements for the examination of the student. Where Chair’s action is taken in such circumstances, it must be reported to the subsequent meeting of Research Degrees Sub-committee.
6.19 The Director of Studies and the candidate are advised against making any firm commitments to a proposed oral examination prior to formal approval from Research Degrees Sub-committee (e.g., payment of travel costs or booking accommodation).
6.20 Research Degrees Sub-committee shall ensure that external examiners are independent of our University, and any collaborating establishment (see 7.6).
6.21 Our University shall make known to all its students the procedure to be followed for the thesis submission and any conditions to be satisfied before students are eligible for examination. The student is required to submit a PDF version of their thesis to PhD Manager (ResearchUEL).
6.22 Our University shall ensure, through the remit of the Chair of Examiners, that all examinations are conducted, and the recommendations of the examiners are presented, in accordance with its Regulations.
6.23 Our University shall notify the student, all supervisors, and the examiners of the date of the oral examination.
6.24 Our University shall ensure that all examiners have completed and submitted their preliminary reports, via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL), at least seven days before the oral examination takes place. Should any preliminary report not be returned in time, our University shall notify the student, the supervisory team, and examiners that the examination must be postponed.
6.25 Our University shall determine and pay the fees and expenses of external examiners.
6.26 Our University shall make available to each examiner, via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL), a copy of the submission, together with the examiners’ preliminary report form, the notes for examiners and our University's Regulations, and shall ensure that the examiners are properly briefed as to their duties.
6.27 The Chair of Examiners shall upload the examiners’ report and recommendations via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL) within 10 working days of the viva taking place.
6.28 Decisions on the reports and recommendations of the examiners in respect of research degree students are taken by Research Degrees Sub-committee. The power to confer the degree rests with Academic Board.
6.29 Examiners’ preliminary and final reports will be sent on request to the student and supervisory team once an award has been made or the final determination of the examiners is that the student should fail.
The student's responsibilities
6.30 It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the submission is received by the appropriate officer of our University before the expiry of the study period.
6.31 The submission of work for examination is at the discretion of the student. (While a student would be unwise to submit work for examination against the advice of their Director of Studies, it is his or her right to do so. Equally, students must not assume that a Director of Studies’ agreement to a submission guarantees an award will be made. In the event of a student submitting work for examination without the consent of the Director of Studies, the examination team will be notified of this after the examination to protect the academic standards of our University without prejudicing the examiners’ deliberations or judgment).
6.32 Students must satisfy any conditions of eligibility for examination required by our University.
6.33 Students must take no part in the arrangement of their examination and have no contact with the examiners between their appointment and the oral examination.
6.34 Students must ensure that the format of any thesis is in accordance with the requirements of our University's Regulations (see Section 10).
6.35 The student must confirm, through the submission of a declaration form, that the work has not been submitted for an academic award at the same level. However, the student is not precluded from incorporating in the submission material which has already been submitted for a degree or comparable award, provided such work is identified on the declaration form and in the submission.
6.36 Students must confirm, via the submission of a Turnitin receipt, that the 9-10 University of East London Manual of General Regulations September 2024 material submitted is their own work. The University takes plagiarism and collusion extremely seriously and will apply the relevant penalties in any proven case.
6.37 The thesis title submitted on the ‘Examination Arrangements’ form within PhD Manager (ResearchUEL) can only be changed with the agreement of Research Degrees Sub-committee following an agreed recommendation from the examiners.
6.38 Students may only appeal the outcome of their research degree examination in the circumstances set out in Part 6 Appeals. The request should take the form of a letter to the Appeals Liaison Officer of our University setting out the student's case.
7. Examiners for research degrees
Criteria for appointment
7.1 Examiners must be experienced in research or, where appropriate, professional practice, within the general area of the student's submission and, wherever practicable, have experience as a specialist in the topic(s) to be examined.
7.2 Examiners shall not have had direct involvement in the student’s research.
7.3 Examiners’ own work shall not have been the focus of the student’s research.
7.4 The members of the examining team shall normally and collectively have examined at least three students at or above the level of the relevant award. An external examiner shall normally have examined at least one student at the requisite level. Exceptionally (e.g., in developing areas of research), Research Degrees Sub-committee shall have discretion to modify the latter requirement, subject to demonstration that the integrity of examination arrangements will otherwise be maintained.
