Portsmouth Business School
NewRoutePhD™
The NewRoutePhD™ (NRP) programme is a national initiative provided by a network of collaborating UK universities. This innovative programme has the full support of the UK government, the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE) and the British Council. It satisfies UK doctoral standards, including normal quality assurance mechanisms such as the provision of external examiners. In addition, the principles established by the Quality Assurance Agency of the UK, are also met by this programme.
This ground-breaking scheme is fully equivalent to the highly regarded traditional PhD. Currently the scheme has in excess of 34 leading UK universities offering this programme.
Why should I study by the NewRoutePhD programme?
The NRP in Business and Management is a 4 year programme of study. It provides an exciting alternative to the traditional UK PhD programme as it offers a 'fast track' pathway to enable students with good honours degrees to complete a PhD without having to complete a masters programme.
Essentially, students study a range of masters units during the first year and gradually move over to a full research orientation as the programme develops. This approach provides the highest quality of taught materials and practical experience alongside advanced research. The integrated approach offers students inter-disciplinary study opportunities. This means that students can not only broaden and deepen their subject knowledge, but it also helps them to develop multidisciplinary skills, essential when embarking on commercial, not-for-profit or public sector careers.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of the NRP is that by learning more about related subjects it is possible to refine and develop the research proposal prior to embarking on the thesis. Not surprisingly, the student experience as well as the standing and value of the awards of the NewRoutePhD™ constitutes a truly significant development in the provision of educational excellence.
How is a NewRoutePhD different from a traditional PhD?
The essential difference is that the NewRoutePhD takes four years whereas the traditional PhD takes three years fulltime study to complete. During the extra (first) year, NewRoute students complete a series of taught masters level units, in both their subject area and in research skills.
Can I do it full-time?
Yes. The NewRoutePhD is designed for those who wish to study fulltime.
Can I do it part-time?
We would advise against taking the part-time study path due to the length of time taken to complete.
Can I do it by distance learning?
Currently this study option is not available.
Who will supervise my work?
During the first year you will be appointed a Mentor. This person will help you settle into the University and assist you in managing your studies. Mentors are appointed because they have a wide experience of academic life. In particular they will provide assistance and advice with any personal issues that may arise and direct you to university-wide resources that may be helpful. Academically mentors help with your studies and advise about which units to study.
As students near the completion of their taught units in the first year, they are required to develop their research proposals. Mentors provide advice in this process. As students progress to the PhD programme, a supervisory team, including a Director of Studies, is appointed. This person will have specific subject knowledge and work closely with their students as their studies progress.
The University of Portsmouth Business School has a list of supervisors experienced in working with doctoral students across a range of topic areas. Once you have completed your taught units and finalised your research proposal, you will be matched with a supervisor whose expertise lies in your proposed area of research. The Director of Studies may be the same person who acted as Mentor, but in most cases a new person takes over the main supervisory role.
What will I study?
Students are required to take and pass a number of masters (M) level units and accumulate a total of 180 'M' level credits. Students are governed by the normal University of Portsmouth academic rules and regulations that govern each unit and related assessments.
In the first year, students are required to complete 150 'M' level credits. These can be drawn from the range of masters programmes across the Business School. Research training units constitute a core element of this period but students are encouraged to supplement these with units drawn from the International MBA, MSc International HRM, MA Marketing and other relevant masters programmes.
In the first semester of the second year students are required to take further units, totalling 30 credits. Normally this would be two 'M' level units, although it is acceptable to take just one 30 'M' level unit. These should reflect each student’s specialist interests and be directly related to their intended research topic. Once a total of 180 'M' level credits have been achieved, students become fully active in researching and preparing their thesis. It is at this point that academic progression and appraisal will now apply as per a normal PhD.