Academic Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees By Research & Thesis

2. Qualification Requirements

To register for a Postgraduate degree programme, a candidate must normally have obtained a primary degree classification equivalent to Lower Second Class Honours or above, from an approved University or an approved equivalent degree-awarding body, or have an approved equivalent professional qualification in an area cognate to the proposed research topic. Initially, all such candidates will be registered for a Master's degree.
In exceptional circumstances only, candidates who do not meet the stipulated entry qualifications but who can demonstrate exceptional ability or aptitude for academic research may apply to pursue studies for a higher degree. Such candidates, if accepted by Academic Council, will be required initially to complete successfully an appropriate Master's Qualifying Examination. The nature and extent of the Master's Qualifying Examination shall be determined by Academic Council following consultation with the relevant Head of School and the External Examiner(s) in the subject area of the proposed research. Candidates wishing to apply for admission under this category must provide the names of two suitable persons who will attest to the candidate's academic aptitude and fitness for postgraduate research. All official communications relating to such applications shall be conducted through the Registry.
Candidates holding an appropriate Master's degree obtained by research may apply directly for a PhD degree in a cognate area.
Candidates with a taught Masters degree in an appropriate discipline with first- or second-class honours and candidates with a primary degree in an appropriate discipline with first- or second-class honours, grade one, may apply and be considered for direct entry to the PhD-track register and proceed towards a PhD degree, subject to satisfactory performance as certified by the Internal Supervisor and another Internal Examiner. Such candidates will have to undergo a confirmation procedure not later than the second year of research for full-time students (and at an appropriate corresponding time for part-time students). This confirmation procedure should be similar to the current transfer procedure from Master's to PhD register (see 2.6 below). If the outcome of the confirmation procedure is unsuccessful the student may, if appropriate, be invited to complete such research as will allow him/her to graduate with a Master's degree.
All other candidates should normally be registered initially on the Master's register, with those who wish to complete a PhD undergoing the transfer procedure.
Application for transfer from the Master's Register to the PhD Register may not normally be made less than one year after the effective Master's registration date. Such applications must be supported by the candidate's Supervisor and will be subject to satisfactory performance in an oral examination conducted jointly by the Supervisor and another Internal Examiner. In determining whether or not such transfer shall take place, Academic Council will require evidence that the candidate's progress to date has been satisfactory and that the programme of research envisaged provides a satisfactory basis for work at PhD standard. Candidates transferred to the PhD Register will be granted appropriate retrospection normally to the date of original registration.
In exceptional circumstances only, a candidate pursuing a course of study leading to a Master's degree may, on the recommendations of his/her supervisor, another Internal Examiner and the relevant Head of School/Director of Centre after at least nine months of full-time study, apply to Academic Council to seek transfer to the PhD Register and thus present for examination for this higher degree.
A candidate who would normally expect to be registered initially on the Master's register and who wishes to be considered for direct entry to the PhD-track register may make an application to the relevant committee for consideration for direct entry using the appropriate pro forma . Such an application will be considered on a case by case basis and an applicant will be assessed on his/her demonstrated capacity to undertake research at a higher level. The Supervisor and the Head of School/Director of Research will make a recommendation to the relevant committee. If successful, such a candidate will later have to undergo a confirmation procedure as outlined in 2.4 above. If the outcome of the confirmation procedure is unsuccessful the student may, if appropriate, be invited to complete such research as will allow him/her to graduate with a Master's degree.