Progressing from an Masters to a PhD
Tackling a PhD is a complex and demanding enterprise. In most cases, a candidate is expected to have completed a year, or its equivalent, of full time postgraduate study in research methods. If you are made an offer, it will be made clear whether you will be required to study for our Master's degree in Educational Research or admitted directly to the probationary year of a PhD. Candidates who have not completed our Master's in Educational Research but who are admitted directly to the PhD would normally follow our PhD Research Training Course, which occupies around two-thirds of the probationary year.
During their PhD probationary year, prospective doctoral students are categorised as 'not at first registered for any degree'. Towards the end of this year, they are required to prepare both a substantial progress report and a detailed research plan in readiness for an oral examination (known as the 'registration viva'). Only once this has been successfully completed is a student formally admitted for the PhD.