Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Published Work

Introduction

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Published Work is a research degree that allows candidates to demonstrate their expertise and contribution to their field through published works. This section should be read in conjunction with the University's Guide to Research Student Admissions.

Entry Conditions

• A candidate for the degree of PhD by Published Work must hold an initial degree of a UK university or another university approved by Senate and normally hold a Master's degree of a UK university or another university approved by Senate.
• A candidate shall submit a list of the published works to be considered together with a statement of the applicant's contribution to any multi-authored papers/collaborative work to the relevant Executive Dean or nominee.
• All candidates must matriculate before the submission of work for examination in accordance with the general University regulations governing Matriculation.

Candidature Period

• A candidate shall be required to complete a minimum period of candidature of six months from the date of enrolment during which the candidate will prepare the submission and critical review under the guidance of an adviser.

Submission Date

• All candidates are required to submit for the degree no later than 12 months after the date of enrolment.
• Where a candidate fails to submit for the degree by the maximum submission date the University may require the candidature to be terminated.

Adviser

• Every candidate will have an adviser appointed by the candidate's Executive Dean or nominee.
• The adviser must be a member of staff at Swansea University and will support, advise, and guide the candidate through the process of submission and examination of the published work.

Work to be Submitted

• Normally, only work published in scholarly books and journals will be eligible for consideration.
• All work must have been published in such a way as to be generally available for consultation by scholars or other interested persons.
• Published work submitted for the degree must constitute a corpus of publication tending towards a coherent thesis, rather than a series of disconnected publications.
• Published work submitted for the degree must have been published within the five years previous to the date of submission.
• The work to be submitted shall comprise:
  • An abstract providing a summary of the published work containing all of the main concepts and conclusions of the published work that shall be no more than 300 words in length;
  • A summary sheet listing all of the published work submitted together with a statement of the extent of the candidate's contribution to multi-authored work, substantiated by all the co-authors;
  • A copy of each publication numbered in accordance with the summary sheet;
  • A critical review stating the aims and nature of the research, the inter-relationship between the published work and the main contribution and/or addition to learning of the published work;
  • Evidence of the status of all the published work submitted.

Assessment

• Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Published Work shall be examined in three parts:
  • The first part shall take the form of a critical review of 5,000 to 10,000 words stating the aims and nature of the research, the inter-relationship between the published work and the main contribution and/or addition to learning of the published work;
  • The second part shall take the form of the published work;
  • The third part shall take the form of an oral examination (viva voce).
• The Executive Dean may delegate the administrative tasks concerning the submission and examination of a thesis to a member of their staff and shall also nominate a Chair of the Examining Board who should be a member of staff of the Faculty/School with appropriate experience who has not been otherwise directly involved in the preparation of the submission or component publications.

Constitution of the Examining Board

• All Examining Boards for candidates shall consist of the following individuals:
  • An independent Chair, who will be the Executive Dean or a member of staff with appropriate experience nominated by the Executive Dean;
  • Two external examiners appointed in accordance with the University's Guide to the Examination of Research Students.
• The Chair of the Examining Board shall be independent in the examining process and shall be responsible to the Postgraduate Research Committee for the conduct of the examination.

Oral Examination (viva voce)

• The Examining Board shall be required to conduct an oral examination of candidates for research degrees in all cases.
• All oral examinations must take place at Swansea University within six months of the date of submission for the degree.
• A candidate requiring special provision for the oral examination is required to notify the Executive Dean or nominee prior to the submission of the thesis.

Aegrotat and Posthumous Awards

• For Aegrotat guidance regulations refer to the Aegrotat Degree Regulations.
• For Posthumous guidance regulations refer to the Posthumous Degree Regulations.

Academic Appeal

• Candidates who are not recommended by the Examining Board for the award of the degree in respect of which they submitted their thesis may appeal against the decision reached and request an academic appeal.
• All appeals shall be conducted in accordance with the Swansea University Accuracy of Published Marks procedures or Academic Appeals procedures.

Academic Misconduct

• Allegations of academic misconduct shall be considered in accordance with the Swansea University Academic Misconduct procedures and regulations.
• Allegations of academic misconduct received by the University after the degree has been conferred upon the candidate shall be considered by the degree awarding institution.

Fitness to Practise

• Allegations regarding fitness to practise shall be considered in accordance with the Swansea University Fitness to Practise regulations.

Complaints

• Students who feel dissatisfied with the teaching and learning, facilities or services provided by the University, or with the way the University, its students or its staff have acted or omitted to act, should follow the procedures set out in the Swansea University Complaints Procedure.

International Students and Visa Requirements

• International students who need a visa to study at the University should be aware that their continued study at the University is dependent upon them meeting the conditions of their visa and the time-limits set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

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