What is a PhD?

A PhD is an independent piece of research and writing that presents an original contribution to existing knowledge within a given discipline. Liverpool Hope University will award the degree of PhD to students who have demonstrated:

• the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication;
• a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice;
• the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems;
• a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry.

Typically, holders of a PhD degree from Liverpool Hope University will:

• be able to make informed judgements on complex issues in specialist fields, often in the absence of complete data, and be able to communicate their ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
• continue to undertake pure and/or applied research and development at an advanced level, contributing substantially to the development of new techniques, ideas or approaches.
• have the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility;
• demonstrate largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations.

The maximum length of a PhD thesis at Liverpool Hope University is 100,000 words.