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1.1. The University may award the degrees of Master of Arts by Research (MA by Research),
Master of Science by Research (MSc by Research), Master of Research (MRes), Professional
Master of Arts by Research (Professional MA by Research), Master of Philosophy (MPhil),
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy by Publication (PhD by Publication),
Professional Doctorate and International Doctorate to registered candidates who
successfully complete approved programmes of supervised research. Students enrolled for
any of these programmes shall be considered research students.
1.2. Programmes of research may be proposed in any field of study within the competence of
the University, provided that the proposed programme is capable of leading to scholarly
work and to its presentation for assessment by appropriate examiners. The written thesis
may be supplemented by material in other than written form. All proposed research
programmes will be considered for research degree registration on their academic merits
and without reference to the concerns or interests of any associated funding body.
1.3. The MSc by Research or MA by Research may be awarded to a candidate who has
successfully completed an approved programme requiring completion of taught elements
and whose thesis represents an independent contribution to knowledge. The thesis should
demonstrate the investigation and evaluation or critical examination of an approved topic
The candidate must present a thesis for assessment and be prepared to defend it by viva
voce examination, or other approved alternative examination, to the satisfaction of the
examiners. If both examiners produce individual reports to indicate that the thesis is of
sufficient strength not to warrant a viva voce examination, the oral (or other approved
alternative) examination may be dispensed with.
1.4. The MRes may be awarded to a candidate who has successfully completed an approved
programme requiring completion of taught elements and whose thesis both reflects on
research methods and represents an independent contribution to knowledge. The thesis
should demonstrate the investigation and evaluation or critical examination of an
approved topic. The candidate must present a thesis for assessment and normally be
prepared to defend it by viva voce examination, or other approved alternative
examination, to the satisfaction of the examiners.
1.5. The MPhil may be awarded to a candidate who has successfully completed an approved
programme requiring completion of taught elements and whose thesis represents an
independent, significant contribution to knowledge. The thesis should demonstrate the
investigation and evaluation or critical examination of an approved topic, together with
an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field. The candidate
must present a thesis and defend it by viva voce examination, or approved alternative
examination, to the satisfaction of the examiners.
1.6. The PhD may be awarded to a candidate who has successfully completed a programme of
scholarly research and whose thesis represents an independent, significant and original
contribution to knowledge, or who has completed an integrated programme of study
comprising advanced instructions as well as scholarly research demonstrated by thesis. The
thesis should demonstrate the investigation and evaluation or critical evaluation of an approved topic, together with an understanding of research methods appropriate to the
chosen field. The candidate must present a thesis and defend it by viva voce examination,
or approved alternative examination, to the satisfaction of the examiners. The work, or
elements of it, should be worthy of publication, may include a proportion of published
work, and in the case of a practice based study may include artworks, performance and/or
artefacts.
1.7. The PhD by Publication may be awarded to a candidate where the submission consists of
previously published research of doctoral standard and the accompanying critical
reflection and commentary on the submitted publications demonstrates their
independent, significant and original contribution to knowledge and scholarly research.
1.8. An appropriately titled Professional Doctorate may be awarded to a candidate who has
successfully completed an approved programme requiring completion of taught elements
at advanced level and supervised, independent research of clear value, relevance and
application to a defined area of professional practice, concluded by the submission of a
thesis or approved alternative to be examined by viva voce examination, or approved
alternative examination, at Doctoral level.
1.9. The International Doctorate may be awarded to a candidate who has successfully
completed a programme of scholarly research and whose thesis represents an
independent, significant and original contribution to knowledge, or who has completed an
integrated programme of study comprising advanced instruction as well as scholarly
research demonstrated by thesis. The thesis should demonstrate the investigation and
evaluation or critical examination of an approved topic, together with an understanding of
research methods appropriate to the chosen field. The candidate must always present a
thesis written in English for this award. The thesis should have been reviewed by 2
academics from 2 different countries. The candidate must defend the thesis by viva voce
examination, or approved alternative examination, to the satisfaction of the examiners.
The work, or elements of it should be worthy of publication, or may include a proportion
of published work.
