A
candidate for PhD is required to carry out a prescribed program of research for
a specified period under the direct supervision of a member of the academic
staff. The supervisor, in consultation with the candidate, is responsible for
developing the research program to be followed by the candidate, and for
reporting at regular intervals on the candidate's progress.
The PhD is a research degree which requires a candidate to submit a thesis. A
candidate may include published work which is directly relevant to the argument
of the thesis, provided such work has been written during the period of
candidature. Candidates may not present in, or in support of, a thesis any work
which the candidate has presented for any other degree or diploma at this
university, or any other institution, except with the permission of the PhD and
Scholarships Committee.
The total permissible period of candidature is four years full-time, or its equivalent in part-time candidature up to a maximum of eight years part-time, after which the candidature will lapse. The minimum period of candidature is 24 months (48 months part-time). This may be reduced to 12 months (24 months part-time) in very exceptional circumstances. Candidates are encouraged to complete their theses as quickly as possible.
Full-time candidates must be able to devote the equivalent of a minimum of four days a week to the pursuit of their research project; all part-time candidates must devote at least two full days a week, or equivalent, to their studies. In the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, part-time candidates in laboratory disciplines must undertake their two days of study during normal working hours/week days. For those part-time students in non-laboratory disciplines, at least one of their study days must be a week day.
Candidates enrolled full-time are permitted to undertake a strictly limited amount of paid employment throughout the year, being no more than 15 hours of work in any one week. However, up to a maximum of six hours only of this employment may be undertaken between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday.
The
minimum qualifications for admission to PhD candidature are:
(i) a bachelors degree requiring at least four years of full-time study, and
which normally includes a research component in the fourth year, leading to an
honours degree at first or upper-second class level, or
(ii) a course leading to a masters preliminary qualification at a level rated
by the relevant department and faculty as equivalent to a first or upper-second
class honours degree, or
(iii) a masters degree that entailed work, including a significant research
component, at least equivalent to (i) above, or
(iv) a medical degree (MB BS or equivalent) together with research experience.
The BMedSc degree (awarded at a satisfactory level, equivalent to honours IIA
or above) is well recognised as providing such experience. In other cases,
documentary evidence of research experience or its equivalent (eg first part of
a relevant fellowship) would normally be required.
Under exceptional circumstances, the PhD and Scholarships Committee may accept
candidates with a degree of a lower grade than honours IIA if they have
demonstrated an ability to undertake research at PhD level by, eg producing
evidence of quality work that can be reported on by a referee, or by adducing
relevant professional experience at a high level.
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