Doctorate
With the exception of the honorary doctorate (as defined below) the doctorate is a research degree that is at a significantly higher level and of significantly higher status than a master's degree.
It is normally the culmination of many years of structured and continual study through educational providers, beginning at the bachelor level and reaching a stage beyond the master's degree, when the student becomes an increasingly independent scholar and makes a substantial and original contribution to knowledge.
For the PhD/DPhil and the named doctorate, this development takes place under the guidance of recognised experts in the field of study and under circumstances that allow the student access to appropriate research resources.
The doctorate is awarded on the basis of an original and substantial contribution to knowledge as judged by independent experts applying contemporary international standards.
The hallmark is the candidate's capacity for substantial independent research or creative activity as attested (for the PhD/DPhil and the named doctorate) by his/her educational institution and/or as demonstrated by submitted work.
With the exception of the honorary doctorate, the major component of all doctorates is original research. The body of work that leads to the award of a doctorate will be one of the following.
- A thesis (the PhD/DPhil).
- Creative work in the visual or performing arts (the PhD/DPhil).
- A thesis or equivalent creative work in combination with course work (the named doctorate).
- A thesis in combination with a creative work in the visual or performing arts (the named doctorate).
- Published work (the higher doctorate).
- Exceptional contribution to society (the honorary doctorate).
A doctorate requires at least 240 credits worth of advanced research at level 10.
The following types of doctoral degree are recognised.
Doctorate of philosophy (PhD/DPhil)
The thesis constitutes the entire body of work on which the award of the qualification will be judged. Course work may also be prescribed for the student but this will only contribute to the preparation for research and acceptance into the doctoral programme. Students in the visual or performing arts may present a creative work in the place of the thesis.
Doctorate in a specified field or discipline - the named doctorate (for example, the EdD or the DMus)
For a doctorate in a specified field, course work may contribute to the assessed programme of study, but research and its associated thesis must occupy at least two full-time academic years and contribute not less than two-thirds of the overall credit for the degree.
The course work, which is to be at a standard in advance of that expected for a master's paper, must be part of a coherent programme with the research work and should normally cover no more than one full-time academic year.
A candidate for a named doctorate must gain a passing grade in both the course work and the thesis or its creative work equivalent.
Higher doctorate (for example, the DSc or the DLitt)
Higher doctorates are awarded for independent work of special excellence, as judged by leading international experts, which is completed before a person makes an application to enrol for the degree. Candidates will normally be expected to have completed at least 10 years' of independent work and to have published extensively.
Publication will normally be in scholarly books and/or in reputable international journals.
Candidates in the visual or performing arts will have made equally outstanding contributions in their creative work.
Honorary doctorate
Honorary doctorates are awarded for recognition of exceptional contributions made by the recipient to the institution awarding the degree, to a profession, or to society at large whether at the local, national or international level. An institution awarding an honorary doctorate must be accredited to award 'earned' doctorates.