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 area, and a broad range of transferable skills.
You will carry out independent research, resulting in an original contribution to knowledge in your chosen field. 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 Centre's annual Work-in-Progress Conference every year, and present their work in the 1st year (they are encouraged to present in later years too).
- 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 Board Paper and 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 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) as discussed and agreed with supervisors.
- Participate in relevant School or University research groups, and attend Seminars offered by the Centre for South Asian Studies.
Year 2
Students are required to:
- Successfully complete the 2nd Year review
- Update their Training Needs Analysis (TNA)
- Attend the annual subject area PGR conference.
In Year 2 students are encouraged to:
- Continue to discuss training and personal development with their supervisors
- Conduct fieldwork or engage in the theoretical analysis that will inform their thesis
- Submit for approval a Thesis Plan in preparation for the Progression Review at the end of Second Year.
- Present work (oral or poster) at conferences or workshops, as appropriate to the research field
- If data-collection permits, then you could participate in tutoring or demonstrating (after attending mandatory tutor and demonstrator training).
- 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.
Year 3
In Year 3 students are encouraged to:
- Write up final dissertation and submit
- 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.
- Present your work (oral or poster) at conferences or workshops, as appropriate to your research field and in discussion with supervisors
- Publish research work in appropriate journals, blogs and media outlets.
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.
Students in this year are required to:
- Complete 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).
- They are encouraged to continue to publish research and contribute to the academic life of the Centre.
- The PhD Exam
Once it has been submitted, 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