Higher Degree Regulations and Procedures

Regulations for Taught Masters Programmes

3.1.
In the Graduate School the following taught Masters degrees are conferred: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Public Enterprise and Management (MPEM), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science (MSc), Master of Laws (LLM), Masters by Research (MRes), and the following integrated masters awards: Master of Ecology (MEcol), Master of Engineering (MEng), Master in Science (MSci), Master of Marine Biology (MMarBiol).

Admissions

3.2.
A person wishing to be accepted as a student for a taught Masters degree must apply through the Head of Department concerned to be admitted as a registered graduate student within the Graduate School.
3.3.
A candidate for a Masters degree must satisfy one of the following admissions criteria:

1. hold a Bachelors (Honours) degree awarded by an institution or body with degree awarding powers in the UK;

2. be a graduate of first-cycle higher education as defined by the Bologna Declaration or a person holding a degree-level qualification from a recognised overseas institution;

3. be a person who is deemed to demonstrate an academic standard equivalent to a Bachelors (Honours) degree, documented through professional or vocational achievement.

In the case of applicants who are not native speakers of English, evidence must be produced of a high level of ability in the language, including writing.
3.4.
Students may be admitted to a programme of study leading to a dual award of the University of Essex and one or more awarding institution(s). The dual award arrangements shall be entered into formally between the University and the partner institution(s) before any candidates are admitted to the programme. The details of the programme shall be published in the relevant programme specification.

A student studying for a dual award shall normally spend at least half their time at the University and the rest of the time at the partner institution(s).

Registration Arrangements

3.5.
Students must register as graduate students of the University and must comply with the Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the University; they must register annually at the beginning of each academic year after acceptance until they present themselves for examination for the degree.

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Masters Degree Requirements

3.6.
A Masters degree may be conferred on students who have followed a taught Masters programme approved by the Senate on the recommendation of the relevant Faculty Board and consisting of systematic courses of lectures and other teaching, and the undertaking of a dissertation or its equivalent, which shall comprise no more than half the work of the programme of study.
Such students shall:

1. spend at least three terms of full-time study in the University or six terms of part-time study;

2. be assessed by assignments prescribed in the regulations for the programme of study. In addition students shall present, in a manner acceptable to the Senate, a dissertation or its equivalent as prescribed in the regulations for the programme; candidates are personally responsible for all expenditure connected with the preparation of a thesis or dissertation. Students may also be required to present themselves for an oral examination.

Modular study may be followed for a maximum period of six years.
The attendance requirements do not apply to study by distance learning.
3.7.
A dissertation or its equivalent submitted for a Masters degree may not incorporate, whether in the same or different form, work which has been submitted to this or to any other university for a degree unless the subject of the research is an extension or continuation of research begun for such a degree. In such a case the extent of the material and the degree if any obtained should be indicated (the student may be required to produce the work previously submitted).
A student must state generally in the preface to the dissertation and specifically in references the sources from which the material is derived and the extent to which the candidate has used the work of others including collaborators.
3.8.
Apart from quotations, the dissertation must be presented in English unless the relevant Executive Dean or his/her deputy has given permission in advance for it to be in another language.
3.9.
Assessment in each taught Masters programme shall take place at the time or times described in regulations or otherwise approved by the relevant Faculty Board for that programme. With the consent of the relevant Executive Dean or his/her deputy, a candidate may be permitted to submit the dissertation after the approved time.
3.10.
Masters degrees will be awarded by the Senate on the recommendation of a Board of Examiners appointed by the Faculty Board.

Continuation Period

3.11.
Students who have completed the minimum period of study prescribed by the Senate and who have not yet presented themselves for examination will be required on registration to pay an appropriate 'continuation' fee as determined from time to time by the University. Such students shall be entitled to be examined (but not re-examined), to obtain any supervision required and to use University facilities including the Library. They shall be subject to the Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the University at any time they are present in the University.

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Principal Regulations for Graduate and Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates

3.12.
In the Graduate School, graduate and postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates are offered.
3.13.
Candidates shall follow a programme of study approved by the Senate on the recommendation of the relevant Faculty Board. The regulations for each programme shall prescribe the period of study, whether in or outside the University, and the examinations and any other forms of assessment required.
3.14.
A person wishing to be accepted as a student for a Diploma or Certificate programme must apply through the Head of Department concerned to be admitted as a registered student within the Graduate School.
3.15.
Diplomas and Certificates shall be granted by the Senate on the recommendation of a Board of Examiners appointed by the Faculty Board.
3.16.
For all purposes of higher degree regulations, programmes of study leading to a Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate of the University shall be treated as if they lead to a Masters of the University.

Principal Regulations for Research Degrees

4.1.
In the Graduate School the following research degrees are conferred: Masters by Dissertation (MA or MSc by Dissertation), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Professional Doctorate.
The Senate has approved The Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes relating to postgraduate training and research, which is available online. Hard copies are obtainable from the Registry.

Provisions Regarding Admission

4.2.
A person wishing to be accepted as a student for a research degree must first apply to the Head of the Department concerned to be admitted by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy of the Graduate School as a registered graduate student within the Graduate School.
The applicant must satisfy the admissions criteria set out in 4.3 and propose a field of study in which the department is able to offer supervision.
The Head of Department will recommend such applicants for admission to the Executive Dean or his/her deputy.
When an applicant is accepted for admission to a research degree, the Executive Dean or his/her deputy shall approve the appointment of a member or members of the Academic or Research staff of the University as the student’s supervisor or supervisors.
It may be appropriate for an applicant to register for a research degree with a reduced minimum period due to previous and appropriate study undertaken elsewhere (subject to Regulation 4.48). In such instances the Head of Department will recommend such applicants for admission with a reduced minimum period to the Executive Dean or his/her deputy.

