University Regulations

PGR: Regulations for Postgraduate Research Awards

A list of programmes governed by the Regulations for Postgraduate Research Awards can be found in Appendix 3.

CONTENTS 

1. Scope
2. Your Programme
3. Admission and Prior Learning
4. Length of Study
5. Progressing Through Your Programme
6. Additional Programme Requirements
7. Submission and Examination
8. Outcomes and Resubmission
9. Award and Graduation

Appendix 1: Partnership Programmes and External Institutions

Appendix 2: Subjects Offered in the PhD with Integrated Study

Appendix 3: Programme List 

1. Scope

These rules cover the following postgraduate research awards:

Abbreviation	Award Title
DClinPsy	Doctor of Clinical Psychology
DDS	Doctor of Dental Surgery
DFA	Doctor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
DLitt	Doctor of Letters
DMus	Doctor of Music
DPT	Doctor of Practical Theology
DSc	Doctor of Science
DSc Eng	Doctor of Science in Engineering
DSc Med	Doctor of Science in Medicine
DVM	Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
DVS	Doctor of Veterinary Surgery
EdD	Doctor of Education
EngD	Doctor of Engineering, including the EngD in Photonic Integration & Advanced Data Storage
LLD	Doctor of Laws
LLM	Master of Laws by research
MD	Doctor of Medicine
MFA	Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
MLitt	Master of Letters
MPhil	Master of Philosophy
MRes	Master of Research
MSc	Master of Science by research
MVM	Master of Veterinary Medicine
PhD	Doctor of Philosophy, including by research, by published work, and with integrated study

Most awards are built on a substantial period of supervised independent research, presented for examination as a thesis, a portfolio or a body of published work. Requirements that vary by award – word counts, language of submission, taught components – are set out in section 6. Some awards have additional requirements published by your Graduate School.

Operational and procedural detail is set out in the PGR Code of Practice (‘the CoP’). References below are to the CoP in force for the session of your study or, for examination, the session in which your thesis is examined.

Some research degrees are conducted in partnership with another institution. Where this applies, the arrangements are set out in Appendix 1.

2. Your Programme

A research degree at the University of Glasgow consists of a period of supervised independent research, undertaken under the guidance of a supervisory team and culminating in a thesis or equivalent submission presented for examination. Some awards include a taught component which is governed by the Assessment Regulations.

The shape of your programme depends on your award. The generic provisions in these regulations apply to every award unless modified by section 6.

Throughout these regulations:

• ‘Member of University staff’ means teaching or research staff of the University, or a Research Assistant or Research Fellow paid through the Finance Directorate or directly by a grant-aiding body approved by the University Court. Where the context requires, it includes equivalent staff of an institution recognised by the Senate.
• ‘College Higher Degrees Committee’ includes any equivalent body within your College responsible for postgraduate research matters.

2.1 Supervision

You will be supervised by a team led by a Primary Supervisor, appointed by your College or Graduate School at the start of your programme. Team composition, member responsibilities, cover arrangements during absence, and changes to the team are set out in the CoP.

2.2 Training

You must undertake research training specified by your Graduate School, funder, and, where necessary for your project, by your supervisor. Training requirements are set out in your Graduate School’s published documentation. You may be exempted in full or in part where you can demonstrate equivalent prior training.

2.3 Registration

You must register at the start of each academic session for the full duration of your programme, as a full-time, part-time, or (where permitted) distance learning student. Your mode of registration determines your minimum and maximum periods of study (see section 4).

If you have completed the prescribed period of study and no further research project work is required but you have not submitted your thesis, you may apply to your Graduate School for thesis pending status under the CoP. Where significant further research work is required, your Graduate School may require you to continue registration as a full-time or part-time student rather than transferring to thesis pending status. Any period of thesis pending counts towards your maximum period of study.

If you need to interrupt your studies, your Graduate School may approve a period of suspension under the CoP. Your funder may impose additional conditions.

2.4 Attendance and engagement

You must be available to your supervisory team and engage actively with your research, attending supervisory meetings, the Annual Progress Review, and any required training. Detailed expectations are set out in the CoP and your Graduate School’s published documentation.

If you cannot attend or engage as required (for example, through illness or personal circumstances), follow the leave and leave of absence procedures in the CoP.

2.5 Research outwith the University

You may be permitted to undertake some or all of your research at another institution, with approval from your College. The CoP sets out the conditions for recognising an external institution, supervision requirements, and arrangements for short and extended periods of external research. Where your degree is undertaken in partnership with another institution, particular arrangements are given in Appendix 1.

3. Admission and Prior Learning

To be admitted as a research student, you must hold a degree from a Senate-recognised institution. The normal standard is a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree, or equivalent, in a discipline relevant to your proposed research. Your College may exceptionally accept another qualification it judges suitable.

Full admission criteria and decision procedures are set out in the CoP. Some awards have additional requirements (for example, a postgraduate qualification, professional experience, or evidence of capacity for creative practice) set out in section 6.

3.1 Members of staff as research students

If you are a member of University staff, you may be admitted as a research student. You may also be a candidate for the PhD without first registering as a research student, provided you have undertaken part-time research at the University for at least three years.

In the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, you may register part-time but remain subject to the full-time minimum period of study, provided you devote the major part of your working time (normally 75-80%) to your research.

3.2 Eligibility for the PhD by Published Work and the higher doctorates

Full eligibility requirements for the PhD by Published Work and for the higher doctorates are set out in section 6 and are restricted by both the status of the applicant and their length of standing as a graduate or as a member of staff.

3.3 Recognition of prior learning

Some awards permit credit for prior learning to be recognised towards your programme. Conditions are set out in section 6 and the CoP; recognition is decided by your College.

4. Length of Study

The minimum and maximum periods of study – within which you must submit your thesis or equivalent for examination – are set out for each degree in section 6 below. If you study under a combination of full-time and part-time registration, your maximum period is calculated proportionately.

