The minimum entrance requirement for research degrees offered by the University is an upper second class honours undergraduate degree relevant to the proposed programme of study and research (or International Equivalent). The award must have been made by a recognised university or higher education institution, or by the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA). Applicants are required to provide evidence of their qualifications as part of the application process.

All applicants must declare that their submission is not substantially the same as any that they have previously made or are currently making, whether in published or unpublished form, for a degree, diploma, or similar qualification at any university or similar institution.

All applications must be submitted by the submission deadline (see Section 5.9) indicated on the University research degrees website.

Applications should include all of the published works that will comprise the thesis and a supporting proposal (maximum of 1,500 words) that clearly outlines how the body of published works:

• provides an original contribution to the literature;
• reflects a systematic approach;
• relates to the general body of knowledge in the chosen subject;
• demonstrates the standard and scope of the work is reasonable to expect from a capable and diligent Doctoral researcher.

Applicants are also required to submit a full academic curriculum vitae with their initial application. The curriculum vitae will help ensure that the PhD by Published Works Review Committee are aware of the research activity and publishing track record of the applicant, either individually or in collaborative research groups. The curriculum vitae will also be used when considering non-academic circumstances that may have restricted or delayed the development of an applicants professional career in terms of volume rather than the quality of the outputs and activities presented within the submission.