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Admissions Criteria

4.3.
In the case of applicants who are not native speakers of English, evidence must be produced of a high level of ability in the language, including writing.

Masters by Dissertation, Master of Philosophy and Integrated PhD

Applicants for admission for the degree of Masters by Dissertation, Master of Philosophy and Integrated PhD must satisfy one of the following admissions criteria:

1. hold a Bachelors (Honour) degree awarded by an institution or body with degree awarding powers in the UK;

2. be a graduate of first-cycle higher education as defined by the Bologna Declaration or a person holding a degree-level qualification from a recognised overseas institution;

3. be a person who is deemed by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy to demonstrate an academic standard equivalent to a Bachelors (Honours) degree, documented through professional or vocational achievement.

Doctor of Medicine

Applicants for admission for the degree of Doctor of Medicine must satisfy both of the following admissions criteria:

1. hold a medical qualification which is recognised for registration by the General Medical Council and have held this qualification for at least three years by the date of submission of the thesis;

2. be a member of the academic staff of the University or be employed during the majority of their period of registration at the University in appropriate clinical or scientific work within the Eastern or South Eastern regions in any hospital or institution associated with the University of Essex.

Doctor of Philosophy

Applicants for admission for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy must satisfy one of the following admissions criteria:

1. hold a Masters degree or a Bachelors degree with at least Class II Division i Honours awarded by an institution or body with degree awarding powers in the UK;

2. be a graduate of second-cycle higher education as defined by the Bologna Declaration or a person holding a Masters-level qualification from a recognised overseas institution;

3. be an applicant who is deemed by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy to demonstrate an academic standard equivalent to a Masters degree, documented through professional or vocational achievement.

Professional Doctorate

Applicants for admission for the degree of Professional Doctorate must satisfy the following admissions criterion:

Be an applicant who in addition to meeting the criteria for admission to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy has appropriate professional qualifications and experience.

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Applicants not resident in the UK (Distance Learning)

4.4.
Persons not normally resident within the UK may, on the recommendation of the Head of Department, be accepted by the Executive Dean or his her deputy as students for a research degree by Distance Learning, either full or part-time. The Department or Centre recommending an offer must satisfy the Executive Dean or his/her deputy that expertise at the University makes it particularly appropriate for the student to undertake research here. An applicant must meet the relevant admissions criteria set out in 4.3 above. The Executive Dean or his/her deputy must be satisfied in each individual case that:

1. the applicant is equipped with the necessary basic research skills (or where not, that arrangements have been made for the acquisition of such skills);

2. details of supervisory arrangements for applicants accepted under this regulation are specified individually as appropriate (pro-rata for part-time study) and will include the frequency and mode of contact between supervisor and student, the extent of face-to-face contact envisaged, periods of time to be spent at the University, access to local facilities and expertise where relevant (most commonly in the place of employment), and arrangements for written reports on research and progress;

Meetings of supervisory boards will normally be held at the University of Essex.

Registration Arrangements

4.5.
Students accepted for admission to a research degree must register as graduate students of the University and must comply with the Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the University; they must register annually at the beginning of each academic year after acceptance until they present themselves for examination for the degree.

Minimum and Maximum Periods

4.6.
The normal minimum and maximum periods of study are shown in Appendix 1.

4.7.
During the minimum period a full-time student is expected to undertake supervised study and research in the University. A part-time student is expected to attend for regular visits for the purpose of supervision, research training and supervisory boards.
4.8.
The Executive Dean or his/her deputy may permit transfer from one mode of study to another, eg from full-time to part-time, (including distance learning) or vice-versa and change of degree title. The minimum/maximum period will be adjusted pro-rata. Students are not allowed to transfer from full-time study to part-time study in the final term of their minimum period or during their completion period.
4.9.
In exceptional circumstances, the Executive Dean or his/her deputy may reduce the minimum period of study, provided that:

1. no more than three terms of the period shall be waived (for a PhD) (pro-rata for other awards and part-time students);

2. the Executive Dean or his/her deputy is satisfied that the student has completed his or her study and research and is ready to submit the thesis.

4.10.
Students admitted to a PhD (not a Professional Doctorate) will be initially registered for an MPhil/PhD. Their registration status will be subject to confirmation (see 4.30).

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Research Degree Requirements

4.11.
For all the University’s research degrees a student shall:

1. attend such classes, seminars and personal consultations as the supervisor(s) shall require at times arranged by the supervisor(s);

2. attend supervisory board meetings as required, and produce work and/or other evidence of progress as required by the supervisor and other board members;

3. submit, in accordance with the regulations and rules governing presentation of such work, a dissertation/thesis for examination under a title which has been approved by the Head of Department.

4.12.
At the end of each academic year during his/her minimum period, a student may be permitted to proceed to the next year by the  departmental Research Students’ Progress Committee (see 4.33 on change of status and discontinuation). The Research Students’ Progress Committee’s decision will be reported  to the Executive Dean or his/her deputy of the Graduate School, accompanied by appropriate supporting documents. The Research Students' Progress Committee may also recommend that a student's registration status be downgraded or discontinued to the Executive Dean or his/her deputy. The Executive Dean or his/her deputy may accept or reject the recommendation. Students may submit an appeal against the recommendation that their registration status be downgraded or discontinued using the Appeals Procedure against a Progress Decision-Postgraduate Research Students (see Appeals Procedure against a Progress Decision – Postgraduate Research Students).

Doctor of Philosophy Degree by Programme

4.13.
A student shall follow a three-year programme approved by the Senate. In addition to the requirements set out in 4.11 and 4.12 above the programme commences with a six-month, intensively taught, initial period of training at the end of which the study will be formally assessed as specified at the time of admission.

