DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014
- ARCHIVE as at 1 September 2013 for reference only
THIS PAGE IS OUT OF DATE

The Higher Degree Programme Regulations are currently under review

CRITERIA

Higher degrees are awarded to eligible candidates who demonstrate through the submission of published work that they have made a significant and original contribution to knowledge over a sustained period.  Work submitted for a higher degree is expected to be of international calibre.  For the degree of DMus, published or unpublished compositions may be submitted.

ELIGIBILITY

The following are eligible to apply for candidature for a higher degree:

1. graduates of The University of Edinburgh of not less than seven years standing; candidates for the degree of DMus must hold an MMus awarded by the University of Edinburgh.
2. graduates of other universities of not less than seven years standing who are members of staff of the University of Edinburgh of not less than four years standing; candidates for the DMus must hold an MMus.

In addition to an undergraduate degree, candidates should normally hold a PhD from the University of Edinburgh or another university.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application for a higher degree is a two stage process.  Firstly, candidates must apply to the Higher Degrees Committee of the relevant College for approval of their candidature.

The application form for approval of candidature, together with guidance on the form of submission, may be obtained from the Secretary to the relevant College Higher Degrees Committee.  The application fee must be submitted with the completed application form.

If candidature is approved, the candidate will be invited to move to the second stage of the application process and lodge a submission (three copies) for examination.  There is no oral examination for a higher degree.

FORM OF SUBMISSION

Candidates must submit published work in support of their candidature. Since the contents of a submission are liable to vary considerably depending on the academic discipline, the format of submissions is not prescribed at University level and candidates should seek guidance from the relevant College. Books should be submitted as published. Submissions comprising published papers and similar items should, as far as is practicable in the circumstances, be bound together in a manner that conforms to the Regulatory Standards for the Format and Binding of Theses and Portfolios of Musical Compositions (see the Research Degree Assessment Regulations).  If binding is not practicable or if books are being submitted, submitted works should be contained in a box file or similar conforming to these standards. The submission must be accompanied by (a) a typed list of its contents, (b) the declaration required in Regulation 1.4 and (c) six copies of an abstract (see the Research Degree Assessment Regulations). The list of contents, declaration and text of the abstract must be incorporated at the beginning of each copy of a bound or boxed submission.  Candidates for the DMus may submit work as musicologists or composers.

CERTIFICATION

All works submitted must be accompanied by a statement, signed by the candidate:

• giving full details of any other degree or postgraduate diploma for which the works, in whole or in part, have been submitted to the University of Edinburgh or elsewhere. Work submitted for another degree will not, in itself, contribute to the award but may be submitted if subsequent work has developed from it and its inclusion assists the examiners in their overall assessment.
• certifying, for each piece of work submitted, either that the work is the candidate's own or, if he/she has been a member of a research group, the precise contribution made by the candidate to each of the works in terms of initiating or leading the research and in writing up the material.

LODGING AND RETENTION OF SUBMISSIONS

Submissions (three copies) must be lodged within 12 months of the approval of candidature. Two copies of successful submissions will remain the property of the University and one will be returned to the candidate.

EXAMINATION FEE

At the time of lodging a submission, the examination fee must be paid. Candidates must also matriculate, but no matriculation fee is charged.

APPOINTMENT OF EXAMINERS

The University shall, in the case of each submission, appoint one internal, and, with the agreement of the University Court, two external examiners. Each examiner should be of recognised eminence in the subject of the submission.  Names of examiners are confidential to the University.

AWARD OF THE DEGREE

The degree shall be awarded only if the relevant committee of Senatus, on the recommendation of the examiners, is satisfied that the submission represents both an original and a substantial contribution to advancement of knowledge of the subject and that it constitutes work of high distinction in scholarship and/or research in respect of qualities such as erudition, insight, imagination, innovation and critical balance, such that it has established or confirmed the candidate as a recognised authority in the relevant field. In the case of candidates submitting compositions for the DMus, the degree shall be awarded only if the relevant committee of Senatus, on the recommendation of the examiners, is satisfied that the submission constitutes both an original and a substantial contribution of high distinction.

RE-APPLICATION

A candidate whose application for candidature has not been approved or whose submission has not been recommended for the award of the degree may not reapply for the degree within five years of his/her first candidature unless the period is specially reduced by the relevant committee of Senatus on the recommendation of the examiners.

GRADUATION

Successful candidates will be awarded the degree at the next available graduation ceremony.  Candidates who are not already graduates of the University of Edinburgh must also pay the Registration Fee for membership of the General Council before graduating.  Candidates for higher degrees may, at the discretion of the University, be permitted to graduate in absentia.