Award criteria for research degrees

Award criteria and the examination process for research degrees

16.1. Examiners are appointed to assess a PGR student’s dissertation (or publications and commentary for doctoral degrees by published works) and performance in the oral examination to determine if the student has achieved the relevant award criteria.

16.2. The examiners must assess the scope and depth of the work at the appropriate level for the relevant award criteria. A doctoral degree examination, for example, will be more in depth and will typically require a longer oral examination than that of a research master's degree.

16.3. Any integrated taught components connected to a doctoral degree are assessed separately and are not covered by this award criteria.

16.4. The award criteria align with the frameworks for higher education qualifications of UK degree-awarding bodies.

Award criteria for doctoral degrees

16.5. A doctoral dissertation (or the publications and commentary for a doctoral degree by published work) must:

16.5.1. Embody the results of research carried out by the student with the work produced being at a level and volume reasonably expected from a capable and diligent student within an appropriate timeframe. For a dissertation, the timeframe is the period of study specified in regulation. For a doctoral degree by published work, the timeframe relates to the circumstances in which the research was conducted.

16.5.2. Represent the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research that extends the forefront of the discipline and merits publication.

16.5.3. Consist of the student’s own account of their investigations.

16.5.4. Make clear where information has been derived and the extent to which the work of others has been used including where the student has co-authored work with others.

16.5.5. Demonstrate the significance and originality of the student’s work.

16.5.6. Demonstrate critical judgment in relation to the student’s own work and to the work of other researchers in the field.

16.5.7. Present an integrated structure and a coherent argument.

16.6. Through a combination of the dissertation (or the publications and commentary for a doctoral degree by published works) and the oral examination, a doctoral student must demonstrate:

16.6.1. An understanding of a substantial body of knowledge at the forefront of the academic discipline or professional practice, the context in which their research is grounded, and an awareness of the relevant literature.

16.6.2. A capacity to pursue original research based on a detailed understanding of applicable research techniques and advanced academic enquiry.

16.6.3. An ability to conceptualise, design and implement a research project at the forefront of the discipline and, where needed, to adjust the project design in response to unforeseen problems.

16.6.4. An ability to put forward arguments in an appropriate form verbally and in writing.

Award criteria for a research master’s degree

16.7. A research master’s dissertation must:

16.7.1.   Embody the results of research carried out by the student with the work produced being at a level and volume reasonably expected from a capable and diligent student in the period of study specified in regulation.

16.7.2    Represent a contribution to knowledge and originality in the application of knowledge.

16.7.3.   Consist of the student’s own account of their investigations.

16.7.4    Make clear where information has been derived and the extent to which the work of others has been used including where the student has co-authored work with others.

16.7.5.   Demonstrate the significance and originality of the student’s work.

16.7.6.   Demonstrate critical judgement in relation to the student’s own work and to the work of other researchers in the field.

16.7.7.   Present an integrated structure and a coherent argument.

16.8. Through a combination of the dissertation and the oral examination, a research master’s student must demonstrate:

16.8.1.    A systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of the discipline, including the context in which their research is grounded and an awareness of the relevant literature.

16.8.2    A comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their research and of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline.

16.8.3.   An ability to put forward arguments in an appropriate form verbally and in writing.