The higher doctorates and the PhD by Published Work are awarded on submission of a body of work and have eligibility periods rather than minimum and maximum periods of study; these are set out in section 6.

In exceptional cases, the Senate may reduce your minimum period of study by up to one academic session; conditions and procedure are in the CoP.

Where your Graduate School approves a period of suspension under the CoP, your maximum period of study is extended by the duration of the approved suspension.

If you have not submitted your thesis by the maximum period, you may apply to your College Higher Degrees Committee for an extension under the CoP. Extensions are granted only in exceptional circumstances, up to a maximum of one academic session. If you are registered for a period of thesis pending status (see section 2), this counts towards your maximum period of study.

Where your study is funded, your funder may impose additional conditions on your length of study, which apply alongside these regulations.

5. Progressing Through Your Programme

You progress by demonstrating, through the Annual Progress Review and any other progress points specified by your Graduate School, that you are developing your research and your skills and capabilities as a researcher at a level appropriate to your award and stage. Awards with taught components have additional progress requirements set out in section 6.

5.1 Annual Progress Review

You will participate in an Annual Progress Review each year of your registration. Its form, panel membership, documentation, and timing are set out in the CoP and your Graduate School’s published guidance. The same procedures that apply to the Annual Progress Review meeting will apply if your supervisory team raises concerns outside the formal review cycle.

5.2 What happens if your progress is unsatisfactory

If your Annual Progress Review identifies concerns, the CoP procedures apply, providing for early intervention, an agreed action plan with your supervisory team, and where appropriate an extended review period.

If concerns persist, your College Higher Degrees Committee will consider the recommendations of the Annual Progress Review panel. The Committee may:

• require you to take actions to remedy issues with your research;
• transfer you to a different research award (for example, from the PhD to the MPhil) where the change is supported by your supervisory team and you meet the requirements for the alternative award;
• approve continuation with specified conditions; or
• exclude you from further study.

6. Additional Programme Requirements

This section sets out the variations to these regulations that apply to particular awards. Where a sub-section below applies to your award, the rest of these regulations apply except as modified below.

6.1 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Duration. The minimum period of full-time study is three academic sessions. The minimum period of part-time study is five academic sessions, or four academic sessions if comprising three years of part-time study and one year of full-time study. The maximum period for submission is four academic sessions from first registration for full-time study, or eight academic sessions for part-time study. The Senate may, in exceptional cases, reduce the minimum period by one academic session.

Award. To qualify for the PhD, you must demonstrate to a Committee of Examiners, through a thesis and an oral examination, that you are capable of pursuing original research, relating your results to the body of knowledge in your field, and presenting them in a critical and scholarly manner.

The thesis word count varies by College:

College	Word count
Arts & Humanities; Social Sciences	70,000 to 100,000 words, including references, bibliography, and appendices
Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences; Science & Engineering	maximum 80,000 words, excluding references, bibliography, and appendices

If you wish to submit a thesis of greater or lesser length, or to include documentary appendices, you must seek prior permission from your College Higher Degrees Committee.

Practice-based and creative practice variants. In the College of Arts & Humanities, if you are studying in a discipline listed below, you may apply for a PhD by creative practice or a practice-based PhD. Your thesis comprises a practical component (including but not limited to artistic or experimental work, exhibitions, performances, video, software, or digital media) and a written component, which is an academically rigorous reflection on the research process and its critical significance.

The disciplines in which a creative practice or practice-based PhD is available, together with (where appropriate) the indicative word count for the written component, are:

Subject	Indicative word count for written component
Celtic & Gaelic; Classics; Film & Television Studies; History; Theology & Religious Studies	30,000 to 40,000 words
English Literature (Creative Writing genre)	thesis or portfolio of written work as agreed with your supervisor
Music (by thesis)	70,000 to 100,000 words
Music (by portfolio)	10,000 to 20,000 words written component, with creative work of approximately two hours’ duration or work of equivalent depth or complexity
Theatre Studies	30,000 to 60,000 words

The precise word count and the relationship between practical and written components are agreed with your supervisor and confirmed at the Annual Progress Review. A permanent record of any performance, exhibition, or digital media element must be deposited with your thesis in the University Library, and the Committee of Examiners is normally required to attend any performance or exhibition.

In English Literature, you must demonstrate potential in creative writing through a portfolio of creative and critical work before being admitted to the PhD in a specific Creative Writing genre. You will complete prescribed studies in the first two years, including writing seminars or workshops; if you exit at this stage, you may be eligible for the MPhil. In your third year, you will present a thesis or portfolio that makes a significant contribution to literature in the chosen genre.

6.2 PhD by Published Work

The PhD by Published Work is awarded on the basis of a body of published work that constitutes a significant and original contribution to existing knowledge.

To be a candidate for the PhD by Published Work, you must satisfy one of the following routes:

• you are a graduate of the University of Glasgow, and at least five years have elapsed since the date of your first graduation in the University;
• you are a member of University staff who normally has been employed by the University for at least five years; or
• you are a former member of University staff who completed at least five years of such employment, and you submit within one calendar year of leaving the University's employment.

In addition, in all cases you must:

• not have been enrolled as a research student in the University of Glasgow during the five years preceding the date of submission; and
• not hold a doctoral degree of the University of Glasgow or of any other university or college in the same subject area.

Your College Higher Degrees Committee may at its discretion reduce the qualifying period to three years where you are a full-time member of academic staff in the employment of the University.

Before being admitted as a candidate, you must submit to the appropriate Graduate School an application pack containing: a list of relevant publications with abstracts; a full curriculum vitae; and a statement of up to 3,000 words explaining the relationship between the works and justifying their consideration for the Degree. Your College Higher Degrees Committee will determine, with reference where appropriate to expert advice, whether the work is likely to be of the standard required for the PhD.

