Doctoral dissertation prize

Eligibility

To be considered for a prize, students must have been awarded a doctoral degree by dissertation within the relevant academic year and must be nominated by their examiners.

Students who were registered for a doctoral degree by published work are not eligible for this prize.

Examiners nominate a student for a doctoral dissertation prize if they agree that the student's dissertation:

1. demonstrates exceptional achievement in substance and presentation
2. shows a high level of originality and makes a significant contribution to the field, and 
3. excels in the use of research methods and/or techniques.

Examiners nominate suitable dissertations on their joint final report and the nominations are discussed by the RDEB.

Some faculties also award prizes for Master of Science by Research (MScR) dissertations but that is not covered in this guidance.

Judging process

The Faculty Academic Director (PGR) reviews all doctoral prize nominations and proposes three winners for their faculty.

RDEB confirms the winners from each faculty at its first meeting of the next academic year. 

The RDEB Chair decides on a Vice-Chancellor's prize for best doctoral dissertation from the faculty winners.

Announcing the results

Formal communications will be sent to the winners following the RDEB decision.