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HomeResearchYork Graduate Research SchoolPolicy, forms and documentsPolicy on Research Degrees2. The criteria for the award of PGR degrees

2. The criteria for the award of PGR degrees

2.1 The degrees of PhD, EngD, and MPhil are obtained by research and are assessed through the submission of a thesis (or equivalent) and an oral examination. The degrees of MA/MSc (by research) are obtained by research and are assessed through the submission of a thesis (or equivalent) and, where required, an oral examination.

2.2 The degrees of PhD and EngD are Doctoral degrees (level 8 of The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in Degree-Awarding Bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ), and third cycle (Doctoral) qualifications within A Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA)).

2.3 The degrees of MPhil and MA/MSc (by research) are Master’s degrees (level 7 of the FHEQ, and second cycle qualifications within the QF-EHEA). 

2.4 A thesis will be a piece of work which a capable, well-qualified and diligent PGR, who is properly supported and supervised, can complete successfully within the normal period of enrolment for the degree in question.

2.5 The University of York has programme learning outcomes for the degrees of PhD/EngD, MPhil and MA/MSc by research. 

Programme learning outcomes and award descriptors for the award of the degrees of PhD and EngD

By the end of their PhD programme, a PGR will be an established early career researcher, who is in a position to make a substantial original contribution to knowledge and understanding, and who is able to:

  1. Work independently to design (and where appropriate to conceptualise), deliver, and adapt a research project aimed at the creation of new knowledge.
  2. Create and interpret new knowledge which extends the frontier of the discipline, satisfies peer review and merits publication.
  3. Display a high level of proficiency in the skills and methods of research of their chosen field.
  4. Critically analyse, evaluate, and synthesise their research, presenting it in a format that meets the academic expectations of the relevant discipline(s). 
  5. Establish how their research fits into the wider research context through the acquisition and understanding of a comprehensive body of knowledge which is at the forefront of their discipline(s). 
  6. Demonstrate mastery of the details and complexities of their research through justification and explanation of their research to, and debate of their research in real time with, experts in their field.
  7. Conduct research in accordance with the highest standards of integrity. 

2.7 The degrees of PhD or EngD are awarded to PGRs who have demonstrated all of the following:

  • 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;
  • 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 the qualification 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 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;

and will have:

  • the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional or equivalent environments.

2.8 A PhD or EngD thesis (or equivalent) must contain a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding. 

Programme learning outcomes and award descriptors for the award of the degrees of MPhil and MA/MSc (by research)

2.9 By the end of their MPhil programme, a PGR will be in a position to make a recognisable original contribution to knowledge or understanding, and will be able to:

  1. Work independently to design, deliver and adapt a research project aimed at the creation or application of new knowledge. 
  2. Demonstrate originality in the application or development of new knowledge, which is likely to satisfy peer review and merit publication.
  3. Display proficiency in the skills and methods of research of their chosen field.
  4. Critically analyse and evaluate their research, presenting it in a format that meets the academic expectations of the relevant discipline(s). 
  5. Establish how their research fits into their field of study through the acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge, most of which is at the forefront of their discipline(s). 
  6. Demonstrate a good command of the details and complexities of their research through justification and explanation of their research to, and debate of their research in real time with, experts in their field.
  7. Conduct research in accordance with the highest standards of integrity.

2.10 By the end of their Master of Arts by research or Master of Science by research programme, a PGR will be able to:

  1. Work, largely independently, to design, deliver and adapt a research project aimed at the creation or application of new knowledge. 
  2. Demonstrate some originality in the application development of knowledge, which may satisfy peer review and merit publication.
  3. Display competency in the skills and methods of research relevant to their project.
  4. Critically analyse their research, presenting it in a format that meets the academic expectations of the relevant discipline(s). 
  5. Establish how their research fits into their field of study, through the acquisition of a body of knowledge, most of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their discipline(s). 
  6. Present their research to experts in their field.
  7. Conduct research in accordance with the highest standards of integrity. 

2.11 The degrees of MPhil and MA/MSc (by research) are awarded to PGRs who have demonstrated:

  • a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study, or area of professional practice;
  • a comprehensive understanding of techniques available to their own research or advanced scholarship;
  • originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline;
  • conceptual understanding that enables the PGR:
    • to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline; and
    • to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses;
  • the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of knowledge, applications or understanding of the discipline. [This is a York-specific addition to the FHEQ’s descriptor for Master’s level programmes.]

Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:

  • deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
  • demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level;
  • continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level;

and will have:

  • the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
    • the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility;
    • decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations; and
    • the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.

2.12 The MPhil is a degree of considerable distinction in its own right and an MPhil thesis (or equivalent) is expected to display a good general knowledge of the field of study, a comprehensive knowledge of some part or aspect of the field of study, and a recognisable original contribution to knowledge or understanding.

2.13 Note, that the reference to 'merits publication' is given as an indication of the quality of the research required. It is not expected that a thesis will be ready for immediate publication as it stands, nor that all of a thesis will merit publication.