PhDs and Professional Doctorates
We offer full-time ( three years ) and part-time ( six years ) doctoral training programmes ( including PhDs and a Professional Doctorate ) in topics or research approaches in which QMU researchers have expertise . You will create a significant piece of original research and , in the process , gain advanced research knowledge and skills , putting you in a very strong position for progression in your chosen academic or professional field , or to change the direction of your career . Our programmes include a Doctoral Certificate award achieved by completing three READ ( Researcher Enhancement and Development ) modules of 20 credits at SCQF Level 12 .
Your doctorate is a substantial piece of learning and research , reflecting three or more years of endeavour , that has commercial , cultural or social value . It is also a process through which you will acquire advanced research knowledge , skills and expertise , be challenged and possibly transform as a person . The training programme for your doctorate will require significant personal discipline , time and commitment . In return , your sense of achievement at the end will be immense , and successful completion of your doctorate will open up a range of opportunities for career advancement .
Enrolling on a doctoral degree is one of the biggest decisions you can make regarding your education and learning in your career . We want your doctoral programme experience to be based around feeling part of a thriving learning community . The importance and power of peer support cannot be underestimated during doctoral-level study , so engaging with the community of doctoral candidates , supervisors and academics that exists at QMU is a core element in your programme . It is the community of learning that grounds you and your study and gives you the strength to stay engaged and curious , and to design and craft your research and thesis as well as publications . Your thesis will be an original and rigorous piece of research and scholarship that is something you feel passionate about and is of relevance to the university .
QMU ’ s Graduate School offers research supervision by academics who are active researchers ; many of whom have an international track record and connections to other international researchers working in their field . All doctoral candidates are hosted by a Research Centre or an Institute ( see pages 144-145 ), and the various research centres or Institutes offer significant peer support and learning opportunities ; such as seminars and workshops .
The Graduate School also coordinates a Doctoral Candidates ’ Association that offers a supportive community as well as organising informal learning opportunities such as research cafés and writing groups .
QMU is a member of the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science ( SGSSS ) and the Scottish Graduate School of Arts and Humanities ( SGSAH ). These memberships allow QMU doctoral candidates to access a large range of additional doctoral training and development opportunities , such as advanced skills training , internships , local conferences and summer schools .
Structure
You would usually complete a doctoral programme , including the READ modules , in three years full-time or six years part-time . On the successful completion of READ , you will be awarded the 60-credit level 12 Doctoral Certificate in addition to any doctoral award for your research . We were the first university in Scotland to provide a formal academic award at this level in recognition of the broader learning that emerges from doctoral studies .
Throughout your doctoral programme , you will participate in doctoral study weeks . These focus on developing the knowledge and skills that you require in order to successfully train to become an independent researcher and to design and progress your doctoral research project and complete the three READ
146 modules . They also provide a great networking opportunity for you to engage with your fellow doctoral candidates , other research supervisors and the Graduate School team .
Supervision , learning and assessment
As a doctoral candidate you will progressively demonstrate a doctoral level understanding of research philosophies and methodologies , show originality in one or more aspects of your research design ( including the application of research methods ) and understand how the boundaries of knowledge and practice are advanced through research impact . PhD and Professional Doctorate candidates will extend the forefront of a discipline by making an impact with an original contribution to knowledge , or your field of practice .
Candidates will work with a supervisory team who will provide ongoing guidance and support throughout the programme . The doctorate is ultimately assessed by the thesis , publications or creative work and viva examination . The usual PhD thesis length is from 70,000 to 100,000 words . The PhD by creative practice research involves , a portfolio of creative work with a critical commentary normally within from 30,000 to 40,000 words . The Professional Doctorate thesis length is typically 45,000 words .
PhD candidate submissions
Candidates take part in three assessment exercises to confirm progress towards the submission of the final thesis :
• The probationary assessment , in Year One ( for both full-time and part-time candidates ), comprises the submission of a comprehensive