Once you are registered as a candidate for the PhD by Published Work, the Dean of Graduate Studies will nominate a member of staff to advise you on the preparation of your final submission.

Your final submission is the published work to be examined plus an explanatory essay of 10,000 to 12,000 words, including an abstract, justifying the intellectual significance of the submission. A work is normally regarded as published only if it is traceable through ordinary catalogues, abstracts, or citation notices and publicly available (normally with an ISSN or ISBN): unpublished material, or material with only restricted circulation, is not acceptable. If the submission is approved, submitted copies of the works become the property of the University.

Where your submission includes work resulting from collaborative research or joint authorship, you must specify the nature and extent of your contribution in the explanatory essay and provide written confirmation from your co-authors.

Your College Higher Degrees Committee may disqualify any submission or part of one at its discretion. There is no fixed period within which the work must have been published.

Work that is about to be included, or has already been included, in a submission for any other higher degree or diploma in the University of Glasgow or in another institution is not admissible in whole or in part for the PhD by Published Work.

Your submission is examined as set out in section 7. The Committee of Examiners will normally require you to attend an oral examination on the subject matter of the work. The Committee may require minor changes to the explanatory essay as a requirement for the award.

An unsuccessful submission may not be resubmitted, and does not become eligible for the award of a Masters degree or diploma in lieu of the PhD. You may apply for re-examination no earlier than three years after the previous decision; this is treated as a fresh application, not a resubmission.

6.3 PhD with Integrated Study

The PhD with Integrated Study combines a programme of taught courses with research towards a thesis. It is offered in subjects in the Colleges of Arts & Humanities, Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, and Science & Engineering, and is also available as a joint award with partner institutions through Centres for Doctoral Training. The Type A and Type B subjects in which the PhD with Integrated Study is offered are listed in Appendix 2.

The minimum period of full-time study is four academic sessions. The maximum is five academic sessions in the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, and four academic sessions in the Colleges of Arts & Humanities and Science & Engineering.

Structure. Your programme will consist of a minimum of 120 credits of taught courses, of which at least 90 credits must be at Masters level (SCQF level 11), together with research towards your thesis. Your programme may also include a project leading to the submission of a 60-credit dissertation. The taught component is governed by the Assessment Regulations.

Progress. To progress through your programme, you must meet the College’s progress requirements for both the taught component and the research component. In addition:

• For Type A subjects, you must achieve a GPA of at least 12.0 in your taught courses, with all credits at grade F3 or above. Where your programme includes a 60-credit dissertation, you must achieve grade D3 or above in the dissertation.
• For Type B subjects, you must achieve a GPA of at least 15.0 in 120 credits at first attempt, with all credits at grade D3 or above.

If your progress in the research component is unsatisfactory, you may be excluded from further study and may apply to transfer to a programme leading to a Taught Masters. If you do not meet the taught progress requirements, you may apply to transfer to the standard PhD or, in the case of Type B subjects, to a Taught Masters.

Where your programme includes a 60-credit dissertation, reassessment is permitted on one occasion, under conditions prescribed by your College Higher Degrees Committee. There is no automatic entitlement to repeat or undertake further practical work associated with the dissertation.

Exit awards. If you do not satisfy the requirements for the PhD with Integrated Study, you may be eligible for an exit award:

• Taught Masters degree, on achieving a GPA of at least 12.0 in the taught courses with all credits at grade F3 or above, plus a 60-credit dissertation at grade D3 or above. Awards with Merit and Distinction are governed by the Assessment Regulations.
• Postgraduate Diploma, on achieving a GPA of at least 9.0 in 120 credits.
• Postgraduate Certificate, on achieving a GPA of at least 9.0 in 60 credits.

The Type A and Type B subjects in which the PhD with Integrated Study is offered differ in their progress requirements and are listed in Appendix 2.

Joint awards. Information about degrees awarded jointly is listed in Appendix 1.

6.4 Research Masters (MPhil, MLitt, MRes, MSc by Research, MVM, LLM by Research)

Research Masters degrees are awarded for a period of supervised research presented as a thesis or a portfolio. The Research Masters share generic provisions with the rest of these regulations; specific provisions are set out below.

6.4.1 Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

The MPhil is awarded in each of the Colleges. The minimum periods of study are:

College	Full-time minimum	Part-time minimum
Arts & Humanities; Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences; Social Sciences	12 months	24 months
Science & Engineering	24 months	48 months

Your College may, where you can demonstrate good reason, extend the minimum period of study by up to one year if you study full-time. You must submit your thesis or portfolio for examination within six months of the conclusion of the minimum period. In exceptional circumstances, your College Higher Degrees Committee may approve an extension of up to six months.

Your thesis is normally between 30,000 and 40,000 words, embodying the results of your research. The composition of a portfolio in lieu of a thesis is agreed with your supervisor at the outset. You will normally attend an oral examination on your thesis or portfolio, unless your Graduate School specifies otherwise.

In the College of Arts & Humanities, if you are studying in Celtic & Gaelic, Classics, History, or Theology & Religious Studies, you may apply for an MPhil by creative practice (or, for Theology & Religious Studies, a practice-based MPhil). The submission is a portfolio containing a practical component and a critical component: an academically rigorous reflection on the research process, typically 10,000 to 15,000 words, agreed with your supervisor at the Annual Progress Review.

Where you have submitted for a research doctorate and the Committee of Examiners considers the submission insufficient for the doctorate but of Masters-level merit, the Committee may recommend that you revise it for examination for the MPhil.

6.4.2 Master of Letters (MLitt)

The MLitt is awarded by research in the Colleges of Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences.

The standard period of study is two academic sessions (full-time) or three academic sessions part-time. Your College may, where you can demonstrate good reason, extend your prescribed period by up to one year or reduce it by up to one year.