Doctor of Medicine

4.14.
The degree of Doctor of Medicine is offered as a programme of supervised research. The requirements are as for other research degrees.
Students shall be jointly supervised by a member of the academic or research staff of the University and an appropriately qualified and experienced associate supervisor employed by an NHS Trust associated with the University of Essex.

Integrated PhD

4.15.
A student shall follow a four-year programme approved by the Senate.
The first year shall comprise an intensively taught initial period of training at the end of which the student will be formally assessed.
On successful completion, the first year will be followed by three years of supervised research following the requirements set out in 4.11 and 4.12 above.
In addition, during the second year, the student will receive further training in professional and research skills, which will be formally assessed.

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Professional Doctorate

4.16.
Students shall follow a programme of study approved by the Senate. The requirements for each programme shall prescribe the period of study, whether in or outside the University and the form of assessment required of students.

Completion Period

4.17.
The stage between the end of the minimum period and the end of the maximum period is known as the completion period.
At the end of the prescribed minimum period, a student may be permitted to proceed to a twelve-month completion period by the  Research Students’ Progress Committee. The Research Students’ Progress Committee shall decide that a student can proceed to the completion period where it is satisfied that the student has completed written work of sufficient quality and quantity to provide clear evidence that the student is in a position to write up the remainder of the thesis and submit within the twelve-month completion period.
4.18.
In the case of science departments, the student must have completed all experimentation/laboratory work and submitted a thesis plan. In addition the student must have submitted the following written work of a satisfactory quality:

4.19.
For other disciplines, the student must have completed all fieldwork/data collection, where appropriate, and have a substantial proportion of the thesis written in draft of a satisfactory quality.
4.20.
The Supervisory Board will base its judgement on whether the student can proceed to the completion period on the quality and quantity of the written work submitted to it at the end of the minimum period. The Research Students’ Progress Committee’s decision will be reported to the Executive Dean or his/her deputy of the Graduate School, accompanied by appropriate supporting documents.
4.21.
Where the student is not ready to proceed to the completion period because there is no realistic expectation that the student will be in a position to present the thesis for examination within the completion period, even though the quality of the work is of the required standard, then the Executive Dean or his/her deputy may extend the minimum period, on the recommendation of the departmental Research Students’ Progress Committee.
4.22.
A student who is not permitted to proceed to the completion period shall pay in advance the appropriate full-time fee (pro-rata for part-time students) for the additional terms of his/her extended minimum period.

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Professional Doctorates

4.23.
There is no completion period for students on full-time Professional Doctorate programmes. If a student is not ready to submit his/her thesis at the end of the minimum period the Executive Dean or his/her deputy, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, shall extend the minimum period.
The appropriate full-time fee is payable for the additional terms of the extended minimum period.
For students on part-time Professional Doctorate programmes the arrangements in 4.17-4.22 apply.

Completion Fee

4.24.
Students who are permitted to proceed to completion will be required on registration to pay an appropriate ‘completion’ fee as determined from time to time by the University. Such students shall be eligible to be examined (the fee does not cover re-examination), to obtain any supervision and advice required and to use the University Library and IT facilities. Students in their completion period will be permitted to use laboratories only in special circumstances and with the permission of the Head of Department, subject to the payment of a termly laboratory bench fee. Students paying the completion fee shall be subject to the Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the University.

Maximum Period

From 2008-09

4.25.
A student shall normally submit his/her dissertation/thesis for examination within one calendar year of the end of the prescribed minimum period of study. A further extension will only be agreed in exceptional circumstances.
This does not apply to students on full-time Professional Doctorates (see 4.23) where the minimum and maximum periods are the same.

Before 2008-09

4.26.
A student shall normally submit his/her dissertation/thesis for examination within one calendar year of the prescribed minimum period of study. If the dissertation/thesis is not ready for examination within this period, a further completion period of one calendar year may be permitted. A further extension will only be agreed in exceptional circumstances.

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Paid Duties

4.27.
Students who are registered as full-time students may with the consent of their supervisors undertake paid duties in the University for a maximum of eighteen hours per week averaged across the year.

Students employed to teach at the University should normally have a maximum teaching load of six teaching hours per week and not more than a total of eighteen effort hours per week.

Tier 4 sponsored students must adhere to the regulations relating to the maximum number of hours of paid work permitted by their work permit.

Students funded by a Research Council studentship/scholarship must adhere to relevant terms and conditions of their studentship/scholarship relating to paid work.

Permission to conduct research outside the UK

4.28.
Except as provided for by specific regulations, the minimum period of supervised study and research for a research degree shall be spent in full-time study at the University of Essex. For the degrees of MPhil and PhD, the student's Head of Department may give permission, in individual cases, for part of the minimum period to be spent conducting research outside the UK. This shall be for approved purposes including the full-time collection of material in the field and full-time study at a particular place. The Head of Department shall in each case approve the place of study outside the UK and shall approve the proposed arrangements for supervision away from the University of Essex, including attendance by the student at the University of Essex and visits by University staff. Any approved periods of Study Away must be reported to the Graduate School.

Except in special circumstances approved by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy, a student may not spend the first two terms of study away from the University of Essex. All students must spend at least three terms of full-time supervised study and research for the degree of PhD at the University of Essex, and two terms for the degree of MPhil.

Leave of Absence (intermission)

4.29.
Permission may be given to students to withdraw temporarily (intermit) from the University during the course of a research degree programme with a view to returning at a later date. Students must make a written application to their department and must give acceptable reasons for their request. The application for intermission must be supported by the student’s supervisor.  The Head of the student's department, or his/her nominee, will consider the request and come to a decision whether or not to give permission to the student to intermit from the University. In some cases, the Head/nominee may refer the request to the Executive Dean or his/her deputy who will make a decision whether or not to give permission to intermit.

