Doctor of Philosophy (by Published Work)

This course is not a traditional route to a PhD. Instead it functions as a recognition of your knowledge that has developed throughout your career. You will be assessed on a diverse body of work that has been published in the academic and/or public sphere before the start of this course.

When you choose to study with us, you will gain plenty of opportunities to enhance your professional skills. These could include:

• Gaining teaching experience
• Presenting your research at conferences and events
• Working with the community
• Engaging in networking and knowledge exchange

Professional development and training

During your PhD, you will discuss additional training needs with your supervisory team. Your supervisors will help you identify your strengths and highlight areas for development.

The University delivers a blended training programme that will help you to develop your research and professional skills, enhancing your CV and your employability.

Distance learning

Our PhD is also available by distance learning. Studying by distance learning will enable candidates to work remotely and engage with their supervisor through online meetings.

The PhD by distance learning is available to study full time or part time. Fees, assessment requirements and milestones are the same as PhDs on campus, and so are the expectations of time commitment and supervisory meetings.

How you will study

You will analyse and review the published work you have chosen to be a part of your PhD assessment. You will be expected to obtain ethical approval and coherent chapters for your thesis. During this period you will still be able to present your work at conferences. You will have a formal annual review to ensure your project is progressing.

You will have a final formal review alongside your regular supervisor meetings. At the end of your final phase, you will submit your thesis and undertake your viva voce. During this oral examination you will discuss and critically defend your thesis and research you have previously published. An independent chair and examiners will be present to assess your research and findings.

Each piece of published research should be an original piece, providing novelty and breadth of research, and there should be evidence of rigorous peer-review processes in place for the published works.

Qualifications

International students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.5 (with no skill below 6.0) or equivalent.

International entry requirements

Applying for Doctor of Philosophy (by Published Work)

Alongside the standard PhD entry requirements, you will also need to demonstrate that you can study successfully remotely. This includes showing that you:

• Can conduct your research with the resources available at your study site
• Have access to appropriate IT facilities
• Have the time, commitment and attitude to study successfully off-campus
• Have access to support for study-related disabilities, if appropriate

You will need to agree a commitment statement to confirm these requirements before you enrol.

*Other conditions

Permission to register for the PhD (by Published Work) will not be granted to applicants who are in a position to submit a PhD thesis for examination or who already possess a doctoral degree.

UK 2024 - 2025

The tuition fee for this PhD in the 2024 - 2025 academic year course is £2,393 for UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.

Doctoral loans are available to help you pay for your course. Find out more about UK Government Doctoral loans.

More information about funding your PhD is available on our Funding your research degree page.

International 2024 - 2025

The tuition fee for this PhD course is £7,000 in the 2024 - 2025 academic year for international candidates.

More information about funding your PhD is available on our International Fees and Funding page.

International Visa and Immigration

Tuition fees

Additional costs

Depending upon the nature of your research project, a bench fee might be applied as a separate cost to your tuition fee. Bench fees are normally incurred for laboratory consumables and other significant project costs and any goods will remain under the property of the University.

If you have any queries regarding bench fees, please speak to your potential supervisor during the application process.

Any bench fees will be included in your offer letter and if you accept, the charge will be in addition to your tuition fees.