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Research Degrees

Postgraduate research degree programmes

Standards

5.1 A candidate for a doctoral degree must show a satisfactory record of research and a thorough knowledge of the field of scholarship. The candidate is required to demonstrate a broad knowledge and understanding of his/her discipline and of associated research techniques and to show that they have been successfully applied. The thesis shall form a distinct and original contribution to knowledge in the discipline.

5.2 A candidate for a Masters degree is required to demonstrate a satisfactory record of research, a broad knowledge and understanding of the field of study and of associated research techniques and to show that they have been successfully applied. The thesis should also present evidence of a critical survey of knowledge in the approved field of study conducted by the candidate during the course of his/her research. The award of a Masters degree does not require candidates to demonstrate a distinct and original contribution to knowledge in that discipline.

5.3 A candidate for any research degree is required to show appropriate ability in the organisation and presentation of his/her material in the thesis, which must demonstrate clarity of expression, together with appropriate presentation and written style. It must be in the English language, and must be suitable for publication, either as submitted or suitably abridged. All submissions must include a means of storing, accessing, and retrieving the work.

5.4 A candidate for a research degree may present evidence of knowledge, understanding and, in the case of doctoral candidates, originality, through the medium of creative work. This might include the submission of a portfolio of substantial musical composition, an original literary text written specifically for the degree, or evidence of research in the form of practical performance in drama and/or dance. In all such cases, the submission must be supported by a written commentary indicating how the creative work fulfils, or contributes towards, the requirements for award.

5.5 Before recommending that a candidate be awarded the appropriate degree, Examiners are required to certify

1. that they have satisfied themselves that the thesis is a satisfactory record of research undertaken by the candidate and is genuinely the work of the candidate;
2. that, for a doctoral degree, the thesis forms a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject;
3. that the candidate has given evidence of a broad knowledge and understanding of the discipline and of associated research techniques, and has shown that they have been successfully applied;
4. that the thesis is satisfactory in its literary presentation;
5. that the thesis is suitable for publication (by placing an electronic copy in the Brunel University Research Archive) as a work approved for a higher degree of Brunel University.
   
   

Admission and Registration

5.6 The University may admit to programmes of research those applicants who meet the prescribed entry requirements and who are recommended for admission by the authorised member of staff.

5.7 The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally at least a good first degree or equivalent. The Registry and Brunel International provide advice on the level of a wide range of academic and professional qualifications in order to assist Schools in deciding whether or not to recommend admission. Recommended levels of English Language competence, for those applicants whose first language is not English, are also published by Learning and Teaching Committee.

5.8 If a School wishes for a period of study undertaken by the applicant at another institution to contribute towards the period of study at Brunel, this should be indicated on the application form and should be supplemented by a case in support. Such applications require the approval of the Chair of SCPGRD.

5.9 Programmes of study for a research degree may lead to the following awards:

5.10 A candidate for a research degree may be registered in either full-time or part-time mode and may also be registered as an external student in either of these modes. Initial registration may be for whichever award is deemed appropriate by the authorised member of staff.

5.11 The normal and maximum duration of registration for a research programme shall be as follows:

	Normal duration (in months)	Maximum duration (in months)
Full-time:
PhD/DBA/EdD	36	48
MPhil/MTh/LLM	12	24
EngD/PhD by new route	48	60
DrPH	36	60
Part-time:
PhD/DBA/EdD	48	96
MPhil/MTh/LLM	24	48
DrPH	60	72

5.12 The period of registration shall be determined from the date on which the student first registers for the award and this shall be no earlier than the beginning of the month in which the application was approved. Registration will lapse at the end of the maximum registration period.

5.13 The Chair of SCPGRD may reduce the normal duration or extend the maximum duration, normally by not more than 12 months (full-time) or 24 months (part-time), if such a request is supported by the authorised member of staff.

5.14 The Chair of SCPGRD may, in exceptional circumstances, consider an application for the re-registration of a candidate for a specified period for completion of the work if it is supported by the authorised member of staff.