7.5 At least one examiner for a doctoral award shall normally hold a PhD or Professional Doctorate as appropriate to the examination.
7.6 An external examiner shall be independent of our University and any collaborating institution and shall not have acted previously as the student's supervisor. An external examiner shall not be a supervisor of another student for a research award of our University. The School proposing an external examiner must also check that they are eligible to work in the UK.
7.7 Former staff members of our University or a collaborating institution should not be proposed as external examiners until at least three years after the termination of their employment.
7.8 No person who is enrolled for a research degree may act as an examiner.
7.9 The appointment of external examiners for any taught element of the course shall be made according to the procedures approved from time to time by Academic Board
8. Chair of Examiners for research degrees
8.1 Research Degrees Subcommittee shall approve the appointment of a Chair of Examiners. The Chair of Examiners shall be an employee of our University, or a collaborative or partner institution, who has undertaken a course of relevant staff development.
8.2 No supervisor of the student being examined may be nominated as the Chair of Examiners.
8.3 The Chair of Examiners shall be present at the oral examination and shall ensure that the examination is conducted in accordance with these Regulations.
8.4 On conclusion of the oral examination and the examiners' deliberations, the Chair of Examiners shall ensure that the examiners report(s) and recommendation(s) to Research Degrees Sub-committee, are uploaded via PhD Manager (ResearchUEL) within 10 working days of the viva taking place.
8.5 The Chair of Examiners is not an examiner and shall not take part in the oral examination of the thesis or in the examiners’ deliberations, or otherwise seek to influence the examiners in the exercise of academic judgement on the thesis and the outcome of the oral examination. The examiners may, at any time during the examination process, seek clarification from the Chair of Examiners upon matters of process, but not on matters of academic judgment.
8.6 The Chair of Examiners shall not be required to adjudicate upon differences of opinion between examiners or seek to resolve such differences, other than those that result from a misunderstanding of the examination Regulations and procedures. Differences of opinion between examiners emanating from the exercise of academic judgement shall be dealt with in accordance with section 9.
9. Disagreement between examiners following the oral examination
9.1 Where the examiners' recommendations are not unanimous, they will be referred to Research Degrees Sub-committee, which may:
(a) Accept the recommendation of the external examiner(s); or
(b) Appoint an external adjudicator with appropriate disciplinary and professional expertise and extensive experience of the supervision and examination of research degrees
9.2 In the event of an external adjudicator being appointed, they will be expected to:
(a) Read the thesis or published work and/or review the work in a form other than the written word.
(b) Receive the individual preliminary reports and the reports following the oral examination.
(c) Prepare a report to Research Degrees Sub-committee which will inform its decision.
10. Presentation of the thesis for Masters (acquired primarily by research), MPhil, Professional Doctorate, and PhD
10.1 For the purposes of an examination, a student must upload a PDF version of their thesis to PhD Manager (ResearchUEL). The thesis will then be made available to the examiners in electronic version only.
10.2 Except with the specific permission of Research Degrees Subcommittee, the thesis must be presented in English. Permission to present a thesis in another language must normally be sought through the application for registration. Given that the medium of instruction in our University is English, permission to present a thesis in a language other than English is likely to be given only if the subject matter of the thesis involves language and related studies.
10.3 Our University will only permit a student to present a thesis in a language other than English if it is satisfied that adequate supervision in the alternative language can be arranged and that examiners capable of examining the thesis in said language are likely to be available. In such cases, a summary in English of approximately 1000 words must be included with the thesis.
10.4 The thesis must include a statement of the student's objectives and must acknowledge published or other sources of material consulted (including an appropriate bibliography) and any assistance received.
10.5 There shall be an abstract of approximately 300 words provided with the thesis which provides a synopsis of the thesis, stating the nature and scope of the work undertaken and of the contribution made to the knowledge of the subject treated.
10.6 Where a student's research course is part of a collaborative group project, the thesis must clearly indicate the student's individual contribution and the extent of the collaboration. This statement on the extent of the collaboration must be supported by all the collaborators concerned.
10.7 The copyright of the thesis is vested in the student, but the treatment of other forms of intellectual property must be specifically agreed with our University prior to the submission of the thesis.
10.8 The student is free to publish material in advance of the thesis submission, but reference must be made to any such publication in the thesis. Copies of published material should be submitted with the thesis.
