System of Doctoral Research Studies in the UK

1. System of Doctoral Education in the UK An Invited Presentation for Joint Conference of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Bulgarian Comparative Education Society, Sofia, 29th June 2009, James Ogunleye, PhD, FRSA Middlesex University, London, UK

2. UK’s Doctoral Education System Academic/ Traditional Non-Academic Alternative Profession-specific MPhil or Master of Philosophy; PhD or Doctor of Philosophy. [Note that Oxford University traditionally uses ‘DPhil’ abbreviation]. There is a key requirement to generate an ‘original contribution’ to knowledge in new ways. Specialist doctorates: Doctorate in Education (EdD); Engineering (EngD); Business Administration (DBA); Psychology (DPsych) Assessment of coursework plus a dissertation.

3. UK’s Doctoral Education System Academic/ Traditional Non-AcademicAlternative Profession-specific Mode of study: Full-time (3-4 years, but not more than 6 years maximum); part-time (5-6 years, not more than 8 years maximum); international distance learning – requires students to spend a limited amount of time per year in the UK Mode of Study: Usually Part-time and or distance learning; varied duration – usually a minimum of 4 years.

4. UK’s Doctoral Education System Academic/ Traditional Non-Academic Alternative Profession-specific Academic, but non-traditional: MPhil and PhD by publication or public works, designed for very experienced academic researchers; varied duration [Note that certificate must state ‘PhD by public works’. Examination or viva voce (defence of PhD thesis). MProf or Master in Professional Studies; DProf or Doctorate in Professional Studies; this is Middlesex University innovation, where the student base his or her academic enquiry on work context. Assessment of coursework (50%) plus defence of dissertation (via a viva)

5. UK’s Doctoral Education System Academic/Traditional Non-Academic/Alternative Profession-specific Entry requirements: a Bachelor degree and/or Masters degree Supervision and support and requisite/mandatory research skills training Funding: state/institution research grants, up £14,000; self-funded; Research Student Tutor programme (Middlesex University innovation) Application process and procedures; successful applicants are usually enrolled as MPhil students Entry requirements: Bachelor degree & Masters degree or equivalent Supervision and support and mandatory attendance for subject-based lectures Funding: mainly self-funded; but also employer-funded. Application process and procedures

6. UK’s Doctoral Education System Concluding Remarks Issues/Matters Arising: ‘Parity of Esteem’ PhD, DPhil Any holder of a earnedBritish doctorate degree – be it traditional PhD or alternative professional doctorate – is entitled to use the prefix ‘Dr’ before their name. However, there remains a debate in certain quarters about ‘parity of esteem’.