If you are a member of University staff, you may be a candidate for the MLitt if you have undertaken part-time research for at least two years.

Your thesis word count is:

College	Word count
Arts & Humanities	40,000 to 70,000 words
Social Sciences	30,000 to 40,000 words

In the College of Social Sciences, an oral defence may be required.

Music variants. In Music, you may submit in Musicology, Musical Composition, or Sonic Arts. For Musical Composition, your submission is a portfolio of composed music – or work of equivalent creative depth or complexity – comprising at least two pieces with a combined duration of at least 80 minutes, plus a written commentary of 5,000 to 7,000 words. For Sonic Arts, your submission is a thesis of 20,000 to 40,000 words and a project (software, hardware, or research), together comprising the full assessment.

6.4.3 Master of Research (MRes)

The MRes is awarded as a research degree in the College of Arts & Humanities by completion of a programme of study comprising taught courses and a substantial piece of independent research. Subjects offered are listed in the programme documentation.

Your minimum period is 12 calendar months. The maximum full-time period of registered study is 24 calendar months. You must complete within 5 years of initial registration. If you are a member of University staff, you are subject to the same minimum periods as full-time candidates.

Your programme comprises 180 credits in total, including at least 60 credits of taught courses and a dissertation or other substantial independent work worth at least 100 credits (normally 100 or 120). Your curriculum is agreed with the Programme Convener. Your taught component is governed by the Assessment Regulations.

Progress. Progression to the dissertation requires a GPA of at least 12.0 in the taught component, with all credits at grade F3 or above. The College Higher Degrees Committee may exceptionally permit you to progress where there is a reasonable prospect of your reaching the standard required for the Masters.

Award. The dissertation is examined with one of the following outcomes:

• Pass, unconditionally;
• Pass subject to minor corrections, normally to be completed within one month;
• Pass subject to substantial changes in specific elements, within a timescale set by the examiners; or
• Unacceptable, with no opportunity to resubmit.

For the award of the MRes you require a GPA of at least 12.0 in the taught component, with all credits at grade F3 or above, and a Pass in the dissertation.

Exit awards. Where you do not meet the requirements for the MRes, you may be eligible for a Postgraduate Certificate on achieving a GPA of at least 9.0 in 60 taught credits.

6.4.4 Master of Science by Research (MSc by Research)

The MSc by Research is awarded in the Colleges of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, Science & Engineering, and Social Sciences. Designations include the MSc, MSc (Medical Science), MSc (Veterinary Science), MSc (Adult & Continuing Education) and its variants, and MSc (Inter-professional Science Education and Communication).

Your minimum period of study is set by your College at admission, according to your qualifications and project. The minimum full-time period is one or two academic sessions; the minimum part-time period is two or three academic sessions. To qualify for a shorter minimum period, you must normally hold a degree with First or Second Class Honours, or equivalent. Where the longer period is initially prescribed and you have made sufficient progress, the Senate may subsequently reduce your total period to the shorter minimum.

You may not submit your thesis less than 12 months from admission as a research student. Except by special permission of the Senate, you may not submit more than 12 months after ceasing to be a registered student.

If you are a member of University staff, you are subject to the same minimum periods as full-time candidates.

The Senate may, for special reasons, permit you to undertake part of your studies at another recognised institution, provided that normally at least half your total period of study is spent at the University of Glasgow or in a recognised institution.

Your thesis is either a record of original research or a critical review of existing knowledge, with a summary of 250 to 1,000 words.

The Committee of Examiners may require a written or oral examination, or both. The thesis examination must constitute at least half of the final assessment.

6.4.5 Master of Veterinary Medicine (MVM)

The MVM is awarded in the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences. To be admitted, you must hold a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery from a Scottish university, a comparable degree in veterinary science from another university or college recognised by the University Court, or (exceptionally) another qualification approved by the University Court. Where the College deems it appropriate, you must assent to and remain in good standing with the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine Code of Professional Conduct.

The minimum period of full-time study is 12 months; the minimum period of part-time study is normally 24 months. You may not submit your thesis less than 12 months from admission as a research student. Except by special permission of the Senate, you may not submit more than four years after admission to study for the MVM.

If you are a member of University staff, you may be a candidate for the MVM if you have undertaken part-time research for at least one academic session.

The Senate may permit you, as a graduate of the University of Glasgow, to undertake part of your studies elsewhere, provided at least four months' full-time study is spent at the University of Glasgow or a recognised institution.

Your thesis may be either a record of original research or a critical review of existing knowledge, accompanied by a summary of 250 to 500 words.

6.4.6 Master of Laws by Research (LLM by Research)

The LLM by research is awarded in the College of Social Sciences. To be admitted, you must normally hold a first or second class Honours degree in Law from a United Kingdom university, or a qualification the Senate deems equivalent. A Law degree other than an Honours degree, or a non-Law degree, may be considered exceptionally at the discretion of the Head of the School of Law.

The standard period of study is one academic session full-time or two academic sessions part-time. The Senate may, for special reasons, permit you to undertake part of your research elsewhere and may reduce or extend the period by up to one year, provided that you normally spend at least one academic session of study at the University of Glasgow.

Your thesis is normally 30,000 words, embodying the results of your original research or a critical review of existing knowledge, with a summary of 250 to 500 words. Except by permission of the Senate, your thesis may not be submitted later than six months from the date you cease to be a registered student. The Committee of Examiners may require a written or oral examination, or both.

The Degree will normally be awarded with Distinction where the thesis displays all of the following qualities: exceptionally comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subject matter and of relevant interpretive and critical points; genuine originality or outstanding critical ability in terms of the independence of thought demonstrated; full and proper referencing and, where empirical research was involved, appropriate and properly defended methodology; and exceptionally clear and concise writing, with sound construction and clear conclusions supported by sound arguments.