10.9 While theses are normally in A4 format, our University may give permission for a thesis to be submitted in another format where it is satisfied that the contents can be better expressed accordingly. However, students using a format larger than A4 should note that the production of microfiche copies and full-size enlargements may not be feasible.
10.10 The text of the thesis should not normally exceed the following length (excluding ancillary data - see 10.11):
(a) Masters (acquired primarily by research) – 12,000 words.
(b) MPhil - 40,000 words.
(c) Professional Doctorate - 60,000 words.
(d) PhD – 80,000 words. The University may withhold from examination a thesis that exceeds the maximum word limit. The student should apply to Research Degrees Subcommittee with accompanying justifications for permission to submit a thesis that exceeds the maximum word limit.
10.11 Appendices, referential footnotes and/or endnotes are not included in the indicative word counts given in 10.10. Footnotes and/or endnotes that are discursive in nature must be included in the word count.
10.12 An electronic copy of each Masters (acquired primarily by research), MPhil, PhD or Professional Doctorate thesis will be retained by our University. In the case of a PhD or Professional Doctorate thesis this will be to meet the requirements of the British Library Electronic Thesis Online Service (EThOS). Students must complete the EThOS declaration form on submission of the electronic copy.
10.13 Where our University has agreed that the confidential nature of the student's work is such as to preclude the thesis being made freely available in our University library, or that of any collaborating establishment, and, in the case of a PhD or Professional Doctorate, the British Library, the thesis shall be held by the University only and made available only to those who were directly involved in the project for a time not exceeding the approved period.
10.14 Our University is only likely to approve an application for confidentiality to enable a patent application to be lodged or to protect commercially or politically sensitive material. Theses may not be restricted in this way to protect research leads. While the normal maximum period of confidentiality is two years, our University may approve a longer period in exceptional circumstances.
Presentation of work in a form other than the written word for a Masters (acquired primarily by research), MPhil or PhD
10.15 Students may undertake a course of research in which their creative work forms, as a point of origin or reference, a significant part of the intellectual inquiry. Such creative work may be in any field but must have been undertaken as part of the registered research course. In such cases, the presentation and submission may be partly in other than written form.
10.16 The creative work must be clearly presented in relation to the argument of a written thesis and set in its relevant theoretical, historical, critical or design context. The thesis must itself conform to the usual scholarly requirements and be of an appropriate length considering the balance between various research components (see 10.10).
10.17 The final submission must be accompanied by some permanent record of the creative work bound, where practicable, with the thesis.
10.18 The application for registration must set out the form of the student's intended submission if not written and of the proposed methods of assessment.
10.19 Students may undertake a course of research of which the principal focus is the preparation of a scholarly edition of a text(s) or other original artefacts.
10.20 In such cases the completed submission must include a copy of the edited text(s) or collection of artefacts, appropriate textual and explanatory annotations and a substantial introduction and critical commentary which sets the text in the relevant historical, theoretical, or critical context (see 10.10 regarding the required length of the thesis).
11. Ethical Approval and Code of Practice for Research Ethics
11.1 All research degrees that propose research which involves human participants, sensitive human data (personal or otherwise) and human material (including human tissue, embryos, foetuses, and bodily fluids, from living or deceased participants), must receive ethical clearance from our University Research Ethics Committee and/or Schools/Collaborative Research Ethics Committee/Board prior to the commencement of the research or the relevant part thereof. If the research is being carried out, in whole or in part, at another institution or institutions, ethical clearance must also be obtained from each participating institution.
11.2 It is the joint responsibility of both the student and the Director of Studies to ensure that ethical clearance is obtained. Approval must be sought in accordance with such arrangements for ethical review and approval as may from time to time be specified by our University/School/Collaborative Research Ethics Committees/Boards.
11.3 Students and Directors of Studies must be familiar with the University’s Code of Practice for Research Ethics and Code of Practice for Research. Copies of the code and policy may be found on the OPRE’s website.
12. Code of Practice for Research and Research Misconduct Policy
12.1 Our University’s Code of Practice for Research, Code of Practice for Research Ethics and our Research Misconduct Policy apply to all students for research degrees and to staff conducting research within, or on behalf of, the institution. Copies of the codes and policy may be found on the OPRE’s website.
12.2 Our University expects all students for research degrees and staff involved in their supervision to observe the standards of research practice set out in the guidelines published by scientific and learned societies and any other relevant professional bodies.