1.10. Each award title incorporating taught elements has regulations for the taught
components that comply with the University’s Academic Regulations for Taught
Provision.
1.11. Co-operation with industrial, commercial, professional or research establishments may
be undertaken for the purposes of research leading to research degree awards. Co
operation may be formalised with one or more bodies external to the University; such
bodies are referred to as collaborating establishments. Formal collaboration will normally
involve the candidate’s use of facilities, data or other resources, including advice and
supervision, which are provided jointly by the University and the collaborating
establishments.
2.1. The maximum periods of registration should normally be as follows:
| Award | Maximum |
|---|---|
| MSc or MA by Research (Level 7) | |
| full-time | 5 years |
| part-time | 6 years |
| Professional MA/MSc by Research | |
| full-time | 5 years |
| part-time | 6 years |
| MRes (Level 7) | |
| full-time | 5 years |
| part-time | 6 years |
| MPhil (Level 7)* | |
| full-time | 6 years |
| part-time | 7 years |
| PhD (Level 8) | |
| full-time | 7 years |
| part-time | 9 years |
| Professional Doctorate (Level 8) | |
| Full-time | 7 years |
| Part-time | 9 years |
| International Doctorate (Level 8) | |
| Full Time | 7 years |
| Part Time | 9 years |
2.2. A candidate must pay such fees for their programme of study as shall be determined by
the University. The University publishes a Fees Policy which gives further information.
2.3. A candidate must submit the thesis before the expiry of the maximum period of registration.
2.4. Where a candidate is prevented, by ill-health or other good cause, from making progress
with the research, they may interrupt study for a specific period, for not less than 3 months
and not more than one year. Candidates may request interruption of studies beyond one
calendar year, but this must be supported by the School. Approved periods of interruption
of studies count against the maximum registration period and therefore do not change
the end date for the maximum registration period.
2.5. Candidates who have been awarded a fixed term funded studentship must ensure that a period of interruption of studies is permitted under the terms of their contract. It is
the student’s responsibility to check their eligibility, including any limitations on
number or duration of interruption of study periods, before submitting their request.
2.6. Candidates may apply for an extension in exceptional circumstances to extend the period
of registration beyond the expected period, for not less than 1 month and not more than
one year.
2.7. Candidates successfully upgrading to a new award will have the period spent on studying
for the initial award incorporated into the maximum submission dates for the new award.
2.8. Where the submission consists of pre-published material accompanied by a critical
reflection and commentary on the submitted publications and their contribution to
knowledge and research methods appropriate to the discipline, the period of registration
may be shortened.
2.9. The registration period must not be less than 12 months full-time and 24 months part-time
study.
3.1. The Research Committee (RC) delegates its powers to the Postgraduate Research Award
& Progression Panel (APP) to note and approve examination arrangements, examination
reports, and awards of research students in the University.
3.2. RC retains oversight of the approval of research degree projects, upgrade of registration,
supervision and change of supervision and change in mode or programme of study of
research students in the University.
3.3. An application should not be approved unless:
a) The candidate is suitably qualified;
b) The candidate is embarking upon a feasible research programme;
c) Supervisory expertise and capacity is available and likely to be sustained; and
d) The University is able to provide appropriate facilities and research environment for the
conduct of scholarly research in the area of the research programme.
3.4. An applicant for registration for a research Master’s degree should normally hold a first class or upper second class Honours degree or a qualification that is regarded by the University as equivalent to such an Honours degree.
3.5. An applicant for direct registration for Doctor of Philosophy should normally hold a
Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to the proposed research.
3.6. An applicant for a Professional Doctorate should normally hold a Master’s degree in a cognate area, or a Bachelor’s degree in a cognate area plus at least two years’
professional practice, or be capable of otherwise demonstrating professional
competence of high standing in the area of the research.
3.7. The candidate must demonstrate sufficient command of the English language to
complete the programme of work satisfactorily and to prepare and defend a thesis in
English.