5.15 Students may be permitted, at the discretion of the authorised member of staff, to suspend their studies for normally not more than a total of 12 months (full-time) or 24 months (part-time). Such periods of abeyance do not count towards the maximum period of registration.

5.16 All research students are required to enrol annually in September, whatever their initial month of registration.

5.17 Students may not normally be registered simultaneously for more than one degree unless exceptional circumstances apply, for example, where a student wishes to register for a programme of research before formal confirmation of the award of a taught postgraduate degree is available.

5.18 All or part of the period of study for a taught postgraduate programme may be recognised as part of the period of study required for a research programme.

5.19 Full-time and part-time students who have completed their research but who are still writing up may be placed in continuation status if, at the beginning of an academic year, they are expected to submit a completed thesis by the end of that year. Should students fail to submit within this time, their status will revert to either full-time or part-time as appropriate. Students in continuation status are expected to enrol; failure to enrol will lead to de-registration later in the academic year.

Supervision

5.20 Each student shall work under the general supervision of two supervisors appointed by the authorised member of staff. All supervisors must be either members of academic staff of the University or have Recognised Supervisor Status. Students based away from the University must have a local supervisor and a further supervisor either based at the University or at an Associated Institution.

5.21 The Learning and Teaching Committee publishes further guidance on the supervision of research students.

Progress of candidates

5.22 Each student registered for a research degree shall be required to attend such lectures, courses and colloquia as may be specified by the authorised member of staff. A student may be required to complete and pass all or part of a taught postgraduate programme or formal training in research methods as part of the research programme.

5.23 The progress of each candidate for a research degree shall be reviewed at least annually by the School to ensure that the registration status of individual students remains appropriate.

5.24 A student registered for a doctoral degree who fails to satisfy the Supervisor and authorised member of staff during the review process, either through poor performance in assessed work or by lack of satisfactory progress or attendance in his or her programme of research, may be:

1. confirmed in registration for the award but required to undertake an additional prescribed programme of work;
2. transferred to registration for an MPhil and may be required to take further formal assessments;
3. required to withdraw.
   
   

5.25 A student registered for a Masters degree who fails to satisfy the Supervisor and authorised member of staff during the review process either by poor performance in assessed work or by lack of satisfactory progress or attendance in his or her programme of research may be:

1. confirmed in registration for the degree, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed;
2. required to withdraw.
   
   

The Thesis

5.26 Each candidate for a research degree shall be required to submit a thesis on a topic approved by the authorised member of staff.

5.27 The major part of the thesis, including the written material, must have been completed during the student’s period of registration with the University, under supervisory arrangements approved by the University. The thesis may include published papers by the candidate which must be acknowledged in the text of the thesis. Prior publication by the candidate and his/her supervisor(s) of papers or patents arising from the research being undertaken will not prejudice the assessment of the thesis by the Examiners. A student may include in a thesis work which s/he may have submitted for a degree of this or any other University or other recognised award-granting body, or published prior to his/her registration provided that this is clearly indicated in the text and that such material does not comprise a substantial part of the thesis. All work that is not the candidate’s own must be acknowledged.

5.28 The completed thesis should be submitted to the principal supervisor who should advise the student against submission if s/he considers the thesis unsatisfactory, but the student is not required to accept such advice unless s/he has not yet been registered for the normal period.

5.29 The thesis should contain an abstract of not more than 300 words to be bound after the title page. The abstract should be in a form suitable for separate publication and may be edited by the student's principal supervisor. The University may publish the abstract without further reference to the author.

5.30 Theses must be presented in conformity with ISO 7144 and in "Perfect Binding". Advice on these matters is available from the Library or the Print Room, which will undertake the binding. The number of copies submitted to the School will vary according to the number of Examiners, but it will normally be three.

5.31 The candidate is expected to bring a further copy of the thesis with him/her to the viva voce examination. After acceptance of the thesis and after any minor corrections required by the Examiners have been made, the candidate should provide the Brunel University Research Archive with an electronic version of the thesis as accepted by the examiners.

5.32 The thesis will be published by being stored electronically in the Brunel University Research Archive and the British Library will electronically harvest theses stored in this manner. If the student wishes his/her own copy to be bound, s/he must make private arrangements.