13. Appeals against annual monitoring review, transfer of research degree enrolment or oral examination decision for postgraduate research degrees (including both ‘taught’ and ‘research’ Professional Doctorates)
13.1 Research Degree students are subject to the regulations governing all students at our University as detailed in the Manual of General Regulations, Part 6 Appeals.
14. Complaints Procedure
14.1 Research Degree students are subject to the regulations governing all students at our University as detailed in the Manual of General Regulations, Part 10 Complaints.
15. Other Useful Documents
- MOGR Part 1 (UEL Awards)
- MOGR Part 2 (Admission of students)
- MOGR Part 3a (Prof Doc Regulations)
- MOGR Part 4 (Assessment of students)
- MOGR Part 5 (Extenuating Circumstances)
- MOGR Part 6 (Appeals)
- MOGR Part 7 (Academic Integrity)
- MOGR Part 9 (Conferment of award)
- MOGR Part 10 (Complaints)
- Exemptions to Academic Regulations
- Awards offered by the University of East London
- PGR Code of Practice
- Research Misconduct Policy
- Student Code of Conduct
- Personal Relationships Policy
Appendix B
Regulations for the awards of MPhil and PhD by Published Work
Definition of published work
1.1 For the purposes of these Regulations, ‘published work’ and ‘publications’ includes, but is not limited to, books, refereed articles, authored chapters, creative work, nontextual work and artefacts. Where it is not possible for such work to be submitted for examination (e.g. in the case of installations or exhibitions), there should be a permanent and submittable record of it (e.g. videographic, photographic).
1.2 Published work as per the above definition must be freely available within the public domain at the point of examination and have been subject to peer review. Work which is, either in part or whole, in progress, submitted or accepted for publication or ‘in press’ may not be submitted for examination under these Regulations. Work previously presented by the student for another degree may not normally be included in the submission. If such work is intended to constitute part of the submission, it must be identified as such and the degree will not be awarded unless substantial new work of distinction is presented.
1.3 Exceptionally, work of a confidential nature which is subject to restrictions on its circulation so as to enable a patent application to be lodged or to protect commercially or politically sensitive material, may, at the discretion of Research Degrees Subcommittee, be accepted for examination providing such restrictions do not impede our University’s ability to conduct a proper assessment and examination of the submission.
Critical Appraisal
1.4 The submission for examination of the degrees of MPhil and PhD by published work will consist of the published work and a critical appraisal of said work not normally exceeding 10,000 words, The appraisal must summarise each publication submitted, synthesise the publications as a coherent study, provide a critical review of the current state of knowledge in the respective field or discipline and show how the published work has contributed to the field or discipline. It should also comment on the standing of any journals or similar and the reception of the publications as indicated by citations and/or reviews.
Eligibility
1.5 Any member of the staff of our University of at least three years' standing may apply to Research Degrees Sub-committee for permission to submit for an MPhil or PhD of our University by published work. A former member of staff of at least three years' standing on the effective date of their resignation or retirement may also apply to Research Degrees Sub-committee for permission to submit for an MPhil or PhD of our University by published work.
1.6 Members of academic staff, of at least three years' standing, of a collaborating institution, members of staff of another establishment who have taught for at least three years on programmes validated by our University, or members of staff of other institutions who have taught for at least three years on a programme at our University, may also apply to submit. In assessing such applicants' eligibility to apply to be examined for an MPhil or PhD by publication, Research Degrees Sub-committee will consider the extent of the applicants’ contribution to the scholarship of our University.
1.7 Any Bachelor’s degree graduate of our University of at least eight years’ standing or Master’s graduates of at least four years’ standing may apply to Research Degrees Sub-committee for permission to submit for an MPhil or PhD by published work of our University.
1.8 Graduates of programmes now validated as UEL programmes at collaborative or partner institutions, but which were not UEL programmes at the point of graduation, may be eligible for an MPhil or PhD by publication of our University provided the criteria given in 1.7 have been met and at the discretion of Research Degrees Sub-committee.
1.9 Successful applicants must enrol as students of our University and pay the appropriate part-time research degree fee.
Application
1.10 The application (as per standard research degree applications) should be accompanied by a list of the publications to be submitted and an outline of the critical appraisal (see 1.4 above).
Registration
1.11 Registration will be as detailed in Section 4 of these Regulations and will include a list of publications to be submitted and an outline of the critical appraisal described above. The list of publications should be comprehensive, but it is understood that pending publications may be forthcoming after registration. In such cases, and at the discretion of Research Degrees Sub-committee, it may be permissible for such publications to be included in the body of work entered for examination.