3.8. Candidates may register on a full-time or part-time basis.
3.9. On occasion applications may be approved from a person proposing to work largely
outside the UK, provided that the following criteria are met:
a) There is satisfactory evidence of the adequacy of the support and facilities available for
the research both in the University and abroad, for example through the designation of an
appropriate collaborating institution outside the UK.
b) The supervisory arrangements enable frequent and substantial contact between
the candidate and the first and second supervisor;
c) Personal contact between the student and first supervisor must be sufficiently frequent
for the first supervisor to have continuing confidence in the candidate’s progress.
3.10. A candidate may apply to upgrade their award in the following ways:
a) Master of Science by Research or Master of Arts by Research to Master of Philosophy
or Doctor of Philosophy;
b) Master of Philosophy to Doctor of Philosophy;
3.11. A candidate may apply to upgrade when all mandatory research modules (or agreed
equivalent programme) have been satisfactorily completed and the supervisory team
has deemed that they have made sufficient progress on the research to provide
evidence of its potential development towards the intended award.
3.12. A candidate who is registered for any higher award and who is unable to complete
the approved programme of work may, at any time prior to submission of the thesis for
examination, apply to RC to convert the registration to an appropriate lower award,
provided that the registration period for the lower award has not been exceeded.
3.13. Where there is a requirement for the thesis to remain confidential for a period of time
after completion of the work, application for approval should normally be made at the
time of submission. The period approved should normally not exceed two years from the
date of the viva voce examination.
3.14. A Project Approval form must be submitted for review by the School no later than
programme start date plus 15 months for Full Time and 24 months for Part Time students.
The Project Approval form must evidence that ethical approval has been considered and
where required sought. A Project without ethical approval will not be approved overall.
Students not submitting a Project Approval form by the required deadline may be
withdrawn from their programme of study.
3.15. A Project Approval of Research Degree Project shall not be considered for approval
more than three times.
3.16. A Project Approval of Research Degree Project may be exempted for Masters by
Research students by the Postgraduate Research Lead under the following conditions:
1) All supervisors and the Postgraduate Research Lead agree that the research proposal is
of equal quality and coverage to the requirements in the Project Approval Form.
2) The project is a pre-existing supervisor designed project that the student is being
engaged to fulfil.
3.17. A candidate must ensure engagement with mandatory progression monitoring points
and regular recording of supervisory meetings to meet the University’s policy with regard
to Engagement & Attendance.
3.18. Failure to comply with mandatory monitoring points may result in the instigation of the
University withdrawal procedures.
4.1. Candidates may undertake a programme of research in which the candidate’s own creative
work forms, as point of origin or reference, a significant part of the intellectual enquiry.
Such creative work must have been undertaken as part of the registered research
programme. In such cases, the presentation and submission may be partly in other than
written form.
4.2. The creative work must be clearly presented in relation to the argument of a written
thesis and set within its relevant theoretical, historical, critical or design context. The
thesis must itself conform to the usual scholarly requirements and be of the appropriate
length (see Section 13).
4.3. The final submission must be accompanied by some permanent record (this may be
electronic or physical) of the creative work, which should, where practicable, be bound
with the thesis or included in a digital submission with links to exhibition and other
platforms where work can be viewed.
5.1. Candidates may undertake a programme of research in which the candidate’s own
published work forms, as a point of origin or reference, a significant part of the intellectual
enquiry. Any joint publications that are included in the thesis must include a statement of
contribution agreed with and signed by co-authors in the appendices to the thesis.
5.2. The published work must be clearly presented in relation to the argument of a written
commentary and set within its relevant context. The commentary must itself conform to
the usual scholarly requirements and be of the appropriate length.
6.1. For each research degree candidate, the School within which the research will be based
will approve the appointment of a supervisory team. One supervisor, who must be a
member of the University staff, should be designated the first supervisor and the other(s)
the second supervisor(s). A second supervisor may be external to the University.
6.2. For the Professional MA/MSc by Research the relevant School will approve the
appointment of a supervisory team. The team will consist of a first supervisor, who must
be a member of the University staff, plus a mentor.
6.3. The first supervisor has responsibility for supervising the candidate on a regular and
frequent basis agreeing an adequate record of actions and plans with the student. There
must be sufficient frequent personal contact between the student and the first supervisor
to enable the first supervisor to assess and confirm the candidate’s progress. The first
supervisor is also responsible for the recording of student monitoring data for Student
Route visa students.