5.33 The Chair of SCPGRD may agree that a thesis should be held under confidential cover for a specified period of time, up to a maximum of three years. This period may be extended, upon expiry of the initial period, by agreement of the Chair of SCPGRD. Unless the thesis is under confidential cover, the University Librarian may allow a thesis to be downloaded from the Brunel University Research Archive in whole or in part without further reference to the author. Subject to normal conditions of acknowledgement, single downloads may be made for study purposes or multiple downloads by educational establishments may be allowed. The copyright of the thesis will be protected by a copyright declaration in the thesis.

Appointment of Examiners

5.34 Before a thesis is examined, the authorised member of staff must certify that the student has completed the required study for the degree, and that the student has passed any necessary taught elements.

5.35 The Examiners for a research degree shall be appointed by Senate on the recommendation of the authorised member of staff. An Independent Chair, who should hold a position of Professor, Reader, or Senior Lecturer of the University and be experienced in the examination of research degree candidates, shall be appointed by Senate for each research degree examination on the recommendation of the authorised member of staff. The Independent Chair will oversee the examination process but will not act as an examiner.

5.36 The appointment of the Examiners and the arrangements for viva voce examinations are subject to the approval of SCPGRD. Details should be submitted to the Senior Assistant Registrar (Quality and Standards) at least four weeks, and not normally more than three months, before the examination of the thesis.

5.37 Full-time and part-time candidates for a research degree will be examined by at least two Examiners. These will be an External Examiner appointed by the University and an Internal Examiner, normally a member of the academic staff of the School or the Associated Institution, nominated by the authorised member of staff. Students who are current or recent members of the staff of the University or an Associated Institution must be examined by at least two External Examiners and one Examiner from the University or institution. "Recent" in this context shall mean staff who have ceased employment by the University or an Associated Institution within the last three years.

5.38 Each External Examiner for a research degree should normally hold a position in a UK university as Professor, Reader or Senior Lecturer. The External Examiner(s) should possess specialist current knowledge in an appropriate field. The authorised member of staff must make a case for the appointment of an External Examiner who does not hold such a position. Any prior relationship between the External Examiner(s) and the candidate or any prior knowledge of the candidate’s work must be declared. The same person should not be asked to serve as an External Examiner within the same School of the University within a twelve month period without the approval of the Chair of SCPGRD.

5.39 A former member of Brunel staff may not be appointed as an External Examiner for a research degree of the University before a period of at least three years has elapsed since s/he was a member of staff of the University. Former members of staff of the University may not be appointed as External Examiners for a research degree of the University if they were in post in the candidate’s School when the candidate was a student or member of staff, or if they were otherwise known to the candidate. When seeking to appoint a former Brunel member of staff as an External Examiner for a research degree, the desirability of appointing either a second External or a second Internal Examiner should be considered as an additional safeguard.

5.40 With the agreement of the Chair of SCPGRD, the second supervisor may act as an Internal Examiner in some circumstances. The principal supervisor of the student may act as Internal Examiner only in exceptional circumstances. If a School is unable to nominate an Internal Examiner competent to examine the thesis, the approval of the Chair of SCPGRD should be sought for the appointment of the candidate's principal supervisor as Internal Examiner. In such cases a further External Examiner should be appointed.

5.41 The principal supervisor shall arrange for a copy of the thesis to be sent to the Examiners.

The Examination

5.42 Each External and Internal Examiner shall complete a preliminary written report prior to the viva voce examination, or, in cases where a viva is not to be held, prior to the determination by the Examiners of the award to be recommended. Each preliminary report

1. shall be between 300 and 500 words in length;
2. shall summarise the content of the thesis and indicate the main lines of the further enquiry to be followed if a viva voce is to be held;
3. if appropriate, may set out reasons why no viva voce should be held;
4. shall be completed, signed and dated before the viva voce or meeting of Examiners, and, where possible, be circulated in advance to the authorised member of staff and other Examiners. Otherwise, the report should be tabled when the Examiners meet before the start of the viva voce;
5. shall be confidential to the Examiners;
6. shall be submitted with the final report and recommendations of the Examiners.
   