1.12 Following registration, there is no possibility of transfer from MPhil by published work to PhD by published work.
1.13 The periods of registration for a research degree by publication are:
| aWARD | minimum | maximum |
|---|---|---|
| MPhil | 9 months | 24 months |
| PhD | 12 months | 24 months |
Examinations
1.14 The examination team will consist of one internal examiner and two external examiners.
1.15 The examination team may only recommend: (a) that the student be awarded the degree (b) that the student is not awarded the degree (c) in the case of a PhD by published work examination, that the student be awarded the degree of MPhil by published work
1.16 The examination team’s recommendation that an award be made subject to amendment, or amendment and re-examination, can refer only to the critical appraisal element of the submission.
Extent of these Regulations (Appendix B)
1.17 Except where such Regulations in this appendix explicitly state other than, or in their remit preclude the application of, the Regulations for research degrees contained in the main body of Part 8, said Regulations as they relate to, registration, supervision, examinations.
Appendix C
Regulations for the award of Higher Doctorate
Standard and Eligibility
1.1 Applications can be made for the following Higher Doctorates:
- Doctor of Engineering (DEng)
- Doctor of Laws (LLD)
- Doctor of Letters (DLitt)
- Doctor of Science (DSc)
- Doctor of Technology (DTech)
1.2 A Higher Doctorate is awarded in recognition of a sustained and distinguished original contribution to, or advancement of, knowledge and/or professional accomplishment in the respective field.
1.3 Applicants will be a holder of at least seven years’ standing of a first degree or a holder of four years’ standing of a higher degree, as awarded by our University, the CNAA or a United Kingdom Higher Education Institution of equivalent standing, or a qualification which is regarded by Research Degrees Sub-committee as equivalent to such (e.g. a verifiable overseas qualification).
1.4 Applications may be made by members of our University as defined in Appendix B, 1.5 to 1.9 above.
Application
1.5 Applicants must submit three copies of the works upon which their application is based. The submission may take the form of, but is not limited to, books, journal contributions, patent specifications, reports, specifications and design studies and may also include other relevant evidence of original or distinguished work. All material, other than books or output in a form other than the written word, must be secured in hard-backed folders, each containing a title and contents page.
1.6 An applicant must, where appropriate, state which part or part of the work has been submitted for another academic award.
1.7 The contents of the submission must be in English unless permission to the contrary has been given by Research Degrees Sub-committee.
1.8 Along with the submission, applicants must submit one copy of each of the following:
(a) a completed application form, stating for which Higher Doctorate the student wishes to be considered
(b) a summary of not more than 1,000 words on the relevance of the works to the advancement of knowledge
(c) a list of the works comprising the submission
(d) where appropriate, a statement of the extent of the applicant’s contribution to co-authored or collaborative work submitted
(e) the appropriate initial fee
Higher Doctorate Committee
1.9 On receipt of an application, an ad hoc University Higher Doctorate Committee will be convened to consider whether a prima facie case for proceeding to examination has been established. The Committee will, at a minimum, consist of the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Impact and Innovation, and 3 members of Research Degrees Subcommittee with expertise appropriate to considering the application. The Committee shall seek such advice and consultation as it deems necessary to consideration of the application.
1.10 An applicant may not be a member of the Committee.
1.11 No member of the Committee may serve as examiner to the applicant should a prima facie case be established.
1.12 The establishment of a prima facie case does not imply the eventual awarding of the Higher Doctorate.
Examination and Conferment
1.13 If satisfied that a prima facie case has been established, the Committee shall, on payment of a further fee by the student, submit the application to three examiners, one of whom shall be a Professor or Reader of our University, and the remaining two shall be external individuals of recognised eminence in the respective field, who have not co-authored or collaborated on any of the works submitted where relevant.
1.14 Each examiner shall submit an independent recommendation to Research Degrees Sub-committee for consideration and the award of Higher Doctorate will be made if, in the opinion of Research Degrees Sub-committee and subject to ratification by Research Degrees Sub-committee, an outstanding contribution to the respective field has been made.
1.15 In the event of disagreement between examiners, the Committee may appoint a third external examiner or reject the submission.
1.16 One copy of the work submitted in support of a successful application shall be retained on open access by our University.