6.4. Individual supervisors will normally not supervise more than 8 research students at any
one time unless they are highly experienced and have sufficient time allocated to them to
do so.
6.5. The supervisory team must have combined experience of supervising to successful
completion at least two candidates for research degrees. In the case of a Doctoral
candidate, one of the supervisors must have successfully supervised at Doctoral level.
6.6. Ultimate responsibility for progress on the research degree programme resides with the
candidate who must ensure that satisfactory progress is made at all times against targets
set in supervision.
7.1. A student’s work submitted for assessment must be their own. Practices that
compromise this principle are defined by the University in their guidance on
Assessments and Examinations.
7.2. If assessment offences are suspected for work completed for taught elements of
research degrees then the procedures relating to these are covered by the University’s
Academic Regulations for Taught Provision.
7.3. If the supervisory team suspects that formative work (produced during the preparation of the thesis but not prepared for assessment on a taught module) includes practices that
compromise the principle that the student’s work is expected to be their own (as per the
definitions linked to in paragraph 8.1), this must be reported to the relevant PGR Lead.
The PGR Lead shall nominate an interview panel to meet with the student and the
supervisory team to determine whether the work shall be deemed not to be their own. If
the student’s work is not deemed to be their own, the work will be considered within the
category of “errors of attribution” or “assessment offences”.
7.4. The panel will normally be chaired by the PGR Lead. Where the PGR Lead is also the
supervisor of the candidate concerned, another experienced supervisor should be
nominated to act as Chair. No member of the interview panel should be involved in
the consideration of a case in which they have an interest.
7.5. Where “errors of attribution” are found by the nominated panel, a temporal plan should
be agreed to rectify the errors and progress towards this must be reviewed at the next
Progress Review. The student will be called to a formal interview if any elements of the
plan have not been met.
7.6. Where “assessment offences” are found by the nominated panel, the finding should be
reported to the PGR APP acting as the Assessment Offences Board of Examiners. If the
recommendation that the student has committed an “assessment offence” is upheld
there, this finding must be placed on the student’s record as a first offence and must be
taken into consideration in subsequent Annual Progress Reports and progression
decisions. If, subsequently, a second offence is found, the student will be required to
attend a formal interview at a special meeting of the Annual Progression Board and will be
required to withdraw from their programme of study and the University.
7.7. If an assessment offence” allegation is made against an individual who is no longer a
registered student, but the allegation relates to a time when they were a registered
student with the University, the University has the right to investigate the allegation. This
could result in an award being rescinded in the case that an academic offence is found to
have been committed.
8.1. The examination may not take place until the examiners have been approved. The viva
voce examination should normally be completed within 3 months of the formal submission
of the thesis for examination, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
8.2. The examination for a research degree should have two stages: first, the candidate’s
submission of the thesis and the examiners’ independent preliminary assessment of it;
and second, the defence of the thesis by viva voce or approved alternative examination.
In the case of the MA/MSc by Research and the MRes, where the Examiners’ independent
preliminary assessments agree that the thesis reaches the required standard for the
intended award, they may recommend that the viva voce is dispensed with.
In the case of the Professional MA/MSc by Research, the form of examination will be approved in regulations made specifically for each award.
8.3. A candidate should be examined orally or by another approved alternative on the
programme of work and on the field of study in which the programme lies.
8.4. Where valid reasons are presented in advance that the candidate would be seriously
disadvantaged if required to undergo a viva voce examination, an alternative form of
examination may be approved by the APP. Such approval will not be given on the grounds
that the candidate’s knowledge of English is inadequate.
8.5. All candidates must attend their viva voce examination or approved alternative. Failure to
attend may result in actions up to not being awarded any degree and not being permitted
to re-submit the thesis unless independent notice of serious mitigating circumstances is
received.
8.6. The viva voce examination should normally be held in the University and must be
attended by all examiners. In special circumstances the APP may give approval for the
examination and/or resubmission to take place elsewhere.
8.7. The University will prefer that the candidate attend viva examination in person but may
agree to an examination online on request.
