1. General

I. The University may award research degrees by published work to individuals who have demonstrated a record of scholarly publication.

II. The principal degrees that may be awarded under this Regulation are those of Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy), D.Litt. (Doctor of Letters), LL.D. (Doctor of Laws), D.Prof.St. (Doctor of Professional Studies), Ed.D. (Doctor of Education), D.Mus. (Doctor of Music) and D.Sc. (Doctor of Science). There is also provision for any other degree so designated by the Senate to be awarded under this Regulation.

2. Standards

III. Candidates for the degree of Ph.D. by publication shall be required to meet the same standards of award as candidates for the Ph.D. by dissertation. The D.Mus., Ed.D., D.A., and D.Prof.St. are examined at the same level as the Ph.D.

IV. Candidates for a higher doctorate (D.Litt., LL.D., D.Sc. etc.) shall be required to meet a standard substantially higher than that expected for a Ph.D. The work submitted should represent a significant, substantial and long-term contribution to the development of knowledge within a specific discipline or in interdisciplinary studies, demonstrating that the candidate is a recognised authority in the relevant field of study.

3. Eligibility for award

V. A candidate wishing to submit for a degree by published work must fulfil at least one of the following criteria:

(a) be a graduate of the University of at least 7 years’ standing
(b) hold a Master’s degree of the University of at least 6 years’ standing
(c) hold a Doctorate degree of the University of at least 5 years’ standing
(d) be a graduate of another university or equivalent institution approved for this purpose of at least eight years’ standing and have been a member of the academic staff of such university for at least three years
(e) be any other person whose work or qualifications are deemed by the Senate to be acceptable.
(f) in exceptional circumstances, a candidate pursuing a Ph.D. by supervision may be allowed to transfer to a Ph.D. by Published Work.

VI. The University may consider submissions in fields other than those where it currently offers supervision for a research degree.

4. Procedure

VII. Initially, the individual should submit the following to the Senate:

(a) a statement of the award intended
(b) a précis of the work to be submitted, not to exceed 500 words
(c) a summary list of publications intended for presentation
(d) a proposed title

VIII. The Research Degrees Committee will consider whether a prima facie case for an examination exists. The Research Degrees Committee may seek additional advice from within the University or externally.

IX. Where the Research Degrees Committee determines that a prima facie case exists, the candidate will be invited to make submission.

X. Submission will be initially for pre-cognition. The individual must submit to the Research Degrees Committee the following:

(a) a title page setting out the name of the individual and the title of the award sought
(b) details of the individual’s existing qualifications
(c) a critical commentary on the submission comprising a review of the contribution the work makes to the academic field in question (not to exceed 10,000 words)
(d) a list of publications in the order submitted
(e) copies of the published material, duly ordered

XI. The submission must be accompanied by the precognition fee which will be as advised by the University.

5. Examination

XII. The examiners will examine the work submitted, write independent reports, and where appropriate conduct an oral examination. A recommendation will be made to the Research Degrees Committee who, in turn, will make recommendation to the Senate. The identity of examiners will only be disclosed to the student where the examiner in question has given specific permission to be so identified.

XIII. Re-submission will not be permitted. Any minor revisions may relate only to the critical commentary.

XIV. On positive recommendation, the individual shall be invited to make formal application for the award in question. The formal application must be accompanied by the award fee, which will be as advised by the University.

XV. On receipt of the award fee, recommendation to make award is made to the Senate.

6. Degrees ad eundem

XVI. The University may make provision for the award of degrees ad eundem (by incorporation) to persons who are graduates of the Western Orthodox University, another University or similar institution. It shall be usual for these persons to have an existing connexion with the University as graduates or Fellows.

XVII. Persons who are granted leave to incorporate their degrees in this manner shall have met the University’s standards for the award of the given degree. They may be required to submit to a further examination for this purpose, and to pay a fee.

XVIII. The procedure for admission to degrees ad eundem shall be as decided by the Senate in each case.

7. The degree of Master of Arts

XIX. A holder of any Bachelor’s degree of the University, being of good character and achievement, shall, after a period of three years has elapsed since their graduation, have the right to petition the University for the grant of the degree of Master of Arts jure dignitatis. This grant is made on receipt of an administration fee and requires no further academic work.