6.5 Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)

The MFA in Creative Writing is awarded in the College of Arts & Humanities by completion of a programme of study and submission of a portfolio.

Admission. You must normally hold a Masters degree in Creative Writing with Merit or Distinction, or have experience or completed works the College Higher Degrees Committee deems equivalent. Exceptionally, a candidate for the MLitt in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow may, after completing 120 taught credits, be considered for transfer to the MFA; the period of MLitt study may count towards the minimum duration of the MFA.

Duration. The minimum period of study is two academic sessions full-time or four part-time. You must complete the programme, including submission of the portfolio, within three academic sessions full-time or five part-time. An approved suspension extends your maximum period by its duration.

Structure. Your programme consists of core seminars specified in your Graduate School’s published documentation and submission of a portfolio of 40,000 to 60,000 words. The portfolio may comprise a substantial creative project across genres and forms, including (but not limited to) fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, hybrid forms, digital media, and other inter-medial products of creative and critical research and practice. The precise word count depends on form and genre, and is agreed between you, your supervisors, and the Creative Writing postgraduate convener at the Annual Progress Review. To submit outside the 40,000-60,000 word range, you must seek prior permission from the College Higher Degrees Committee.

Examination. Your portfolio is examined as set out in section 7, including an oral examination; the Committee of Examiners may recommend the outcomes set out in the CoP. Where your portfolio is of insufficient merit for the MFA but worthy of a Masters award, the Committee may recommend that you revise and resubmit for the MPhil.

Exit award. The exit award of MPhil (Creative Writing) is available at the end of year one on completion of the year one core seminars, formal research training, and attendance requirements, together with submission of a portfolio of 17,000 to 30,000 words. For this exit award, the Committee of Examiners may require you to attend an oral examination but the oral is not mandatory at first submission.

6.6 Doctor of Education (EdD)

The EdD is awarded in the College of Social Sciences. It combines a programme of taught courses with a research project.

Admission. You must normally have:

• a first degree from a recognised institution of higher education;
• a postgraduate qualification, normally at Masters level, in education or a related discipline; and
• at least five years’ professional experience in education.

Duration. The minimum period of part-time study is five academic sessions, reduced to four where prior learning has been recognised under section 3 and the CoP. The maximum is six academic sessions from initial registration, extendable by up to one year on approval of your College Higher Degrees Committee. Approved leave of absence is capped at two years across the programme, except in exceptional circumstances.

Structure. Your programme consists of six taught courses, each of 45 credits, and a research project leading to the submission of a dissertation or research portfolio. The taught component is governed by the Assessment Regulations.

Progress. You must achieve grade C3 or above in all course components in each year in order to progress.

Dissertation. Your dissertation or research portfolio is normally between 50,000 and 60,000 words, written in English, accompanied by a summary of 250 to 1,000 words.

Examination. You must sit an oral examination on the subject matter of your dissertation or research portfolio, held in the presence of all the examiners.

Exit award. Where your dissertation or research portfolio does not meet EdD standard, you may be awarded the MSc (Advanced Educational Studies). You may also apply for the MSc on obtaining 180 credits at grade C3 or above in four taught courses; in that event you must withdraw from the EdD programme.

6.7 Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)

The DClinPsy is awarded in the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences. It combines taught courses, integrated clinical-taught courses, clinical placements, and an independent clinical research thesis.

Admission. You must normally have obtained a first degree with First or Upper Second Class Honours in Psychology, providing the British Psychological Society’s Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership.

Duration. Your programme will normally be completed within three years from first registration; longer periods may be permitted in exceptional circumstances, up to a maximum of six academic sessions from first registration.

Structure. You must complete a minimum of 540 credits, of which 420 must be at SCQF level 12. The programme consists of taught courses, integrated clinical-taught courses, clinical placements, and a substantial piece of independent clinical research presented as a thesis of at least 80 credits. Taught courses are governed by the Assessment Regulations. Clinical placements are assessed on a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory basis.

Progress. You must achieve grade D3 or above in all taught and integrated clinical-taught course components, and Satisfactory in all clinical placements, in each academic session in order to progress.

Code of Professional Conduct and Fitness to Practise. You must observe the standard of behaviour and professional conduct required of a registered Clinical Psychologist. You must assent to the programme’s Code of Professional Conduct on entry and at the start of each year of study; without assent, you may not access teaching, assessment, or professional experience. A reported breach may engage Fitness to Practise procedures under Regulation 36 of the University Regulations.

Examination. Your independent clinical research thesis is examined by viva voce in accordance with section 7. The Committee of Examiners may recommend the outcomes set out in the CoP; resubmission, where permitted, is normally between four and 12 months after the viva.

Exit awards. Where you do not meet the requirements for the DClinPsy, you may be eligible for:

• Master of Science (Medical Science) in Applied Psychology, on achieving a GPA of at least 12.0 in 180 credits of the taught and integrated clinical-taught components.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology, on achieving a GPA of at least 9.0 in 180 credits of the taught and integrated clinical-taught components.

6.8 Doctor of Engineering (EngD)

The EngD is awarded in the College of Science & Engineering through programmes run in cooperation with industrial sponsoring companies. The programme is conducted by a Management Committee with overall responsibility for its strategy, priorities, and management. Relevant partnership details are set out in Appendix 1.

Admission. The normal standard is a degree with First or Upper Second Class Honours in a Science or Engineering discipline of a Scottish university, or an approved equivalent. You must have one or more sponsoring companies, or equivalent organisations, nominated by the Management Committee.

Duration. The minimum period of full-time study is four academic sessions (normally eight where part-time study is permitted). The maximum is five academic sessions full-time, or nine part-time.

