Course summary
We offer full-time (three years) and part-time (six years) doctoral training programmes (including PhDs and a Professional Doctorate) in topics or research approaches in which QMU researchers have expertise. You will create a significant piece of original research and, in the process, gain advanced research skills, putting you in a very strong position for progression in your chosen academic or professional field. Our programmes also include an award of a Doctoral Certificate, achieved by completing three READ modules (Researcher Enhancement and Development) each of 20 credits at SCQF level 12. Your doctorate is a substantial piece of learning and research, reflecting three or more years of endeavour, which has commercial, cultural or social value. It is also a process through which you will acquire advanced research knowledge, skills and expertise, be challenged and transform as a person. The training programme for your doctorate will require significant personal discipline, time and commitment. In return, your sense of achievement at the end will be immense, and successful completion of your doctorate will open up a range of opportunities for career advancement.
Modules
You would usually complete a doctoral programme, including the READ modules, in three years full-time or six years part-time. On the successful completion of READ, you will be awarded the 60-credit level 12 Doctoral Certificate in addition to any doctoral award for your research. We are the only university in Scotland that provides a formal academic award at this level for the broader learning that goes into doctoral studies. Throughout your doctoral programme, you will participate in doctoral education and learning weeks. These focus on developing the knowledge and skills that you require in order to successfully design and progress your doctoral research project and the three READ modules. They also provide a great networking opportunity for you to engage with your fellow doctoral candidates, other research supervisors and the Graduate School team.
Assessment method
As a doctoral candidate you will progressively demonstrate a doctoral level understanding of research philosophies and methodologies, show originality in application of research methods, and understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research impact. PhD candidates will extend the forefront of a discipline by making an impact with an original contribution to knowledge — or your field of practice in the case of a Professional Doctorate candidate. Candidates will work with a supervisory team who will provide ongoing guidance and support throughout the programme. The doctorate is ultimately assessed by the thesis or creative work and viva examination. The usual PhD thesis length is 70,000 to 100,000 words. Where PhD research involves creative writing, a portfolio of creative work or the preparation of a scholarly edition, the critical commentary on the material under discussion would normally be within the range of 30,000 to 40,000 words. The usual Professional Doctorate thesis length is 45,000 words. PhD candidate submissions Candidates take part in three assessment exercises to confirm progress towards the submission of the final thesis: The probationary assessment, in Year One (for both full-time and part-time candidates), comprises the submission of a comprehensive research proposal (approx. 6,000 words) that is followed by a viva with an internal assessment panel composed of two research supervisors unconnected with the topic or candidate. The assessed seminar in Year Two (Year Four for part-time candidates) generally takes the form of a 3,000 word paper or thesis chapter, or creative piece, which sets out the progression of study to date and outlines how the candidate plans to progress their research to completion within the timeline. The assessed seminar in year three (year five to six for part-time candidates) takes place prior to the submission of the final thesis or creative work. A thesis chapter is submitted for the seminar or presentation, or any publications to date and the draft impact plan, including dissemination of the candidate’s research. Professional Doctorate candidate submissions Candidates take part in three assessment exercises to obtain a Professional Doctorate: A staged piece of work for the Theory and Context of Professional Practice module, which consists of a 3,000-word justification/rationale for the project/research plus a 6,000-word critical reflective commentary of the processes of learning in relation to the project/research. A single 9,000-word portfolio of work for the Developing and Evaluating Professional Practice module, which shows how various methods have been used to evaluate and draw conclusions that inform the chosen project/research topic. Candidates must submit at least one piece of work every year. A 6,000-word research proposal for the Doctoral Research module, which is preceded by and also assessed through a seminar presentation.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
Entry requirements
You should have a good UK Honours degree (2:1 or above) OR an equivalent degree from another country OR equivalent professional experience. Additionally, you must produce an outline research proposal (approximately 1000 words) which we judge to be feasible and appropriate for the level of study, and which is in a field we can supervise. We recommend that you contact potential supervisors prior to making an application. International: where your previous degree has not been studied in English, you will need a minimum IELTS overall score of 6.5 and no individual component score below 6.0. Interview: There will be an interview process for all applicants, which may be conducted in person, by Skype, or by phone.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £2955 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £2955 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £2955 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £2955 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £2955 | Year 1 |
| International | £8385 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Full-time fees payable per annum over 3 years.
Bench Fees - Laboratory Based Research - £1,000.00
With the exception of research students who have a studentship, all research students requiring laboratory, practical or clinical expenses will pay a minimum bench fee of £1,000, which covers the cost of consumable materials and other expenses associated with the student's research at QMU. Students undertaking a proposal involving expenses which exceed £1,000 will be required to cover these costs if they do not have sponsorship.
Continuation Fee - £500.00
All research students exceeding their normal prescribed period of study without submitting their thesis are registered as continuing students, and pay the appropriate annual continuation fee.
Exam fee - £230.00
Students who complete their studies within the 2024/25 academic year and have not paid either the full or part time fee during this year, will also be charged the exam fee.
Provider information
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Queen Margaret University Drive
Musselburgh
Edinburgh
EH21 6UU