The Head/nominee or Executive Dean or his/her deputy may prescribe conditions which shall be fulfilled before the student may resume their programme of study. If permission is given, the student will be registered as an intermitting student for the whole of the period of their absence and will comply with the Charter, Statutes, Ordinance and Regulations of the University.

An intermitting student may be required to pay an appropriate fee as determined from time to time by the University.

A student may apply for a period of intermission at any point during his/her minimum period; however periods of intermission will be linked to the University’s term dates. During the completion year, requests for intermission will normally only be approved on medical grounds and other exceptional circumstances.

A student who is permitted or required to intermit from the University shall receive no supervision and is not entitled to attend any modules or training events, and is not expected to be present at the University. Students' computing accounts will remain active throughout the intermission period. In the term prior to returning from intermission, limited library borrowing rights are available.

All students are required to re-register upon return to the University following a period of intermission. Students who fail to do so within 28 days will be deemed to have withdrawn permanently and may be re-admitted only with the permission of the Academic Registrar.

Note: All decisions to grant intermission are governed by a set of guidelines that are published by the Registry.

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Confirmation – PhD students only

4.30.
The regulations concerning confirmation apply to PhD students, including those on Integrated PhD programmes, but not to students on Professional Doctorates. For students on an Integrated PhD the process of confirmation occurs in the third year.

For students admitted from October 2008

All intending PhD students are initially registered as MPhil/PhD. During the second year of full-time study (or the equivalent for part-timers) a student’s PhD registration may be confirmed. Until this point intending PhD students are registered as MPhil/PhD. The Research Students' Progress Committee shall decide that a student's PhD status be confirmed only if it is satisfied that the student has produced work of sufficient quality and quantity to provide evidence of appropriate PhD-level progress. The Research Students' Progress Committee's decision will be reported to the Executive Dean or his/her deputy of the Graduate School, accompanied by appropriate supporting documents.

In exceptional  cases, if the departmental Research Students' Progress Committee was satisfied that a student had produced work of sufficient quality and quantity to provide evidence of appropriate PhD-level progress and agreed milestones for confirmation had been met, PhD status could be confirmed at the end of the first year (or equivalent for part-timers).

A student whose PhD status is confirmed shall have his/her registration changed to PhD. If a student's PhD status is not confirmed at the first meeting of the Research Students' Progress Committee in the second year (or equivalent), their progress will be re-evaluated at the second meeting in the year.

If a student's PhD status is not confirmed at the second meeting, the Research Students' Progress Committee shall recommend to the Executive Dean or his/her deputy that the student's status be changed to MPhil or Masters by Dissertation. The Executive Dean or his/her deputy may accept or reject the recommendation. Where the recommendation to change the student's status  is accepted by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy the minimum period of study will be reduced accordingly.

Appeals Procedure

4.31.
Students admitted for the degree of MPhil/PhD whose PhD status is not confirmed following re-evaluation of their progress by a second Research Students' Progress Committee may submit an appeal against the recommendation that their registration status be changed using the Appeals Procedure against a Progress Decision – Postgraduate Research Students (see Appeals Procedure against a Progress Decision – Postgraduate Research Students).

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Upgrading

4.32.
A student for the degree of Masters by Dissertation may be permitted to transfer to the degree of MPhil, MPhil/PhD or PhD by the departmental Research Students' Progress Committee. The Executive Dean or his/her deputy may permit students to count the period of study begun for the Masters towards the minimum period of study required for the degree of MPhil, MPhil/PhD or PhD.
A student for the degree of Master of Philosophy may be permitted to transfer to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by the departmental Research Students' Progress Committee. The Executive Dean or his/her deputy may permit students to count the period of study begun for the MPhil towards the minimum period of study required for the degree of PhD.

Change of status and discontinuation

4.33.
The Executive Dean or his/her deputy may, after a report from the departmental Research Students’ Progress Committee, require a student to discontinue as a research degree student, if, in the view of the Research Students' Progress Committee and the Executive Dean or his/her deputy, the student’s progress is unsatisfactory at any stage.
After receiving a report from the departmental Research Students’ Progress Committee that the progress of the student is unsatisfactory, the Executive Dean or his/her deputy may also, at any stage, agree that the registration status of a student for the degree of MPhil, MPhil/PhD or PhD be changed to either the degree of MPhil or of Masters by Dissertation.

Appeals Procedure

4.34.
Students may submit an appeal against the recommendation that their registration status be changed to MPhil or Masters by Dissertation from MPhil, MPhil/PhD or PhD, or discontinued using the Appeals Procedure against a Progress Decision – Postgraduate Research Students (see Appeals Procedure against a Progress Decision – Postgraduate Research Students).

Submission and Examination of the thesis/dissertation

Please read ‘dissertation’ for ‘thesis’ for students for the degree of MSc or MA by Dissertation.

4.35.
Requirements for the award:

Masters by Dissertation

4.36.
A candidate submitting a dissertation for a Mastership is required to present the results of research carried out during the approved period of study and should demonstrate advanced understanding of the area of study. The dissertation should set out the relationship between the candidate’s work and the wider field of knowledge, and should be expressed clearly and concisely.

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In the case of a thesis involving original creative output, for the degree of Masters by Dissertation, the thesis must embody the results of research carried out and/or output created during the approved period of study and should demonstrate advanced understanding of area of study. The thesis must contain a commentary which addresses the originality and artistic relevance of the work.

The dissertation should set out the relationship between the candidate's work and the wider field of knowledge/the genre, and should be expressed clearly and concisely.

Master of Philosophy

4.37.
A thesis submitted by a candidate for the degree of Master of Philosophy must embody the results of research carried out during the approved period of study and should make a contribution to knowledge. In the thesis and the oral examination the candidate is required to present the results of research that either forms original work or is an ordered and critical exposition of existing knowledge. The thesis should set out the relationship between the candidate’s work and the wider field of knowledge, and should be expressed clearly and concisely.

