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PhD Degree Programme

A structured learning pathway through your doctorate.

This is a three-year online doctoral programme that provides research and advanced training in how to plan and conduct research in the social sciences. Each of the program's three years has a distinct focus. Year one of the programme is a probationary year in which the research project is developed. The emphasis in year two will be on conducting research. Year three is dedicated to completing the thesis and preparing for the Viva Voce oral examination.

PhD Degree Programme

The programme offers a structured learning pathway through the doctoral journey with clearly defined control points three times a year. Guidance and support are provided through advanced training courses, research-specific individual mentoring, and study clubs that foster self-directed development with feedback as needed.

There are three entry routes provided:

(1) A preparatory twelve months formal Master of Research programme (2) a four months informal programme to develop a research project proposal, or (3) to directly present a research project proposal for approval. Programme admission is subject to passing an oral presentation of the research project proposal to two independent expert academics.

Year 1: Research framing
Training focus
Service
Duration
Training focus Issue Identification, Problematising and Research Question Framing
Service Advanced course
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Preparation and Development - Initial Literature Review
Service Club Journey
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Question and Objective Pitch
Service Conference
Duration 2 days
Training focus Research Preparation and Development - Methodology Framing
Service Mentoring
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Preparation and Development - Methodology Framing
Service Club Journey
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Methodology Pitch
Service Conference
Duration 2 days
Training focus Developing your Doctoral Thesis Research Proposal
Service Advanced course
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Preparation and Development - Literature Review
Service Club Journey
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Proposal Pitch
Service Conference
Duration 2 days
Year 2: Research execution
Training focus Drawing on the Literature and Engaging in Critical Analytics
Service Advanced course
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Execution - Data Collection & Analysis
Service Club Journey
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Findings Pitch
Service Conference
Duration 2 days
Training focus Research Execution - Data Collection & Analysis
Service Mentoring
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Execution - Data Collection & Analysis
Service Club Journey
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Analysis and Evaluation Pitch
Service Conference
Duration 2 days
Training focus Research Execution - Data Collection & Analysis
Service Mentoring
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Execution - Data Collection & Analysis
Service Club Journey
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Conclusion Pitch
Service Conference
Duration 2 days
Year 3: Research write up
Training focus Writing up and Structuring your Thesis
Service Advanced course
Duration 2 months
Training focus Writing up and Structuring your Thesis
Service Club Journey
Duration 2 months
Training focus Thesis Structure Pitch
Service Conference
Duration 2 days
Training focus Getting Ready for Submission
Service Advanced course
Duration 2 months
Training focus Getting Ready for Submission
Service Club Journey
Duration 2 months
Training focus Research Presentation Pitch
Service Conference
Duration 2 days
Thesis Submission
Training focus Viva Preparation
Service Advanced course
Duration 2 months
Training focus Viva Preparation
Service Club Journey
Duration 2 months
Training focus Mock Viva Pitch
Service Conference
Duration 2 days
Year 4
Viva Voce
Training focus Post Viva Corrections as applicable
Service Varies
Duration Varies

Training Programme Structure & Rationale

Advanced Courses

Tight expert guidance alongside structured learning pathways.

Mentoring

Tight expert guidance supporting individual learning pathways.

Club Journey

Self-directed development with feedback as requested.

Advanced Training

These two days training events are firm control points at which the student’s progression is assessed. Admission to the next step in the programme is dependant on the outcome of this assessment. Where the student does not achieve satisfactory progress the student remains in the club und will be given the chance to present the work at the subsequent advanced training.

Coming soon
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