Supervision. Your supervision team will normally include a primary academic supervisor, a second academic supervisor, an industrial adviser appointed by the sponsoring company, and other academic staff as required. If the industrial adviser becomes unable to continue, the sponsoring company will appoint a replacement to ensure continuity of your research.

Structure. Within the prescribed duration, you must achieve 180 taught credits, as prescribed by the Management Committee, at a GPA of at least 12.0. The taught component is governed by the Assessment Regulations.

Submission. Your submission is a thesis or, where your supervision team permits, a themed portfolio of related projects in standard format with a summary describing the contribution to knowledge and innovation and the relationship between projects.

Examination. In addition to the examiners required under section 7, two external examiners are normally appointed for the EngD: one assesses technical ability, the other your management skills and understanding of the industrial context.

Exit awards and progression. The 180-credit threshold specified under Structure above governs progression to the doctoral phase of the EngD. The thresholds below are separate, applying to the Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate, and progression to a Masters degree. Where you do not satisfy the EngD requirements, you may be eligible for:

• Postgraduate Diploma, on achieving a GPA of at least 9.0 in 120 taught credits.
• Postgraduate Certificate, on achieving a GPA of at least 9.0 in 60 taught credits.

These awards may have endorsements of Merit or Distinction as described in the Assessment Regulations.

You may be permitted to progress to a Masters degree where a Masters programme is available and you have obtained a GPA of at least 12.0 in 120 taught credits with all taught credits at grade F3 or above, and satisfy any additional progress requirements in the relevant programme document.

6.9 Doctor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (DFA)

The DFA in Creative Writing is awarded in the College of Arts & Humanities.

Admission. You must normally have obtained a Masters degree in Creative Writing with Merit or Distinction, or have gained experience or completed works that the College Higher Degrees Committee deems equivalent.

Duration. The minimum period of study is three academic sessions full-time or five part-time. You must complete the programme, including submission of the portfolio, within four academic sessions full-time or six part-time. An approved suspension extends your maximum period by its duration; you may apply to your College Higher Degrees Committee for a further extension of up to one academic session.

Structure. Your programme consists of core seminars specified in your Graduate School’s published documentation and submission of a portfolio of 70,000 to 100,000 words. The portfolio may comprise a substantial creative project and critical work across genres and forms. The precise word count, and the relationship between creative and critical elements, are agreed between you, your supervisors, and the Creative Writing postgraduate convener at the Annual Progress Review. To submit outside the 70,000-100,000 word range, you must seek prior permission from the College Higher Degrees Committee.

Exit awards. Where you do not satisfy the requirements for the DFA, you may be eligible for:

• MPhil (Creative Writing) at the end of year one on completion of the year one core seminars, formal research training, and attendance requirements, together with submission of a portfolio of 17,000 to 30,000 words. For this exit award, the Committee of Examiners may require you to attend an oral examination but the oral is not mandatory at first submission.
• MFA (Creative Writing) at the end of year two on completion of the year one and year two core seminars, formal research training, and attendance requirements, together with submission of a portfolio of 40,000 to 60,000 words.

Where your portfolio does not meet the standard for the DFA but is of sufficient merit for a Masters award, the Committee of Examiners may recommend that you revise and resubmit for the MFA.

6.10 Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)

The MD and DDS are awarded in the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences.

Admission: Your eligibility depends on the award:

Award	Admission requirement
MD	You must normally be a graduate in Medicine and Surgery of at least four years' standing and have been engaged since graduation for at least three years either in scientific work bearing directly on your profession, or in the practice of Medicine or Surgery.
DDS	You must be a Bachelor of Dental Surgery of a Scottish University, or of an institution recognised by the University Court for this purpose. You must have been engaged for at least four years either in scientific work bearing directly on your profession or in the practice of dentistry.

Duration. Before submitting, you must have undertaken at least two years of full-time, or four years of part-time, registered study under supervision (and for the DDS, under the supervision of a member of staff in the College or a recognised institution). The Senate may exceptionally reduce this by one academic session. You must submit your thesis within four years of registering full-time or six years part-time.

Thesis. Your submission must include a summary of up to 1,000 words. Your thesis may be a dissertation written for the purpose, or results of original observation already published, accompanied by a statement showing the relationship between the studies. For the DDS, your thesis must be on a branch of knowledge within or related to the BDS curriculum.

MD by Published Work. You may also be a candidate for the MD by published work if you are:

• a graduate of the University of Glasgow;
• a current member of University staff employed for the full-time equivalent of at least two years; or
• a former member of University staff employed for the full-time equivalent of at least two years, submitting within one year of leaving.

You must not already hold a doctoral degree in the same subject area. You may submit results of original observations already published in medical or scientific journals, accompanied by a statement showing the relationship between the studies and placing them critically in perspective.

Resubmission and re-examination. Where permitted, you must normally resubmit within one year of the original submission. For the MD by Published Work, you may not apply for re-examination until at least three years after the original submission.

6.11 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Doctor of Veterinary Surgery (DVS)

The DVM and DVS are awarded in the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences.

Admission. You must be a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery of the University, or a member of staff of the Veterinary School and Hospital who is a registered veterinary surgeon holding a qualification recognised by the University Court. You must have been engaged for at least four years in scientific work bearing directly on your profession, or in veterinary medical or surgical practice as appropriate. The Senate may require you to pass an examination in prescribed subjects of veterinary science or practice.

Thesis subject restriction. A DVM thesis must not be on an exclusively surgical subject; a DVS thesis must not be on an exclusively medical subject.

Examination. Your thesis may be a dissertation written for the purpose, or results of original observation already published, accompanied by a statement showing the relationship between the studies. Your submission must include a summary of 500 to 1,000 words. A thesis of exceptional merit may be deemed worthy of Honours by the examiners.

Resubmission. Where permitted, you must normally resubmit within one year of the original submission.