In the case of a thesis involving original creative output, for the degree of Master of Philosophy, the thesis must embody the results of research carried out and/or output created during the approved period of study. The thesis must contain a commentary which addresses the originality and artistic relevance of the work. Within the thesis the candidate must show evidence of the originality of the work or an ordered and critical exposition of existing knowledge/the genre.

The thesis should demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the candidate's work and the wider field of knowledge/the genre, and should be expressed clearly and concisely.

Doctor of Medicine

4.38.
The thesis must meet the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy.

Doctor of Philosophy

4.39.
A thesis submitted by a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy must embody the results of research carried out during the approved period of study. In the thesis and the oral examination the candidate is required to conduct and present original investigations that make a significant contribution to knowledge, to test ideas, whether the candidate's own or those of others, to understand the relationship of the theme of the investigations to a wider field of knowledge and to express him/herself clearly and concisely.

In the case of a thesis involving original creative output, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, the thesis must embody the results of research carried out and/or output created during the approved period of study. The thesis must contain a commentary which addresses the originality and artistic relevant of the work.

Within the thesis and oral examination the candidate must show evidence of the originality of the work, demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of the theme of the thesis to a wider field of knowledge, make a significant contribution to knowledge/the genre, and must express him/herself clearly and concisely.

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Professional Doctorate

4.40.
A thesis submitted by a candidate for the doctorate must embody the results of research carried out during the approved period of study. In the thesis and the oral examination the candidate is required to conduct and present original investigations that make a significant contribution to the nature of practice within the profession or to the way theory is applied, to understand the relationship of the theme of the investigations to a wider field of knowledge and to express him/herself clearly and concisely.

Word length
4.41.

These word lengths exclude any references and bibliography.

The thesis shall incorporate a summary of the work not exceeding 300 words in length which is part of the thesis. A thesis submitted for examination must not normally exceed the maximum word length for the degree specified in the above table unless previously submitted for a higher award. In cases where the thesis exceeds the maximum word length the Executive Dean or his/her deputy must approve the extended word length before submission.

¹Maximum word lengths for a thesis including creative output may vary depending on the format of the thesis submission. Nominal word lengths for each format are to be approved by the Graduate School and published to students.

4.42.
Apart from quotations, the thesis and summary must be in English, unless the Executive Dean or his/her deputy has given permission in advance for it to be in another language.

Structure of the Thesis

4.43.
A candidate who is about to submit a thesis must give at least two months’ prior notice in writing to the Executive Dean or his/her deputy. The title of the thesis must be approved by the Head of Department.
4.44.
Because the basis for conferment of the degree is an account of the candidate’s own research and scholarship, the form of a thesis may vary but, except with the express permission of the Executive Dean or his/her deputy, a thesis must consist of an investigation by one author of a unified theme of research.
4.45.
Normally two copies of a thesis shall be submitted to the Registry. Students should retain a third copy to be made available if required. The thesis must be presented with double spacing on A4 paper.

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4.46.
Only material which is freely available for publication may be incorporated into a thesis, unless the Executive Dean or his/her deputy permits otherwise.
4.47.
A student must state, generally in a preface to the thesis and specifically in references, the sources from which the material is derived, and the extent to which the candidate has used the work of others, including, when permitted by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy under the provisions of Regulation 4.44 above, collaborators.
4.48.
A thesis may not incorporate, whether in the same or different form, work which has been submitted to this or to any other university for a degree unless the subject of the research is an extension or continuation of research begun for such a degree. In such a case the extent of the material and the degree if any obtained should be indicated (the candidate may be required to produce the work previously submitted). An exception will apply where the thesis is resubmitted after unsuccessful submission for a higher award (see 4.55-4.56).

4.49.
Before eligibility for conferment of the degree may be determined by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy the candidate shall deposit with the University two copies of the thesis bound in book form with stiff covers showing the year of presentation and the name of the candidate on the spine. The candidate is personally responsible for all expenditure connected with the preparation of a thesis or dissertation.
4.50.
One copy of the thesis of a successful candidate will be retained in the University Library, and will become the property of the University. (See Regulations 11.46-11.50). The second copy will be retained in the Department concerned.

Appointment of Examiners

4.51.
A candidate for a research degree shall be examined by at least two persons appointed for the purpose by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy. The examiners shall include a member of the academic or research staff of the University of Essex, as the internal examiner, and an external examiner. In cases where a re-examination is necessary and the internal examiner has left the University after the original examination he or she shall normally continue to act as the internal examiner for the re-examination. No person who has been a supervisor of the candidate's work shall be appointed as an examiner nor shall such a person be present at an oral examination of that candidate except in special circumstances to be approved in each individual case by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy with the agreement of the external examiner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person who has temporarily supervised the candidate's work for not more than twelve months in the absence of the permanent supervisor may, in exceptional circumstances, be appointed an examiner, provided that he or she has not acted as a temporary supervisor during any part of the twelve months before the candidate is examined. No person who has a professional or personal relationship with the candidate that might give rise to a conflict of interest shall be appointed as an examiner. Except with the prior permission of the Executive Dean or his/her deputy both examiners (or, where more than two are appointed, all examiners) shall be present when an oral examination is held.

For the examination of a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Medicine the external examiner shall normally be medically qualified and/or experienced in the relevant area of research.

As determined in individual cases, the Executive Dean or his/her deputy may appoint an Independent Chair, who is a senior member of the academic or research staff of the University of Essex, to oversee the conduct of the oral examination.

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Oral examination

4.52.
The candidate must attend an oral examination, except that the Executive Dean or his/her deputy may, on sufficient grounds submitted by the examiners, excuse a candidate from the oral examination.