8.8. If it is proposed that the examination is held away from the University, the application
for examination arrangements must specify the location.
8.9. The candidate’s supervisor(s) may, with the permission of the student, be present at the
viva voce examination in a non-speaking capacity. Others may, with the permission of the
candidate and agreement of the examiners, be present at the viva voce in a non-speaking
capacity.
8.10. The APP should make a decision based on the reports and recommendation(s) of
the examiners in respect of the candidate. The formal power to confer the degree rests
with RC.
8.11. Where evidence of the use of unfair means, such as plagiarism , in the preparation of
the thesis comes to light during examination this must be discussed in detail in the joint
examination report to assist the APP in its consideration of the matter, if necessary in
consultation with the examiners the APP will undertake an investigation and if the use of
unfair means is upheld by the investigation panel, they will take appropriate action, which
includes failing the thesis with no possibility of re-examination.
8.12. The APP should ensure that all examinations are conducted, and the recommendations
of the examiners are presented, wholly in accordance with these regulations. In any
instance where the APP is made aware of a failure to comply with all the procedures of the
examination process, it may declare the examination null and void, and appoint new
examiners.
8.13. The degree of MSc/MA by Research, Professional MA/MSc by Research, MRes, MPhil,
PhD, PhD by Publication, Professional Doctorate or International Doctorate may be awarded posthumously on the basis of a thesis completed by a candidate, which is ready
for submission for examination. In such cases the APP should seek evidence that the
candidate would have been likely to have been successful, had a viva voce examination
taken place.
9.1. The candidate should submit one digital copy of the thesis before the expiry of the
registration period. The candidate should submit the author’s declaration and
candidature form with the thesis:
9.2. The submission of the thesis for examination should be at the sole discretion of the
candidate. Although a candidate would normally be unwise to submit the thesis for
examination against the advice of the supervisor(s), it is their right to do so. The
supervisor(s) should record in writing that the thesis has been submitted against advice
and submit a copy of this record to both the School PGR Lead and Research
Administration Office. The supervisor’s agreement to the submission of a thesis does not
guarantee the successful outcome of the examination.
9.3. The candidate should satisfy any conditions of eligibility for examination required by the
Committee including the successful completion of any mandatory taught modules, or
Annual Progress requirements.
9.4. The candidate should take no part in the arrangement of the examination and should
have no contact with any of the examiners between the appointment of the examiners
and the viva voce examination.
9.5. The candidate should ensure that the thesis format is in accordance with the
requirements of the regulations (see section 13 below).
9.6. Any work which breaches the University’s Research Ethics: Handbook of Principles and
Procedures will not knowingly be assessed.
10.1. A candidate should be examined initially by at least two and not more than three
examiners, of whom at least one is an external examiner. The first supervisor is
responsible for contacting and nominating the examiners, and should consult with the
candidate concerning the suitability of the examiners. Should the candidate and
supervisor(s) disagree on the proposed appointment of external examiners, the matter
will be referred to the Postgraduate Research Award & Progression Panel for a final
decision.
10.2. Examiners should not be appointed unless experienced in research in the area of the
candidate’s thesis. At least one examiner should also have experience of examining at least two candidates at the level of award being sought.
10.3. An independent internal examiner shall be defined as an examiner who is:
a) A member of staff of the University, but not a member of the supervisory team; or
b) A member of staff of the candidate’s collaborating establishment, but not a member
of the supervisory team.
10.4. Where the candidate is on the permanent staff of the institution no member of staff
may serve as an examiner. An individual holding an Emeritus role with the University may
be considered as an internal examiner. They may not be appointed as an external
examiner.
10.5. The internal examiner should not:
a) Have/have had any significant collaboration with the candidate nor have given
any substantive advice to the candidate on their research (except in the case of a
resubmitted thesis).
