Credit requirement

The Academic Board of the University adopted a new framework for the definition of doctoral degrees, this was produced in response to the increasing diversity in patterns of doctoral provision across UK universities and indeed internationally.

As part of the project registration process (CP1), the Director of Studies will identify the particular development needs of an individual student. This must be reviewed annually as part of progress monitoring as a student’s development needs may develop during their studies.

Students can register on any Masters (M) level module at UWE Bristol through the Doctoral Academy Hub.

It is expected that the credits taken will address the broad areas of researcher development, skills development and could include subject specific knowledge.

The module specifications page will provide you with a list of UWE Bristol modules that you can filter by level of study (ie M level).

Additionally, we have compiled a list of modules (PDF) which have been previously taken by PGR students, which may help in identifying suitable learning opportunities.

Research in Contemporary Context

The Research in Contemporary Context (RCC) module (PDF) has been specifically designed for postgraduate research students. This module is comprised of seminars and research skills workshops, some of which can be attended remotely using interactive video-conferencing technology.

Advanced Specialist Text Study

The Advanced Specialist Text Study module (PDF) has been designed for postgraduate researchers specifically in the College of Arts, Technology and Environment.

The PGR degree student will be able to demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the content of an advanced specialist text that has been identified as relevant to the PGR thesis topic by the Director of Studies of the PGR degree student. The chosen text must be approved in advance by the College Research Degrees Committee.

As part of this framework, all research degree programmes are now required to include the acquisition by the student of a minimum number of credits at Masters (M) level.

For PhD and DPhil students, there is also an opportunity to take additional modules (without additional tuition fees) up to a maximum number of credits, as below:

Students studying for a Professional Doctorate will achieve their credit requirement as part of the taught element of their programme.

Please note: An existing Masters qualification is not an automatic substitute for credits on research degrees.

The student should note their intention to claim AL on the CP1 form at the project registration stage. Once the CP1 has been approved by the College Research Degrees Committee (CRDC), the student will need to make a separate application for AL recognition.

A full statement is required that will either explain how the student will meet their development needs, or in the case of a non-UWE Bristol module, will detail its comparison with a specified UWE Bristol module.

Full supporting evidence, such as degree certificates, academic transcripts, syllabus details and module specifications, should be attached.

For more information, please contact the Doctoral Academy.