Examination Results

For all research degrees

4.53.
Examiners may recommend one of the following:

1. pass – no corrections required;

2. pass with minor typographical/presentational corrections – the student makes the corrections prior to binding the thesis;

3. pass with minor editorial revisions to be made within two months – the examiners must provide a list of the revisions that they wish to see made and the internal examiner must confirm in writing that the corrections have been made satisfactorily. Revisions must be made and the thesis submitted within two months;

4. pass with editorial revisions to be made within four months - the examiners must provide a list of revisions that they wish to see made and the internal examiner must confirm in writing that these have been made satisfactorily. Revisions must be made and the thesis submitted within four months;

5. referral –for re-examination in up to 12 months - the student may resubmit, on one occasion only, a revised thesis for re-examination within 12 months. The examiners must provide a statement describing the shortcomings of the thesis and the changes required. These may include, amongst other things, editorial corrections and revisions, rewriting a part, parts or the whole of the thesis, the carrying out of further research and/or experimental work. They must also specify the referral period required, which should not normally be less than four months or exceed 12 months;

6. fail – the examiners must provide a clear statement describing the shortcomings of the thesis.

4.54.
If the result is ‘fail’, the Executive Dean or his/her deputy may on the recommendation of the examiners either permit the candidate to re-submit the thesis and be re-examined for a lower award within three terms or determine that the candidate be immediately eligible for the conferment of a lower award (see 4.55-4.56 below).

If a revised thesis is required, as a result of the examiners' decision to refer the thesis or allow a failed thesis to be resubmitted for a lower award, there shall be a further oral examination, except when the Executive Dean or his/her deputy, on sufficient grounds submitted by agreement of both examiners, excuses a candidate from a further oral examination. Students who are referred will be required to register and pay the relevant fee and the re-examination fee even if working away from the University.

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Doctor of Philosophy

4.55.
In addition, the examiners may recommend one of the following:

1. award of an MPhil – the candidate has not met the requirements for a PhD but has met the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy. No corrections are required but the candidate must amend the title page of the thesis;

2. award of an MPhil with minor typographical/presentational corrections - the student makes the corrections prior to binding the thesis and the candidate must amend the title page of the thesis;

3. award of an MPhil with minor editorial revisions  to be made within two months – the candidate has not met the requirements for a PhD but has met the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy The examiners must provide a list of the revisions that they wish to see made and the internal examiner must confirm in writing these have been made satisfactorily. Revisions must be made and the thesis submitted within two months;

4. award of an MPhil with editorial revisions to be made within four months - the examiners must provide a list of the revisions that they wish to see made and the internal examiner must confirm in writing these have been made satisfactorily. Revisions must be made and the thesis submitted within four months;

5. referral for an MPhil – the candidate has not met the requirements for a PhD but may resubmit a revised thesis for re-examination for the degree of Master of Philosophy.

6. The examiners must provide a statement describing the shortcomings of the thesis and the changes required. These may include, amongst other things, editorial corrections and revisions, rewriting a part, parts or the whole of the thesis, the carrying out of further research and/or experimental work. They must also specify the referral period required, which should not normally be less than four months or exceed 12 months.

Master of Philosophy

4.56.
In addition, the examiners may recommend one of the following:

1. award of a Masters by Dissertation – the candidate has not met the requirements for an MPhil but has met the requirements for the degree of Masters by Dissertation. No corrections are required but the candidate must amend the title page of the thesis;

2. award of Masters by Dissertation with minor editorial revisions to be made within two months - the candidate has not met the requirements for an MPhil but has met the requirements for the degree of Masters by Dissertation subject to the approval of minor editorial revisions. The examiners must provide a list of the revisions that they wish to see made and the internal examiner must confirm in writing these have been made satisfactorily. Revisions must be made and thesis submitted within two months;

3. award of Masters by Dissertation with editorial revisions to be made within four months - the examiners must provide a list of the revisions that they wish to see made and the internal examiner must confirm in writing that these have been satisfactorily. Revisions must be made and the thesis submitted within four months;

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4. referral for a Masters by Dissertation – the candidate has not met the requirements for an MPhil but may resubmit a revised thesis for re-examination for the degree of Masters by Dissertation. The examiners must provide a statement describing the shortcomings of the thesis and the changes required. These may include, amongst other things, editorial corrections and revisions, rewriting a part, parts or the whole of the thesis, the carrying out of further research and/or experimental work. They must also specify the referral period required, which should not normally be less than four months or exceed 12 months.

Publication of Result

4.57.
A candidate shall normally be informed of the result of the examination within not more than one month from the date of the oral examination.
Candidates are entitled to receive copies of the examiners’ reports on their thesis on request, when examining is complete.

Failure to agree

4.58.
In the event of disagreement on the result to be recommended, the examiners may, after due consideration between themselves, certify that their failure to agree on a result is irreconcilable. Two new examiners shall then be appointed. The new examiners shall examine the thesis and shall also conduct an oral examination. The new examiners may recommend to the Executive Dean or his/her deputy any result which was open to the original examiners and their decision on the recommendation shall be final, subject only to any right of appeal which may be given under the provisions of other Regulations.

Appeals Procedure

4.59.
A student for a research degree whose examination result is 'fail', 'referred', or is the award of or option to re-submit for a lower degree, may submit an appeal against that decision using the Appeals Procedure against an Examination Decision (Thesis) (see Appeals Procedure against an Examination Decision (Thesis)).

Provisions Regarding Candidature by Academic and Research Staff of the University and Partner Colleges

4.60.
Members of the Academic² and Research³ staff of the University of Essex and its Partner Colleges may become candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy or Masters by Dissertation on the following conditions:

1. the work must be submitted for examination while the candidate is a member of the Academic or Research staff of the University of Essex or a Partner College or within twelve months of the candidate’s ceasing to be a member.