10.6. The external examiner should not:
a) Have/have had any significant collaboration with the candidate nor have given
any substantive advice to the candidate on their research (except in the case of a
resubmitted thesis);
b) Be either a current or former member of staff, governor or near relative of a member of
staff of the University of Gloucestershire, unless at least 5 years have elapsed since they
relinquished the post;
c) Be a former higher degree student of the University of Gloucestershire or of any of
the supervisors at another higher education institution, unless at least 5 years have
elapsed since the degree was conferred;
d) Normally be invited on a regular basis (more than once every 2 years) to
examine research degrees at the University of Gloucestershire;
e) Show evidence of reciprocal examining arrangements to an extent that could
encourage unprofessional, biased assessment.
10.7. No candidate for a research degree should act as an examiner.
10.8. The University shall determine and pay the fees and expenses of the external examiners.
11.1. Each examiner must read and examine the thesis and submit an individual
preliminary report on it to the Research Office.
11.2. The preliminary reports will indicate whether the thesis is of a sufficient standard to
go forward for viva voce or other approved alternative examination, or in the case of
the MA/MSc by Research or MRes, whether the thesis is of a sufficient standard for the
viva voce to be dispensed with.
11.3. The preliminary reports should either indicate an agenda for discussion in the viva
voce examination or form the basis for the compilation of a joint report by examiners in
cases where the viva voce examination is to be dispensed with.
11.4. In the case of the MPhil, PhD and the Professional Doctorates, the preliminary
report should be sent to the relevant School at least 7 working days before any viva
voce examination is due to be held.
11.5. In the case of the MA/MSc by Research and MRes, the preliminary report should be
sent to the relevant School at least 14 working days before the proposed viva voce.
11.6. The examiners cannot recommend that a candidate fail outright without holding a viva
voce examination or other approved alternative examination. However, students may use
the maximum period of registration permitted for the programme (para. 2.1) and
examiners may recommend that the thesis be returned to the student for further work if
time in registration remains.
11.7. Following the viva voce or other approved examination, the examiners should prepare a
joint report that must be sufficiently detailed to enable the APP to make a well-founded
decision about the award. A summary of the report may be made available to the student
and only if the examiners have agreed upon an unequivocal recommendation. They should
make it clear to the candidate at the end of the viva voce examination that their joint
report is their recommendation, but that the final decision on the award rests with RC.
11.8. The report should make one of the following recommendations. That:
a) The candidate be awarded the degree unconditionally;
b) The candidate be awarded the degree subject to the correction of typographic and
similar errors to the satisfaction of the first supervisor. Typographic errors or similar may
be communicated via an annotated copy of the thesis or through a list in the
examination report. Such corrections should be of a scale capable of completion by the
candidate within one month of the APP;
c) The candidate be awarded the degree subject to minor amendments, to the
satisfaction of the internal examiner where present or a nominated external examiner
if not. In this case the examiners should provide in writing for communication to the
candidate by the viva chair a list of the minor corrections by the candidate within three
months of the APP;
d) The candidate be awarded the degree subject to major amendment to the thesis to the
satisfaction of a nominated examiner. In this case the examiners should provide in
writing for communication to the candidate by the viva chair a list of the amendments
and corrections required. Corrections should be made within six months of the relevant meeting of the APP;
e) The candidate not be awarded the degree, but be permitted to re-submit the thesis in
revised form and be re-examined by the same examination team, with or without a viva
voce examination. The examiners should recommend resubmission only if there is
sufficient evidence of original work and if the amount of further work to be undertaken
is not so substantial as to constitute a new thesis. A recommendation should be made
concerning the maximum period of time for resubmission, which is normally between 6
and 12 months from the relevant meeting of the APP;
f) In the case of a PhD examination, the candidate not be awarded the degree of PhD, but
be awarded the degree of MPhil subject to the presentation of the thesis amended as
necessary to the satisfaction of the examiners. The amendments should be made
within three months of the relevant meeting of the APP
In the case of a Professional Doctorate, the candidate not be awarded the Doctorate
but be awarded a lesser award consonant with the assessed work completed and /or
thesis submitted.
In the case of an MPhil examination, the examiners may recommend that the
candidate not be awarded the degree of MPhil, but be awarded the degree of MSc or
MA by Research subject to the presentation of the thesis amended to the satisfaction
of the examiners;
g) The candidate not be awarded any degree and not be permitted to re-submit the thesis.
