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Postgraduate Research Degrees Application form

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Postgraduate Prospectus

PhD by Published Work

The degree of PhD by Published Work differs from the traditional PhD in that it evaluates retrospectively the research training and subsequent published work which a candidate has undertaken. The published work is required to:

• form a coherent programme of research;
• be set in an appropriate academic context;
• demonstrate the use of appropriate research methodology;
• make an original and sufficient contribution to the present state of knowledge in the field.

The degree of PhD by Published Work presents an opportunity for people who have not followed the traditional route of studying for a research degree immediately after graduation to obtain formal recognition for having developed their research skills and subject knowledge to a doctoral level. This may include people entering higher education in mid-career, especially in practice-based disciplines, and people following research careers in industry.

Applicants for the degree of PhD by Published Work should normally have had some prior association with Oxford Brookes University. The degree is available in all the Schools which offer research degree programmes.

Students are given a registration period of a minimum of one and maximum of two years in which to prepare their submission under the supervision of a Director of Studies.

The submission will consist of a collection of refereed articles, books, monographs, research reports and other publications in the public domain together with a critical appraisal of this work. The work submitted is expected to reflect the same academic standards as that of a traditional PhD thesis based on an approved programme of supervised research. Assessment of the work will involve an oral examination conducted in much the same way as a conventional PhD examination.

Entry requirements

The academic entry requirements for the degree of PhD by Published Work are the same as for the higher degrees by research. In addition, students are required to have at least five years' relevant experience at postgraduate level. Applicants are required to be working in an area which falls within the scope of the University's current research activities to enable the University to appoint a Director of Studies who is familiar with the student's area of research.

Application procedure

Applications should be made in writing to the relevant School Postgraduate Research Tutor and may be submitted at any time during the academic year. Applications should give details of the applicant's research career to date and research interests, a list of the applicant's published work, indicating those publications on which the submission is anticipated to be based, and a curriculum vitae.

Students are advised to contact the relevant School Postgraduate Research Tutor prior to submitting an application to discuss the application informally; to ensure that the necessary supervisors are available; and to obtain further details about the application procedure for the particular academic School. Applicants who are unsure whom to approach, should contact the Graduate Office (tel: +44 (0)1865 484244).

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Last Modified: Tuesday, 05-Apr-05 13:19:39 BST