2. candidates may submit a thesis or published research work, or both. With the permission of the Executive Dean or his/her deputy they may submit the results of research which cannot be presented in these forms; application for such permission should be made through the Head of Department. In order to make a submission that includes published work, candidates must have been members of the Academic or Research staff for not less than two calendar years before they present themselves for examination (see also 4.61 below)

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3. candidates who commence their studies as a registered research student and take up employment in the University or Partner Colleges on either an Academic or a Research contract more than six months prior to submission will be examined as a member of staff of the University or Partner College;

4. no part of the work submitted for examination for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy or Masters by Dissertation shall have been submitted to this or any other university for a degree unless such work supports the work on which the submission for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy or Masters by Dissertation is based; in this case the extent of this material and the degree, if any, obtained, must be indicated;

5. the work submitted should constitute a coherent body of research by one author. Where the work submitted includes the work of others, a statement should be provided detailing the nature and proportion of the candidate’s contribution.

4.61.
Regulation 4.41-4.50, relating to the form of presentation of a thesis, shall apply to staff candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy or Masters by Dissertation.

4.62.
Candidates who submit a thesis and/or published shall normally submit three copies to the Graduate School. Candidates who submit published work must also provide three copies of a descriptive list and summary of the results of the research.

4.63.
Regulations 4.48 and, except with the permission of the Senate, 4.50 shall apply to staff candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy or Masters by Dissertation and references therein to a thesis shall be applied also to published and other work.

4.64.
Staff candidates shall not be required to register and formal supervision is not required.

4.65.
The examination of staff candidates shall be conducted exclusively by two external examiners appointed by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy; the report and recommendation of the examiners shall be received by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy.

The Executive Dean or his/her deputy shall appoint an Independent Chair to oversee the oral examination.

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4.66.
Staff candidates must present themselves for oral examination as required by the examiners; the Executive Dean or his/her deputy may, for reasons recommended by the examiners, excuse a candidate from the oral examination.

4.67.
In the work submitted and the oral examination the candidate is required to conduct and present original investigations, that make a significant contribution to knowledge, to test ideas, whether the candidate's own or those of others, to understand the relationship of the theme of his or her investigations to a wider field of knowledge, and to express him/herself clearly and concisely.

4.68.
The examiners for a submission by published work shall declare the result of an examination for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy or Masters by Dissertation as 'pass', ‘minor corrections to the summary’, 'resubmission of published work on one further occasion only', ‘MPhil’, 'Masters by Dissertation' or 'fail'.

4.69.
The examiners for a submission by thesis may recommend any result that is available for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Philosophy or Masters by Dissertation (see 4.53-4.55).

Provisions Regarding Candidature by Other Staff of the University and Partner Colleges

4.70.
Members of staff of the University and its Partner Colleges (other than members of the full-time Academic² and Research³ staff) may apply to become candidates for a research degree by thesis and their candidature shall be governed by Regulations 4.1-4.59.

4.71.
The Executive Dean or his/her deputy may, however, exceptionally permit a member of staff in individual cases to become a candidate under Regulation 4.60 for the purpose of making a submission that includes published work.

4.72.
In the case of a member of Support/Senior Support staff employed in the department within which they are studying, the department will need to confirm that there is no conflict of interest in the appointment of an Internal Examiner for the candidate. Where such a conflict exists, the examination of such staff candidates shall be conducted exclusively by two external examiners appointed by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy of the Graduate School who shall also appoint an Independent Chair to oversee the oral examination. The report and recommendation of the examiners shall be received by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy.

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4.73.
The Executive Dean or his/her deputy may, however, exceptionally permit a member of staff in individual cases to become a candidate under Regulation 4.60.

Provisions Regarding Candidature by Overseas Students Jointly Supervised by Their Home Institution

4.74.
Overseas students may be accepted by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy of the Graduate School as candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy on the basis of joint supervision with the student’s home institution in the overseas country. The following shall apply to such candidates:

1. irrespective of the student’s academic qualifications on acceptance as a candidate for the degree of PhD, the minimum period of study and research to be prescribed under this Regulation shall be three full-time years, except that this period may subsequently be reduced under the provisions of Regulation 4.9;

2. joint supervision arrangements shall be entered into formally between the University of Essex and the overseas institution before the candidate registers as a research student of the University of Essex;

3. a member or members of the academic or research staff of the University of Essex and at least one member of staff of the overseas institution shall be appointed as joint supervisors for students under this Regulation;

4. normally, the prospective Essex supervisor or another member of the academic staff shall visit the overseas institution, interview the prospective student and discuss the field and programme of research and the proposed supervision and financial arrangements before the candidate is accepted by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy. The Executive Dean or his/her deputy shall also approve the arrangements for supervision in each case, which must include at least one visit while the student is studying there;

5. a student for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy accepted under this Regulation shall normally spend at least half their time at the University of Essex, with the minimum period beginning and ending with at least one term's study at Essex;

6. students accepted under this Regulation shall pay the appropriate full fee for periods of study at the University of Essex; for periods of study at the overseas institution they shall pay the University of Essex a fee to be determined specially from time to time. The costs of visits by Essex staff to the overseas institution shall normally, at the discretion of the University of Essex, be met by the overseas institution.

