Program Overview

Introduction to the Degree of Professional Doctorate

The Degree of Professional Doctorate is a research-based degree that requires students to demonstrate the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship. This degree is designed for individuals who wish to pursue a career in research and development, and it is typically undertaken by those who have already completed a master's degree.

Academic Regulations for the Degree of Professional Doctorate

The academic regulations for the Degree of Professional Doctorate are outlined below:

1. Introduction

• The Degree of Professional Doctorate is awarded to students who have demonstrated the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship.
• Holders of the qualification will be able to make informed judgements on complex issues in specialist fields and continue to undertake pure and/or applied research and development at an advanced level.

2. Entry Conditions

• A candidate for the degree of Professional Doctorate must hold an initial degree of a UK university or another university approved by Senate and normally hold, or be studying for, a Master's degree of a UK university or another university approved by Senate.
• All candidates whose native language is not English must provide evidence of competence in English language sufficient for research study.

3. Structure of Programme

• A candidate may study for the degree of Professional Doctorate by one of the following methods:
  • As a full-time student, by pursuing research at the University.
  • As a full-time student, by pursuing research in an external place of employment.
  • As a part-time student, by pursuing research either at the University or externally.
  • As a full-time student, by pursuing research within an approved programme of research offered collaboratively by the University and another university/approved partner.

4. Candidature Period

• The minimum periods of supervised study from the date of enrolment are set out in the University's Guide to Research Degree Candidature.
• Candidates for the degree of Professional Doctorate will be expected to study the whole programme at Swansea University and will not normally be permitted to transfer credits for the training element from other institutions or from other programmes within Swansea University.

5. Submission Date

• All candidates are required to submit a thesis by the maximum submission date as set out in paragraph 1 of the University's Guide to Research Degree Candidature.

6. Suspensions and Extensions of Candidature

• Under exceptional circumstances and in accordance with the University's Guide to Suspensions and Extensions for Research Students, a candidate may be required to undertake a suspension of candidature due to academic, disciplinary, financial or health reasons.

7. Supervision

• Candidates shall be supervised, on a regular and continuing basis, in accordance with the procedures for postgraduate supervision as set out in the University's Guide to Postgraduate Research Supervision.
• Every candidate will have a supervisory team appointed by the candidate's Executive Dean or nominee.

8. Monitoring of Progress

• The Faculty/School is required to confirm the candidature of each candidate within three months of the initial enrolment of the candidate.
• A candidate's progress in minimum candidature shall be monitored on a regular basis by the Progression and Awards Board.

9. Employment of Postgraduate Research Degree Candidates

• Candidates who seek employment in addition to their studies, either within the University or external to it, shall abide by the guidelines on employment as published in the University's Guide to the Employment of Research Students.

10. Assessment of Degree

• Candidates for the degree of Professional Doctorate shall be examined in four parts:
  • The first part shall comprise examinations of an advanced character in fields of study prescribed by the appropriate programme director.
  • The second part shall take the form of a thesis embodying the methods and results of the research project.
  • The third part shall take the form of a verbal presentation of work by the candidate to an audience including a member, or members, of the thesis Examining Board and representatives of the associated professional/industrial organisation.
  • The fourth part shall take the form of an oral examination (viva voce).

11. Professional/Industrial Practice and Training

• Candidates are required to sit examinations at the time specified by the Faculty/School and/or to submit assignments by the specified deadlines.
• The pass mark for all training modules shall be 50% and there shall be no condoned failures.

12. Submission of Thesis

• Candidates shall notify of their intention to submit a thesis for examination, at least three months prior to the expected date of submission.
• On completion of the minimum candidature period, a candidate shall submit an electronic copy of a thesis for examination.

13. Availability of Thesis

• A thesis submitted for a higher degree of the University shall normally be openly available and subject to no security classification or restriction of access.

14. Constitution of the Examining Board

• All Examining Boards for candidates shall consist of the following individuals:
  • An independent Chair, who will be the Executive Dean or a member of staff with appropriate experience nominated by the Executive Dean.
  • An external examiner or examiners appointed in accordance with the University's Guide to the Examination of Research Students.
  • An internal examiner appointed in accordance with the University's Guide to the Examination of Research Students.

15. Oral Examination (viva voce)

• The Examining Board shall be required to conduct an oral examination of candidates for research degrees in all cases.
• All oral examinations would normally take place at Swansea University within six months of the date of submission of the thesis.

16. Exit Qualifications

• A candidate who is enrolled on a Professional Doctorate but is subsequently unable or is not permitted to progress to completion may, depending on the level of study achieved, qualify for one of the following awards of the University:
  • Postgraduate Certificate
  • Postgraduate Diploma

17. Aegrotat and Posthumous Awards

• For Aegrotat guidance regulations refer to the Aegrotat Degree Regulations.
• For Posthumous guidance regulations refer to the Posthumous Degree Regulations.

18. Academic Appeals

• Candidates who are not recommended by the Examining Board for the award of the degree in respect of which they submitted their thesis may appeal against the decision reached and request an academic appeal.

19. Academic Misconduct

• Allegations of academic misconduct shall be considered in accordance with the Academic Misconduct procedures and regulations.

20. Fitness to Practise

• Allegations regarding fitness to practise shall be considered in accordance with the Swansea University Fitness to Practise regulations.

21. Complaints

• Students who feel dissatisfied with the teaching and learning, facilities or services provided by the University, or with the way the University, its students or its staff have acted or omitted to act, should follow the procedures set out in the Swansea University Complaints Procedure.

22. International Students and Visa Requirements

• International students who need a visa to study at the University should be aware that their continued study at the University is dependent upon them meeting the conditions of their visa and the time-limits set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).