6.12 Doctor of Practical Theology (DPT)

The DPT is awarded in the College of Arts & Humanities. It combines a programme of taught courses with a research project.

Admission. You must normally have obtained a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree, or another qualification or experience that the College of Arts & Humanities Higher Degrees Committee deems equivalent.

Duration. The minimum period of study is three academic sessions full-time or five part-time. The maximum is six academic sessions from initial registration, extendable by up to one academic session on approval of your College Higher Degrees Committee.

Structure. Your programme consists of four courses delivered by directed learning, each of 40 credits, and a research project leading to the submission of a dissertation or research portfolio. The taught component is governed by the Assessment Regulations.

Progress. You must achieve grade C3 or above in all course components in each year in order to progress.

Dissertation. Your dissertation or research portfolio is normally between 50,000 and 65,000 words, including references, bibliography, and appendices, written in English, accompanied by a summary of 250 to 1,000 words.

Examination. You must sit an oral examination on the subject matter of your dissertation or research portfolio, held in the presence of all the examiners.

Exit award. You qualify for the DPT on achieving grade C3 or above in each of the four directed-learning courses and being recommended for the award following examination of your dissertation or research portfolio.

Exit award. Where your dissertation or research portfolio does not meet DPT standard, you may be awarded the MPhil (Practical Theology). You may also apply for this MPhil on obtaining grade C3 or above in each of the four directed-learning courses; in that event, you must withdraw from the DPT programme.

6.13 Higher Doctorates by Submission of Published Work

Higher doctorates are awarded for a body of published work that constitutes an original, substantial, and authoritative contribution to a field. They are: Doctor of Laws (LLD), Doctor of Letters (DLitt), Doctor of Music (DMus), Doctor of Science (DSc), Doctor of Science in Medicine (DSc Med), and Doctor of Science in Engineering (DSc Eng).

Eligibility. To be a candidate, you must satisfy one of the routes below, depending on the award:

Route	Conditions
Glasgow graduate (all awards)	You are a graduate of the University of Glasgow, and at least seven years have elapsed since the date of your first graduation in the University
Glasgow office-holder (for DLitt, LLD)	You have held one or more offices at the University of Glasgow approved by the Senate for at least four years in total; you are not a graduate of the University of Glasgow; and at least seven years have elapsed since your first graduation in any university.
Glasgow office-holder (for DSc, DSc Med, DSc Eng, DMus)	You have held one or more offices at the University of Glasgow approved by the Senate for at least four years in total, and you are a graduate of an approved university of at least seven years' standing, or hold for at least seven years an equivalent qualification recognised by the Senate.
Research staff (for DSc, DSc Med, DSc Eng only)	You have carried out research at the University of Glasgow (or an affiliated College) for at least five years, and you are a graduate of an approved university of at least seven years’ standing

The DMus is awarded in either Musical Composition or Musicology. You may submit for only one area at a time.

Initial application. Before being accepted as a candidate, you must submit to your College a summary or account of the work and a list of the publications to be considered. The College Higher Degrees Committee will determine, with expert advice where appropriate, whether the work appears to be of the required standard. A preliminary application fee may be charged, deducted from the submission fee if you are subsequently examined.

Submission. Your submission must be a body of published work, accompanied by a declaration that you have done the work and composed the thesis. Where the work involved collaboration, your individual contribution must be clearly defined. The work, or a major part of it, must have been published as a book or in periodicals of recognised standing. You may submit a single thesis, a connected account of your published research, or published papers under various headings accompanied by a statement showing the relationship between the studies.

You must identify any material in your submission that has been or is about to be included in a submission for any other higher degree or diploma at the University of Glasgow or another institution. Material previously included in a successful submission for another higher degree or diploma will not be considered.

For the DLitt, the work submitted must be between 70,000 and 100,000 words, including references, bibliography, and appendices.

For the LLD, the work submitted must include an accompanying statement of 500 to 1,000 words showing the connection between the various writings, their relation to the theme of the whole work, and the results and conclusions of the whole body of work.

For the DSc, DSc Med, DSc Eng and DMus, your submission must include a summary of 500 to 1,000 words. The LLD and DLitt do not require a separate summary, as the initial application account serves this purpose.

Examiners. Your submission is examined by:

Award	Examiners
DLitt	three or more examiners: one or more internal and two or more external
DMus, DSc, DSc Med, DSc Eng, LLD	one or more internal and one or more external examiners

The examiners’ reports are submitted to the relevant College Committee, which may recommend an award to the Senate. You will be approved only if the College and the examiners agree that your submission constitutes the contribution required for the award. An unsuccessful submission is not eligible for the exit awards of a Masters or Diploma, and may not be resubmitted in its present form.

The intervals before re-examination and the limits on the number of candidacies are:

Route	Conditions	Maximum candidacies
DLitt; DMus	five years from the date of the previous submission	two
DSc; DSc Med	three years from the date of the previous submission	no maximum
DSc Eng; LLD	none	no maximum

7. Submission and Examination

Each award culminates in a submission for examination. The submission is normally a thesis, sometimes accompanied by a practical or creative component, a portfolio, or a body of published work; variations are set out in section 6.

Your thesis must be the product of your own research, accompanied by a signed declaration that the work is your own and an abstract as specified by the CoP.

You must submit your thesis electronically as directed by your Graduate School. Format and technical specifications for the thesis and any practical, creative, or non-textual components are set out in the CoP and the published University Library specifications.

Your thesis must normally be written and defended in English. For all degrees in the College of Arts & Humanities and in the College of Social Sciences for the PhD and MLitt, your College Higher Degrees Committee may exceptionally approve submission in another language where appropriate to the discipline and where supervision and examination in that language can be arranged.

Where your thesis involves research with human subjects, you must provide confirmation of ethics review and informed consent; where it involves laboratory animals, confirmation of compliance with Home Office requirements. Your thesis must conform to accepted national standards of clinical research, ethics, and animal welfare.