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Provisions Regarding Candidature for a Dual Award

4.75
Students may be accepted by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy of the Graduate School as candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy on a programme leading to a dual award of the University of Essex and one or more other awarding institution(s). The following shall apply to such candidates:

1. irrespective of the student's academic qualifications on acceptance as a candidate for the degree of PhD, the minimum period of study and research to be prescribed under this Regulation shall be three full-time years, except that this period may subsequently be reduced under the provisions of Regulation 4.9;

2. dual award arrangements shall be entered into formally between the University of Essex and the partner institution(s) before the candidate registers as a research student of the University of Essex;

3. a member or members of the Academic or Research staff of the University of Essex and at least one member of staff of the partner institution shall be appointed as joint supervisors for students under this Regulation;

4. a student for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy accepted under this Regulation shall normally spend at least half their time at the University of Essex;

5. fees payable under this arrangement shall be as set out in the formal agreement with the partner institution(s).

Regulations 4.5-4.23, 4.25, 4.29-4.59 shall apply to applicants accepted under Regulation 4.75 as students for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Provisions Regarding Candidature by Persons From Government and Industrial Research Establishments

4.76.
Persons who are principally engaged in research and who are employed in government and industrial research establishments or in other establishments or parts of establishments whose principal function is research and whose research facilities are comparable to those of government and industrial research establishments may, on the recommendation of a Head of Department, be accepted by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy of the Graduate School as candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and be permitted to follow the whole or part of an approved programme of study and research at a place of research outside the University in accordance with the following conditions:

1. the Executive Dean or his/her deputy must satisfy him/herself in each individual case that there will be real contact between the student and the University;

2. the applicant must either have had conferred on him or her a Masters degree or have had conferred a qualification accepted by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy as the equivalent of a Masters degree, or show sufficient evidence of previous research work to enable the Executive Dean or his/her deputy to deem him or her to have achieved Mastership standard;

3. the place of study and research outside the University must be approved in each case by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy.

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4.77.
When a student is accepted for admission, the Executive Dean or his/her deputy shall:

1. stipulate the amount of time, if any, which the student must spend within the University following the approved programme of study and research;

2. stipulate the earliest date, normally not less than three years from the date when the student begins the research degree at which the student may be examined for the degree. The Executive Dean or his/her deputy may subsequently change the stipulated date, if, for example, there is a change in the amount of time which the student is able to devote to his or her programme of study and research;

3. approve a programme of study and research, drawn up by the student in consultation with a member of the academic staff of the University, indicating the field in which the student proposes to present a thesis for examination for the degree;

4. approve the appointment of a member or members of the academic staff of the University as the student’s supervisor or supervisors and a person at the place of research as the student’s associate supervisor and approve arrangements for supervision, visits and reports.

Before an applicant may be accepted as a student for the degree of PhD under Regulation 4.73 the Executive Dean or his/her deputy shall receive an undertaking from the research establishment where the student is employed that he or she will be allowed sufficient time to complete the work within the terms of Regulation 4.74(b) for the degree of PhD.

Regulations 4.1-4.3, 4.11-4.12, 4.17-4.26, 4.29-4.59 shall apply to applicants accepted under Regulation 4.73 as students for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Principal Regulations for the Degrees of Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Science and Doctor of Laws

4.78.
The degrees of Doctor of Letters (DLitt), Doctor of Science (DSc) and Doctor of Laws (LLD) may be conferred by the Senate of the University on candidates who have published work of distinction and merit constituting a substantial, important and original contribution to knowledge or scholarship.

4.79.
The following may become candidates for the degree of Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Science or Doctor of Laws:

1. graduates of the University of Essex of not less than ten years' standing following conferment of an appropriate Bachelor's degree or Master's degree or not less than seven years' standing following conferment of the degree of MPhil or PhD;

2. members of the academic staff, or honorary or visiting members of staff, of the University of Essex who have served for not less than three years and who are graduates of an approved institution of not less than ten years' standing following conferment of an appropriate Bachelor's degree or Master's degree, or not less than seven years' standing following conferment of the degree of MPhil or PhD.

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4.80.
A person who wishes to be accepted as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Science or Doctor of Laws must apply in writing to the Graduate School and must submit a full curriculum vitae, together with a list of the published work on which he or she proposes to base the application. The Vice-Chancellor, acting on behalf of the Senate and after consulting the appropriate Pro-Vice-Chancellor and the Executive Dean or his/her deputy of the Graduate School, shall decide whether a person shall or shall not be accepted as a candidate.

4.81.
Applications from persons whose candidature has been accepted for the degree of Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Science or Doctor of Laws must be submitted in writing to the Graduate School and must be accompanied by:

1. three copies of the published work on which the application is based and of a list of this work;

2. a 300 word summary, including a title for the collection of work;

3. the appropriate fee.

Candidates submitting work of which they are not the sole authors shall submit also a statement explaining the part which they have played in the work in such a way that it can be related to each publication included in the submission; the extent of the contribution of others will be taken into account by the examiners in assessing how far the candidate's work meets the criterion for award of the degree. Work which has not been published and appeared in print shall not be taken into account by the examiners.

4.82.
A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Science or Doctor of Laws shall be examined by three examiners appointed for the purpose by the Executive Dean or his/her deputy of the Graduate School; not more than one examiner may be a member of the academic staff of the University of Essex, except in the case of candidates who are themselves members of the academic staff of the University of Essex who shall be examined by three external examiners.

Candidates may be required by the examiners to present themselves for oral examination. The report and recommendation of the examiners shall be received by the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of the Senate.

4.83.
The examiners shall recommend that the result of the examination shall be 'pass' or 'fail'.

4.84.
One copy of the publications submitted by a successful candidate for the degree of Doctor of Letters, Doctor of Science or Doctor of Laws may be retained by the University Library and will in that event become the property of the University.

²As defined by Ordinance 33

³Those Research Staff covered by the Annual Review Procedures for Academic and Research staff

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Appendix 1

Minimum and Maximum Periods

From 2008-09

Before 2008-09

The minimum and maximum periods shown for part-time students also apply to students studying by distance learning.

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Other useful documents

Calendar and Regulations home page

Regulations, Policy and Procedure

University Calendar