   

5.43 Where all the Examiners are in agreement that the thesis is not of an acceptable standard, they may make a written report to that effect to Senate, without requiring the candidate to defend the thesis in a viva voce.

5.44 The examination of the thesis is deemed to have commenced once the thesis is sent to the Examiners for the purpose of obtaining the preliminary report, and to have been completed when all Examiners have signed the Examiners’ Report Form.

5.45 Candidates for research degrees will normally be required to present themselves for a viva voce examination within three months of the date of submission of the thesis. Such examination is essential before any doctoral degree may be awarded. If, for very exceptional reasons, the Examiners propose to recommend such an award without holding the viva voce examination, the permission of Senate must be sought.

5.46 A viva voce examination is normally required for a Masters degree, although candidates may be exempted from such examination.

5.47 The date for the viva voce shall be arranged by the authorised member of staff or one of the candidate's supervisors in consultation with all concerned. Viva voce examinations should normally be held on a campus of the University or on a campus of an Associated Institution. The viva voce may be held outside the University if all the Examiners and the candidate agree. Such arrangements are subject to the agreement of the Chair of SCPGRD and the Head of the relevant School. A senior member of the School, experienced in the examination of research students, must normally also be present if the viva voce is held off-campus. The Chair of SCPGRD may waive this requirement if s/he is satisfied that the candidate will not be disadvantaged and that the Internal Examiner is sufficiently experienced. Separate guidance is issued for examinations by video conferencing.

5.48 The candidate’s supervisors shall not be present at the viva voce examination unless invited to attend by the candidate. Only one supervisor may be invited to attend the examination. Supervisors may speak during the viva voce only if invited to do so by the Examiners. The viva voce shall otherwise be held in private in the presence of the Examiners, save where approved otherwise by SCPGRD, either for a particular award or for an individual candidate.

Recommendations of the Examiners

5.49 The Examiners shall make a joint written report to Senate on the examination of the candidate and may make any of the following recommendations:

1. If the candidate has met the criteria as specified by Senate set out in paragraphs 5.1-5.5, the thesis is adequate, and the candidate has satisfied the Examiners at the viva voce examination, the Examiners may recommend the award of the relevant degree.
2. If the thesis is otherwise adequate but requires minor amendments and if the candidate satisfies the Examiners in all other parts of the examination, the Examiners may, in writing, require the candidate to make such corrections to the thesis as will satisfy them (or one of their number as they decide). The Examiners shall specify the time available for making such corrections, up to a maximum period of four months, taking into account so far as is possible the candidate’s personal circumstances. In the event that a candidate is unable to complete the minor corrections within in the time period specified by the Examiners, an extension of up to two months may be approved by the Chair of SCPGRD.
3. The degree not be awarded but that the candidate be allowed to resubmit the thesis in a revised form for re-examination within twelve months, either with or without a further viva voce examination.
4. If the thesis is judged by the Examiners to be satisfactory, but the candidate fails to satisfy the Examiners at the viva voce examination, the candidate may be allowed to present the same thesis at a second viva voce examination within six months.
5. In the case of a viva voce for a doctoral award, if the theses is judged by the Examiners to be of an insufficient standard for a doctoral award, the candidate should not be awarded the degree of Doctor, but should be re-examined, with or without a viva voce, on a resubmitted thesis, following appropriate revisions, for the award of MPhil. A report to this effect should be made and a date should be set for re-examination of the thesis within a period of not less than two months and not more than six months. A further Examiners’ report form will be required in respect of any re-examination of the thesis whether or not a viva voce takes place.
6. The Examiners may, upon consideration of the thesis and the candidate's performance at the viva voce, make the recommendation that the degree not be awarded.

5.50 At the conclusion of the viva voce examination the appropriate report form should be completed, signed by all Examiners. Where all Examiners agree in their recommendations, they should submit a joint report, although each may, in addition, make separate written statements on any matter concerned with the examinations.