In this case the examiners should prepare an agreed general statement of the
deficiencies of the thesis and the reason for their recommendation, which should be
submitted to the Research Administration Office for transmission to the APP and
subsequently to the candidate;
h) No recommendation can be made for reasons outlined within the examiner’s report.
Further investigation will be required to provide a decision based on categories a –
g above.
11.9. One re-examination may be permitted by the APP, subject to the following requirements:
a) A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners at the first examination (including at the
viva voce or approved alternative examination, or any further examination required)
may, on the recommendation of the examiners, and with the approval of the APP, be
permitted to revise the thesis and be re-examined;
b) The examiners must provide the candidate, through the APP, with written guidance on
the deficiencies of the first submission; and
c) The candidate should submit for re-examination normally within the period of one
calendar year from the date of the relevant Committee meeting. Where the viva
voce examination has been dispensed with, the re-examination should take place
within 6 months of the resubmission of the thesis. The APP may, where there are
good reasons, approve an extension of this period.
d) Where the viva voce examination has not been dispensed with for the re-examination,
the candidate must attend their viva voce.
11.10. The APP may require that an additional external examiner be appointed for
the re- examination.
11.11. On completion of re-examination the examiners should make one of the following
recommendations to the APP in accordance with paragraph 12.8, excepting that 12.8.g
shall not apply to the re-examination.
11.12. Where the examiners’ recommendations are not unanimous, the APP will normally
appoint an additional external to give a ‘blind’ reading of the thesis. Following this
appointment, a report should be submitted to the APP within one month and the APP will
make a decision based on this report.
11.13. If the degree is not awarded, the examiners should prepare an agreed statement of the
deficiencies of the thesis and reason for their recommendation, which should be
forwarded to the APP and to the candidate by the Research Administration Office.
11.14. Failure to submit amendments as recorded on the approved examination report to the
satisfaction of the nominated supervisor or examiner to the timeframe agreed by the APP
will result in the recording of a no award outcome.
12.1. The written language of the thesis must be English unless it is the purpose of the
thesis to translate or otherwise engage with a language other than English. This
intention should be noted on the Project Approval Form.
12.2. If the candidate proposes a change to the approved title of the thesis after the
Project Approval, they must submit the amended title to the Research Administration
Office
12.3. An abstract of approximately 300 words must be bound into the thesis on the page
following the title page. The abstract should provide a synopsis of the thesis, stating the
nature and scope of the work undertaken and of the contribution made to the knowledge
of the subject treated.
12.4. The thesis must acknowledge published or other sources of material consulted and any
assistance received. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that the final version
of the thesis lodged with the University’s Research Repository carries full and
acknowledged permissions for any copyrighted materials. For more information about
including copyrighted materials, please refer to Keeping Your Thesis Legal, a booklet
available from the Library, Technology and Information Services.
In the event that permission cannot or will not be granted by the copyright holder, it will
be the student’s responsibility to submit a second digital version of their final thesis which redacts the items or sections which do not carry the appropriate permissions.
12.5. Where a candidate’s research programme is part of a collaborative group project, the
thesis should indicate clearly the candidate’s individual contribution and the extent of
the collaboration. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that a signed declaration is
included in the final copy stating how far the work contained in the thesis was the
candidate’s own work, or how far it was undertaken in collaboration with, or with the
assistance of, others.
12.6. The candidate is free to publish material from the thesis in advance of its submission,
but reference should be made in the thesis to any such output.
In the event that a publisher does not permit the candidate to deposit a full text version of
their thesis to the Repository it is the candidate’s responsibility to submit a second
redacted version with links to the DOI or a publisher’s URL of the publication(s).
12.7. The text of the thesis is
12.8. The final word count must not be exceeded by more than 10% of the stated amount for
the award. Ancillary data, bibliography, appendices, and footnotes or endnotes are not
included in the word count.
The University reserves the right to suspend the examination process if the thesis is found
to be in breach of the stated word count (excluding appendices, tables, diagrams,
bibliography and references).
