Types of research degree

We offer a range of postgraduate research degrees (listed below) which provide training in research, enhanced employment opportunities and the chance to develop advanced skills and expertise. In some schools at Leeds, this range includes the Integrated Degree of Doctor of Philosophy and Master (either MA, LLM or MSc), which means that you graduate with both a Masters and a PhD qualification.

For more information about supervisory expertise and research projects available, contact the faculties directly.

Research degrees at Leeds

Doctorates

A doctorate is the highest degree awarded by universities in the UK. You will be required to submit a thesis consisting of sufficient original material which is considered suitable for publication. You will be required to defend your thesis before a panel of expert examiners appointed by the University. A full-time doctorate normally takes 3 years and part-time around 6 years.

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A PhD is awarded on the successful completion of a programme of supervised research. It is assessed via a final thesis (of up to 100,000 words) and a viva voce (an oral examination).

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)

The Doctor of Medicine is for fully qualified medical doctors. It is similar to a PhD, but often contains a component of clinical research and can sometimes be completed more quickly. This degree normally takes two years full-time or three years part time.

Professional Doctorates

Professional Doctorates are specifically designed to meet the needs of practising professionals. Although they involve a significant number of advanced courses, a major part of the programmes involves undertaking a thesis in a similar way to the more traditional PhD.  The normal duration is three years full time and five years part time except for the Doctor of Clinical Psychology programme where a part-time option is not available.

• Doctor of Education (EdD)

• Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsychol)  (apply via the Clearing House)

• Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DClinDent)

• Doctor of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

Split-site PhD programmes

Candidates of exceptionally high quality are able to apply to study for a split-site PhD, spending some periods of full-time study in Leeds and other periods of study elsewhere (eg in a research institute or commercial / industrial organisation with a significant research component in the UK or overseas). The degree is awarded by the University of Leeds.

Three models of split-site PhD study are available:

a) Model A involving a strategic partnership with another university, research institute or commercial / industrial organisation
b) Model B involving a capacity building partnership normally with an international academic, research or commercial / industrial organisation
c) Model C involving individual students studying mainly on a part-time basis

There are some conditions which you must fulfil in order for this type of programme to be possible. Please refer to the 'Information for applicants for split-site PhDs' at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/rsa/prospective_students/apply/I_want_to_apply.html

Depending on which model you choose there are a number of advantages to doing a split-site PhD, which are borne out by our current students. Here are some of the benefits they told us about earlier this year:

• You get to work in different places and meet different people

• Working in different institutions means you can take the best of what each offers

• You can continue to work at your home university at the same time as studying for a PhD

• You can gain a mix of industrial experience and academic insight which provides a great environment for a PhD leading to employment in the industrial sector

• You can conduct your research in your own country.
  

The Integrated Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Master

• (MA & PhD, MSc & PhD and  LLM & PhD)

The integrated degree of PhD and Master, which provides for the double award of both the Master and the PhD degrees, combines specialist advanced courses, training and skills courses and research study. This integrated approach gives you a learning environment in which to broaden and deepen your subject knowledge while providing the opportunity for inter-disciplinary study to extend your expertise in new directions. Several of our integrated degrees are in receipt of scholarship funding from UK Research Councils for high quality students.

Integrated degrees normally take 4 years full time. One example of these programmes is:

Low Carbon Technologies

Masters

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

The MPhil (two years full time and 4 years part time) requires research skills and training similar to a PhD, but its duration is less than that required for a doctorate.

Masters degrees by research

If you're intending to pursue a career that requires an understanding of research, then this could be the degree for you. It gives you the opportunity to experience research within one year full time, (or two years part time) and to present a thesis, so it is the perfect spring board for a PhD programme.

The following Masters degrees by research are available:

• Master of Arts (MA)

• Master of Education (MEd)

• Master of Science (MSc)

• Master of Science (Engineering) (MSc Eng)