This section describes which Units you will take in which year of study. It indicates which units are mandatory and where you will be able to choose. The overall pass marks you will need to achieve in order to progress or achieve an award are shown. The full regulations concerning progression and completion are held in the University's Regulations and Code of Practice. Any particular aspects of your programme that are unusual will be highlighted. If any Units are must pass this will be shown below. The linked unit specifications detail any additional requirements.
What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?
Students need to complete at least 60 credits unless they are exempted from individual units after applying for Recognised Prior Learning. Note that students need not complete the 60 credits units in their first year (but they can if they wish); they can choose to e.g. complete two units in the first year, and the third in the second year of studies. However, students should have completed the units before month 18 (full-time students) or month 36 (for part-time students).
Students must pass three research training units to remain on the PhD or demonstrate equivalent prior learning.
| Unit name | Unit code | Credit points | Status | Teaching Block |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Research Methods in the Social Sciences | SSLFM0001 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
| ESRC-funded students complete: | ||||
| Digital Methods and Data Skills | SSLFM0002 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
| ESRC-funded students select one unit from: | ||||
| Advanced Quantitative Research Methods | SSLFM0003 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | SSLFM0004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Non-ESRC students select two units from: | ||||
| Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences | SOCIM0012 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
| Research Methods and Marketing Metrics | EFIMM0057 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Research Methods in Global Operations and Supply Chain Management | EFIMM0071 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Researching Organisations, Institutions and Management | EFIMM0045 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Digital Methods and Data Skills | SSLFM0002 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
| Advanced Quantitative Research Methods | SSLFM0003 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | SSLFM0004 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
| 60 | ||||
The assessment of the taught component of a doctoral degree is governed by the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and is assessed separately from the research project. Progression to the research project may be dependent on the successful completion of the taught component - please refer to the relevant handbook for the structure of the particular programme.
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
It may be possible to exit the programme with a taught award. For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Research Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Note: To comply with the new ESRC guidelines for South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) funded students, these units are mandatory for the new intake of SWDTP funded students in September 2024: Introduction to Research Methods in the Social Sciences, Digital Methods and Data Skills, and either Advanced Quantitative Research Methods or Advanced Qualitative Research Methods.
Students must pass three research training units to remain on the PhD or demonstrate equivalent prior learning.
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