5.51 If the Examiners disagree on their recommendations, they should submit separate reports. Disagreement between Examiners will be reported to the Senate, which will, after taking advice from SCPGRD or its Chair, make such arrangements as are necessary to resolve the disagreement.

5.52 The main section of the report will be issued to the candidate. Examiners may make an additional, confidential report on the candidate and/or the thesis on the report form, but should be aware that any such report might be requested by the student under data protection legislation.

5.53 Completed forms should be submitted to the Senior Assistant Registrar (Quality and Standards), together with the preliminary report forms. If minor amendments to the thesis are required to be completed in accordance with paragraph 5.49 above, the report form should not be forwarded until the amendments have been made and approved by at least one Examiner, or until the time permitted for the revisions has expired.

5.54 Following submission of the thesis no candidate for a research degree may be assessed on more than two occasions, except where the second examination is a re-examination for a doctoral award, following which the Examiners may, if appropriate, recommend that the candidate be examined on a third occasion for the MPhil degree. The first formal assessment shall include the examination of the thesis and its defence by viva voce, where required.

Appeals

5.55 Appeals against the decisions of the Examiners shall only be permitted in accordance with Senate Regulation 6.
Doctor of Philosophy by Published Works

5.56 ‘Published works’ shall be defined as work, written, performed or displayed, in the public domain (or accepted as such) and for which there is a retrievable record.

5.57 The degree of PhD may be awarded on the basis of published works which provide proof of a significant contribution to scholarship. The work submitted for such a PhD shall contain an overarching theme, and should not consist solely of a collection of published papers, or of a single book, musical composition, artefact or performance. The standard of works submitted should be the same as that expected for the award of a PhD by the submission of a thesis as defined in paragraphs 5.1-5.5 above.

5.58 A candidate for a PhD degree by this means must have held a post as a member of the academic staff of the University for a period of at least three years continuously at the date on which a submission is made.

5.59 No person may make a submission for the PhD degree by published works if s/he has previously been awarded a doctoral degree under the provisions of Senate Regulation 5. No person who has been examined for, but not awarded, such a degree may make a submission for the PhD in accordance with this Regulation until a period of at least five years has elapsed since that examination.

5.60 An applicant for registration for the degree of PhD on the basis of published works must in the first instance seek the advice of the Head of the appropriate School. If the applicant meets the conditions for eligibility specified above, and if the Head of School believes that such a submission would be appropriate, two advisers shall be appointed by the Head of School. At least one advisor must be a full-time member of the academic staff of the University.

5.61 The candidate shall provide each of the advisers with a copy of each of the published works which s/he proposes to submit in support of the submission. The advisors shall provide guidance about the standard of work expected for the award of the degree of PhD, and about the appropriate content and presentation of the submission itself. In consultation with the advisors, the candidate shall be required to ensure that the submission forms a coherent body of work, supported and elaborated upon in a synoptic document prepared for the purpose of submission for the award.

5.62 The formal submission for the award must be supported by the Head of School. A candidate, in making such an submission, shall be required

1. to declare that the submission is not substantially the same as any that s/he has previously made or is currently making, either in published or unpublished form, for an award of any university or similar institution;
2. to state which, if any, parts of the submission have previously been submitted for any such award; and
3. to declare that, until the outcome of the current submission is known, the works submitted will not be submitted for any such award at any other university or similar institution. All the works submitted shall be written in the English language, apart from any quotations.
   
   

5.63 The appropriate form must be submitted to the Senior Assistant Registrar (Quality and Standards) together with three copies of:

1. the academic argument supporting the submission, elaborated upon in a synoptic document prepared for the purpose of submission for the award and which might normally be expected to be approximately 15000 words in length. This document should provide a coherent account of the works submitted, emphasise the research achievements of the candidate, define a substantial and sustained contribution to the chosen field over a significant period of time, locate the body of work in its disciplinary context, and make a clear case in relation to the appropriateness of the submission for the award of PhD;
2. each of the published works specified in the submission;
3. a list of these works; and, where appropriate,
4. a statement identifying the extent of the candidate’s own contribution to any jointly-authored work;
5. the candidate’s curriculum vitae.
   
