PROGRAMME AIMS
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) trains you as a researcher and allows you to develop advanced techniques and in-depth knowledge in a specialist area. You will develop an all-round knowledge of your discipline, and a broad range of transferable skills.
You will carry out independent research, resulting in an original contribution to knowledge in your chosen area. You will work under the guidance of your supervisors. To be awarded a PhD you will submit a thesis and defend this thesis in an oral examination (assessed according to the University's regulations).
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The prescribed period of study for a full-time PhD is 36 months, and your thesis is expected to be submitted towards the end of the third year. The University regulations do allow a further 12 months study time for completion of the thesis but students are recommended to aim to complete within 3 years. Progress during your PhD is assessed by annual reviews, which formally determine whether you can progress with your PhD.
Year 1
Students are required to:
- Attend the regular International Development Exchanges and Advanced Skills (IDEAS) PhD cohort seminars.
-Attend the Subject Area's annual PGR Conference every year, and present their work in the 1st year.
- Complete a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) by the end of month 2.
- Submit for approval a First-Year report in preparation for the Progression Review at the end of First Year.
- Successfully complete the First Year review panel.
- Complete a risk assessment and seek ethics approval in relation to the proposed research and any proposed fieldwork.
In Year 1 students are encouraged to:
- Attend the induction for PhD students and any other inductions or training required.
- Work with supervisors through monthly meetings to establish the research project which will be the basis for the dissertation.
- Take training courses from the Research Training Centre in SPS, the Institute of Academic Development (IAD), the Student Development Office (SDO) and the national graduate schools (Scottish Graduate School of Arts & Humanities or Scottish Graduate School of Social Sciences).
- Participate in relevant School or University research groups
- Attend the regular staff research seminars hosted by relevant subject areas, such as the Centre of African Studies and Social Anthropology.
Year 2
In Year 2 students will typically spend a significant period of time away from campus conducting field data collection. The duration of fieldwork depends on the nature of the project and the methods used.
Students are required to:
- Continue to discuss the progression of their research and their training and personal development through regular meetings with their supervisors.
- Update the Training Needs Analysis.
- Successfully complete the 2nd Year review (this does not involve a formal examination board as in the first year).
- Attend the regular International Development Exchanges and Advanced Skills (IDEAS) PhD cohort seminars (when not on fieldwork).
Depending on their location and availability around fieldwork, students are encouraged to:
- Present work at conferences or workshops.
- Participate in committees relating to postgraduate research.
- Participate and present in relevant School or University research groups.
- Attend research seminars across the University.
- Contribute to the academic life of the School, such as through our graduate society, open days, and outreach activities.
- - Attend the regular staff research seminars hosted by relevant subject areas, such as the Centre of African Studies and Social Anthropology.
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Year 3
In Year 3 students are encouraged to:
- Present work at relevant conferences or workshops.
- Participate in tutoring (after attending mandatory tutor and demonstrator training).
- Look at options for study away or exchange visits via the University's work and study away office.
- Attend the regular staff research seminars hosted by relevant subject areas, such as the Centre of African Studies and Social Anthropology.
- Continue to discuss training and personal development with their supervisors
- Update the Training Needs Analysis.
- Participate and present in relevant School or University research groups.
- Publish research work in appropriate journals, following advice from supervisors.
- Present your work (oral or poster) at conferences or workshops, as appropriate to your research field
- Write up final dissertation and submit
Students are required to:
- Attend the regular International Development Exchanges and Advanced Skills (IDEAS) PhD cohort seminars.
Year 4
After three years of full-time enrolment, students are entitled to an additional period of 12 months for writing-up their thesis. The thesis must be submitted by the end of this additional period of registration.
- Completing the thesis
It is very important to complete your PhD thesis within the allotted time. Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances (illness, etc.).
About three months before completion of the thesis, students should submit the 'Notice of Intention to Submit form'. This requires discussion with the student's supervisor(s).
- The PhD Exam
The PhD dissertation is examined in a viva voce examination with two Examiners. At least one examiner must be external to the University of Edinburgh.
The Examiners can recommend one of the following options:
a) that the dissertation is passed and the candidate is awarded the degree of PhD
b) that the dissertation is passed subject to minor corrections
c) that an additional oral examination is needed
d) That additional work is needed on the thesis up to 12 months but no further examination is required
e) that the dissertation requires substantial work, and is resubmitted up to 24 months: a second viva voce exam will be required by the Examiners
f) that the dissertation is awarded the degree of MPhil;
g) that the dissertation is awarded an MPhil following minor corrections
h) that the dissertation requires substantial work before being submitted for an MPhil
i) that the dissertation is awarded an MSc by Research
j) no award is given
FURTHER INFORMATION
PhD students in Social and Political Sciences must also follow the additional information given in the School's Postgraduate Research Student Handbook: https://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/students/postgraduate/phd/regulations-of-study/subject-area-handbooks
The University's Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Students and Supervisors gives further information about the requirements of a PhD at the University of Edinburgh: https://www.ed.ac.uk/institute-academic-development/postgraduate/doctoral/advice-support/regulations