PhD by Published Works

Admission to the PhD by Published Works is open to any applicant, subject to the following criteria. In addition to the standard entry requirements (academic, references and English language), all applicants must provide evidence of a significant contribution to research and previous academic attainment.

The award is made to candidates who can present a published body of work that demonstrates an independent, significant, and original contribution to knowledge. The thesis must be defended through a viva voce examination.

The PhD by Published Works is a part-time only route. It is open to home and international applicants. There is no expectation of on-campus attendance for students and all necessary support can be provided remotely. This remote mode of study is compulsory for international students and optional for home students.

The University currently offers three models of the degree: the ‘conventional’ model; the creative practice model; and the hybrid model.

In all three cases, there are general criteria that applicants must demonstrate. First, the works presented must meet the three expectations of doctoral level work. In other words, the published work must demonstrate independent research that is of significance within a field or subject area and that demonstrates an original contribution to knowledge. The complete thesis must be coherent and consistent in theme. Co-authored work may be acceptable, but only where the candidate can demonstrate that it meets the expectations of doctoral work in respect of the candidate’s own contribution. The previously published work must be accompanied by a 15,000 to 25,000 critical appraisal that explicitly shows the doctoral nature of the work and how each component of the submission coheres to the research theme. The candidate will be supported by a supervisory team throughout their studies, the members of which will provide guidance to help in the development of the critical appraisal and the coherence and significance of the portfolio. The work will be examined in the same way as a conventional PhD through a viva voce examination.