Portsmouth Business School
Entry requirements and time scales
Eligibility
You will be eligible for entry if:
- you hold a good first degree from an internationally recognised university
- you can demonstrate that the subjects studied for your first degree provide a sufficient basis for postgraduate research in the area of the topic chosen (this probably means that your first degree was in an accounting, business or social science subject, but each application is judged on its own merits)
- or, in exceptional circumstances, you have a recognised professional qualification.
Time scale
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded following the successful completion of an approved programme of supervised research. For PhD direct (usually for candidates already holding an approved masters degree), the full-time registration period is 36 months, while part-time the registration period is 72 months. A full time PhD candidate who has completed 3 years registration may apply for an extension of one year and a part-time PhD candidate who has completed 6 years may appy for a 2 year extension.
The Master of Philosophy degree (MPhil) is awarded following the successful completion of an approved programme of supervised research which, full-time is for a registration period of 24 months or part time, 48 months. A full time MPhil candidate who has completed 2 years registration may apply for an extension of one year and a part time MPhil candidate who has completed 4 years may apply for a 2 year extension.
We realise that committing yourself to such a lengthy period of study involves risks as your personal and career (in the case of part-time students) situation may change. Consequently all our research degree programmes make allowances for study breaks/suspensions so that you can tailor your individual study programme to your new circumstances.
Evidence required
PhD
For the award of PhD evidence is required of:
- knowledge and understanding of the background literature and of research methods appropriate to the discipline
- independent critical judgement
- a significant contribution to the appropriate field of knowledge
- originality
- the submission of a written thesis, being a written document and/or other approved media, embodying the results of the research programme and the conclusions arising therefrom
- successful defence of the thesis in an oral examination
MPhil
For the degree of MPhil evidence is required of:
- knowledge and understanding of the background literature and of research methods appropriate to the discipline
- independent critical judgement
- a contribution to the appropriate field of study