1.1 Oxford Brookes University (hereinafter referred to as ‘the University’) shall award the degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Professional Doctorates (D-Subject), to registered candidates who successfully complete approved programmes of supervised research.
1.2 Programmes of research may be proposed in any field of study subject to the requirement that the proposed programme is capable of leading to scholarly research 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 shall be considered on their academic merits and without reference to the concerns or interests of any associated funding body.
1.3 The MPhil shall be awarded to a candidate who, having critically investigated and evaluated an approved topic and demonstrated an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field, has presented and defended a thesis by oral examination to the satisfaction of the examiners.
1.4 The PhD shall be awarded to a candidate who, having critically investigated and evaluated an approved topic resulting in an independent and original contribution to the field and demonstrated an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field, has presented and defended a thesis (or other methods for visual and performing arts) by oral examination to the satisfaction of the examiners.
1.5 The University Research Degrees Policy and Procedures Handbook will also apply to the research component for the award of Professional Doctorate.