12.9. Where the thesis is accompanied by material in other than written form, or the
research involves creative writing or the preparation of a scholarly edition, or the thesis is
related to an integrated programme of taught study, or the thesis contains previously
published material, the balance of the thesis should normally be within the range:
12.10. The following requirements should be adhered to in the format of the submitted
thesis.
a) Upon initial submission for examination, the thesis will be submitted in digital form.
b) The thesis should be formatted in A4 portrait format.
c) Text should be present in 12point size, in a clear font such as Times New Roman or Arial
d) A consistent margin should be applied throughout the thesis
e) Double or one-and-a-half spacing should be used in the typescript except for indented
quotations or footnotes where single spacing may be used.
f) Pages should be numbered consecutively through the main text including photographs
and/or diagrams included as whole pages. Page numbers should be printed in the
header or footer of each page title page.
g) The title page should give the following information in the following order (see also
specimen title page below):
i. The full title of the thesis (including any sub-title), followed by the volume
number if there is more than one;
ii. The full name of the author;
iii. ‘A thesis submitted to the University of Gloucestershire in accordance with the
requirements for the degree of…in the School of…’;
iv. The name of the collaborating establishment(s) if any;
v. The month and year of first submission; and
vi. The word count (appendices, tables, diagrams, bibliography and references are
excluded from the word count).
h) Text placed within headers should be excluded from the title page; abstract page;
author’s declaration; acknowledgements (if applicable); and table of contents.
i) The candidate should include on the page following the abstract page a signed author’s
declaration confirming that the material presented for examination is their own work or
how far the work contained in the thesis was the candidate’s own work, , or how far it
was conducted in collaboration with, or with the assistance of others, and stating that
the thesis is not being submitted for any other academic award and where necessary
include evidence showing where permission(s) for copyrighted material have been
received.
j) The candidate should not be precluded from incorporating in the thesis, covering a
wider field, work which has already been submitted for a degree or comparable
award, provided that it is indicated which work has been so incorporated. In addition,
a disclaimer that the views expressed in the dissertation are those of the author and
not of the University should be included on this page.
See Appendix Two for an example Author’s Declaration.
k) Following successful completion, a ‘perfect’ digital copy of the final thesis should be
submitted to the Research Administration Office for retention by the University. No
award can be made until the digital copy has been submitted.
l) The ETHOS electronic deposit form should be submitted with the final thesis. As well
as being deposited into the British Library’s EThOS (national online thesis scheme
site) the candidate’s thesis will also go into the University’s Research Repository. A
digital copy must be submitted even if the candidate has been granted an embargo
or temporary moratorium. In this case, the thesis will be will be placed in a dark
archive or kept securely by the Research Administration Office. For details, please
refer to Keeping Your Thesis Legal, a booklet available from the Library, Technology
and Information Services.”.
m) The copyright in the thesis should normally be vested in the candidate, unless there
are exceptional circumstances.
13.1. Students have the right to appeal against a decision of a Board of Examiners and will
not suffer any disadvantage or recrimination as a result of making an appeal in good faith.
Students considering making an appeal should consult the University’s guidance on
Appeals and Complaints.
13.2 Procedures for submitting and hearing an academic appeal are documented in the
assessment procedures section of the University’s Academic Regulations for Taught
Provision.
A PROFESSION UNDER PRESSURE:
THE INCREASING INCIDENCE OF STRESS-RELATED DISORDERS AMONGST
CONTRACT RESEARCHERS
BLANCHE DELAMERE
A thesis submitted to The University of Gloucestershire in accordance with the requirements of
the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Health
July 2026
Word Count: ______
I declare that the work in this thesis was carried out in accordance with the regulations
of the University of Gloucestershire and is original except where indicated by
specific reference in the text. No part of the thesis has been submitted as part of
any other academic award. The thesis has not been presented to any other
education institution in the United Kingdom or overseas.
Any views expressed in the thesis are those of the author and in no way represent those
of the University.
Signed …………………………………………….. Date ……………………………….
A PROFESSION UNDER PRESSURE:
THE INCREASING INCIDENCE OF STRESS-RELATED DISORDERS
AMONGST CONTRACT RESEARCHERS
B. DELAMERE
PHD
2026