Documents

Precepts and policies for research degrees

Precepts

Previous years

Policy and procedures

Milestones for research degrees

Policy and procedures

Forms

Registration and attendance for research degrees

Policy and procedures

Forms

Partner research institute scheme, split PhDs & Imperial recognised locations

Partner Research Institution (PRI) scheme

The Partner Research Institution (PRI) scheme permits a student registered for a research degree programme at Imperial to undertake periods of research at a partner and be supported by a local supervisor in addition to the Imperial supervisor(s).

Setting up a PRI may be appropriate when the location/partner offers particular research opportunities that are not available elsewhere and are the only place that the research can be carried out.

A minimum period of attendance at Imperial is required and students may only be registered for the Imperial PhD programme - concurrent registration for a PhD programme at another institution is not permitted. 

Further information is available from the documents below. 

Split PhD scheme

The Split PhD scheme permits a student registered for a research degree programme at Imperial to undertake specific periods of their research training at an overseas institution where the College already has established links and connections and/or in cases where the research problem requires local fieldwork (e.g. in geology or biology). A local supervisor will be appointed in addition to the Imperial supervisor(s).

A minimum attendance period at Imperial is required and students may only be registered for the Imperial PhD programme - concurrent registration for a PhD programme at another institution is not permitted. 

More detailed information is available in the procedure below.

Imperial Recognised Location (IRL)

This procedure recognises/approves locations which have an Imperial staff and student presence but which are not official campuses of the College. In such cases, these locations offer particular research opportunities that are not available elsewhere and are the only place(s) that the research can be done. Recording these locations as Imperial Recognised Locations (IRL) allows the students to spend all their time studying for their research degree at the IRL where their supervisor is based.

Current approved IRLs are:

  • European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva
  • Francis Crick Institute, London
  • Diamond Light Source and Harwell Science Campus, Oxfordshire

 Students will be registered for an Imperial award and follow the same academic regulations and policies as students on an Imperial campus. 

Further information can be found in the guidance below.

Imperial recognised locations [pdf]

External examiners for research degrees

Nomination of the examiners for the final thesis examination is carried out as part of the examination entry process. It is the main supervisor's responsibility to nominate the examiners in line with the requirements of the university's Procedure for appointment of examiners for research degrees

The Nomination of examiners and exam entry form should be used for nominations.

 

Research degree examinations

The following policies and procedures are provided to support staff and students in relation to Research Degrees (PhD, EngD, MRes and MPhil) 

Policy and procedures

Viva Voce/final examination polices and procedures

Details of the process for oral examination including expectations, eligibility and appointment of examiners, conduct of the viva, reporting process and outcomes. 

This policy and the guidance (below) explains the circumstances under which a remote or hybrid viva may be considered.  

Writing up

'Writing up' is the period following active research in which the candidate completes the write up their thesis for examination. The procedure below expands on the relevant sections of the College's academic regulations for research students, detailing the areas such as eligibility and minimum periods of registration, and applies to all students entering writing up status from 1st April 2022 onwards. 

 

Thesis submission

 

The following documents provide guidance to students with regards to the submission of their thesis for examination, including the access arrangements for completed theses under the College’s commitment to open access.

Forms
Posthumous and Aegrotat Postgraduate Research Degrees

The following policy defines how the College may consider the award of a posthumous or aegrotat degree in relation to a student/candidate registered on a postgraduate research programme (PhD, MPhil, EngD, MD(Res)). In addition to the policy, the detailed guidance document has been approved to support staff.  Whilst the guidance seeks to be as inclusive as possible, where necessary please contact a member of the QA or Assessment Records team for support and guidance.

Policy for the Award of Posthumous and Aegrotat Postgraduate Research Degrees [pdf]

Guidance for the Award of Posthumous and Aegrotat PGR Degrees

This policy and guidance should read, where relevant, in conjunction with the Student Death Protocol.

 

 

Doctor of Science

Policy and procedures

Forms

This section should be read in conjunction with the regulations for the award of the Doctor of Science (DSc) degree.

View the academic and examination regulations
Contact the quality assurance team for advice