   

5.64 The full submission will be considered by the Chairs of the Learning and Teaching Committee and of the Sub-Committee for Postgraduate Research Degrees, who, in consultation with such other persons considered appropriate, including those with subject-specific expertise, shall review the submission, and shall determine whether the submission prima facie is appropriate for examination for the award of the degree of PhD, with or without further revision.

5.65 When the submission has been approved for formal examination, three or more Examiners shall be appointed by Senate, of whom at least two shall be External Examiners, and one an Internal Examiner. The candidate’s advisors may not be appointed to act as Examiners. An Independent Chair shall also be appointed for the viva voce in accordance with paragraph 5.35 above.

5.66 The appointment criteria for Examiners and the Independent Chair shall be the same as those set out in paragraphs 5.35-5.40 above.

5.67 The appointment of the Examiners and the arrangements for viva voce examinations are subject to the approval of SCPGRD. Details should be submitted to the Senior Assistant Registrar (Quality and Standards) at least four weeks, and not normally more than three months, before the examination. The Senior Assistant Registrar (Quality and Standards) shall arrange for a copy of the submission to be sent to each of the Examiners.

5.68 Each Examiner shall assess the submission and complete a preliminary written report prior to the viva voce examination. Each preliminary report

1. shall be between 300 and 500 words in length;
2. shall summarise the content of the submission, and indicate the main lines of the further enquiry to be followed during the viva voce examination;
3. shall be completed, signed and dated before the viva voce, and, where possible, be circulated in advance to the Head of School and other Examiners. Otherwise, the report should be tabled when the Examiners meet before the start of the viva voce;
4. shall be confidential to the Examiners;
5. shall be submitted with the final report and recommendations of the Examiners.
   
   

5.69 The arrangements for the viva voce examination shall be made in accordance with paragraphs 5.47-5.48 above.

Recommendations of the Examiners

5.70 Before recommending that a candidate be awarded the appropriate degree, Examiners are required to certify as set out in paragraph 5.5 above.

5.71 The Examiners shall make a joint written report to Senate on the examination of the candidate and may make any of the following recommendations:

1. If the candidate has met the criteria as specified by Senate set out in paragraphs 5.1-5.5 above, the submission is adequate, and the candidate has satisfied the Examiners at the viva voce examination, the Examiners may recommend the award of the PhD.
2. If the submission is otherwise adequate but requires minor amendments and if the candidate satisfies the Examiners in all other parts of the examination, the Examiners may, in writing, require the candidate to make such corrections to the submission as will satisfy them (or one of their number as they decide). The Examiners shall specify the time available for making such corrections, up to a maximum period of four months, taking into account so far as is possible the candidate’s personal circumstances. In the event that a candidate is unable to complete the minor corrections within in the time period specified by the Examiners, an extension of up to two months may be approved by the Chair of SCPGRD.
3. The degree not be awarded but that the candidate be allowed to re-present the academic argument supporting the submission in a revised form within twelve months, either with or without a further viva voce examination.
4. If the submission is judged by the Examiners to be satisfactory, but the candidate fails to satisfy the Examiners at the viva voce examination, the candidate may be allowed to present the same submission at a second viva voce examination within six months.
5. The Examiners may, upon consideration of the submission and the candidate's performance at the viva voce, make the recommendation that the degree not be awarded.
   
   

5.72 At the conclusion of the viva voce examination the appropriate report form should be completed, signed by all Examiners. Where all Examiners agree in their recommendations, they should submit a joint report, although each may, in addition, make separate written statements on any matter concerned with the examinations.

5.73 In the event that the Examiners recommend that the degree be not awarded, the candidate will not normally be permitted to make a further submission until a period of one year has elapsed since the date of that recommendation being made. Following the initial submission, no candidate for the degree of PhD by published works may be assessed on more than two occasions.

5.74 One bound copy of the submission will be retained by the Library and the other by the School. The third unbound copy will be forwarded to the British Library Document Supply Centre. If the candidate wishes his/her own copy to be bound, s/he must make private arrangements.

