REGULATION 3B: - Keele University
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Regulation 3B: Research Degrees by Published Work - Higher Doctorates DLITT, LLD or DSC

Contents

1. Standard of Award

2. Eligibility

3. Application Procedure

4. Submission

5. Examination

6. Appeals

7. Academic Misconduct

The University may award research degrees by published work to individuals who have demonstrated a record of academic publication and achieved a reputation for academic excellence in their field.

The degrees to which a candidate may proceed under this Regulation are those of Doctor of Letters (DLitt), Doctor of Laws (LLD) and Doctor of Science (DSc).

1. Standards of Award

1.1 Candidates for a higher doctorate (DLitt, LLD, DSc) shall be required to meet a standard substantially higher than that expected for a PhD. The work submitted should represent a significant, substantial, original and long-term contribution over a sustained period to the development of knowledge within a discipline, demonstrating international recognised excellence and that the candidate is a recognised authority in the relevant field of study.

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2. Eligibility

2.1 In order to be eligible to submit for a degree by published work, a candidate must fulfil at least one of the following criteria:

       a) be a graduate of this University of at least nine years standing

       b) hold a Masters Degree of this University of at least eight years standing

       c) hold a Doctoral Degree of this University of at least six years standing

       d) be a graduate of any other University approved for this purpose of at least nine years standing and have been a full-time member of the academic staff of this University for at least three years

       e) be any other person associated with the work of the University whose qualifications are deemed by the Senate to be acceptable.

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3. Application Procedure

3.1 In the first instance the candidate should submit the following to the Head of Planning and UK/EU Admissions:

a statement of the intended award

a précis of the work to be submitted, not exceeding 1000 words explaining the relevance of the works to the advancement of knowledge in the research area

a summary list of publications

a proposed title

3.2 The Head of Planning and UK/EU Admissions will consult with the appropriate Research Institute to confirm that there is a prima facie case that the application is appropriate prior to arranging for Research Degrees Committee to consider the application. The Research Degrees Committee may take additional advice from within the University or externally.

3.3 If the Research Degrees Committee determines that a prima facie case exists, the candidate will be required to make a submission within six calendar months of the decision of Research Degrees Committee.

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4. Submission

4.1 The candidate must submit to the appropriate Reseach Instiutue three copies of the portfolio and critical commentary. The contents of the portfolio and critical commentary are agreed by Senate from time to time and are laid out in the Code of Practice for Research Degrees.

4.2 The submission must be accompanied by the relevant examination fee.

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5. Examination

5.1 The examiners will examine the work submitted, write independent reports, and may conduct an oral examination, in a way similar to research degrees by supervision. They will make a recommendation to Research Degrees Committee who, after consideration, shall make a recommendation to Senate.

5.2 The requirement for an oral examination will be at the discretion of the examiners with a presumption against for a higher doctorate submission. Examiners will be required to make their decision on whether or not to viva clear in their initial reports.

5.3 The examiners will be required to write independent reports evaluating the work submitted and to subsequently provide a joint recommendation which will be considered by Research Degrees Committee.

5.4 Recommendations available to examiners of research degrees are

       i) the candidate be awarded the degree for which he/she has made a submission; or

       ii) the candidate be awarded the degree for which he/she has made a submission once revisions to the critical commentary have been made to the satisfaction of the examiner(s); or

       iii) the candidate should be not awarded any degree nor be permitted to re-present the thesis, nor submit to any further examination.

       iv) the examiners are unable to come to a joint recommendation and an additional examiner or examiners should be appointed whose decision shall resolve the matter.

5.5 Research Degrees Committee will communicate the outcome of the examination process to the candidate.

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6. Appeals

6.1 Appeals can only be made following the outcome of the award and will follow the procedures laid out in Regulation 7.

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7. Academic Misconduct

7.1 Any allegation of academic misconduct shall be dealt with in accordance with the following procedures. Academic misconduct is most likely to be, but is not exclusively, c ollusion, where a piece of work is prepared by more than one student, including work deriving from a piece of authorised collaborative group-work, and is presented in whole or in part for assessment as if it were the student’s own work.

7.2 Any such investigation shall be carried out by a panel consisting of a senior member of the academic staff nominated by the Vice-Chancellor as chair, the Dean or his/her nominee from the Faculty in which the alleged offence has taken place and one other Dean or his/her nominee.

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