7.1 Examiners

Your thesis will be examined by a Committee of Examiners comprising one or more internal and one or more external examiners, all appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies. The Dean acts on behalf of the Senate (for internal examiners) and on behalf of the University Court on the Senate’s recommendation (for external examiners). No person involved in your direct supervision may be appointed. An internal examiner cannot also undertake the convener’s duties.

With the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies, a thesis may be examined by two external examiners without an internal examiner.

If you are a current or former member of University staff, two examiners must be external. The Clerk of Senate may waive this where your appointment is not one that might compromise the impartiality of an internal examiner.

7.2 The oral examination (‘viva’)

You will sit an oral examination on the subject matter of your thesis and its context. The oral examination is required at the first submission of the thesis.

A Convener will be appointed to convene the oral examination and to report on the agreed recommendation of the Committee of Examiners to your College Higher Degrees Committee. The role and responsibilities of the Convener are set out in the CoP.

Your supervisor will not normally be present at the oral examination but will be available for consultation by the Committee of Examiners. If you wish your supervisor to attend, you should request this at the point of submission or from the Convener at least one week before the oral; the request will normally be granted.

The detailed arrangements for the oral examination, including remote participation, reasonable adjustments, pre-viva reports, the timing of the examination relative to submission, and any resubmission arrangements are set out in the CoP.

8. Outcomes and Resubmission

After examining your thesis and conducting the oral examination, the Committee of Examiners will recommend an outcome to your College Higher Degrees Committee. Available recommendations range from award without further changes to failure without further opportunity for resubmission, and are set out in full in the CoP.

Where permitted to resubmit, you may do so on one occasion only. Resubmission is normally within 12 months of the Committee’s decision – within 6 months for Research Masters, or as section 6 specifies. Conditions for resubmission, including the constitution of the Committee on resubmission and any requirement for a further oral, are set out in the CoP.

Where the Committee considers your thesis insufficient for the registered award but of sufficient merit for a different research award, it may recommend that you revise the thesis for examination for that other award. Conditions for this recommendation are set out in section 6 where applicable.

9. Award and Graduation

If your thesis is approved for award, you must deposit an electronic copy with the University Library, in accordance with its published specifications. The University will normally permit download of the deposited copy through its repository service. Access may be restricted under applicable laws.

Most research awards are not classified. Where an award is classified – typically because it has a taught component – the conditions are set out in section 6 and, where applicable, in the Assessment Regulations.

Some awards permit an exit award where you have not met the registered award’s requirements; available exit awards are set out in section 6.

Appendix 1: Partnership Programmes and External Institutions

Some research degrees are awarded jointly or in partnership with other institutions, and some research candidacies involve study at external institutions recognised by the Senate.

Where a research degree is awarded jointly with another institution, the governing regulations may include provisions of the partner institution. Joint awards covered by these regulations include:

Award	Partner institutions	Awarding combination
PhD with Integrated Studies in Algebra, Geometry & Mathematical Physics	University of Edinburgh; Heriot-Watt University	Joint
EngD in Applied Photonics	Heriot-Watt University; University of Dundee; University of St Andrews; University of Strathclyde	CDT partnership
EngD in Sensor & Imaging Systems	Heriot-Watt University; University of Edinburgh; University of Strathclyde	CDT partnership
EngD in Ultrasonic Engineering	University of Strathclyde	CDT partnership
EngD in Photonic Integration & Advanced Data Storage	Queen’s University Belfast	Administered by Queen’s University Belfast

The EngD in Photonic Integration & Advanced Data Storage is governed by the regulations of Queen’s University Belfast as the administering institution; copies are available from the College Office in the College of Science & Engineering.

The Glasgow School of Art is a recognised institution for the purposes of these regulations. The MPhil and PhD (including PhD by Published Work) at The Glasgow School of Art are governed by the GSA Schedules published in the GSA section of the University Regulations; candidates for those awards should follow those Schedules rather than these regulations. The MLitt at The Glasgow School of Art is governed by these regulations, with GSA as the recognised institution.

On the recommendation of a College, the Senate may recognise an external institution for a candidate’s research, under the provisions of the CoP.

Where you are permitted to conduct some or all of your research at an external institution, conditions are governed by the CoP. Where a member of the recognised institution’s staff acts as a supervisor or internal examiner, a member of staff from an appropriate subject area at the University of Glasgow will also be appointed.

Appendix 2: Subjects Offered in the PhD with Integrated Study

The PhD with Integrated Study is offered in the subjects below. Type A and B subjects have different progress thresholds (see section 6.3).

A2.1 Arts & Humanities

B: Applied Linguistics; Comparative Literature; English Literature & Linguistics; Translation Studies.

A2.2 Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences

A: Precision Medicine (some taught provision may be available at the University of Edinburgh).

B: Ageing, Health & Welfare; Biochemistry; Biotechnology; Cancer Sciences; Cardiovascular Medicine; Cardiovascular Pharmacology; Cardiovascular Science; Cell Engineering; Clinical & Surgical Sciences; Dentistry; Diabetes; Ecology; Evolution; General Practice & Primary Care; Health Economics & Health Technology Assessment; Health Professions Education; Immunology & Inflammation; Infectious Disease; Microbiology; Molecular Cell Biology; Molecular Genetics; Molecular Pharmacology; Neuroscience & Psychology; Nursing; Nutrition; Parasitology; Plant Science; Population & Ecosystem Health; Psychological Medicine; Public Health; Renal, Endocrine & Metabolic Medicine; Social & Public Health Sciences; Translational Research; Virology.

A2.3 Science & Engineering

A: Computing Science & Psychology; Intelligent Sensing & Measurement; Ultrasonic Engineering.

B: Mathematical Sciences.