Higher doctorates

5.75 The degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD), Doctor of Letters (DLitt), Doctor of Science (DSc) and Doctor of Technology (DTech) shall be awarded on the basis of distinguished original work which has established a candidate's position as an authority in his or her field of study. The title of the higher doctorate shall appropriately reflect the candidate's field of study. The original work can be demonstrated in the form of either (a) published material or (b) scientific or technological innovation, development, or achievement. The submission may contain material certified as refereed and accepted for publication by a reputable learned journal.

5.76 A candidate for the degree must hold another degree of the University or be a current member of the University staff. Retired members of the full-time staff may submit for the degree up to three years after the normal date of retirement, provided that the greater part of the work submitted was carried out while the candidate was employed by the University. Current full-time academic staff of the University’s Associate Institutions are also eligible.

5.77 Candidates for an award should seek informal advice from a senior member of the University staff, usually the Head of a relevant School, and should inspect work successfully presented in the past for a Higher Doctorate, before proceeding with a formal application.

5.78 The candidate should forward to the Head of Registry for initial consideration by the Chair of SCPGRD.

1. a curriculum vitae;
2. a list detailing each publication to be submitted in support of the formal application;
3. a short statement outlining the main themes of the publications and the overall contribution to the advancement of knowledge;
4. a statement of the candidate's contribution to any publication under joint authorship;
5. a note of work submitted for any other degree.
   
   

5.79 The Chair of SCPGRD, and the Head of School, in consultation with other senior academic staff with appropriate expertise in Brunel or at another University, shall review the preliminary submission.

5.80 The Chair of SCPGRD shall then advise the candidate whether to delay submission or to proceed with a full submission. If the Chair agrees that a submission may be made, s/he will consult with the Head of School and nominate, for approval by Senate, three Examiners. At least two of these shall be External Examiners.

5.81 The candidate shall present three sets of the application to the Head of Registry. The application should include:

1. A copy of each of the candidate's published books submitted in support of the application. Teaching text books and popular books or articles should not be submitted unless they show considerable originality of material or approach.
2. A copy of all papers submitted, normally collected together within A4 boards. The front covers should indicate clearly the applicant's full name. Photocopies of papers are acceptable, but extracts mounted on backing sheets are not. If the submission includes papers accepted for publication but not yet published, a statement certifying that the paper(s) have been refereed for, and accepted by, named journal(s) should be submitted, countersigned by either the Internal Examiner or the Head of the relevant School.
3. A curriculum vitae, including details of research experience, degrees and other qualifications held (with the class of degree, subject, year of the award and the name of the awarding institution). Full particulars necessary to establish the candidate's eligibility under paragraph 5.76 above should be stated.
4. A statement briefly outlining the main theme or themes of the candidate's publications and indicating those areas which s/he considers contain an original and significant contribution to the advancement and/or application of knowledge.
5. A list of the submitted publications grouped according to subject and numbered consecutively. For books, the title, publisher and year of publication should be listed. For published papers or chapters in books, etc., the title of the paper or contribution, full details of the publication in which each appeared, the year, volume number, and the first and last page should be given. A full list of authors should be given in each case.
6. A declaration on any work which has been done in collaboration, indicating precisely the share which the candidate personally has taken in each case and the name(s) of the collaborator(s).
7. A statement whether the work or any part of it has been submitted, successfully or unsuccessfully, for a degree of this or any other university or educational institution.
   
   

5.82 On receipt of the formal submission, the candidate’s submission will be forwarded to each Examiner. Examiners will not be told each other's identity in order to facilitate independent assessment. In their evaluation of an submission, Examiners shall be empowered to make such enquiries as they think fit.

5.83 If all Examiners' reports recommend the award of the degree, a joint recommendation that the award be conferred shall be signed by all the Examiners, and together with their reports, shall be submitted to the Vice-Chancellor, as Chair of Senate. If the Examiners' reports do not unanimously recommend the award of the degree, the Chair of SCPGRD shall consult the Vice-Chancellor and take appropriate action.

5.84 Two copies of published works submitted in evidence for the award of the degree shall become the property of the University. The award of a Higher Doctorate shall be reported to Senate via SCPGRD.

September 2008